Attractions Nearby Lancaster, Day Trips and Excursions

(Lancaster, Pennsylvania - PA, USA)

Situated directly to the south of New York state and north of Delaware, the District of Columbia and Maryland, Pennsylvania has many quality attractions to offer day trippers from Lancaster. Especially close to Lancaster are the attractions within Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh">Pittsburgh and Valley Forge.

Of course, the lights of New York city are often too bright to ignore and a train excursion to this city of American dreams is very popular with Lancaster holiday makers. One of Maryland's biggest attractions is the city of Baltimore, while further south is the nation's capital - Washington DC.

Baltimore

Address: Maryland (MD)
A lively and friendly city, Baltimore is one of Maryland's true gems. The main tourist attractions of Baltimore tend to be clustered around its Inner Harbor area and downtown district. Baltimore is located some 78 miles / 126 km to the southwest of Lancaster. Families visiting for just the day should be sure to check out the National Aquarium in Baltimore, as well as perhaps the Maryland Zoo or indeed the Maryland Science Center.

Gettysburg

A tranquil and historic town, Gettysburg has been the setting for some incredibly important moments of American history. It was in Gettysburg where one of the most decisive of all the battles of the Civil War took place, and where in 1863, US president Abraham Lincoln delivered his much celebrated speech known as the 'Gettysburg Address'. The Gettysburg National Military Park encompasses the majority of the original battlefield and contains a number of attractions, monuments and memorials. From Lancaster, Gettysburg lies to the southwest and can be reached in just over an hour.

Harrisburg

Situated some 40 miles / 64 km to the northwest of Lancaster, Harrisburg serves as the Pennsylvanian capital and as the county seat of Dauphin County, although it is only in fact the state's tenth-biggest city. Harrisburg stands on the easterly coast of the Susquehanna River and contains many places of interest, such as the National Civil War Museum, the National Sports Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex, the Reservoir Park and the State Museum of Pennsylvania, amongst other attractions. The Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts also stands out.

New York

Address: New York (NY)
The energy and excitement in New York is almost infectious, and this city is perhaps the capital of American tourism. New York is easy to reach from Lancaster and is around 160 miles / 257 km to the northeast. With world-famous attractions such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and Times Square, a visit to New York comes highly recommended.

Philadelphia

Formerly the nation's proud capital, Philadelphia is still a city of great standing and importance. At a mere 70 miles / 113 km to the east of Lancaster, Philadelphia is simple to reach without much effort. Attractions in the city are in good supply, with the most popular including the Liberty Bell, Philadelphia Zoo, the Franklin Institute Science Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the huge Fairmont Park - which is actually the biggest landscaped parkland in existence, anywhere!

Pittsburgh

Fresh from reinventing itself, Pittsburgh is no longer an industrial city of steel factories, but now an attractive city of culture, stylish riverfront neighborhoods, important universities and appealing tourist attractions. Pittsburgh contains a staggering quantity of bridges, and these number almost 450 in total. If you are planning a visit to Pittsburgh, then you will need to travel 238 miles / 383 km to the west of Lancaster. Look out for the Monongahela Incline, the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, the National Aviary, and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

Valley Forge

Valley Forge played an important part of Pennsylvania's history, since it was here in 1777, where General George Washington withdrew, along with 12,000 troops, after his victory at the Battle of Brandywine. The Valley Forge Historical Society Museum is a leading attraction and celebrates the life and achievements of George Washington (1732 to 1799) - America's very first president. Just 58 miles / 93 km to the east of Lancaster, Valley Forge also offers hiking, jogging and cycling trails through its expansive Valley Forge National Historic Park.

Washington

Address: District of Columbia (DC)
Capital of the United States and home of the president, Washington DC is quite a city, with attractions to match its status. Washington is located approximately 118 miles / 190 km to the southeast of Lancaster and is where you will find the White House, the National Mall (home of the Washington Monument), the Jefferson Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial, the latter of which recently made an appearance in the 2009 Hollywood blockbuster, 'Night at the Museum II - Battle of the Smithsonian'.

Wilmington

Address: Delaware (DE)
Over the state border and within Delaware, Wilmington is to be found 55 miles / 89 km to the southeast of Lancaster. Those arriving in Wilmington will find an especially appealing riverfront area, with the banks of the Christina River having been transformed into a popular tourist attraction, where restaurants, shops and cafes are in good supply. The Chase Center stands in this part of Wilmington and regularly hosts leading local events. Both the Brandywine Zoo and the Delaware Art Museum are also worthy of a mention.