Things to do in Ephrata
Ephrata is a borough in northeastern Lancaster County, home to the historic Ephrata Cloister and the Green Dragon, one of Pennsylvania's largest farmers markets and auctions.
Browse Ephrata by category
Where to eat in Ephrata
More →
Aromas Del Sur
Inspiration Brewing Company
The Village Farm Market
Reiff’s Farm Market, LLC
Griddle & Grind Cafe
Tin Roof Cafe 'n Sweets
Where to stay in Ephrata
More →Smithton Inn
Historic Smithton Inn
Twin Pine Manor Bed & Breakfast
Kimmell House Bed & Breakfast
Hertzog Homestead Bed and Breakfast
Hertzog Homestead Bed and Breakfast, The
Things to do in Ephrata
More →
Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley
Ephrata Main Theatre
Ephrata Performing Arts Center
Ephrata Cloister
The Historic Conservation Trust of the Ephrata Area
Keller's Mill Covered Bridge
Upcoming events in Ephrata
All events →Articles featuring Ephrata
More articles →Pet-Friendly Lancaster County: Where to Stay, Eat, and Play with Your Dog
Bringing the dog to Amish Country? These Lancaster County hotels, B&Bs, and campgrounds take pets, and these patios, taprooms, and parks welcome dogs once you arrive.
Where to Buy Amish Furniture in Lancaster County, PA
Lancaster County is one of the best places in the country to buy solid-wood, made-to-order Amish furniture. Here are the showrooms and makers, what makes it Amish furniture, and how to order custom.
Dinner Theater in Lancaster County: Shows with a Meal (and the Marquee Theaters Too)
Where to catch dinner and a show in Lancaster County: the true dinner theaters (Dutch Apple, Rainbow's Comedy Playhouse, Magic & Wonder, Bird-in-Hand Stage) plus marquee theaters like Sight & Sound and the Fulton.
Bed & Breakfasts in Lancaster County: Farm Stays, Historic Inns & How to Book
Lancaster County has one of the highest concentrations of bed and breakfasts in Pennsylvania: working farm stays, pre-Revolution inns, and restored Victorians near downtown. Here are the types, some of the best-rated, and how to book.
Visiting Ephrata
Ephrata is a borough in northeastern Lancaster County, set along the Cocalico Creek about 15 miles northeast of Lancaster City. The town grew up around the Ephrata Cloister, a religious commune founded in 1732 by Conrad Beissel whose medieval-style German buildings are preserved today as a Pennsylvania state historic site, known for its early American printing, a cappella music, and Fraktur calligraphy.
Every Friday, Ephrata fills up for the Green Dragon Farmers Market & Auction, one of the largest farmers markets in the state, with hundreds of stands, livestock auctions, and Pennsylvania Dutch food that has drawn crowds since 1932. It anchors a town that still runs on markets, from produce stands to consignment shops like Fashion Cents.
Downtown Ephrata keeps a walkable mix of cafes and taprooms, including Saint Boniface Craft Brewing, the Olde Lincoln House, Javateas coffee, and Two Cousins Pizza. 222 Dutch Lanes handles a rainy afternoon, and the surrounding countryside opens onto the northern Lancaster County farm towns.