Lititz Is The Perfect Place To Spend A Day

The borough of Lititz, located directly north of Lancaster city, is a town still heavily influenced by the Moravian colony that once stood in its center. The community was founded in 1753 on nearly 500 acres that John George Klein, one of the area's first residents, donated to Count Nicholas Ludwig Von Zinzendorf, a Moravian preacher. The town has carefully worked the architecture of the Moravian Church, located at 8 Church Square, into newer buildings and successfully combined the past with quaint shops and attractive dining venues. The efforts helped earn Lititz the title of "America's Coolest Small Town" back in 2013.

But "cool" is perhaps too ephemeral a term to describe Lititz. With traditional enterprises such as Wilbur Chocolate, which still operates a retail store on Broad Street; the Lititz Springs Inn and Spa, built in 1764 as the Zum Anker; and the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, which is believed to be the oldest in the country, Lititz has much to offer visitors.

Outdoor pursuits include a visit to Lititz Springs Park, a seven-acre plot featuring a band shell and recreation areas surrounding a picturesque stream. The park is also the location of the town welcome center, an 1884 Victorian Gothic building designed by Frank Furness, where volunteers provide information about activities and restaurants in Lititz. The Warwick-to-Ephrata Rail Trail offers 8 miles to walk, run, or bike from its start at Oak Street to Ephrata. Bicycle rental is available at the Warwick Township Building. At the Wolf Sanctuary of PA, located in the Speedwell Forge area of Lititz, visitors may enjoy a unique chance to see wolf pack dynamics.

The restored Johannes Mueller House and the Lititz Historical Foundation Museum are generally open from the end of May through December, offering guided tours that tell the story of the Moravians and how the town was founded. The wooden portion of the Mueller house was built by Klein in 1740, making it the oldest standing private home in Lititz. It was also the location of the Lititz post office from 1830 to 1849. The historical foundation hands out free historic walking tour maps of Main Street, which take visitors to about 18 buildings.

Located directly behind the foundation are the Mary Oehme Gardens. The gardens, which are free to visit and open to the public as long as no events are happening there, are a tranquil area full of bright colors against a green backdrop.

Enjoying the scenery during a stroll through Lititz might cause one to work up an appetite. A few dozen restaurants, ranging from ethnic eateries to brew pubs and cafes, are sandwiched between shops. One local resident recommends Chilangos for authentic Mexican. Rooster Street Butcher features meats and pastas hosting a variety of tasty flavors, and Piccolo Eatery is known for the size of its Mediterranean- and Italian-inspired sandwiches. Tomato Pie Cafe is a family-owned restaurant offering an eclectic take on meals and desserts.

While Lititz may seem steeped in tradition, it is also home to a 52,000 square-foot rehearsal space built literally on rock ... music. Located just north of town is Rock Lititz, a campus resulting from a partnership between Tait Towers and Clair Brothers Audio Enterprises.

A quintessential example of a Lancaster County town, Lititz is surrounded by rolling hills and verdant farmland. While it is possible to enjoy a day visit to Lititz, the town offers a rich heritage and interesting activities that may compel visitors back to see and do more. Discovering Lititz can mean exploring and experiencing new sights, sounds, and tastes without traveling very far from your own backyard.