Lancaster County's Roadside Farm Stands & Markets

One of our favorite leisurely activities to recommend to guests staying with us at The Lancaster Bed and Breakfast is to take a scenic drive on Lancaster County’s back roads and through our quaint small towns. You never know what you might discover — like the countless roadside farm stands that offer seasonal produce and homemade goods straight from the fields and farm kitchens to customers like you. These are the hidden gems of the Lancaster County countryside that remind us of the simplicity we all crave.

The summer harvest will yield an abundance of tomatoes, sweet corn, string beans, crisp cucumbers, melons, peaches and more — perfect ingredients to take home and prepare for any backyard cookout. Whether at a simple table set up at the edge of an Amish farm or at a local farmers market, you'll find not only farm-fresh fruits and vegetables but also made-from-scratch baked goods, dairy products and other homemade treats.

Farm stands and markets are an excellent way to get a taste of what Lancaster County has to offer. As you begin to explore its farmlands, the number of roadside stands and small markets you'll encounter is seemingly endless. Zook's Roadside Stand on the Old Philadelphia Pike is touted as the oldest roadside stands in Lancaster County, serving up fresh produce, pies and baked goods for 50 years. Head west on the Pike and you'll find Busy Bee's Farm Market. Located on an Amish farm, you'll want to pop into their craft shed to see all of their handcrafted art pieces. Continue west on the Pike to Kauffman's Fruit Farm and Market, and don't leave without tasting their apple cider and cider donuts.

Expand your search to neighboring towns, including Leola, New Holland and Ronks, for all things homegrown and homemade. In Leola, check out Bubbling Spring Produce, a fixture on the Nolt family's farmstead for 40+ years; King's Fresh Produce; and Stoltzfus Produce and Market Fare, where you'll find an outdoor chicken barbecue on Saturdays in the summer. In New Holland, visit Hammond School Farm Market, Garden Spot Farm Market, EverFresh Produce, and Beiler's Fruit Farm. In Ronks, go to Amish-owned Countryside Road Stand for ice cream, hand-rolled soft pretzels and homemade birch beer.

The next time you visit The Lancaster Bed and Breakfast, take the scenic route. Let the winding back roads lead you to these hidden gems where every purchase supports local farmers and families. Fill your baskets with the season's best and your heart with the unforgettable memories of Lancaster County's countryside treasures. Happy exploring!