Written by Kendell Moats
Imagine a summer filled with memories, laughs and lots of smiles. To make sure you soak up each bit, we have created a bucket list of activities to do this summer with your loved ones. Grab a jar and write down each one. When you have a free or rainy day, pull an idea out of your jar and see where it takes you!
New Holland Park. The New Holland Park is a fenced in, handicap accessible wooden park in the middle of New Holland. With a tire swing, sand pit and toys for all ages, everyone in the family is guaranteed a good time. Just outside the fence is a bathroom open to the public. If you happen to get tired of the park, the tennis and basketball courts are a few steps away! Plus, the New Holland Summer Arts Association offers free evening concerts in July and August.
Garden Spot Village Train Room. The train room will be open to the public on Saturday, June 24, from 1:30-4pm. The newly revised layout includes Thomasville, so be on the look for Thomas the Train as he travels though the village. Entry is free, but donations are encouraged.
Lapp Valley Farm Creamery. Get the best of both worlds at Lapp Valley Farm. Walk around the farm that started it all! Enjoy a sweet homemade waffle cone in one hand, and pet a cow with your other. Better yet, watch them milk the cows on site during the week!
Try a New Sport. New Holland has many opportunities to be active and try something new. Practice your swing at the golf course, shoot hoops on the basketball court and play pickle ball or tennis. If holding a club or racket isn’t your thing, follow the path into Garden Spot Village to enjoy the flowers and gardens.
Family Museum Pass Program. The Family Museum Pass program provides families free entry into a multitude of museums including: Hands on House, Lancaster Science Factory, Landis Valley and more. You can visit these museums more than once when you have this pass!
Lancaster County Summer Reading Program. The theme this year for the reading program is “All Together Now.” Encourage your friends and family to participate in the program to have the chance to receive prizes to places such as: Lancaster Barnstormers Game, Isaacs, Strasburg Railroad, Penn Cinema. Enjoy these prizes “all together” during the end of summer!
Visit Grandma and Grandpa. Do Grandma and Grandpa live at Garden Spot Village? If so, visit and experience a day full of fun. In the morning, grab a sweet treat from the Refresh Coffee Bar, and enjoy it as you walk through The Shop at Garden Spot Village. In the afternoon, the Harvest Table has a variety of hot lunch items to choose from, as well as homemade ice cream for dessert. To finish off the day, watch a movie in the theatre or read a book in the library.
Fox Meadows Creamery. Fox Meadows in Leola has been a hotspot since it opened in July of 2022 and is sure to be a hit this summer. Grab some lunch and delicious seasonal ice cream flavors. If ice cream isn’t your thing, try their homemade sorbet that comes in a variety of flavors.
Summer Music Series at Long’s Park. Whether your into hip hop, bluegrass, jazz or country, Long’s Park has it scheduled this summer. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy a Sunday evening listening to all types of music for free.