Lancaster Central Market

I was so taken with Philadephia’s Reading Terminal Market that I had to check out the Lancaster Central Market as well. Food halls have been surging in popularity, but these historic markets are the OG.

Lancaster Central Market

In fact, the Lancaster Central Market is the oldest continuously-operating farmer’s market in the United States. It started in 1730 and was officially chartered by King George in 1742. The first permanent building went up in 1757, and the current red brick iteration in 1889.

It’s a beautiful building with a steep gabled roofline, two towers, and terra cotta tiles. Unfortunately, there isn’t any kind of cooling system. On hot summer days, the farther into the middle you get, the more stuffy it is.

Food Stalls

The stalls in the Lancaster Central Market are much less flashy than in the big city. There are no neon signs and far fewer prepared foods than in Reading Terminal Market. And definitely nowhere to sit and eat. I only saw a handful of spots that offered hot food to take away. (Mediterranean and empanadas, I think.) Though I think there are a few places to get sandwiches. And a couple of cold-food stalls for smoothies and acai bowls.

Most of the food stalls are fruit & veggies from local Amish farms, meat counters, bakeries, and other spots to take food to cook, like pasta or canned preserves.

Non-Food Stalls

Alongside the food, there are plenty of spots with various handmade items or trinkets. I particularly love all the flower vendors – they have gorgeous displays. Lancaster is a beautiful county for flowers. I would say there is a far higher percentage of “stuff” vendors than in Philadelphia. And I can’t imagine why there isn’t a bookseller in here.

Hours

The Lancaster Central Market isn’t open all week. It’s only open Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, 6 am-3 pm. It’s free to enter and shop around, but you’ll have to pay for parking. The Hager parking lot is the nearest to the market, and rates are reasonable. I wasn’t there very long, and it only cost me about $3.

The Lancaster Central Market is right in downtown Lancaster, very literally the city center. There are plenty more shops and restaurants in the immediate vicinity. There was a fun brass band busking outside during my Saturday visit and lots of activity on all sides – folks sitting around and talking and eating, music playing, activists with petitions. It’s certainly still a hub of activity for the city.

Conclusion

While I didn’t fall in love with the Lancaster Central Market quite as much as I did Reading Terminal Market, you can still find a sandwich, a smoothie, or an ice cream inside. Though it’s really much better suited for your weekly shopping or a once-a-month specialty trip.