Few arrivals are more exciting, loving, and invigorating than when the grandkids visit. Of course, the very first thing you want to do is wrap your arms around them. But right after that comes the planning of fun and engaging things to do together.
Learning about the amazing array of activities and attractions in and around Lancaster is a great way to start!
Top 10 Activities for When Your Grandkids Visit
Living in Lancaster County offers so many exciting possibilities for things to do that are both fun and educational (and don’t worry, we won’t tell the grandkids about that last part!).
Here’s a list of ten great activities and attractions in and around Lancaster County:
1. Adrenaline and Adventures: From a zip line and adventure courses to a wildlife center and pony rides, Refreshing Mountain Retreat and Adventure Center, in Stevens, PA, offers outdoor adventures all year ‘round.
2. Top Rated Entertainment: The top-rated Trip Advisor thing to do in Lancaster, PA is to enjoy a show at Magic & Wonder Theater: Magic Show. It’s fun and interactive for all ages!
3. Fun with a Purpose: For kids in Pre-K to 8th grade and their families, the Lancaster Science Factory is a hands-on way to explore and learn about the many ways in which science intersects with our world.
4. Comic Relief: Star Wars opened in 1977, and so did The Comics Store. It’s open seven days a week and is one of the oldest comic specialty stores in America.
5. Hopping a Train: The most visited heritage railroad in the continental United States is the nearby Strasburg Railroad. In service since 1862, it offers themed rides throughout the year, as well as so much more. Check out more train related activities here.
6. Cultural Exploration: At the Miniature Horses & Country Store, Henry and Linda Stolzfus share their working Amish farm with visitors interested in learning more. You can even enjoy a restful buggy ride with AAA (Amish All Around) Buggy Rides.
7. Hands-On & Delicious: One year before the Strasburg Railroad started steaming, The Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery was the first commercial pretzel bakery to open in America. Tours are fun for all ages, and you can even try your hand at pretzel-making!
8. A Real Sweet Treat: What’s better than ice cream? An ice cream tour, of course! From the Strasburg Creamery to Fox Meadows to Turkey Hill Experience, the tour is nothing short of delicious. See an even larger list of ice cream related events, here.
9. Petting Zoos & Farm Fun: Cherry Crest Adventure Farm features over 50 fun activities, from baby animals to an epic corn maze. And Eastland Alpacas (yup, alpacas) and Krieder’s Farm Tour round out your chances to experience farm life up close in Lancaster.
10. Wildlife Exploration: Lancaster really is an animal lover’s dream. Zoo America is home to more than 200 animals, from reptiles to porcupines to otters and even mountain lions. And The Wolf Sanctuary of PA offers educational tours in the wolves’ and wolf-dogs’ natural habitats.
And that’s just our top ten! How will you choose to begin? Visit our other blog on enjoying retirement life in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
But Wait, There’s More…a Lot More Around Lancaster
There’s so much to do in and around Lancaster County that a top ten list, no matter how wonderful its highlights, couldn’t possibly cover it all.
But when you’re visited by the ones you love most, and the ones who love you most, even the sky isn’t the limit!
Five more memory-making things to do nearby:
1. Speaking of the sky, have some high-flying fun at Sky Zone Trampoline Park. It’s far more than just trampolines, with a dodgeball court, basketball hoops to dunk in, and a foam zone that’ll keep the younger ones active for hours!
2. And because you just can’t have enough mini golf when the grandkids are visiting, the Lancaster area boasts at least four courses: Village Greens Mini Golf, The Shack Restaurant and Mini Golf, Water’s Edge Mini Golf, and Lost Treasure Golf and Maze.
3. For kids aged 2-10, visit the Hands-On House, Children’s Museum is the perfect spot on a rainy day. Admission is valid for the whole day, so if your crew needs a break, take it…and then come back when you’re ready!
4. For children under 7, discover Tiny Town, an interactive play center made up of tiny houses where kids can let their imaginations soar! They can be firefighters, doctors, hairstylists, and so much more!
5. Dutch Wonderland is the perfect first amusement park for little ones. It’s a safe, clean park featuring rides that are both kid- and family-friendly. There are even two rollercoasters perfect for that special “first roller coaster ride.” The park invites visitors to cool off in Duke’s Lagoon water play area and make discoveries at Exploration Island, where dinosaurs come to life!
Four Fun-for-Kids Trips Within Driving Distance of Lancaster
Another highlight of retiring to the Lancaster area is how close it is to other vibrant parts of the state. So, when the grandkids do come visit, don’t hesitate to hop in the car for a few minutes.
Before you know it, you’ll find yourself and your grandkids at another wonderful attraction or activity!
Here are four more, less than an hour away:
1. Hershey Park is only a 40-minute drive from Lancaster! Sweet chocolate and amusement park thrills make for a mouth-watering combination. Teens will love the 13 roller coasters, while there are also many attractions perfect for younger kids. And don’t forget your bathing suit!
2. Dive into the chocolate history of Hershey, PA at the Hershey Story Museum. And don’t miss the tasty Chocolate Lab, where learning about chocolate couldn’t be sweeter!
3. Go-Karts, Mini Golf, Bumper Boats and more can be found at Adventure Sports in Hershey. And with no admission fee, you only pay for the activities you choose to do!
4. In the state capital of Harrisburg, learning is made fun at the Whitaker Center. Hands-on exhibits about the human body, weather, and more—plus a Digital Cinema—can add up to a whole day of fun!
Your Grandkids Won’t Want to Go Home
Retiring to the area in and around Lancaster County offers so many family-friendly activities that will put smiles on the faces of children of all ages…even the ones who’ve chosen to retire here.
So, when the grandchildren come to visit, please use these helpful lists and links, and know that wherever you go in Lancaster, there’s loads of family fun to have!