Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Leola, PA

  • Published 2022/07/18

The best things to do in Leola, Pennsylvania, will provide you with a retreat to set your pace for the coming week.

It is situated between the cities of Lancaster and New Holland, Pennsylvania, on Route 23.

It was not until June 10th, 1896, that Leola, once known as Batten’s Corner, became a distinct community from Bareville.

Controversy surrounded the designation of Leola as a community when the locals intended to call their town Glenolde or Glenola.

However, this name was already used by other train stations in the area.

As a compromise, “Leola” was chosen.

In the term Glenola, the final two syllables – ola were borrowed from the word Glenacock.

Read on to discover the best things to do in Leola, Pennsylvania:

Visit the Zook’s Mill Covered Bridge

Daytime view of Zook's Mill Covered Bridge

George Sheldon / Shutterstock.com

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania’s Zook’s Mill Covered Bridge, carries Cocalico Creek over the county line.

The Cocalico #7 Bridge is a county-owned and -maintained bridge.

Wenger Covered Bridge and Rose Hill Covered Bridge are two more names for the bridge.

West of Brownstown on T 797 is near the townships of Warwick and West Earl.

Steel hanger rods support a hardwood, double Burr arch truss arrangement on this single-span bridge.

Oak planks are used to build the deck.

On both the interior and exterior, it is painted crimson, the characteristic color of covered bridges in Lancaster County.

Information board of Zook's Mill Covered Bridge

George Sheldon / Shutterstock.com

The bridge’s two approaches are red and white.

The span is 74 feet in length by 13 feet, 3 inches in width.

Henry Zook erected it in 1849, and it has a wooden burr-style truss.

The Zook’s Mill Covered Bridge is unique because it survived Hurricane Agnes in 1972 despite submerging by 6.12 feet of water.

The Rose Hill Covered Bridge and the Cocalico #7 Bridge are other names for the Wenger Covered Bridge.

Filming for The Boys from Brazil took place on this bridge in 1978.

View from inside the Zook's Mill Covered Bridge

George Sheldon / Shutterstock.com

Have a Family Day at Leola Community Park

Leola Community Park will keep you and your kids busy the whole day with its 1515-foot-long fitness track, playground, three pools, a baseball field, and tennis courts.

It also has a pavilion, separate picnic places, and plenty of parking.

There is also a second covered pavilion.

Among the pools is an immense pleasure pool with three slides, a walk-in toddler pool with a water feature, and an 8-lane, 25-meter competition pool.

It was only in 2001 that the remaining pools were refurbished, along with the competitive pool, that work was completed.

Leola Pool is a fully operational outdoor amenity.

The Leola Community Park pool is equipped with an AED device in case of cardiac crises, and all personnel are educated and certified in the newest life-saving procedures.

Spend the Afternoon at Upper Leacock War Memorial

Tourists go to Pennsylvania’s exotic gardens in droves, as they do everywhere.

Take a moment and relax at the Upper Leacock War Memorial.

In your spare time, you may walk, exercise, smell the flowers, sunbathe, take in the scenery, read a book, plan a date, or just relax beneath a tree.

The Upper Leacock Township War Memorial Association also holds an indoor flea market every month.

Antiques, vintage Pyrex, crafts, books, and other treasures are the items for sale.

Learn Horseback Riding at Flying M Stable

On a thriving cattle farm along the Conestoga River in Leola, you will find Flying M Stable.

It is a family-run horse stable where visitors may enjoy horseback riding in a laid-back atmosphere.

There are various options for students of different skill levels and disciplines to choose from when it comes to riding classes.

Its obstacle course challenges horses and riders.

Flying M Stables believes in creating a safe and enjoyable environment for both horse and rider.

It also provides a variety of activities for our boarders to participate in with and without their horses.

Have a Retreat at The Inn at Leola Village

Leola’s tranquil Leola Village is the ideal place to rest and unwind during this busy holiday season.

Our luxurious sustainable Inn has a four-star spa, a café, an Italian-inspired restaurant, a peaceful pool, and lovely grounds.

