Community | Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Lancaster, Pennsylvania was laid out by James Hamilton in 1734 and incorporated as a borough in 1742. Lancaster County was part of the original land grant William Penn received by Royal Charter from King Charles II in 1681, and it became a separate county in 1729.

As a destination, Lancaster offers the rare opportunity to observe and appreciate the first, oldest, and second largest community of Old Order Amish in the country. As might be expected, an exciting selection of scenic rural adventures and wholesome family activities exists here.

But there's also a surprising flip side to those rural characteristics for which Lancaster is so well known – a sophisticated urban center presenting more than 90 respected galleries and other arts-related destinations and organizations, exquisite fine dining, unique shopping for every taste and budget, and hundreds of historic landmarks. Lancaster is, after all, among the largest of National Historic Register Districts in the country.

The facility's central location amidst the vibrant Downtown ensures that visitors will enjoy unparalleled experiences during their free time. Innumerable sites and experiences can be explored within walking distance, including Central Market, the country's oldest continuously operating farmer's market.

The Fulton Theatre, Central Pennsylvania's premier regional theatre and a National Historic Landmark, takes its place among visitors' short lists of must-see places, combining Broadway caliber musicals, comedies, and dramas with the grandeur of its ornate Victorian architecture.

A plethora of museums, restaurants, shops, and galleries populate this energetic and thriving city, and just a short drive away are dozens of upscale shopping outlets, Clipper Magazine Stadium's Atlantic-League Barnstormers baseball, Sight & Sound Millennium Theatre, American Music Theatre, and the renowned Hershey Park and Dutch Wonderland amusement parks.

For more ideas on things to see and do while in town, visit the following sites:

Downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania: www.downtownlancaster.com

Downtown Arts Community: www.lancasterarts.com

Throughout Lancaster County, Pennsylvania: www.padutchcountry.com