Traveling from out of town to visit us and try on vintage jewelry in our brand new studio? Our historic city has so many other notable places to add to your itinerary. Here's your curated guide to spend the perfect vintage-themed day in historic downtown Lancaster, PA!
(Note: be sure to check hours of the places you want to see while you're planning your trip. Please note that many places in Lancaster are closed on Mondays. Friday is usually the ideal weekday to be in the city!)
The best way to start the day is in one of the many amazing local Lancaster cafes to grab a coffee or a quick breakfast! Some of our favorite stops for coffee include Square One Coffee Roasters on Duke St., Passenger Coffee & Tea on West King St., and Amanita on W Walnut St.
Lancaster Sweet Shoppe on Duke St. is the perfect place to pick up some of Lancaster's famous stroopies (a Dutch stroopwafel). The best way to eat one is with a coffee or other hot beverage - lay your stroopie over a hot cup of coffee and let the steam soften it to perfection!
You can also find delicious bagels at Roundbreads, or beignets and breakfast sandwiches at Lancaster Beignet Company, both on Prince St!
Now would be a great time to head to your appointment with us in our vintage studio if you're looking for a morning appointment! (Of course, if your prefer an afternoon visit, you can set your Lancaster day schedule as you see fit - the afternoon is a great time to enjoy a beverage of your choice from our vintage bar cart!) Try on as many vintage and antique pieces as you want with our stylist in our beautiful new showroom, settled in the historic Bowman building in the heart of the city!
Need a vintage outfit to go with your MJV jewelry? The next stop we recommend is Basura on E. King St. From vintage streetwear to feminine finery to unique vintage statement jewelry, this woman-owned local shop is a fun eclectic stop to make while you're downtown!
Next, walk west on King St. to Vintage Candy Shop to pick up some penny candy! Choose from a variety of old fashioned and novelty candies, labeled with the year they were invented! This is also a great spot for some affordable ice cream.
There are so many fantastic options for lunch in downtown Lancaster, but none are as classic as the options at Lancaster Central Market! This c.1730 (almost 300 years old!) market claims the spot for America's oldest continuously running public market. Not only is market a great place to grab lunch, but just walking through and browsing all of the local stands is an experience you can't leave Lancaster without! One of our favorite stands is Central Market Flowers, where you can build your own bouquet. Lancaster Central Market is currently open Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 6am-3pm.
Get ready for the ultimate vintage and handmade hunt when you go next to Building Character! This 10,000 square foot historic warehouse is the home of 70+ shops that feature vintage, recycled, and handmade goods. You can find everything from vintage clothing and accessories, records, books, DVDs, antiques, handmade gifts, and other novelties at this can't-miss stop. Bonus: you can find a showcase of even more Maejean Vintage treasures here!
Another eclectic stop for vintage shopping is Space on Walnut St. This is a great place to find mid-century/modern furniture, housewares, clothing, and more! We have found some beautiful items for our own studio at this classic Lancaster spot.
Choose your own adventure to end your day! There's something for everyone in Lancaster City. Find your niche and enjoy Lancaster's finest from the list below.
Do you fancy live theater? Catch a live show at the historic Fulton Theater!
Feeling like fine dining? Josephine's Downtown is the Hollywood glam lover's dream and features live piano music and cocktails named after old Hollywood stars.
Looking for a rooftop bar to relax? Check out The Exchange rooftop for dinner and a view.
Animal lovers can look forward to the area's first cat cafe, LanCATster Cat Cafe, opening soon!
Hoping to find some fun used books? Stop in at Read Rose Books on Prince St.
Vinyl lovers should make a stop at Prince Street's well-known Stan's Record Bar. This is Lancaster's most iconic place to dig for vinyls and has been in the city for decades.
Want to spend the evening playing tabletop games in a cozy atmosphere? Don't miss The Midnight Oil, open until midnight!
For live music, check the schedules at Zoetropolis, Tellus360, and West Art.
Zoetropolis is also a great spot for indie and vintage movie nights, and delicious vegan food.
Still looking for more recs to choose from? Ask your Maejean Vintage stylist when you're here for your appointment. We all have our favorite spots to recommend and are always happy to share the love of our beautiful, historic city!
-- Written by Jess Lynne, GIA AJP