Lancaster County is an affordable destination if you plan well. Much of its appeal, from the scenery of the farm roads to the atmosphere of the market and the streets of Lititz, costs nothing, and the paid experiences range from inexpensive to special-occasion. This guide shows where to save and where it makes sense to spend.
Free and nearly free
Driving the back roads of the county is the signature experience, and it costs only gas. Central Market charges no admission, and you can build a lunch from a few stands for much less than a restaurant meal. Penn Square and the surrounding streets are free to explore, and a self-guided walk through the old city is easy with a map from the tourism office. Lititz is a pleasure to walk, with its main street, shops and park, and entry to the park is free. Many of the farm stands operate on an honor system, with small prices for produce and flowers.
Low-cost guided options
Several tours cost little. The self-guided Intercourse to Lititz audio drive is one of the best value products in the region, because it gives you a narrated route that you can pause, repeat and combine with free stops. The short guided walking tour in Lititz is also inexpensive and tells you the story of a Moravian town in under an hour. For a first look at Amish culture, the Amish Experience offers combinations that can be economical, and the bundle option reduces the cost per activity if you plan to do several parts.
Mid-priced favorites
A guided bus tour with a farm and house visit costs more but removes the need for a car and includes admission to the Amish Farm and House, so it pays for itself if you would otherwise take a taxi or rental. Food tours and brewery walks are priced as an evening out and replace a restaurant meal, which makes them reasonable value if you are hungry. The train museums in Strasburg are modest in price and suit a half day, and the Railroad Museum is a state museum with straightforward admission.
Where to splurge
Choose one or two memorable experiences rather than many. A hosted Amish meal gives you something that no restaurant can, and it is often the highlight of visitors' trips. Sight & Sound Theatres is the most expensive evening in the county but also the most spectacular, so consider it your single big night. Skip duplicate experiences: if you do a bus tour, you do not need a second one, and if you visit one Amish-themed attraction, the others may repeat much of the same information.
Save on lodging
Lodging is the largest cost. Rates are lowest midweek and in winter and early spring, and highest on autumn weekends and in December. A kitchen suite lets you prepare breakfast and some dinners from market produce, which can save substantially for families. Hotels on the Route 30 corridor often offer lower rates than downtown properties, though you will drive to most sights. Compare room rates across dates, and look for packages that include breakfast or attraction tickets.
Eat well for less
Family-style restaurants charge a fixed price per person for all-you-can-eat, which suits big appetites but is not always the cheapest choice. Market lunches are cheaper, and bakeries sell hand pies, sticky buns and soft pretzels for a few dollars. Pack a picnic from the market and eat it in a park, and carry a cooler bag to keep cheese and cold cuts fresh. Bring cash for farm stands, where small bills are appreciated.
Cost-saving checklist
Travel midweek if you can, book hotels with breakfast or kitchens, buy picnic food at the market, carry a refillable bottle and choose free scenic drives for the quieter part of your trip. Use one of the low-cost audio or walking tours as your main guided activity and add one memorable splurge. Buy attraction tickets in advance when it saves money, and check for combination tickets that cover several parts of an attraction.
Smart planning
Many Amish-run businesses are closed on Sundays, so plan free scenic drives and museum visits for that day. Group sights by area to save fuel and time: the east side has Strasburg and the family attractions, the north has Lititz and Ephrata, and the city has the market and the walking tours. Check seasonal hours before you drive, since some small attractions reduce their days in winter. With a little planning, a weekend in Lancaster County can be rich and affordable.