Stay with us and experience Lancaster County’s backroads, multiple farmers’ markets, local wineries, distilleries, and breweries, and distinctive Amish stores and galleries.

Our surrounding Amish farms, hidden biking and hiking paths, and the finest Lancaster County delicacies await your exploration.

If you’re looking for hotels in Lancaster County, go no farther than The Inn at Leola Village.

It offers elegant accommodation, rustic charm, unsurpassed spa services, and farm-fresh cuisine.

Dine and Chill at Helen’s Corner Bar & Restaurant

Helen’s Corner Bar & Restaurant is a relaxed neighborhood tavern with a good vibe.

Traditional tavern cuisine is served in a modestly priced craft beer taproom.

The place to be if you’re in the neighborhood! Enjoy a cool drink as you belt out your favorite karaoke tunes.

Many people in the area swear by its dumplings.

Around the long, U-shaped bar in the middle, Helen’s can accommodate up to 80 people, including those sitting at bar stools.

There are a few tables around the bar and a tiny counter facing the wall at what had formerly been an exit.

In addition, there are three billiard tables.

Its pleasant service is also highly praised by customers who have left evaluations on the company’s website.

Cool Down at Hayloft Ice Cream

Hayloft Ice Cream offers pretzels, fresh ice cream, and other delectable.

While enjoying a cone of ice cream, you and your kids may feed the ducks and fish in the nearby pond or play at the playground.

It has a large deck and a pavilion next to the playground. for outside seating

Hayloft contributes 100 percent of its proceeds to Allegay Boys Camp.

It is a year-round wilderness retreat for boys ages 9 to 16 with difficulty at home and school.

Check Out Riehl’s Quilts & Crafts

This family-owned company sells Amish quilts and other Country Gifts & Crafts in the same building as our family farm.

There are many patterns to choose from at Leola’s best quilt and craft store, Riehl’s Quilts & Crafts.

The designs and decorations you choose for your house will be a focal point, so have a look at our collection to find the perfect fit.

Observe each piece’s workmanship as you continue your journey through design.

It gets new crafts, quilts, and home décor items every week, expanding our already expansive product line.

Go Antique-Hunting at Leola Flea Market

The Leola Flea Market, situated in the center of Lancaster County, is open to individuals who like the thrill of thrift shopping and the delight of finding a bargain.

The market proprietors and a small group of consignors carefully curate an unusual mix of new and used products at this hidden treasure.

You’ll find well-kept merchandise displayed in well-lit areas at Leola Flea Market.

Leola Flea Market is an excellent spot to start your search for any kind of home item, antique, or collectible.

Vintage, creative, rustic, and retro collections, as well as recycled and upcycled items, are available at reasonable and budget-friendly prices.

Try Misty Creek Goat Dairy’s Offerings

Beyond its Amish roots, Misty Creek Goat Dairy is well-known for its artisanal cheeses, all produced on-site from raw milk and matured for at least 60 days or up to a year.

Cheddars made from the milk of Misty Creek’s goats include Plain, Smoked, and Wine-n-Goat.

You’ll also find a variety of other goat cheeses, like Colby, Monterey Hot Jack (Habanero), Tomme De Conestoga, and Misty Lovely, among others.

Besides goat’s milk cheese, they also have mixed kinds and cheeses manufactured entirely from cow’s milk.

Visit the farm regularly for your supply of raw goat milk.

With both liquid bottles and moisturizing bar form, the handmade goat’s milk soaps in scents like lush lavender and refreshing citrus are sure to tempt you.

There are a variety of retail outlets where Misty Creek Goat Dairy goods are sold in Lancaster County and surrounding areas.

Buy Home Additions from Country Housewares Store

Amid Lancaster County’s Amish Farmlands, Country Housewares Store is a delightful hidden treasure waiting to be discovered by quality-conscious shoppers.

In a world of overcrowded malls and overrated stores, they welcome clients to find their extensive range of original items and unique products, which they sell at moderate costs.

Shop for anything from apparel to fine china, cooking utensils to home décor presents, cards to books, and even school supplies to toy and game sets.

