Discover York: trails, museums and parklands

The Heritage Rail Trail County Park runs for 27 miles from the Mason-Dixon Line, south of the Borough of New Freedom, through Glen Rock, Hanover Junction and Seven Valleys to the Colonial Courthouse in the City of York. It connects with the 20-mile Torrey C. Brown Trail in Maryland. Historic structures along the Heritage Rail Trail include the Howard Tunnel.

Trails, forests and lakes in York County

Codorus State Park covers 3,500 acres in the rolling hills of southern York County. Its Lake Marburg spans 1,275 acres and has 26 miles of shoreline. Boating and warm-water fishing are popular activities there. William H. Kain County Park covers 1,637 acres and includes two lakes: 220-acre Lake Williams and 290-acre Lake Redman. Both are designated Big Bass Lakes by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission.

Mature oak forest defines much of Rocky Ridge Park’s 750 acres: 90 percent of the area is covered by it. More than 12 miles of multi-use trails are available to hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers. From the northern overlook, panoramic views stretch across the Susquehanna Valley; the overlook is accessible in accordance with ADA standards.

Richard Nixon Park in Springfield Township covers 213 acres of meadow, forest and aquatic habitats. It includes more than six miles of hiking trails and a 14,000-square-foot nature center. The Nixon Nature Center has reopened following renovations and improvements. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; it is closed on Mondays and holidays. Check opening hours before you arrive, as they may change.

Colonial history and museums

Visits to the Colonial Complex are available seasonally from April to November and require a scheduled tour. Check the official calendar in advance for dates. The Golden Plough Tavern has stood since 1741 and gives visitors a glimpse of colonial life. The reconstructed Colonial Courthouse is associated with the Second Continental Congress and its members’ debates over the Articles of Confederation.

At the History Center Museum, the History Makers Tower, with its modern interactive touchscreen exhibit, provides an introduction. The museum presents York County’s important role in Pennsylvania’s early expansion and its long-overlooked contributions to the Underground Railroad. The York County History Center offers guided historic walking tours each month in summer and fall; dates may change. York Walking Tours start and end at the History Center Museum and last 60 to 90 minutes. Individual tour details may vary.

The York County Fire Museum is housed in the historic Royal Fire House, built in 1903. Its collection preserves more than 225 years of firefighting history, with equipment from 72 York County fire departments. The third floor features a recreated firefighters’ sleeping quarters.

Market and orientation for your stay

Central Market York has more than 50 vendors offering locally grown fruits and vegetables, baked goods, seafood, meat, deli items, specialty products and prepared foods. Selection and opening hours may change. For regional orientation: north of York City, Interstate 83 intersects Route 30. The route leads north to Harrisburg and south to Baltimore.

When choosing a hotel, you can start by weighing your priorities: museums and historic sites on one hand, trails, lakes and parklands on the other.

Discover more destinations: Shrewsbury, York, Red Lion, Brogue, Stewartstown, Glen Rock, Hanover, Dillsburg, New Freedom.

For the broader travel overview: Pennsylvania.