By Gabriel Brogan

If you want a fun and interesting summer but you’re stuck in Lancaster, you’re in luck. The Vidette has you covered with these 7 fun local things to do right here in our hometown. 

1. Connect with Nature in Lancaster County Park

First on the list is one for the nature lovers. You’ve probably heard of Lancaster County Central Park, but this 544 acre expanse of green is criminally under-appreciated. It also happens to be less than a 20 minute walk from most neighborhoods on Lancaster’s East Side. County Park has numerous hiking trails, as well as scenic picnic spots and places to splash around in the Conestoga river. County Park is also crisscrossed with roads (most of which see very few cars) perfect for bike rides. There is also the county swimming pool in the middle of the park, with admission running $10 for a day pass and $165 for a membership. But besides the pool, all of this is free, so consider heading to County Park this summer and touching some grass. 

2. Get Creative at Pottery Works

Next up on our list is a downtown fan favorite: Pottery Works. If you have a slightly higher budget and an artistic streak, Pottery Works might be the spot for you. Located on 16 West Orange Street, Pottery Works has a bright interior and a variety of premade pottery items from bowls to garden gnomes that you can paint, with cheaper items usually running from $10-$15. 2 weeks later, pottery works will have a glossy, food-safe finished product for you to pick up. If you want to go with a big group, Pottery Works has seating at tables of up to eight.

3. Go Wild at Decades Arcade

Third on the list is another downtown staple that opened its doors 2019, Decades. Located on 438 North Queen Street, Decades is an arcade and restaurant that also features a 6-lane bowling alley. Speaking as someone who has been several times, the atmosphere is cozy, the booths are comfortable, the bar food is delicious and the games are retro and fun. While an afternoon at Decades isn’t for the faint of budget (usually $20-$30 per person) it’ll make a memorable experience you won’t want to miss. If you’re a fan of Pac-man, bowling, and burgers, check out Decades this summer.  

4. See a Show at West Art

Our next pick is a relatively new venue for art and music, West Art. West Art is a “Living room for Lancaster” in former St. Peter’s church on 800 Buchanan Ave. I live right across the street from West Art, and the place is crowded with people and blasting music at least 5 out of  7 days a week. West Art concerts often feature local artists like the Neilson Family Band, Street Beans, or Big Boy Brass, but also bigger names like Thundahkaht. It’s not just music at West Art,  improv, comedy, and theater, and also sorts of weird alternative art mediums make regular appearances.  Weekly features such as kickboxing classes and community yoga are also held in the space. If you’re interested in seeing some cool shows this summer, head over to West Art. Check out their event calendar here. 

5. Escape from it all at Escape On Queen

5th on the list is Escape On Queen, Downtown Lancaster’s very own escape room. Located on 43 North Queen Street, Escape on Queen features 4 different themed games from “Shipwrecked,” where players are pirates on a deserted island, to “September 1777” where players must rescue the American flag. Each room is set at a different difficulty, and can host a maximum of 8-10 people. Prices run 28$ a person and all the games last 1 hour. As someone who has tried and failed at the easiest room (September 1777), escape on Queen is no walk in the park. Players will be consistently engaged (and maybe frustrated) at the various room’s dynamic puzzles.

6. Get some delicious Nepalese food at Diyo Fusion

Our last two items are some delicious new restaurants that have recently appeared on the Lancaster scene. First up we have Diyo Fusion, a Nepalese restaurant from the same owners as Himalaya. Located on 101 North Queen Street in Ewell plaza, Diyo serves ready-made Nepalese classics like samosas and momo, as well as made-to-order bowls with enticing options from Chicken Curry to Lamb Chili Meatball. Its custom bowl system will be familiar to any frequenters of Chipotle or Cava. Real talk, this place is amazing. I’m a sucker for South Asian food, but Diyo Fusion is on another level.

7. Enjoy the affordable Japanese cuisine at Whispering Buddha

Our final spot is Whispering Buddha, a Japanese restaurant that recently opened its door on 300 West James Street. What stands out about Whispering Buddha is its wild menu. While the menu features some typical Japanese fare like fried rice and vegetable stir-fry, there are also some more experimental dishes like the Fungi Pizza or “Psychedelic SmashBurger.” That may sound a little strange, but the reviews are excellent, commending Whispering Buddha for its interesting blends of flavors and cute interior decoration. It’s also quite reasonably priced, with most dishes being about $10.