Indoor Things to Do in Lancaster PA

October 19, 2022

Whether it's too cold, too hot, rainy, or you just don't feel like dealing with bugs, humidity or whatever... there are plenty of times when you'll want to find an indoor thing to do in Lancaster PA.  We're here for you!  No matter how you roll, we have some fun indoor options for you to consider!

This Blog is All About Indoor Things to Do in Lancaster PA

1 - Bring Your A-Game at Decades Lancaster

View from Above
The View from Above

438 N Queen St, Lancaster | Website

Decades Lancaster is one of our favorite places no matter what the weather.  This "adult playground" has a chic interior, fantastic food, hip bar, tons of fun games & activities and is simply a wonderful place to hang out!!  Bowl a few rounds while sipping tasty cocktails and it won't be long before the memory of outside weather conditions fade away.

RELATED:  17 Things You Should Know About Decades Lancaster

2 - 4:   Visit Wonderful Lancaster Museums

 

Train
Source: Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania Facebook

Lancaster has some terrific museums worth visiting.  These particular museums have entirely indoor exhibits, with no need to walk outside to get from building to building.  That's why these are the best choices when the weather isn't cooperating.

  • PA Railroad Museum | 300 Gap Rd, Strasburg | Website
  • National Watch & Clock Museum | 514 Poplar St, Columbia | Website
  • The Demuth Museum |120 E King St, Lancaster | Website 

5 - 9:   Do Some Unique Shopping

 

shopping
Source: Prussian Street Arcade Facebook Page

When forced indoors, a little retail therapy is definitely in order.  Sure you could head over to Park City Mall where you'll find all the big chain stores... OR... you could check out these privately owned unique shops instead!

  • Prussian Street Arcade | 49 N Main St, Manheim | Website
  • Building Character | 342 N Queen St, Lancaster | Website
  • Downtown Lititz | 7 S. Broad St, Lititz | Website
  • Kitchen Kettle Village | 3529 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse | Website
  • Bricker Village | 2 E 28th Division Hwy, Lititz | Website

10 - Tour Some Local Breweries

beer taps We know that craft breweries are popping up everywhere, but they're REALLY popping up in Lancaster County!  Keeping up this list of local craft breweries in Lancaster PA is a real challenge, but we're here for you!  At last count, we have 47 local craft breweries and tap rooms that guests can visit and enjoy.  Each one has its own vibe, style of beer and food options, so there are plenty of options to keep you hopping (he he, sometimes I crack myself up!) during crummy weather!

11 - 17:   Catch a Show at these Lancaster Theaters

stage
Source: Dutch Apple Dinner Theater

Lancaster has wonderful local theaters... in fact the area has often been referred to as the "Little Apple" because of the tremendous quality of our live theaters!

  • Fulton Theater | 12 N Prince St, Lancaster | Website
  • American Music Theater | 2425 E Lincoln Hwy, Lancaster | Website
  • Sight & Sound Theater | 300 Hartman Bridge Rd, Ronks | Website
  • Ephrata Performing Arts Center | 320 Cocalico St, Ephrata | Website
  • Dutch Apple Dinner Theater | 510 Centerville Rd, Lancaster | Website
  • Magic & Wonder Theater | 3065 Lincoln State Rte, Paradise | Website
  • PRIMA Theater | 941 Wheatland Ave, Lancaster | Website

18 - 22:  Visit Some Amish Owned Shops

Amish food Amish shops are open for business year round, regardless of the weather.  And seriously, a buttery soft pretzel and hot chocolate are going to hit the spot, especially when you know they're homemade my a member of our local Amish community (who probably got to work in their horse & buggy, so we English have nothing to complain about with the weather, right?!)

  • Emma’s Popcorn (& Lapp Ice Cream) | 4038 Old Philadelphia Pike, Gordonville | Website
  • Lapp Toys | 2220 Horseshoe Rd, Lancaster | Website
  • Lil’ Country Store & Miniature Horse Farm | 264 Paradise Ln, Ronks | Website
  • Countryside Roadstand | 2966 Stumptown Rd, Ronks | Website
  • Riehl’s Quilts & Crafts | 247 E Eby Rd, Leola | Website

23 - 27:  Take an Amish Guided Tour

 

Amish Family
Source: The Amish Experience

These Amish Tours are another great way to learn about the Amish and their way of life.  Local tour guides are super-knowledgeable and often are going to show you hidden gems that you're unlikely to find on your own!

