Setting
Penn Square
A brick market house in downtown [[lancaster-city]]
Farmers market · Lancaster
Lancaster Central Market
A working public farmers market in a brick market house on Penn Square — stalls of produce, meats, baked goods and prepared food.
Heritage
Long-running
Often called the oldest continuously operating U.S. farmers market (needs verification)
Look for
Baked goods
Soft pretzels, shoofly pie, whoopie pies
Open
Market days
Only certain days; busiest mornings (needs verification)
The place
Lancaster Central Market sits right on Penn Square in the heart of Lancaster City, housed in a handsome brick market house, and remains a working market rather than a tourist set-piece.
Vendors fill the hall with seasonal produce, fresh meats, cheeses, flowers and crafts; the baked-goods stalls — soft pretzels, shoofly pie, whoopie pies — reflect the area's Pennsylvania Dutch Culture. Several stands serve prepared food, so it doubles as a casual meal stop.
Good to know
- Open only on certain market days (needs verification)
- Busiest in the mornings — arrive early
- Bring cash, though many vendors take cards
Our notesAn easy first stop
Pairs naturally with a morning walking Lancaster City — a working market with the region's best baked goods.
Come hungry, come early, bring cash.
§ 01From the wiki
What it is
Lancaster Central Market sits right on Penn Square in the heart of Lancaster City, housed in a handsome brick market house. It is often described as the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the United States (needs verification), and it remains a working market rather than a tourist set-piece.
What you'll find
Vendors fill the hall with seasonal produce, fresh meats and poultry, cheeses, flowers, and crafts. The baked-goods stalls are a highlight: soft pretzels, shoofly pie, and whoopie pies all reflect the area's Pennsylvania Dutch Culture. Several stands serve prepared food and lunch, so it doubles as a good casual meal stop.
Visiting tips
The market is open only on certain days of the week (needs verification — confirm current market days and hours before you go), and it is busiest in the mornings on market days. Arrive early for the best selection and to beat the crowds. Bring cash, though many vendors now take cards.
It pairs naturally with a morning of walking Lancaster City and makes an easy first stop on your trip — see Four-Night Itinerary for how it fits into the days.