The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and my goodness, is that the sun still shining after 5pm? Spring is here in the Lebanon Valley and we are welcoming it with open arms! Join us for outdoor adventures, agritourism experiences, and of course a few rainy days in between…
Experience Lebanon County Agritourism
Pick-Your-Own Adventure
Start your spring with pick-your-own tulips at Royal Oaks Farm in Lebanon. Open early April through mid-May for their spring season, Royal Oaks offers a fully self-serve experience: just stop by the shed, grab your snippers, and pick your favorite blooms! Later in the season, from the end of May to early June, pick your own strawberries at Risser-Marvel Farm Market in Annville—the perfect activity for a warm and sunny afternoon!
Enjoy Ice Cream & Meet Farm Animals
Located in Newmanstown, The Pretzel Hut has stood as a popular roadside attraction for over 50 years. Recently undergoing major indoor and outdoor renovations, the hut features a free petting zoo and playground, as well as delicious ice cream, a full dining menu, and of course hand-rolled soft pretzels!
Enjoy More Ice Cream & Farm Animals!
What’s better than a county with one ice cream shop where you can see farm animals? A county with two of them of course! Moving eastward into Lebanon, Patches Family Creamery offers a cow-to-cone experience with ice cream, milk, and cheese all processed on-site (you can even watch the process through the creamery viewing windows!). Outside the creamery, Patches has a large playground for the kids and farm animals for all to feed and pet.
Snuggle Baby Goats
Batz Farm in Grantville is bringing back baby goat snuggles this spring! To secure your goat snuggling session, book a time online through their ticketing site and then head out to the farm where you and up to five friends can enjoy an hour of snuggle time in the goat pen. Batz Farm also offers goat yoga and Easter photoshoots with their goats and bunnies.
Get Outside in the Valley
(Photo Credit: Stephanie McDermott)
Take a Hike
From the stunning composition of Aycrigg’s Waterfall and the Bordner Cabin in Swatara State Park to the trails that weave their way throughout Union Canal Tunnel Park, discover breathtaking views as you hike your way through the Lebanon Valley. With trails for a range of abilities and adventure styles, the Lebanon Valley provides a great place to take in the welcomed warmth of spring!
Bike the Valley
Let the good times roll with road biking, mountain biking, and e-biking in the Lebanon Valley! For a light grade, hop on the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail, which features trailheads throughout the county. For mountain biking, head over to Swatara State Park where a trails of varying lengths and difficulties await. For road biking, get to know the most popular routes around the area by joining the Tour de Lebanon Valley on June 14th!
Get to Know Our Wildlife
Watch as the world comes back to life this spring with bird watching and fishing opportunities around the Valley. In the southeast corner of the county, stop by Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area where you can learn more about your favorite wildlife species in the Visitors Center or watch the birds from their large indoor viewing area. Not a bird lover? Drop a line in the Swatara Creek or out at Memorial Lake State Park! Pro Tip: Take advantage of Fish-for-Free Days on Sunday, May 25 and Friday, July 4, 2025, where you can fish on PA waterways with no license or fees!
Take it Outside… For Dinner
Does outdoor dining count as getting outside? We think yes! Enjoy outdoor dining at restaurants across the Lebanon Valley, from tavern favorites under a historic Catalpa Tree at the Quentin Tavern to open-air dining at Rotunda Restaurant & Brewery in Annville. Plus, while you’re out and about enjoying warm weather and cold drinks, earn points and collect prizes along the Libations Trail! Running from April 3 through June 5, this free, self-guided beer trail rewards you for visiting participating restaurants and breweries, just like the ones mentioned here!
Hit the Greens
Get back into your golf game at one of seven pristine golf courses in the Lebanon Valley! Take it back to the basics on the driving ranges of Royal Oaks Golf Club and Fairview Golf Course. Take on one of the toughest, yet most scenic courses in the area at Iron Valley Golf Club. Or simply take it down a notch and stick to mini golfing at Game Time Fun Center!
