The following is a guest post written by Sara’s birthday twin as she is busy exploring the boat life.
A few years ago I was working for an organization that had a presence in Central PA. During the interview process, they asked me about the “Central PA Market.” I had to break it to them that the area wasn’t a discernible market at all, but really three different markets, each with its own culture and personality. In particular, we have Harrisburg, York, and Lancaster, divided by both cultural and geographical boundaries.
For some inexplicable reason, we hate to cross rivers. While I was living in Elizabethtown, I would often drive to Lancaster for certain stores, even though their might be the exact same store a bit closer in Harrisburg. It was a mental thing, and it’s something I’ve noticed affects the mindsets of many of us.
Thankfully, however, this seems to be changing, and at the heart of that change is the region’s arts, music and culture scene. We do ourselves a disservice by staying holed up in our own areas, and I love heading to events in both Harrisburg and York, even though I live in Lancaster.
One of the reasons why I moved to the city of Lancaster was because of its robust culture, and one of the highlights of the city is the monthly First Friday celebration. What makes this work really well in Lancaster is that the downtown area is rather compact, featuring a great mix of businesses and homes. You can walk to just about anywhere in the city and get around easily.
First Friday in Lancaster is marked by the downtown businesses and galleries staying open later than normal, and the streets of the city are always packed when the weather is nice. October’s First Friday will be on October 4th, and as always will feature a wide variety of activities, exhibits, and other events.
Read on for Ken’s top Lancaster picks.
If you plan on crossing one of the rivers to come into Lancaster, and I highly suggest you do, here are a few of my favorite stops, in no particular order, that you won’t want to miss:
Gallery Row
Since First Friday was originally designed as a showcase for the arts, it makes sense to stop by Gallery Row on the 100 Block of N. Prince Street. While there are numerous galleries and stores in that area, my favorites include the Liz Hess Gallery, with her trademark red umbrellas, the eclectic mix of items at City Folk, or the incredible handcrafted jewelry at Mio Studio.
Book lovers can pop around the corner and explore the wide selection of used books at Winding Way Books, then head across the street to check out the gallery inside the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, which will be featuring the latest installment of its ongoing Mosaic Project. And just a block south you can see the historic Fulton Theatre, the nation’s oldest continuously operating theatre.
If you get hungry in this area, stop in to Prince Street Cafe for some good food and coffee, or if you’re more in the mood for beer and wine, check out Pour. Oh, and just above Prince Street Cafe check out the Julia Swartz Gallery. Julia has a great story to tell, and you should ask her about it.
The 300 Block of North Queen Street
If Gallery Row represents one end of the art and culture spectrum, the 300 Block of N. Queen Street is at the other end. More laid back and hip, the block is filled not only with galleries, but a variety of vintage and antique shops. A family favorite for us is Mommalicious, with its eclectic mix of vintage clothing, furniture, and other one of a kind items. Then stop just a few doors down to our favorite antique store, The Scarlet Willow.
Down the block and tucked back in the alley is one of the real treasures of our city, Building Character. Originally an architectural salvage store, BC still offers those sorts of items along with an incredible indoor art market featuring more than 40 different vendors. And just around the corner on Walnut Street, check out Annex 24 Gallery and tell Vanessa I said, “Hi.”
Your food options here are rather diverse as you can stop in at Onions Cafe (Korean), Sa La Thai (Thai), and Rachel’s Creperie (the best crepes you’ll ever have). The newest additions on the block are Steeplechase Jack’s Meatball Shop and Commonwealth on Queen.
Around the Town
While those two areas are the most popular destinations, there are some other galleries and businesses you should check out:
Tellus 360 – Quickly becoming one of the hottest spots in Lancaster, not just for its eco-friendly items, but also as a venue for live music and other events. Trust me, you’ll get lost in there!
Lancaster Central Market – While it’s usually not open in the evenings on First Friday, you can stop down earlier (they are open until 4 p.m.) and experience the country’s oldest farmer’s market. If you get there late, it’s OK, you can take in the beauty of the architecture.
And as you travel you’re sure to pass all sorts of other galleries, stores, and public spaces that will draw you in.
Food & Drink
I’ve already mentioned a few restaurants, but Lancaster is a city filled with just about every type of food for every budget. Just about every type of ethnic cuisine is represented in this small, walkable city, and here are a few of my other favorites:
Character’s Pub – Tucked away behind the first block of North Queen Street, this gastropub boasts an incredible menu featuring all sorts of locally sourced options. Plus the bar is fully stocked with a variety of wines and craft beer on tap and in bottles. They get busy on First Friday, so get there early or make reservations.
Square One Coffee – All fair and direct trade coffee, roasted right in their roasting facility across town, Square One not only has their own shop, but they wholesale their coffee to a variety of restaurants and coffee shops around the country. In a city that boasts an incredible coffee shop culture, Square One is at the top.
The Fridge – If craft beer is your thing, check out the Fridge with its wide variety of beverages, served up with artisan pizza.
Aussie and the Fox – One of Lancaster’s newest eateries, this restaurant features an interesting mix of Australian and American cuisine.
Miesse Candies – Candy, you say? Why yes. Miesse Candies has recently moved back into the city with a new factory and retail outlet. They’ve been a part of Lancaster culture since 1875. If you love chocolate, you might never leave.
Food Trucks – If you want to grab a bite while on the go, you’ll notice food trucks all over the place. Lancaster’s growing food truck culture features an incredible array of cuisine, and you’ll have a hard time making up your mind.
And many of the galleries and stores also offer complimentary snacks and drinks, so you’ll be munching along the way.
Well, that’s just a small piece of Lancaster’s First Friday in a nut shell. As you walk around the city you’ll find your own favorites. And don’t be shy. If you’re not sure where you’re headed, just stop someone and ask them for help. We’re a friendly bunch, and each of us will be more than willing to help you out and tell you about our favorite destinations.
You can also download a First Friday Guide & Map to help you navigate the city. Have fun, and stop me and say, “Hi!” if you see me walking around.
Ken Mueller is the owner of Inkling Media, a Lancaster based digital marketing consultancy. Originally from the Philly area, Ken moved his family to downtown Lancaster because of his love for the city. He loves working with local businesses and nonprofits to help them improve their online presence.
