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What’s New in Lancaster

Travelers have lots of fresh reasons to visit Lancaster County

Lancaster County has always been known as a destination where you can create new memories based on fresh experiences. Check out the latest offerings we have in store for you in 2025!

Our visitor experience trails – with their special deals & branded swag – continue to expand, the latest being the Lancaster County Sweet & Salty Trail. The name says it all!
Global honors: Lititz and other Lancaster areas named to AFAR’s worldwide “Where To Go In 2025” list!
Two new special exhibitions at LancasterHistory this year (scroll to midway down the page): “Pathways of Persistence” opening February 1, and “Open the Door” opening June 9.
It’s the first full year of the re-branded Hershey Farm Resort, following a complete restaurant rebuild that features an enhanced Grand Smorgasbord, plus a new café & shops, now all under one roof with the hotel.
The monumental and renewing story of “Noah” comes to life in a re-freshed 30th anniversary edition at Sight & Sound Theatres®.
Lancaster City has plenty to amaze in 2025, starting with Bistro Barberet & Bakery’s first-in-the-U.S. designation as a “World’s French Restaurant,” and Passerine being named to the New York Times’ latest list of “America’s Best Restaurants.” It’s also the first full year of operations for the fabulous Lancaster Art Vault – with lots of natural light & high ceilings for its over 15,000 square feet of exhibit and working artist space.

Other great downtown additions include Decades’ new mezzanine balcony area with more games & dining space, a complete renovation of the Demuth Museum with a fresh reinterpretation of the artist’s life & work, and new “eats” at an expanded Cabalar and a second location for Chellas Arepa Kitchen (ranked #5 in Yelp’s Top 100 U.S. Restaurants for 2025).

During the 40th anniversary year of “Witness,” come experience Lancaster County’s enduring Amish culture & farmland that form the landscape of this internationally-acclaimed film. LoKal’s “Unique Amish Immersion Experience” tour includes a stop at the Witness farm, and you can also see the silo from the movie’s infamous silo scene in the Barnyard Kingdom area at Country Barn.

Experience Historic Hotels of America’s current Best Small Hotel in the country with an exceptional stay at The Inn at Leola Village.
Looking forward to the return of “Living the Experience” at Bethel AME Church – a spiritual, interactive re-enactment of the Underground Railroad in Lancaster and its impact on free and enslaved Africans in the 1800s. Performances are planned for the first Saturday of each month.
Revel in the recent upgrades at the DoubleTree Resort Lancaster, including the sumptuous MADE Bistro & Bar, and a wonderful makeover of the entire family wing of the AmishView Inn & Suites.
Celebrate our multi-faceted history with special commemorations of the 100th anniversary of Pennsylvania German heritage at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, and the 50th anniversary of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania’s world-class collection.

Lancaster City’s Prima Theatre presents the East Coast premiere of “We’ll Get Back to You” – a fresh, feel-good, smart comedy from NYT-bestselling author & playwright Rob Bell where an ordinary interview turns into something wildly unexpected. Running Apr. 25 - May 10, this heart-warming production explores how we stay true to ourselves while navigating an era of corporate speak.

The beloved Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord is slated to re-open in the spring after substantial renovations.

In addition, Bird-in-Hand Stage debuts a brand new show this year: “The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie’s Biscuits” – an Amish musical comedy/mystery. With a rigged baking contest, a missing contestant and a determined detective, it’s the right recipe for total disaster.

A new version of the Olde Mill Restaurant has now opened in Intercourse as a chef-driven, classic-casual steakhouse that also offers fresh seafood and seasonal cuisine from area farms.

Have fun at the “Deadly Derby” February 7 to April 28, the latest Murder Mystery Dinner Theater at Mt. Hope Estate. Dive into the Kentucky Derby theme of this interactive culinary "who-done-it," enjoy a sumptuous meal, and piece clues together to uncover the truth!

On July 28, join us for the fun & educational activities of Lafayette Day at Historic Rock Ford, followed by a musical extravaganza & live performance at the Ware Center, as we celebrate this famous friend of the American Revolution in commemorating the bicentennial of his farewell tour through Lancaster. Rock Ford is also featuring a special exhibit on Lafayette’s journey through October 31, and a special Lafayette-themed version of the Historic Lancaster Walking Tour will take place on July 19 and 26.

Strasburg Rail Road has a new murder mystery train this year (1st listed item, “A Motif for Murder”), as well as two new Escape Room experiences.

And slated to open in early 2026, the powerful national stories and insights of the Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy in Lancaster City will utilize their experiences to help highlight larger themes within the continuing struggle for freedom and opportunity for all.