Fun, Pet-Friendly Things to Do in Lancaster, PA
Last Updated on May 24, 2021 by Holly Anne Dustin
Plush’s recent show schedule has taken us to Lancaster and the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania several times in the last few months and we’ve done some exploring. Each time we have found a new place to explore or eat – and some favorites we never miss. We found that the major tourist attractions could be managed if we were willing to trade off going on the tour and exploring grounds with Plush. We operate under the theory that the dog rules for a venue apply to cats unless otherwise specified. There are pet friendly dining places, and a lot of outdoor places to explore.
Lancaster:
Lancaster is the center of Amish, or Pennsylvania Dutch, Country. It is a great place to visit whether you are into hiking/biking, history exploration, shopping, or wining and dining. Kitty can explore with you at a lot of the attractions on her leash. If you need help leash training your kitty, check out this post.
The tourist trade is big in Lancaster. There’s a hotel on every corner as you drive down the main street. Big or small, you’ll find a cat friendly accommodation. We opted, as we usually do, for the Red Roof Inn and had a lovely stay. We have tips for you here if you haven’t spent time in hotels with your kitty before.
Touring:
- Historical Sites: There are lots of historical attractions in the area. Most don’t allow pets, but the Conrad Weiser Homestead will allow leashed pets on the grounds. You’ll have to take turns visiting the buildings and exhibits while someone walks the grounds with your kitty.
- The Amish Farm and House: Don’t be put off by the fact that this is basically in a Target parking lot. I was. There is a 15 acre farmland property with animals, farming demonstrations and various artisans showing their art and wares. Kitty is welcome to explore with you on leash. The bus trip, model one room schoolhouse and house tour are not cat friendly though dogs are allowed. This is not an actual Amish farm, it is a tourist attraction but it will give you a lot of information about the lifestyle of the Amish people if you visit.
- Ghost Tours: There are two walking tours, one in Lancaster and one in Strasburg. An evening walking tour. Join for the historical aspect, or the spooky stories. Kitty can ride along in a backpack or stroller.
- Guided Tour of Lancaster: If you visit the Mennonite Information Center, you can hire a guide to do a personalized tour for you. There’s a 25 minute movie to start. Then your guide will get in your car and take you on your personalized tour. You can pick 3 sites to visit from farms, dairy, quilt shops, bakeries etc. Be sure you ask for a cat friendly guide. Consider the weather too, if it is hot or cold you might want to consider just doing a drive and not stopping at specific locations for more than a few minutes. The sites you visit may or may not be cat friendly. The Information Center is not pet friendly, but there is a Starbucks next door. Enjoy a coffee and pupachino (catachino?) with Kitty while your travel buddy sees the movie and then switch.
Shopping:
Wine Tastings:
Naylor Wine Cellars and Waltz Estate Winery both allow pets on their property but not in the tasting room. We tried the wine from Waltz at their Kitchen Kettle Village store, I would love to visit the winery with Plush next time.
Tanger Outlets
Tanger Outlets is apparently pet friendly, but we skipped it. We didn’t have time or money, and there are outlet malls at home.
Kitchen Kettle Village:
Our favorite place to visit is Kitchen Kettle Village.
A little shopping village with just about everything artisan you could want. Honestly, this place alone is worth the trip to Lancaster. If you have a child with you as well as your furkid, they have a fun scavenger hunt and special activities for kids.
I love the jam and jelly shop that started it all, the traditional bake shop, and of course, the coffee roaster. My daughter could have spent all day in the yarn store. Pets aren’t welcome in the stores so we switched off. They are okay on the grounds as long as they are on a leash. There is plenty to see outside. There are outdoor kiosks you can visit; including the ice cream stand that gave Plush a sample.
Paw Prints is the one store where your cat can join in the shopping adventure. They encourage your pets to come in and couldn’t get enough of Plush. They see dogs all the time but not many cats
Most of the food shops had samples so you don’t really need to plan a big meal. We bought cheese, bread, amazing olive oils and shoofly pie for lunch and took advantage of the picnic tables, but there is a cafe if you want something more substantial.
Take a buggy ride while you’re there. Both Abe’s Buggy Rides and Aaron and Jessica’s Buggy Rides in Bird in Hand offer pet friendly rides.
You can not miss That Pet Place:
Literally, there’s a huge shark model on the wall. That Pet Place is the biggest pet store you have ever seen. If they don’t have it, you don’t need it. Prices are decent on quality merchandise. No supermarket style stuff here. We spent two hours just in the cat section and fish tank room. Plush loves watching the fish tanks.
There’s a touch tank with stingrays and other animals to see. Of course Kitty is welcome to join you, but not in the animal room.
Longs Park:
Get a coffee and a sandwich at Grand Central Bagel next door to That Pet Place and head over to Longs Park. The park is a great place to spend some time with your adventure cat. The park has picnic pavilions, a petting farm, children’s playgrounds, and a lake, tennis courts and a fitness trail. We enjoyed walking around the lake and seeing the ducks.
Food:
There are a multitude of bake stands and farm stands in the area that will be happy to supply you with fresh and baked goods for your enjoyment as you explore the area.
