When the weekend rolls around, you can typically find my family and I at indoor farmers markets, grabbing yummy food and browsing local vendor wares. Below are farmers markets that we’ve visited in the area. Have we missed any of your favorites?
READ: 5 Easy, Free, and Fun Indoor Activities
Farmstead Farmers Market, Palmyra
By far, our favorite market. There are two buildings that aren’t very large. We love eating the shawarma and soft pretzels here, and playing at the outdoor playground when it’s nice outside. We’ve also seen the largest cauliflower, cantaloupe, and zucchini here! Attached to the parking lot is also an antique store which we stop in every time we’re there. The market is only open on Fridays and Saturdays.
York Central Market
We just visited for the first time last weekend, and we were pleasantly surprised. There were A LOT of delicious food items, and live music at 11:00am on a Saturday! We also tried a breakfast spot that made unique quesadillas. We tried the cheeseburger and bacon/apple/brie quesadillas, which we highly recommend. We also enjoyed a fantastic smoothie, and of course, a soft pretzel. A local book store was a block away, and we ventured there after the market. It also had a great coffee shop inside, and a small children’s play area. Lot parking was available for a small fee. The market is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Lancaster Central Market
Very nice market with lots of upscale treats! There are more produce and meat stalls here than food vendors, so its definitely a local stop for groceries. It’s located in the middle of town, so we street parked, but there are also paid lots nearby. Lots of unique restaurants and store nearby for additional ways to spend your time. Open Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Broad Street Market, Harrisburg
This market is in the works of being rebuilt after catching fire in one of their two buildings last year. We enjoyed the many food vendors – FYI, we found a great chicken cheesesteak that rivals a true Philly cheesesteak! Street parking is (was) available, along with limited lot parking, which we remember being a hassle to find parking. We can’t wait to visit when its completely remodeled. We also love to visit Midtown Scholar Bookstore across the street, and a really cool space and restaurant, The Millworks, is next door. Open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Green Dragon, Ephrata
A bit of a drive for us, but definitely a fun way to spend a few hours walking around and looking at EVERYTHING. There are food vendors (yummy pretzel dogs), permanent vendors in their own buildings (Cocalico Creek), indoor antique stalls, live auctions (chickens!), and an outdoor flea market. You may also see some horse and buggies parked here. You never know what you’ll find! Tons of free parking. Open Fridays only.
Lebanon Farmers Market
This is a very small scale market with some food vendors and produce stands. If you’re local, definitely check it out. If you’re coming from farther away, I wouldn’t recommend the drive just for this market. Free parking lot attached to market. Open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
West Shore Farmers Market, Lemoyne
A very cool two-story market with so many vendors, produce and deli stands, and stores (at points, it felt like a mall!). We enjoyed walking around and getting a nice breakfast here, along with stopping in a bookstore, and playing in the kids area where we sat and ate. It was very crowded, and the parking lot was jammed. If you have the opportunity, I definitely recommend visiting this market! Open Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square
Very limited produce, vendor, and eating area. But its small so you can easily check everything out quickly. Two stories, and a few fun breweries are here. I’ve enjoyed a pad thai dish and specialty vinegars to bring home. A covered parking garage is nice to have here. Also, an urgent care is located inside – convenient? Open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
