Winter, the Lancaster Way.
From festive performances and gifts made by local hands to nostalgic Christmas traditions and quiet evenings over a memorable meal, winter in Lancaster County invites you to linger. These four suggested itineraries offer a little inspiration for your stay, with room to explore at your own pace and return to the warmth of the Inn.
Winter, the Lancaster Way.
Discover Lancaster County through festive performances, independent shops, nostalgic railway traditions and the culinary pleasures of a quieter winter. These suggested itineraries leave room to linger, with leisurely breakfasts and glowing fireplaces waiting at the Inn. During the Christmas season, antique decorations and cookies add a little holiday nostalgia to your stay. Choose what speaks to you, and make the season your own.
A Lancaster Christmas on Stage
Two nights of theater, art and memorable dining | Best in November–December
Lancaster’s historic theaters, intimate galleries and distinctive restaurants create a holiday escape for couples who enjoy culture with a sense of occasion. Let the performance set the evening’s pace, with enough room in the day for discovery.
Consider this our suggestion, not your schedule.
Take your time, linger where something catches your attention, and make the experience your own.
Day One
Settle in, then take your seats.
3:00–5:00 PM | Arrive and settle into the Inn. Enjoy the antique ornaments, festive rooms and the warmth of your fireplace before heading into Lancaster City.
Early Evening | Reserve dinner at Josephine’s Downtown, a favorite for an elegant pre-theater evening. Choose your performance first, then arrange dinner around curtain time.
Evening | Take your seats at the historic Fulton Theatre. For the 2026 holiday season, the Fulton lists Annie (November 20–December 31) and Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Lancaster Christmas Show (December 4–27).
After the Show | Return to Intercourse Village, your fireplace and a quiet end to the evening.
Day Two
Art, architecture, and an encore.
8:30–10:00 AM | Begin with a leisurely holiday breakfast at the Inn.
Late Morning | Return to downtown Lancaster for the Demuth Museum of Art and a walk through the city’s historic streets.
Early Afternoon | Pause at Vécu on East King Street for coffee and a beautifully made French pastry, then leave time for galleries, boutiques and architecture.
Late Afternoon | Return to the Inn to rest and enjoy your suite before the evening begins.
Evening | Consider a concert at the Ware Center; its December calendar includes Celtic Christmas, holiday jazz and orchestral music on select dates. For a quieter alternative, book dinner at the historic Log Cabin in nearby Leola, where warm interiors and Friday/Saturday live music suit a winter evening.
Return to the Inn
Come home to the Inn’s Christmas displays, a glowing fireplace and cookies. The most satisfying holiday evenings are those that end without another appointment.
Plan your stay: This is a suggested experience, not a prepaid package. Admission, dining and performance reservations are arranged separately. Please check seasonal schedules before traveling.
Gifts with a Lancaster County Story
Two days of thoughtful shopping | Best in November–December
Here, shopping is about more than checking names off a list. It is a chance to discover the people, craft and small-town traditions behind gifts worth keeping.
Consider this our suggestion, not your schedule.
Take your time, linger where something catches your attention, and make the experience your own.
Day One
Intercourse Village and the makers.
8:30–10:00 AM | Enjoy a leisurely holiday breakfast at the Inn.
Late Morning | Begin close to home in Intercourse Village. Seek out handmade quilts, finely crafted wood furniture, children’s wooden toys and the work of local artisans.
Early Afternoon | Continue to Kitchen Kettle Village for jams, specialty foods, locally made gifts and holiday atmosphere. Its 2026 holiday program runs November 27–December 19, with special music and seasonal events.
Late Afternoon | Return to the Inn with time to relax, organize your finds and enjoy the Christmas decorations.
Evening | Finish with a relaxed dinner at the Log Cabin, especially inviting on a Friday or Saturday when live music is scheduled.
Day Two
Lititz boutiques and the outlets.
8:30–10:00 AM | Begin with another leisurely breakfast at the Inn.
Late Morning–Early Afternoon | Visit Lititz, where independent shops and inviting streets make gift hunting a pleasure. Browse, enjoy lunch and perhaps bring home something locally made.
Mid-Afternoon | If a few familiar names remain on the gift list, add Tanger Outlets Lancaster on the return journey. Keep the outlets as the optional final stop; the villages and makers are the heart of this itinerary.
Late Afternoon | Return through the countryside to the Inn, with time to unwind before dinner.
Evening | Choose a favorite Lancaster County restaurant or simply enjoy an unhurried evening close to the Inn.
Return to the Inn
Return with packages, stories and time to unwind. A fireplace, the Inn’s nostalgic Christmas collection and cookies make a fitting end to a day devoted to giving.
