Here’s What Local Activities our Refreshing Mountain Team are Doing This Year Â
Summer is officially upon us, and with the longer days and warmer temperatures, we wanted to give you the inside scoop on what local activities our team members are doing in the Lancaster area this year! We love seeing our Refreshing Mountain team taking our spirit of adventure and putting it into practice. If you need some direction for how to spend your time this summer, look no further than this helpful guide.
Staff Favorite Summer EventsÂ
While the Fourth of July has come and gone, it’s never too early to start planning out where you can see some kickin’ fireworks for next year’s celebration! We recommend checking out Lititz Spring’s Park for their annual fireworks display. This past Fourth, they kicked off the night with a community dance party and then the real fun began around 9:30pm, where their fireworks show was set to music. This is an event you do not want to miss if you’re in the area during that time.
Speaking of Independence Day, if you are looking for an athletic event to add to your Fourth of July celebrations in the Lancaster area, the Ephrata Firecracker 5 Mile Race is a local fun event to participate in (Thanks, Phil!). To beat the heat, the race typically begins at 8am and they have even included a 1-mile Kids Fun Run in the past.
A final recommendation from our staff and their families is to check out Sight and Sound Theatre. The productions put on by Sight and Sound are by far one of the most sought-after experiences in the Lancaster County area. Guests will be seated in a 2,000-seat theater surrounded by a vast panoramic stage and are then immersed in a gripping retelling of a Bible story put on by the talented cast members of Sight and Sound.
Staff Favorite Local StaysÂ
If you’re looking for a place to stay that is both family and dog-friendly, Little Buffalo State Park is a great option. They offer both traditional tent-camping sites, which include flushing toilets, warm showers, and some electric and water hookups, as well as a handful of rustic cabins, which include electric heat, lights, and outlets in addition to the nearby shower house that gives guests access to showers, toilets, and drinking water.Â
One of our favorite places to recommend to guests coming in from out of town is the Clay House Bed and Breakfast! Only a few minutes down the road from Refreshing Mountain and within ten minutes of Ephrata and Lititz, this getaway is the perfect “home away from home” with some unique and thoughtful additions you won’t typically find elsewhere, such as extra insulation between each room, lovely home-cooked meals, and a full-service coffee bar. If you’re looking to be ultra-refreshed and rejuvenated during your time in Amish Country, check out The Clay House B&B!Â
Staff Favorite Outdoor Adventures
For those looking for a unique hiking experience that doesn’t take you out of Lancaster but still gives you a thrill, our staff recommends checking out the White Cliffs of Conoy located near Marietta, PA. The cliffs give visitors a great view of the Susquehanna River and offer some fascinating history of the area. The hike to the cliffs and back can take anywhere from one to two hours, so be prepared to get your steps in! These cliffs are actually man-made and are comprised of remnants left from a limestone and dolomite quarry and factory that was present in the 1800s.
Are you ready for a fun and laid-back way to spend an afternoon this summer? Sickman’s Mill offers tubing down the Pequea creek Mondays-Sundays from 10am-5pm (with possible extended hours on Wednesdays). Individual tubing trips take about one to two hours and are $25 per person, however, day passes are also available for $35 per person Monday-Friday (unlimited tubing all day!). After you’re done with your float down the creek, stop by Jimmy’s Place for a great bite to eat and a cold beverage!
Perhaps one of the most unique hidden gems of our area is the Darlington family’s Wolf Sanctuary. With over fifty gray wolves in their care, the Wolf Sanctuary seeks to educate the public on the truth about wolves and facilitate a safe place for them to live out their lives with dignity. To plan a visit to the Wolf Sanctuary, the public can schedule either a public or a private tour online, or plan to attend one of the events the Wolf Sanctuary puts on to fundraise for their cause. Schedule a tour today to learn more about the beautiful, native gray wolf of Pennsylvania.
For a simple and fun way to get you and your family outside this summer, Lancaster County’s Rail Trail system offers a fun variety of walking and running spots. This is a great option for both families and individuals and is especially nice for dog-owners looking to get their pups out and about in a safe and scenic area. Portions of the trail are well-shaded and there is typically designated parking every few miles or so, making it easy to kick off your adventure from anywhere! This trail specifically gives you access to the Warwick/Ephrata area, so be sure to check it out if you’re near Refreshing Mountain!Â
Staff Favorite Local Eats
Great food is good for the soul. At least, that’s what the staff of Refreshing Mountain believe! Lancaster County is home to a variety of different cuisines and eating experiences. So whether you’re looking for local dutch cooking, a quick spot to eat with your family after an outdoor adventure, or you’re just on the hunt for the perfect ice cream spot, we’ve got you covered with these staff-favorite local eats!
If you took us up on our suggestion to check out the Warwick Ephrata Rail Trail, then Lititz Springs Inn is the perfect place to stop for lunch. With an outdoor patio and an excellent menu offering anything from curry to steak to ice cream, Lititz Springs Inn is a must-visit if you are in the area. Another Lititz-favorite is Appalachian Brewing Company, which also offers outdoor seating if you are looking to soak up the warm weather. Their menu has a variety of offerings, including craft burgers, delicious handhelds, and protein-packed power bowls. One last honorable mention for the Lititz area is the crowd-favorite Tomato Pie Cafe. If you visit Lititz, then you do not want to miss out on their famous Tomato Pie! Who wouldn’t want to start out their day with tomato-y, cheesy goodness in pie form?
For those of you who are in the heart of Lancaster County, Gracie’s Cafe and Agape Cafe & Grille (located next to Sight and Sound Theatre) are some of our favorite casual brunch/lunch spots and are both only about ten to fifteen minutes from popular Lancaster attractions, such as Dutch Wonderland and the Strasburg Railroad. For options closer to the popular Hershey area, the Blue Bird Inn (located towards Cornwall/Lebanon) has a fun and relaxed environment to break for your evening meal after a hot summer day. We highly recommend trying their homemade pierogies and seafood potato skins!
A Final Recommendation From Our StaffÂ
We love to take advantage of our beautiful area and explore all that Lancaster has to offer, but I don’t think we can say it better than our friend Joy, who has been with Refreshing Mountain for over a decade: “I’ll be spending a good bit of time at a place called Refreshing Mountain. TONS to do there. You should check it out!”. Between our community pool (open from Memorial Day to Labor Day), daily adventure activities, and our 319 Cafe (featuring Fox Meadows ice cream!), the fun truly never ends at Refreshing Mountain. Reach out and let us know what local activities YOU’RE doing this year, and maybe add one or two of our staff recommendations to your own itinerary!
