The picturesque 124-acre town of Mt. Gretna, only 40 minutes from Lancaster and 1.5 hours from Philadelphia, offers visitors the quaint experience of small-town life. Embrace the old-fashioned charm of this tiny Pennsylvania town, but don’t underestimate all there is to do. You’ll find so many things to do in Mt. Gretna, Pennsylvania, you’ll need more than a day. You might even want to plan a weekend getaway.

Stroll past the storybook homes that dot the tiny town of Mt. Gretna, home to less than 200 people before discovering the...
Flickr/Jon Dawson
If you've always wanted to feel like you've stepped into a fairy tale, you've come to the right place. Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania, is undoubtedly one of the most charming towns in PA.
Charming town, flanked by towering trees, that sits only nine miles from the town of Lebanon. Explore the shops that dot the tiny Pennsylvania town.
Flickr/Harvey Barrison
Mt. Gretna is ideally located, so you can spend the night here, and explore nearby towns and cities.
Learn more about Mt. Gretna, which dates back to 1926, with a stop at the Mt. Gretna Area Historical Society. Open seasonally, the historical society also welcomes guests to visit its gift shop, which features books, old-fashioned postcards, and note cards.
Facebook/Mt. Gretna Area Historical Society
Make sure you check out the Mount Gretna Area Historical Society website to ensure it is open before heading over. You can even take a virtual tour of the museum before you visit.
After your visit to the Mt. Gretna Area Historical Society, make your way to the Mt. Gretna Roller Rink, one of the oldest buildings in town. Lace up your roller skates during public skating sessions, enjoying a quick bite from the snack bar when you need to catch your breath.
Facebook/Mount Gretna Roller Rink
Spend lazy summer afternoons at the Mt. Gretna Lake and Beach. Throw a towel or put a chair on the lawn before deciding what to do first...
Facebook/Mt. Gretna Lake and Beach
Spanning eight acres, the picturesque beach offers plenty of space to spread out and relax.

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Kayaking, swimming, or flying through the air from a swing in the middle of the lake. The sprawling recreation area features such amenities as a kids dock, bicycle parking, an oversized chair designed for family pictures, and...
Facebook/Mt. Gretna Lake and Beach
A cozy snack bar surrounded by tables and chairs protected by red and white umbrellas. The public recreation area, which requires an admission fee, is generally open daily from May through September.
Facebook/Mt. Gretna Lake and Beach
After a relaxing day in town, plan to visit one of the popular restaurants like the Jigger Shop, a 100-year-old Mt. Gretna tradition.
Facebook/The Jigger Shop
Stop by The Jigger Shop at 202 Gettysburg Avenue, Mt Gretna, PA 17064.
Grab a stool at the lunch counter for an old-fashioned experience as you peruse the menu that features soup, salads, and sandwiches, highlighted by the famous fountain menu. Order an ice cream soda or milkshake, a sundae, or ice cream.
Yelp/Michael S.
Or, if you prefer a more formal experience, head to Gretna Timbers Restaurant and Dinner Theater. View the generous dinner menu or opt for the summer buffet.
Facebook/The Gretna Timbers

What are some of your favorite things to do in Mt. Gretna? Have you visited the lake and beach? Let us know in the comments! After you’ve visited Mt. Gretna, the most overlooked town in Pennsylvania, start planning to visit the enchanted village of Eagles Mere.

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More to Explore

Small Towns In Pennsylvania

Beth Price-Williams | April 04, 2023

What are some must-visit small towns in Pennsylvania?

One of the best ways to get to know our state is to visit the many small towns in Pennsylvania. Some of the best small towns with amazing downtowns in Pennsylvania include:

  • Lititz is an adorable Pennsylvania town that’s home to Julius Sturgis Pretzel Factory and Wolf Sanctuary of PA, the only place to see wild wolves in Pennsylvania.
  • New Hope sits just across the river from Lambertville, New Jersey, and is home to the New Hope Railroad and countless shops and restaurants.
  • Bloomsburg is the only official town in Pennsylvania, which makes it bucket list-worthy.
  • Indiana, a charming small town, is the hometown of Hollywood legend, Jimmy Stewart, and home to Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP).
  • Bellefonte is delightful any time of the year, but be sure to visit during Christmastime when it hosts the Victorian Christmas Celebration.


What are some small towns in Pennsylvania that promise peace and quiet?

We all need a bit of peace and quiet every now and then. When you’re craving tranquility, make your way to one of these small towns in Pennsylvania:

  • Ligonier’s a small Western Pennsylvania town that’s home to historic sites and a downtown dotted with shops and restaurants. Stop by Idlewild Park & Soakzone, too, an old-fashioned amusement park.
  • Eagles Mere is a tiny village with just 120 residents. It’s perhaps best known for its toboggan slide during the winter.
  • Wellsboro is within driving distance of Pine Creek Gorge, the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. It’s picture-perfect in all seasons, but the downtown is particularly darling during the snowy days of winter.
  • Hawley is perhaps best known for the Ledges Hotel, which overlooks a waterfall, and it’s dotted with charming restaurants.
  • Bedford welcomes visitors to its cozy town year-round, but plan a visit during fall too. The small Pennsylvania town is home to the historic and haunted Jean Bonnet Tavern and several old-fashioned covered bridges.

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Mount Gretna, Mt Gretna, PA, USA