Summer in Our Town
Summer in Our Town
The first warm days of summer always seem to usher in the sense that anything is possible. With those long days stretching out ahead of us, there is just so much time and opportunity for adventure. I’ll be embracing the nostalgic joy of this season by exploring as much of what Lancaster and our neighboring towns have to offer as possible. Here are just a few things on my summer to-do list this year:
Get Friendship Bracelets
You may have seen permanent jewelry — a chain that you cannot take off, due to it being soldered or welded closed — all over social media recently. (For those who are curious, the chain is easily cut off with scissors… so, no, it’s not truly permanent. It’s just not designed to be taken on and off every day.) L Squared Permanent Jewelry hosts regular pop-ups here in Lancaster, offering 14k gold filled and sterling silver chains that can be worn as bracelets, necklaces, anklets, or rings. This is the grown-up answer to the braided and beaded bracelets we used to trade with our friends.
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Take a Dip
Summers in Lancaster are HOT. Stay cool by going for a swim!
Go on a Field Trip
If you grew up in Lancaster County, there’s a good chance that you enjoyed a school field trip (or two) to the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg. From checking out the exhibitions in the UPMC Science Center, to taking in a documentary in their four-story digital cinema theater—there’s no shortage of (educational) fun to be had.
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Enjoy Summer Reading
Remember the exaltation of finishing a summer reading challenge as a child? (Really hoping this is a common core memory because boy, oh boy, did I love summer reading.) Create your own challenge this summer! Pick a few genres or specific titles with friends, then snag your copies at Pocket Books in Lancaster City. When you’re done, be sure to meet over pizza to discuss. It might not be the free Pizza Hut personal pan pizzas that we won as ‘90s kids who completed their summer reading, but it still sounds pretty fun to me.
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Venture Outdoors
Lancaster County is chock full of amazing parks and hiking trails. No matter your level of outdoorsiness, there’s a space for you to enjoy the summer sun and sounds of nature. I prefer a paved path, surrounded by trees but never farther than half a mile from my car—so I spend regular summer mornings at Overlook Park or Lancaster County Central Park. My friends who are more willing to get up close and personal with nature (see: bugs) love Chickies Rock County Park and Kellys Run Nature Preserve. A few words of advice: Do your research, stay safe, and enjoy all that our beautiful county has to offer. The Lancaster County Day Hikes website is an amazing resource.
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Dominate at Mini-Golf
I am not an especially competitive person, but when you put a mini-golf club in my hand, just call me Arnold Palmer. The best mini-golf courses feel frozen in time, and Village Greens in Strasburg offers the perfect combination of challenging holes and nostalgic vibes. Even on sunny days, their courses offer a lot of shade. And after your game, the winner can celebrate with a milkshake, as The Snack Bar offers old-fashioned summer treats.
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Sip a Beer
Lancaster is home to a number of amazing breweries. Why not explore them all? Our Town, Lancaster Brewing Company, and Spring House Brewing Company are all easy to pop into, as they’re located in downtown Lancaster. But if you’re up for a bit of a journey, check out Tröegs in Hershey, or even Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales in Delaware! We’re well-aware that this is not an extensive list—so let’s get out and try an old favorite or someplace new. There’s so much to sample, and on a hot summer day, a cold beer really hits the spot.
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Go to Summer Camp
Okay, this isn’t actually a promo for adult summer camp (though those do exist). However: Taking a class at the Zest! Cooking School in Lititz is truly the next best thing. In each class, you will have the chance to explore and learn through hands-on instruction; you’ll build camaraderie with your fellow campers/classmates; and, at the end of your time together, you get to enjoy a delicious meal that you helped cook! Satisfying, informational, and so much fun every time. Zest!’s classes often sell out, so be sure to check out their calendar and register as soon as possible for your summer date night or friends’ night out.
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Support the Arts
No matter how many years have passed since my days as a student, the end of summer always gives me back-to-school anxiety. (Does that ever go away? A survey of my parents: Two out of two say no, that lasts forever.) Quell the September blues by attending our incredible local art fairs. The Long’s Park Art Festival is scheduled for Labor Day Weekend – August 30 and September 1, 2024; the Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show will take place on August 17 and 18, 2024.
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By Maddy Pontz
