A Relaxing Family Weekend in Lancaster County, PA
There’s just something about Lancaster that makes you instantly slow down. Maybe it’s the farmland, the quiet roads, or just the simplicity of it all. We spent the weekend soaking in all our favorite spots, eating incredible food, and enjoying the slower pace that always keeps us coming back.
Thursday
We arrived Thursday afternoon at Spring Haven Farmhouse, where we always stay when visiting the area. It truly feels like a home away from home for our family.
Of course, no road trip is complete without our traditional stop at Cracker Barrel on the drive there.
After settling in, we headed over to my favorite local farm stand, Meck’s Produce. If you love fresh produce, baked goods, and that classic Lancaster County charm, this is one of those must-stop places.
For dinner, we kept things local and ate at Fireside Tavern in Strasburg. The perfect cozy ending to our first night.
Friday
Friday was easily one of the highlights of the trip.
We booked a horse and buggy ride with Aaron & Jessica’s Buggy Rides, which gave us such an authentic and peaceful look at Amish country.
The young woman driving our buggy was Mennonite, and she was so kind and open to answering all of the questions we had about her family, their lifestyle, traditions, and day-to-day life. It made the experience feel even more personal and meaningful, especially for the kids who were so curious about everything.
One of our stops along the ride was Countryside Road Stand, a roadside stand run by an Amish family. We had fresh homemade pretzels that were arguably the best pretzels I’ve ever had in my life, along with homemade lemonade and sweet tea.
The stand also had homemade baked goods, snacks, quilts, dolls, toys, and handcrafted items everywhere you looked. I ended up buying the cutest apron.
To finish off the buggy ride, we stopped for homemade ice cream, which honestly completed the entire experience.
That evening, we had one of the most memorable dinners we’ve ever experienced at the home of an Amish family, Samuel and Ruth Lapp’s house. Reservations are required, and I can’t recommend it enough.
The meal started with homemade fruit punch, coleslaw, beet salad, and fresh homemade sourdough bread. The main course included beef stew, barbecue chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, and salad, all homemade and locally sourced.
Dessert was homemade apple crumb topped with vanilla ice cream and homemade raspberry sauce.
But honestly, what stood out most wasn’t even the food. Our children were the only kids there that night, and they brought down toys for them to play with. Ruth kept telling me to sit, relax, enjoy dinner, and not worry about the kids making a mess. It was such a small gesture, but it meant so much to me as a mom. They made us feel completely welcome in their home.
Saturday
Saturday was our family fun day at Dutch Wonderland.
I definitely recommend buying tickets ahead of time because it ended up being a much better deal per person.
The park honestly could not have been more perfect that day. It wasn’t crowded at all, there were barely any lines, and it felt so much more relaxed than larger theme parks.
One thing I really loved was that it still felt like a local family park. Aside from Dippin’ Dots, most of the food options and treats felt local and unique rather than overly commercialized.
Final Thoughts
It was such a relaxing trip and exactly what we needed. Lancaster always gives us the chance to slow down, reconnect as a family, and enjoy the simple things for a few days.
If you’re looking for an easy family getaway within driving distance that feels peaceful, welcoming, and genuinely family friendly, Lancaster County will always be one of my favorite places to visit.