Plan your stay: This is a suggested experience, not a prepaid package. Admission, dining and performance reservations are arranged separately. Please check seasonal schedules before traveling.
Christmas Through the Years
Two days of railway heritage and nostalgia | Best on operating dates in late November–December
For adults who remember toy trains circling a Christmas tree, the sound of a steam whistle and the pleasure of discovering a tradition from another era, this is Lancaster County at its most nostalgic.
Consider this our suggestion, not your schedule.
Take your time, linger where something catches your attention, and make the experience your own.
Day One
Strasburg, steam and toy trains.
8:30–10:00 AM | Begin with a festive breakfast at the Inn.
Late Morning | Head to Strasburg for a holiday ride on the Strasburg Rail Road. Christmas excursions run on selected dates, so reserve the train before setting the rest of the day.
Early Afternoon | Enjoy lunch in or around Strasburg, leaving a little breathing room between experiences.
Mid-Afternoon | Continue to the National Toy Train Museum, home to operating layouts and an extensive collection of toy trains. Its published expanded schedule extends through January 19, 2027, with holiday exceptions.
Late Afternoon–Evening | Return through the countryside for dinner and a restful evening at the Inn. Resist adding a third major destination; nostalgia is better enjoyed unhurried.
Day Two
A collection of Christmas memories.
8:30–10:00 AM | Enjoy breakfast at the Inn before setting out for Elizabethtown.
Late Morning–Early Afternoon | Explore the National Christmas Center at Stone Gables Estate. Its historic streetscapes, toys and decorations deserve an unhurried visit; the venue suggests allowing approximately two hours.
Afternoon | If the Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad at the Stone Gables has a compatible excursion that day, make it an additional experience rather than an automatic promise. The railroad and museum have separate operating schedules, and tickets should be checked individually.
Late Afternoon | Begin the leisurely return toward Intercourse Village.
Evening | Enjoy dinner on the way back, perhaps at the Log Cabin in Leola, then return to the Inn for a final evening surrounded by Christmas memories.
Return to the Inn
Back at the Inn, our own antique ornaments and seasonal displays continue the story. Christmas is meant to be remembered, and this itinerary gives those memories room to return.
Plan your stay: This is a suggested experience, not a prepaid package. Admission, dining and performance reservations are arranged separately. Please check seasonal schedules before traveling.
The Quiet Season, Beautifully Served
Two nights of food, craft and culture | January–February
When the holiday bustle fades, Lancaster County reveals another side of itself: exceptional food, working farms, intimate cultural experiences and time to linger. This adults-only winter escape is for couples who find luxury in an unhurried day and a memorable table.
Consider this our suggestion, not your schedule.
Take your time, linger where something catches your attention, and make the experience your own.
Day One
A warm welcome and a remarkable table.
3:00–5:00 PM | Arrive, settle into your suite and enjoy the calm of the Inn. An afternoon spa appointment is an appealing way to begin.
Early Evening | Head into Lancaster City. If the mood strikes, begin with a cocktail and winter city views from the indoor space at The Exchange rooftop lounge.
Dinner | Make LUCA the centerpiece of the first evening: wood-fired Italian cooking, seasonal ingredients and a lively, food-focused dining room. LUCA is open Wednesday through Sunday; reserve ahead and allow the evening to unfold.
Later | Return to the quiet of your fireplace, with no need to hurry anywhere else.
Day Two
From the farm to the city.
8:30–10:00 AM | Begin with a leisurely breakfast at the Inn.
Late Morning | Make a countryside stop at Misty Creek Goat Dairy in Leola, a small farm known for goat cheeses and other dairy specialties; call before visiting to confirm winter access.
Midday–Early Afternoon | Head to Lancaster Central Market, where regional producers and specialty food merchants tell the story of the county through what they make. The market is open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, so this is the preferred itinerary for those days.
Mid-Afternoon | Continue to Vécu, the French bistro and pâtisserie formerly known as Bistro Barberet & Bakery, for coffee and an afternoon pastry.
Late Afternoon | Return to the Inn for the spa, your fireplace, a book or simply some unclaimed time. In January, doing less is part of the pleasure.
Evening | Choose Josephine’s Downtown for a polished evening, or the Log Cabin for a more rustic, firelit atmosphere and weekend live music. Rather than trying to do everything, choose one dinner destination.
Return to the Inn
For guests visiting January 22–February 14, 2027, a performance of Peter Pan Goes Wrong at the Fulton Theatre can replace the second-night dinner plan or follow an early dinner. Arrange the evening around curtain time, then return to the Inn for the final quiet hours of your retreat. In winter, the luxury is having time to enjoy it all.
Plan your stay: This is a suggested experience, not a prepaid package. Admission, dining and performance reservations are arranged separately. Please check seasonal schedules before traveling.