Shop the Lebanon Valley
Go Thrifting
From saving money to supporting local businesses to reducing your environmental footprint, the benefits of thrifting are extensive. When thrifting in Lebanon County, we recommend Blue Mountain Thrift Store in Palmyra for new brand name items, Jubilee Thrift & Re-Build-It in Annville for housewares, and Jubilee Ministries Thrift Store in Lebanon for all-of-the-above. Looking for a good sale? Check out Goodwill Store & Donation Center in Palmyra for weekly tag sales!
Discover Antiquities & Oddities
If you’re looking for charm, the antique shops of the Lebanon Valley have got it in stock! Discover unusual, old, retro, vintage, and historic goods at shops like Butcher Block Antiques in Annville, which offers a curated selection of house and kitchen wares, or Black Swan Antiquities in Palmyra, featuring over 60 dealers under one roof. Also in Palmyra, Schoolhouse Antiques presents a wide variety of vintage goods, as well as a number of handmade, artisan items.
Shop Specialty Goods
From handmade jewelry to artisan oils, the Lebanon Valley has a number of shops that offer a curated selection of niche goods. In Palmyra, The Book Bar offers new and used books, as well as a space to relax and read. In Lebanon, The Aegean Table offers a taste of Greece with oils and vinegars, spreads, and a number of traditional dishes. Over in Schaefferstown, The Tweed Weasel Folk Art & Primitives offers an extensive collection of homemade ornaments, textiles, rugs, and more!
Save for a Rainy Day in the Lebanon Valley
Forge a New Passion
At the Drunken Smithy, test your hand at forging your very own goods with guided classes for creating a range of goods from swords and axes to horseshoe hearts and magic wands. After the workshop, trade your axe forging for axe throwing at the Drunken Smithy lanes. And before you head out, be sure to stop by the Smithy’s Mead Hall to get a taste of their handcrafted mead, cider, and craft brews!
Tag, You’re It
Located in the same complex as Klick Lewis Arena and In the Net, The Lazer Factory offers indoor fun for all ages. With a 6,000 square-foot, multi-level lazer tag arena for children 6 and up and an indoor playground and bounce house for children 6 and under, the whole family is welcome at this state-of-the-art facility. The Lazer Factory also features an arcade with a redemption counter and a full snack bar.
Go Bowling
Boasting 32 lanes, a game room, specialty deal hours, and the attached Sinkhole Saloon & Grille restaurant, Palmyra Bowling offers a one-stop shop for an afternoon of entertainment. Check out their online calendar for specialty pricing and experiences like weekend cosmic bowling and Sunday morning $1 games! Family-owned and -operated since 1981, Palmyra Bowling and the Sinkhole Saloon have long been keystones of the Palmyra community for good food and good times!
Books or Movies?
No matter where you stand on the books versus movies debate, the Allen Theatre & Salamander Bookstore Café has got something to offer. Combining a bookstore, coffee shop, and single-screen cinema, this historic little theatre provides the perfect place for media lovers to sit back, relax, and enjoy! Looking for live music and entertainment? The Allen frequently hosts musicians, magicians, comedians, and more.
Lace Up your Skates
Roll on back to the good old days with a skate at the Mt. Gretna Roller Rink. Built in the 1890’s, this rink has changed little over the years and features a varnished hardwood arena where you can soak up all the nostalgia. Check out their family nights on the first and third Thursday of every month for a special $4 admission fee (not including skate rentals). And while we’re talking skating, we can’t forget about Klick Lewis Arena, where even in the spring, the ice rink is nice and chilly for a public skate. Pro Tip: Head over during an evening session at Klick Lewis and enjoy skating under the disco lights!
Tour a Historic Site
For another rainy-day option, take a tour of the Cornwall Iron Furnace! As the only fully intact charcoal-fueled blast furnace in the western hemisphere, the Furnace offers a great way for children and adults alike to learn more about the iron industry that once boomed in this area. After your tour, be sure to stop by the museum store for unique gifts, books, and merchandise.
Plan Your Spring Getaway in the Lebanon Valley Today!
Check out our lodging page for more information on the Annville Inn Bed & Breakfast, pictured above, as well as a variety of other accommodations here in Lebanon County.
(Cover Photo Credit: Lindsay Curtin)