Lancaster is an incredibly diverse gem that offers young adults a great blend of urban and suburban life. You’ll find restaurants with cuisine from all over the world, coffee shops, art galleries, theaters, and parks. Maybe you recently turned 21 and are looking for a fun spot to hang with friends, or you want to try something different. Whatever your reason for going out, our guide of things to do for young adults in Lancaster, Pa., has something for you.
Top Experiences in Lancaster, PA for Young Adults
Want to spend time with your friends doing something interactive? At the Lancaster Virtual Reality Lounge, you can defuse bombs, navigate escape rooms, or enjoy over 300 different virtual reality experiences. After 8 p.m., you can gather up your friends for some late-night fun playing laser tag, arcade games, and eating pizza at Laserdome. Laserdome also offers a BYOB option for adults. If brain teasers or solving puzzles are more your style, grab your friends and see if you can break out of an escape room before time runs out.
If you wish to stretch your creative muscles, bring your favorite bottle of wine or another tasty beverage and paint a masterpiece at Painting with a Twist. This educational experience provides painting supplies and guided instructions. There’s no experience necessary. Bring an open mind and prepare to have some fun.
Lancaster County boasts some of the best shopping outlets and antique shops around, but don’t sleep on our boutique shops. You’ll find boutique clothing and jewelry at the Prussian Street Arcade, and you’ll also discover upcycled and handmade home goods, specialty foods, and vintage novelties. With over 100 unique collectors, makers, and curators, you’ll find various items in the same bright, fresh space.
Fishing, climbing, hiking, and kayaking are just the start of Adventure Explorations. Want to plan a customizable trip into the wilderness with your friends? Adventure Explorations offers guided outdoor activities and experiences throughout Lancaster County, bringing the guides, gear, drinks, and trailside meals. If you’re up for more outdoor thrills, try ziplining through the tree canopy at Refreshing Mountain. You can also scale their 40-foot climbing tower, challenge yourself on an outdoor obstacles course, practice archery, or explore the on-site wildlife center. The outdoor adventures at Refreshing Mountain are perfect if you want to try something out of your comfort zone.
Lancaster Balloon Rides
Fly as high as a mile on a hot air balloon ride! Lancaster Balloon Rides is one of the main hot air ballooning companies for the east coast of the United States and offers rides over the Lancaster County, PA countryside. Whether drifting across treetops or hovering on the water of the Schuylkill River every flight with the United States Hot Air Balloon Team is a new and exciting experience, full of photo opportunities!
Live Entertainment and Music
Lancaster’s live music scene is alive and well, with headlining musical acts, Broadway and off-Broadway musicals, rock, country, and more. Many restaurants and wineries like Weathered Vineyards Ephrata offer outdoor music during the summer months. At this cozy wine bar and restaurant, you can enjoy wine by the fireplace in the winter or the outdoor courtyard in summer. All the is food prepared to order from a delicious Mediterranean bistro menu.
We recommend checking out a live show at American Music Theatre for original music productions or concerts. With over 300 live concerts and performances from the likes of Old Crow Medicine Show, chef Alton Brown, and Jay Leno, you’re sure to find something you’ll like. For a music theater, you can’t beat experiencing a musical at Fulton Theatre, the oldest continuously operating theater in North America. After opening to the public in 1852, the Fulton Theatre has entertained audiences for decades, creating Broadway-caliber events right in Lancaster County.
Dining Like a Local – Rooftop Bars, Brunch, and BBQ
Where else can you simultaneously experience a delicious meal and a panoramic sunset view of downtown Lancaster? At The Exchange’s rooftop bar and lounge, you and your friends can sip craft cocktails and share wood-fired pizzas and plates of Kimchi fries. The Exchange is the ultimate destination to captivate and enjoy a scenic dinner. While you’re still downtown, head over to Plough to experience new age-tasting food with a local flair. The restaurant’s creative menu uses local ingredients sourced from Lancaster County’s abundance of farmlands and the iconic Lancaster Central Market. Did we mention they do brunch?
When in Lancaster County, you’ll find some of the area’s best BBQ at Smokehouse BBQ and Brews. The restaurant boasts authentic, slow-smoked brisket, turkey, chicken, and pork, and they make their sauces in-house. Pair your BBQ with one of their signature cocktails or a craft beer from a local brewery.
Grab Your Friends for a day (or two) of Fun Activities!
With a walkable downtown and unique sights all over the county, you’ll find Lancaster, PA. is full of rich history and creativity. You can even extend the fun and continue to make memories with your friends by booking a hotel. For more exciting things to do for young adults in Lancaster, Pa, check out our extensive list of cool things to do
