A Perfect Family Day in Lancaster County: Pretzels, Chocolate & Double‑Scoops

Over a summer weekend, our family set out on a classic Lancaster County adventure—and the weekend blew past us with small‑town charm, good food, and sweet treats. While we did stay the weekend (hotel suggestion below), each part of the trip could easily be a day trip from Bucks County, PA.

Small Town of Lititz: Pretzels, Chocolate and Park Time

This is a cute little town that is very walkable. Our first stop was the historic Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, America’s first commercial pretzel bakery, founded in 1861. The kids loved the interactive guided tour—learning how a pretzel starts from dough, twists, bakes and ends up golden‑brown. We each got to twist our very own pretzel—a fun hands on experience and the kids helped the tour guide place the pretzels in the brick oven to cook. While it was a short tour of the bakery, it was the perfect length for the kids and our tour guide had quite the pretzel jokes to keep the kids entertained!

Next, a short stroll took us to the Wilbur Chocolate Company Store, which feels like Willy Wonka’s more down‑to‑earth cousin. The bright boutique sells all types of chocolate bars, truffles, and souvenir boxes. We picked up a box of Wilbur Buds and a chocolate bar or two to enjoy later - later as in on the bench outside the store where the hot sun started to melt the chocolate all over the kids’ fingers. But they enjoyed every bite- or lick 😋!

Right across from the action is Lititz Springs Park, a peaceful green space with a pretty pond and a nice playground where they could burn off some energy. Ducks and geese wander freely through the park, and there are food dispensers so visitors can feed them—just don’t forget to bring a few quarters! The kids loved tossing handfuls of food as the ducks bobbed their heads and splashed around. A short stroll along the shady paths, lined with flowers and benches, led us to the playground where the kids could let loose for a bit.

After walking around it was time for lunch! Lititz may be small, but it has a thriving food scene with lots of options. Since we have picky eaters, we decided on a casual family‑friendly spot—CAVOLO! Pizzeria and bar. It had the basic cheese pizza for the kids, and specialty pizzas for me and my husband. While we dined indoors because it was hot, they do have nice outdoor seating if you’re more of a people watcher and want to enjoy the view of the town.

Turkey Hill Creamery: An Ice Cream Experience

The next part of our Lancaster County family trip was visiting the Turkey Hill Experience. With the Double Scoop ticket, it was an afternoon full of discovery and hands-on fun. We started by exploring the interactive exhibits at our own pace. The kids loved milking a mechanical cow, starring in a mini Turkey Hill commercial, and designing their own virtual ice cream flavors and cartons. Along the way, we learned about the history of Turkey Hill Dairy and the process behind making ice cream and iced tea, making it a surprisingly educational experience that kept everyone engaged.

The highlight, of course, was the ice cream. Our visit included unlimited samples of ice cream, lemonade, and iced tea—and not just tiny spoonfuls, but generous servings in bowls to truly enjoy. With so many flavors to choose from, ranging from classics like vanilla bean and chocolate to fun seasonal specialties, everyone found something they loved. And since it was unlimited, we could try as many as we wanted without having to pick just one favorite.

After exploring the exhibits, we headed into the Ice Cream Lab, which felt a bit like stepping into a science classroom—long tables, mixing stations, and instead of beakers and chemicals, there were flavors, syrups, and toppings waiting to be combined. The walls were lined with add-ins of every kind, from pretzels and candies to colorful gummies. Each of us received a pint of vanilla ice cream to experiment with and create our own unique flavor combination. The kids had so much fun testing out different mix-ins, discovering which flavors blended perfectly—and which ones, well, didn’t! It was such a creative and interactive experience, and truly a great value for the price of the ticket.

If you're looking for a delightful, relaxed family day in Lancaster County—especially one with pretzels, chocolate and ice cream loaded with fun—make Lititz and Turkey Hill your day - or weekend trip - combo.

Want to make this an overnight Trip?

We spent the weekend at Eden Resort & Suites, and it exceeded our expectations. Although it is conveniently located just off the highway, and I was a bit nervous at first, the moment you step onto the property, it truly feels like a getaway. Our room was spacious, spotless, and well-appointed—perfect for relaxing after a day of activities.

The highlight of our stay was definitely the two outdoor pools and the large splash pad, which was a huge hit with our youngest. The poolside food truck offered all the classic favorites at reasonable prices, making it easy to grab lunch without leaving the fun. The kids also loved the variety of outdoor games and activities, including ping pong, shuffleboard, lawn games, and a playground. It was the perfect mix of relaxation and entertainment for the whole family.

Packing Food for the Overnight Stay

One thing that made our overnight in Lancaster so much easier was packing a larger cooler for the hotel. Even though our room had a mini fridge and microwave, having the cooler gave us some extra space, and we just refilled it with ice from the ice maker. This worked out perfectly for bringing milk for the little one and cereal for an easy breakfast in the morning. We also packed extra fruit, which kept my middle child happy throughout the trip, along with our usual go-to snacks. Of course, we couldn’t forget popcorn—my oldest loves microwave popcorn as a bedtime treat! While we still ate out for our main meals, having snacks and simple breakfast options on hand helped cut down on costs and kept everyone happy between adventures. Plus, it made those little before-bedtime treats easy and stress-free

👉 Need some ideas to keep your kids entertained and car clean during your road trips? Check out my Road Trip Essentials page.