Lancaster: A Budget-Friendly Adventure in 3 Days

Explore Amish country without breaking the bank: affordable adventures in Lancaster, USA.

21 June 2023

Lancaster offers a unique and affordable travel experience, perfect for those on a limited budget. A visit to Lancaster's Amish Country will take visitors back in time, and its charming downtown offers great shopping and dining options at a fraction of the cost of bigger cities. Visitors can also enjoy free outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and fishing at state parks like Tucquan Glen Nature Preserve or Susquehannock State Park.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Discovering Lancaster's Dutch Heritage

  • Check in at the Budget Host Inn Lancaster, a no-frills hotel that is close to all the tourist attractions
  • Visit the Amish Farm and House tour where you can learn about the Amish lifestyle
  • Explore the Central Market, Lancaster's oldest farmers market, and try local delicacies like soft pretzels
  • Take a ride on the Strasburg Rail Road, a vintage steam train that will take you through the Amish countryside
  • End the day with dinner at Lancaster Brewing Company, a local brewery that serves up delicious food and drinks.
Day 2

Exploring Lancaster's Art Scene

  • Start the day with a visit to the Lancaster Museum of Art, where you can see local and international works of art
  • Take a stroll in the Long's Park, a beautiful park that is home to a large lake with paddle boats and a petting zoo
  • Visit the Demuth Museum, a museum dedicated to the life and works of Charles Demuth, an American modernist painter
  • Take a tour of the Fulton Theatre, a historic building that has been home to live performances since 1852
  • Have dinner at Himalayan Curry and Grill, a cozy restaurant that serves authentic Indian cuisine.
Day 3

Family Fun in Lancaster

  • Spend the day at Dutch Wonderland, a family-friendly amusement park with over 35 rides and attractions
  • Have lunch at Miesse Candies, a local candy shop that has been making delicious treats since 1875
  • Visit the North Museum of Nature and Science, an interactive museum that has exhibits on space, animals, and the environment
  • Take a tour of the Lancaster County Convention Center, a historic building that has been transformed into a modern event space
  • End the day with dinner at The Greenfield Restaurant and Bar, an upscale restaurant that serves delicious farm-to-table cuisine.

Length of stay

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Lancaster by plane is through Philadelphia International Airport. From there, you can take a shuttle service or rent a car to drive to Lancaster.

Car

Driving to Lancaster is straightforward, as the city is easily accessible from major highways such as I-76 and I-83. You can also rent a car from Philadelphia International Airport.

Train

While there are no trains that go directly to Lancaster, you can take the Amtrak to the Lancaster train station, which is a short drive from the city center.

Boat

Lancaster is not accessible by boat as it is inland and does not have any navigable waterways.

Bus

Taking a bus to Lancaster is convenient and affordable. Greyhound, Trailways, and Megabus all have routes that go to Lancaster, with the bus stop located in the city center.

Destination

Lancaster

Welcome to a charming little town that won't make you feel like you're stuck in the middle ages... unless you visit the Lancaster Castle, of course.

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Number of days

1 2 3 4 5

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

More travel plans

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Lancaster on a Budget: A 5-Day Family Adventure

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Lancaster in 2 Days: Amish Country Adventure

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