It’s possible to get just about any tried-and-true household item that’s well-made and affordably priced.

Helen’s Corner Bar & Restaurant was founded in 1980 to serve neighbors and friends with excellent customer service and reasonably priced goods.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Visit The Amish Farm and House

Wooden house at The Amish Farm and House

LEE SNIDER PHOTO IMAGES / Shutterstock.com

Since its inception in 1955, the Amish Farm and House has served as a premier educational resource for the general public.

Please join us for a unique opportunity to experience Lancaster’s Amish culture while making lifelong memories.

Take a tour of a typical Amish home to learn more about their history and culture.

Next, enjoy a scenic bus ride through the Amish countryside.

Interior of a schoolhouse at The Amish Farm and House

LEE SNIDER PHOTO IMAGES / Shutterstock.com

Prepare to snap a lot of pictures!

Stay for a while on our 15-acre farm once your excursions are over.

There’s something for everyone, including feeding and petting farm animals, riding an Amish scooter, seeing our Amish-built schoolhouse, walking over our covered bridge, and more.

The Amish Farm and House is a 12-minute drive from Leola.

Animals at The Amish Farm and House

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Have a Blast at Dutch Wonderland

Exterior of Dutch Wonderland

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Theme parks are a great place to go for a family outing.

Dutch Wonderland is an award-winning amusement park in Lancaster County.

It is the ideal destination for your next family vacation, with more than 35 rides, attractions, and performances.

Aerial view of a Dutch Wonderland ride

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Play at Duke’s Lagoon, a water play area, and find dinosaurs that come to life at Exploration Island.

Bring your child to Dutch Wonderland, 13 minutes from Leola, for a special occasion, family meal, or a whole season of fun.

A rollercoaster at Dutch Wonderland

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Bring Your Kids to Explore National Toy Train Museum

Exterior of National Toy Train Museum

LEE SNIDER PHOTO IMAGES / Shutterstock.com

The National Toy Train Museum is a toy train attraction for children of all ages.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a locomotive enthusiast for years or are just starting out; you’ll find its dynamic displays to be an enjoyable experience.

Despite its Victorian-style facade, the museum’s galleries and display rooms are filled with the latest toy train exhibitions and LED lighting technology.

Its toy railway collection is one of the biggest in the world, with models dating back to the 1800s.

You’ll find plenty of examples of their work in our archive and current exhibitions.

Learn about well-known and lesser-known manufacturers of model railroading products like Lionel, American Flyer, and MTH, as well as lesser-known ones like Bachmann and Marklin.

Look Back to the Railroad History of the State at Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

Exterior of Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

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Pennsylvania’s rich railroad history is brought to life at this Railroad Museum.

Here, visitors can learn about how railways helped shape our country and how they still play a part in our daily lives.

The Pennsylvania State Legislature established the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in 1963.

A location near Strasburg, Lancaster County, was chosen as the museum’s first home (1965).

After the Pennsylvania Train’s Historic Collection arrived in Strasburg from Northumberland, PA, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania acquired its first locomotives and railroad wagons (1969).

The museum was built in two phases: the first included installing a 100-foot turntable and yard rails salvaged from the Reading Company from 1970 to 1971.

A locomotive in Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

refrina / Shutterstock.com

The second was the erection of the museum’s primary structure from 1972 to 1974).

The Train Museum of Pennsylvania, North America’s first railroad museum, opened to the public in April 1975.

There are over a hundred historically powerful locomotives and railroad cars on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania today, as well as more than 500,000 photographic images and documents and over 17,000 more minor artifacts.

This includes tools, tickets, uniforms, station signage, signal equipment, telegraph, and many other items used to construct an effective railroad system in Pennsylvania.

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is just a 17-minute drive from Leola.

Interior of Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

Khairil Azhar Junos / Shutterstock.com

Final Thoughts

Looking for a quick weekend break from the hustle and bustle of bigger cities?

Experience the small-town charm of this community by trying our list of the best things to do in Leola, Pennsylvania.

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