Lancaster walking tour: historic downtown and Amish Country

Walk Lancaster's 300 years in one afternoon

A guided walking tour of Lancaster's historic downtown and surrounding countryside, starting at the Discover Lancaster Visitors Center. You'll cover six city blocks at a leisurely pace with a local guide, visiting Penn Square, the Fulton Theatre, Lancaster Central Market (the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the U.S.), and a covered bridge, with homemade ice cream included. The tour runs 2.5 hours and requires moderate fitness and the ability to walk on sidewalks and uneven surfaces.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Lancaster City and Amish Country

• Begin at Discover Lancaster Visitors Center
• Walking tour of Lancaster City
• Visit Penn Square and learn history
• See Fulton Theatre and its history
• Pass by Lancaster Central Market
• Visit Milton Hershey's candy start location
• Explore oldest Lancaster County settlement
• Visit a covered bridge
• Enjoy homemade ice cream
• Stop at scenic photo spot
• Learn about Charles Demuth and Tobacco Shop
• Discover Steinman Hardware and publishing history

The Experience

Your tour begins at the Discover Lancaster Visitors Center before heading into the heart of Lancaster City. A local guide leads you through Penn Square, the center of the city and the site of many historical events, where you'll hear about Lancaster's outsized role in American history and some surprising stories about the people and events that shaped it. From there you move through the downtown, stopping at the Fulton Theatre to learn about this iconic historic venue, then heading to Lancaster Central Market—the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the U.S. On Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays when the market is open, you'll have a chance to go inside for a brief tour.

The route then takes you beyond the downtown core. You'll see where Milton Hershey got his start in the candy business, visit the oldest settlement in Lancaster County, and stop at one of the county's 19 remaining covered bridges. Along the way, you'll learn about Charles Demuth, Lancaster's most famous artist, and see the Demuth Tobacco Shop, the oldest in the U.S. You'll also hear about the Steinman Hardware store—the first hardware store in the country—and the history of the Steinman family publishing business, part of Lancaster's larger legacy as a center for notable printers and publishers.

The tour ends with a stop for homemade ice cream, where you get to choose from more than a dozen varieties included in the experience, followed by a scenic spot for pictures. The whole experience covers approximately six city blocks at a leisurely pace over sidewalks and uneven surfaces, taking 2.5 hours total.

What’s included

• Guided walking tour with a local guide.
• entry and brief tour of Lancaster Central Market (when open on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays).
• visits to Penn Square, the Fulton Theatre, a covered bridge, and historic sites including the Demuth Tobacco Shop and Steinman Hardware store.
• homemade ice cream with a choice of more than a dozen varieties.
• scenic photo stop.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by loKal Experiences

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided walking tour through Lancaster's downtown history followed by countryside views, all in English without needing your own transportation.

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Top questions

What is Lancaster Central Market and when can I go inside it?

Lancaster Central Market is the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the U.S., and the tour includes a brief visit inside when it's open on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. On other days, your guide will share its history from outside.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour covers approximately six city blocks at a leisurely pace over sidewalks and uneven surfaces, taking 2.5 hours total. You should be able to walk this distance comfortably and have at least a moderate level of physical fitness.

What's included in the ice cream stop?

A full scoop of homemade ice cream in a cone or dish is included, and you choose from more than a dozen homemade varieties.

Does the tour stay in downtown Lancaster the whole time?

The tour starts in downtown Lancaster at Penn Square and the Central Market, then takes you beyond the city to see the oldest settlement in Lancaster County and one of the county's 19 remaining covered bridges, before returning for the ice cream stop.

What language is the guide delivered in?

The tour is guided in English by a local expert.

Can I bring a stroller or service animal on this tour?

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Service animals are allowed, but you must notify the operator before booking because portions of the tour include visits to local businesses that may require advance coordination.