  • Amish Experience VIP (Visit In Person) Tours | 3121 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand | Website
  • Amish Farm & House | 2395 Covered Bridge Dr, Lancaster | Website
  • Amish Village | 199 Hartman Bridge Rd, Ronks | Website
  • Mennonite Life Visitor's Center Tours | 2215 Millstream Rd, Lancaster | Website
  • LoKal Experiences | 128 E Grant St Suite 402, Lancaster | Website

28 - 30:  Have a Spa Day!

candles in spa

Don't let the weather, or life, stress you out!  Take some "me" time during your Lancaster Getaway and indulge yourself with a relaxing spa experience.  Here are some nearby spas we recommend:

  • Falling Waters Massage | 904 Dawn Ave, Ephrata | Website
  • Massage Envy | 718 Woodland Rd, Reading | Website
  • MassageLuXe | 1400 Gilbert Wy #102, Lancaster | Website

31:  Game On! at Spooky Nook

75 Champ Blvd, Manheim | Website

Spooky Nook is known for hosting tournaments, parties & special events.  But did you know there's plenty of fun to be had for an individual or couple looking for something active to do on a crummy day?  This epic indoor sports complex has Rock Climbing Walls, Facility Day Passes to the fitness center & exercise classes, and an Arcade and Dining options as well  Just watching all the teams competing is entertaining in its own right!!

32-34:  Test Your Skills at These Escape Rooms

 

Escape Room
Source: Refreshing Mountain Facebook Page

  • Escape Room Lancaster | 1018 N Christian St Suite 110, Lancaster | Website
  • Escape on Queen | 43-45 N Queen St, Lancaster | Website
  • Refreshing Mountain Escape Rooms | 455 Camp Rd, Stevens | Website

35:  Beat the Odds at Hollywood Casino Morgantown!!

Casino
Source: Hollywood Casino

6021 Morgantown Rd, Morgantown | Website

Take a gamble that you can transform a dreary day into a real winner by spending the day at Hollywood Casino in Morgantown!  From playing slots & table games to enjoying live entertainment and delicious food & drinks, a day at the Casino is a fun way to escape the outside world.  Heck, spend enough time there and you won't even know if it's night or day much less what the weather's like outside!!.

36 - 37:  Create Some Art

women with wine and art
Source: Discover Lancaster

  • The Pottery Works | 16 West Orange Street, Lancaster | Website
  • Painting with a Twist | 124 S Centerville Rd, Lancaster | Website

38:  Spend the Day in Hershey

Hershey Factory Tour Entrance

Just so we're clear, Hershey, PA has WAY more to offer than just Hershey Chocolate World, although Chocolate world IS pretty darn cool!  There's also the Hershey Story Museum, Tröegs Independent Brewery and the Antique Car Museum that are all terrific indoor attractions and great options on a crummy day!

39 - 44:  Treasure Hunt at Adamstown Antique Shops

Antiques
Source: Rebecca Gallagher

  • Oley Valley Architectural Antiques | 2453 N Reading Rd, Denver | Website
  • Adamstown Antique Mall | 3014 N Reading Rd, Adamstown | Website
  • Mad Hatter Antique Mall | 61 Willow St, Adamstown | Facebook
  • Heritage Antique Center | 2750 N Reading Rd, Reinholds | Website
  • Pine Hill Antique Mall | 3 Adams Dr, Reinholds | Facebook
  • House on Willow | 40 Willow Street, Adamstown | Facebook

45 - See a Movie at a Local Theater

movie theater lobby
The New Main Theater Lobby

Address:  124 E Main St, Ephrata
Website:  https://www.thenewmain.com/

You read that right, LOCAL theater, not one of the 30 Screen Megaplexes!!  The New Main Theater in Ephrata is privately owned by an Ephrata family.  It's wonderful to have one of the few remaining small, downtown theaters right here in Ephrata and we love supporting them.  They have 2 screens and both have super-comfy stadium seats where you can enjoy popular first-run movies!  The concession stand offers all the usual movie-fare, but the owners have some special / unique tasty options for sale as well.  Click on the link to their website to see what's showing... we're sure you'll love seeing a film at the New Main Theater as much as we do!

46 - Spend the Night at the Cozy Historic Smithton Inn!

Bed and Breakfsat
Photographer: Don Reese

With 18-inch thick stone walls, working fireplaces in every guest room and an on-site wine bar, there's no better choice for a cozy bed and breakfast on a rainy day than the Historic Smithton Inn!!  We'll pamper you with a homemade delicious breakfast each morning.  Then it's your call whether you want to brave the elements outside or choose to hunker down & binge watch Netflix in your luxurious room, on your large flat screen TV.  And don't worry, even though the building is over 260 years old and holds a rich history, modern amenities like screaming-fast WiFi means your shows won't buffer!

king bed You can choose an affordable queen size standard guest room or spurge a little and select a king suite with extra living space & a kitchenette.  Some of our rooms have jacuzzi tubs, others have an option for a large frameless glass rain shower.  No matter what you select, you can't go wrong!  BOOK YOUR STAY with us today!

 

 

This Blog is All About Indoor Things to Do in Lancaster PA

If you liked this blog post, here are some others you might enjoy as well: