Have you thought about celebrating the upcoming holiday with a delicious Easter brunch in Lancaster? Or filling Amish Easter baskets for the kids with farm-fresh eggs? You’ll find plenty of fun things to do, including free community egg hunts, festive events and lots of dining options. So bring the family and make a day—or a weekend—out of it. Or plan to spend spring break at Bird-in-Hand, and you’ll be in the middle of all kinds of spring activities.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Many of the activities and events mentioned here require advanced ticket purchases, so check the website links for more details to help you plan your visit.
HOP ABOARD THE EASTER BUNNY TRAIN
On Easter weekend, March 29–31, the family can take an unforgettable 45-minute journey through Lancaster County on the annual Strasburg Rail Road Easter Train Rides. Peter Cottontail is the conductor of these rides on America’s oldest continually operating railroad, and the Easter Bunny visits each car to greet the young passengers. Choose from several options, including premium and coach cars and a dining car ride that includes lunch.
If you’re in Strasburg in the days leading up to Easter Sunday, stop by Perfect Pots to create an Easter Resurrection Container Garden at their DIY table. They make a perfect centerpiece for your holiday table or to give as a gift. Perfect Pots also offers several Spring Potting Workshops on Saturdays in March and April, where beginners and seasoned gardeners alike can learn to bring your spring vision to life under the guidance of their experts.
THE KIDS WILL LOVE DUTCH WONDERLAND
Just minutes from Bird-in-Hand, Dutch Wonderland opens for the spring season on March 29 with its Eggcellent Easter Celebration. Meet Dutch Wonderland’s very own Easter Bunny, Tuft. Your kids can scavenge the park for Easter eggs, which they can mark on a map to win a prize. Take in the new puppet show, Talent Show Turmoil, and be sure to capture photos of the family against the park’s colorful backdrop of giant eggs and floral arrangements.
HAVE BREAKFAST WITH THE BUNNY
On the last two weekends in March, Barnyard Kingdom at the Country Barn Market offers several opportunities for your youngsters to have Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Tickets to this farm-to-fork breakfast buffet are available with or without a train ride. There are also coloring contests, egg hunts and access to Bunny Village, where the kids can enjoy more fun. Country Barn Market is located just west of Lancaster, about 30 minutes from Bird-in-Hand.
SOMETHING FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
A visit to the nearby village of Intercourse will keep everyone happy. With dozens of shops, Kitchen Kettle Village is a popular shopping destination; its Spring Fling Shopping Package, available beginning March 25, can make it even more attractive. If you’re traveling with children 10 and younger, the Egg-Stra Special Easter Event at Kitchen Kettle Village on March 23, 29 and 30 can add some magic to your holiday. Kids can take part in a scavenger hunt, a VIP Egg Hunt and breakfast or lunch at the Harvest Café. Remember to register in advance and bring a camera to capture pictures of the kids with Yummie, the ginger cookie mascot, and the Easter Bunny.
If you’re looking for a place to stay near Kitchen Kettle Village, our Travelers Rest Motel offers quaint, quiet country lodging—with a delicious deluxe continental breakfast—at a great price. It includes a free two-hour tour of Amish farmlands as well as the use of recreational facilities at the Bird-in-Hand Family Inn.
While you’re in Intercourse, be sure to get your Easter candy. E&A Candies on Old Philadelphia Pike has a great selection of homemade sweets, including milk, dark and white chocolate bunnies, chicks, lambs and chickens; chocolate-dipped marshmallow chicks; chocolate-covered pretzels and sandwich cookies; clear toy candy in seasonal shapes and pastel colors; and their unique Not Your Grandma’s Deviled Eggs, made of white chocolate with a crispy rice center sprinkled with sweet sugar.
EGG HUNTS ARE HAPPENING
Several organizations and communities convenient to Bird-in-Hand hold egg hunts that are free for participating children, although there may be charges for associated activities.
GEARS (Greater Elizabethtown Area Recreation & Community Services) will hold its Eggstravaganza on Saturday, March 23 at the Elizabethtown Community Park, starting at 10 a.m. Timed hunts are organized by age and are free for children under 12 and seniors 60+. Other activities will include inflatables, games, food trucks and more.
On Saturday, March 30, Ephrata Rec’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt for kids 12 and under, held in partnership with the Ephrata Lions Club, happens at 1 p.m. at the rec center. The same day, the not-for-profit Terre Hill Days Committee will host the Terre Hill Easter Egg Hunt at Terre Hill Park, Pavilion 1. The food stand opens at 11:30 a.m. Visits with the Easter Bunny start at noon, and the egg hunt begins at 1 p.m., followed by a juggling show at 1:45 p.m. The event is free for children 10 and under. Rain or shine. Also, on March 30, the Annual East Petersburg Easter Egg Hunt for children 10 and under takes place at East Petersburg Community Park. Timed hunts are organized by age, beginning at 11 a.m. Adults each receive a ticket for a raffle after the hunt is over.
FIND UNIQUE EASTER GIFTS
If you want to do some shopping while you’re in the area, you’ll find hundreds of well-known brands at Tanger Outlets less than 10 minutes from Bird-in-Hand. Their Easter Style & Savings event will take place the last weekend in March, and select stores are open Easter Sunday.
Right here in Bird-in-Hand, Artisan Village is a great place to find one-of-a-kind Easter gifts and more. Check out Flowers and Decorations by Patunya for seasonal silk floral décor or Dance of Life for ceramic waterfalls and oil lamps. Brighten your spring wardrobe with colorful accessories from Cloverfields Bags; jewelry from Bead Mine Forever, Crafted & Chosen Jewelry or Honey Lou; or a twisted-knot headband from Common Thread. You’ll find heirloom toys, household and decorative items, and so much more.
When you’re finished shopping, be sure to visit Bird-in-Hand Bakery & Cafe, right next door, for a light meal, a cup of coffee or a sweet treat. And be sure to take home one of our sweet strawberry pies, strawberry rhubarb bread or one of our other seasonal specialties. Our popular fresh strawberry pie is available for a limited time, only when the berries are at their very best. If you’ve had it, you know. If you haven’t, try it!
Wishing you a very Happy Easter, from all of us at Bird-in-Hand!
