I topped off my spring break with a visit to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Though I imagine most people probably think of Amish farm country when they picture Lancaster County, the city of Lancaster is developing the hip vibe of an artists’ colony. While the fact that the Lancaster Convention Center was hosting an anime/comic book/sci-fi convention made the visit seem surreal at times — particularly when Captain Jack Sparrow, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Rorschach all showed up (separately) at the farmers’ market — what really impressed me was the range of art in the museums and galleries all over town.

As if the folks at the anime convention didn’t make Lancaster seem surreal enough, this storefront window gave me a minor case of the fantods — not to mention the creeps!

The best cure for the creeps? Crepes! If you go to Lancaster, be sure to have lunch at Rachel’s Cafe & Crepes.

In addition to art galleries and museums, Lancaster also offers a healthy assortment of antique and vintage clothing stores.

I would be overstating the case if I said that all of the doors in Lancaster are this charming, but you have to admit that this one is, indeed, quite charming.

On our way home, we stopped at the Stoudt’s Brewery for a tour and also visited their artisanal cheese cave.

And in the foyer of the Stoudt’s Brewery, YELLOW WALLPAPER! (This one’s for my American Lit. Students.)
Though pretty much everything about our trip to Lancaster impressed us, my wife an I were particularly taken by an exhibit of work by high school students at the Lancaster Museum of Art. Though the museum itself is very small, the art of the local high school students reflected a massive range of interests and talents. Perhaps the most mesmerizing of all the pieces was the following short-subject claymation film by a twelfth-grader named Samuel Root:
A Flying Fable FINISHED VERSION from Samuel Root on Vimeo.
All told, it was a great weekend. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Lancaster, I highly recommend it.
What a pretty town. And, by the sound of it, interesting too. Thanks for sharing.
For me, it was the perfect get away… 90 minutes from home and plenty to do within walking distance of the hotel!
That is perfect. Are you back to school now?
Monday morning, bright and early… Unless there’s snow!
All good things must come to an end, right?
So true!
What a great way to spend the weekend!
Yes, it was a lot of fun!
Nice post, Marc—loved that video! I posted the video (and shout-out to Abominations) on my site! :-]
Glad you enjoyed it… And thanks for the mention on your blog!
Loved that video.
Isn’t it amazing?
You’ve sold me on Lancaster as a weekend getaway. The cheese, the farmer’s market and the vintage clothes shopping. Sounds delightful!
It’s perfect for a weekend!
Very different to Lancaster UK, near where I live – though it seems they both share a groovy, artist-friendly vibe.
Yes… Very artist-friendly!