On the way back to your hotel after exploring the area swing by the GoodnPlenty restaurant for a meal of traditional Amish classics. They have a to-go menu that you can take for a picnic or bring it back to your hotel. (If Kitty doesn’t eat the fried chicken on the trip.)
If you’re looking for something more upscale, Spring House Brewery has a special space for pets. I heard good things about Four 54 Grill’s great burgers. You can also find Sonic, 5 Guys, Waffle House, and all the usual fast food suspects for drive through or carry out.
Check out Brusters Real Ice Cream for a sweet treat to share with Kitty. (Dairy isn’t really recommended for cats, but since he doesn’t get it often I’m not too worried about Plush having a taste. Know your pet. I know he won’t get any digestive issues. He’ll be in the show hall the next day so I wouldn’t do anything that might cause that type of issue.)
Amusement Parks:
If amusement parks are more your thing, Lancaster boasts a kiddie amusement park called Dutch Wonderland and you aren’t far from Hershey Park. The parks are not pet friendly. Hershey does sport a “Barking Lot” for day boarding. They will take cats as long as Kitty has proper id, current vaccinations for rabies and FPV, and a rabies certificate (a tag is not enough.)
Lehigh Valley:
Lehigh Valley is full of history
Easton, Allentown, and Bethlehem were important cities during the industrial revolution moving coal along the newly constructed railroads and canals.
We drove from Lancaster up to Jim Thorpe and down to Easton. You’ll see the changes from cornfields and farm country to industrial and coal mining towns, railroad trestles to pretty villages and elegant homes.
Jim Thorpe has a great history tied in with the famous athlete. It has been named one of the prettiest towns in America. The Lehigh River runs alongside the town. The Lehigh Gorge State Park contains 26 miles of hiking and biking trails, and the river offers rafting adventures.
The scenery is beautiful. If you’re lucky, you can see bears, deer, hawks, eagles and more. The area is famous for its fall foliage. Of course we were there on the hottest day of the summer to date. The fishing in the river is supposed to be good too.
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railroad
Take a ride on the historic Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railroad if you want to experience the scenic beauty without the 26 mile hike. You’ll see high mountains, the white water rapids of the river, and an entrance to an old mine tunnel. Wave to the bikers enjoying the trail alongside.
The train offers two options for cars; an open-air car with benches, or a regular car with train style seats and operating window. Much to Plush’s displeasure, the cars are not climate controlled. He was happy to sit with me until the narration began and then he hightailed it back into his carrybag in spite of the heat.
The trip out and back takes about 70 minutes. When you get back to Jim Thorpe, grab an ice cream at the little shop across the street and enjoy the nice little park by the station.
Covered Bridge Tour:
Pennsylvania has the most remaining covered bridges in the nation. The tour takes several hours to travel the full 50 mile tour through the Lehigh Valley. It would be a great way to see the area if you have the time. We didn’t, but Plush and Kimi and I visited the bridge that starts the tour: Bogart’s Bridge in Allentown.
This is one of the two pedestrian-only bridges on the tour. The bridge was built in 1841, one of the oldest in the state. The bridge spans the Little Lehigh Creek which is a popular fishing spot. It is a very picturesque spot.
Delaware & Lehigh Trail
We started in Hugh Moore Park, where the National Canal Museum is located. The museum tells the story of the towpath canals. The Delaware Canal is the last towpath canal in the nation that could be restored to function. The Museum is not pet friendly. Take a friend along and take turns visiting the museum while Kitty explores Hugh Moore Park along the D&L Trail.
Take a ride on the Mule-Pulled canal boat (sadly we were there too early in the season and the boats weren’t running. Next time! The boat is cat friendly as long as kitty is on a leash.)
The D&L Trail itself is fantastic for exploring with your feline friends. Swing to New Hope, see the camelback bridges and the lockkeepers house. Check out a lock. Walk the towpath. We opted to drive and choose our spots for walks and photos. We drove to the New Jersey border before heading back to the Red Roof in Allentown where we were staying during this part of our trip.
Shopping in the Lehigh Valley:
The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley is a unique outdoor, pet-friendly, shopping mall located between Allentown and Easton. The stores are virtually all pet friendly unless they are serving food and pets are welcome in the common areas on a 6 ft leash or in a carrier. If you’re there at the right time, you might find a concert or movie night going on.
Weathered Vineyards near Allentown welcomes pets on their winery grounds, but not in the tasting room. It is a beautiful property, a nice place to enjoy a picnic and a glass of wine.
Easton Farmers Market: Historic Easton also claims the oldest farmers market in the country. If you are in town on a Saturday morning, stop by the center square between 9-1. All the products are locally grown and produced.
Bushkill Falls:
We were going to stop by Bushkill Falls, the Niagra of Pennsylvannia, on the way home. The park has spectacular trails and waterfalls. There is also a mini golf course, paddle boats, fishing, mining for gemstones, and some educational exhibits. Pets are allowed but must be leashed. Sadly, it rained so we weren’t able to visit. We will have to visit another day.
Cat-Friendly Central Pennsylvania
There are many more attractions to visit in the Lancaster – Lehigh Valley. Plush has shows in this area frequently so I’m sure we’ll be adding things to this list. Have you visited this area? What attractions have you and your cat most enjoyed? Any great place to eat that is pet friendly? Drop by on facebook and let us know.
