Date Night Lancaster

By Sue Long

July-August 2025

If you’ve checked out upcoming events being held in Lancaster, you’ve likely noticed the many Date Night opportunities that businesses, art studios, venues and organizations are including on their calendars. Apparently the phenomenon, which is sweeping the nation, is one positive thing to emerge from the pandemic.

Lancaster County Magazine, Facebook and Stock photos.

Ah, date night. Most people, whether they’re in the beginning of a relationship or have been married for decades, find that planning “dates” can be a challenge. After all, the old standby, dinner-and-a-movie, can even lose its luster after a period of time. Now, thanks to destinations such as Zest Cooking School, the Strasburg Rail Road, Conestoga House & Gardens, Lititz Clay Studio, Lancaster Creative Factory and many more, you can let the planning to them! In addition, there are plenty of summer events that easily fit the mold of Date Night.

What’s the connection between Date Night and Covid? Actually, they are connected in two ways. First, because we were homebound for so long, couples found themselves reconnecting through cooking together, conducting wine tastings for two, playing board games, putting puzzles together, gardening, taking walks, etc. Even Zoom came into play, as social-distancing couples used the service to share dinner and have long conversations over their computer screens. Couples in those two camps enjoyed the one-on-one time so much that they vowed to “make a date” to keep the fun – and more importantly, the communication – flowing.

On the flip side, working parents found themselves challenged and, in some cases, overwhelmed, by not only working from home, but having to monitor their children’s school work and take care of their usual household responsibilities. As a result, their relationships suffered. Fortunately, many of them recognized the damage Covid had done, which prompted them to made a commitment to spend more one-on-one time together.

Studies Show …

In 2023, the National Marriage Project (NMP), which was founded at Rutgers University in 1997 and moved to the University of Virginia (UVA) in 2009, released a report that substantiated the importance of date nights as being a way for couples to share some much-needed alone time. The NMP, which studies and reports on the health of marriage, pointed to the success of Date Night activities that began popping up across the country in 2022-23, spearheaded by “a range of civic, corporate and religious organizations.” Titled The Date Night Opportunity, the report’s co-authors were W. Bradford Wilcox, director of the National Marriage Project and a sociology professor at UVA, and Jeffrey Dew, a faculty fellow of the project who now teaches at Brigham Young University.

As part of the report, 2,000 married men and women were asked, How often do you do the following: Go on date nights where you have the chance to talk, catch up and do something fun with your spouse?

The results: 52% of the respondents said the frequency ranged from never to a few times per year. Of those respondents 68% of women and 70% of men described themselves as being “very happy” in their marriages. As for the remaining 48%, they reported having date nights at least once or twice a month. Of these respondents, the “very happy” statistics grew to 83% (women) and 84% (men).

Benefits of Date Nights

The report listed a number of ways in which Date Night can strengthen a marriage or relationship. One points to the fact that date nights are “valuable for their novelty.” The report noted that “couples who engage in novel activities that are fun, active or otherwise arousing – from hiking to dancing to travel to card games – enjoy higher levels of relationship quality.” The report also pointed out that “date nights may strengthen or rekindle that romantic spark.” Date nights are also a way to relieve stress, as they allow a couple “to enjoy time with one another apart from the pressing concerns of their ordinary life.” (Some savvy couples even devise parameters as to what can and cannot be discussed during the date.)

In an article that appeared in The Washington Post, it was noted that marriage counselors have begun to “prescribe” Date Night to couples.

As for the group concept of dating that younger generations embraced, that appears to be losing favor. Even Yelp has noticed it and reports that reservations for tables for two were up 30% in 2024.

Through compiling our monthly Event-Full column and To-Do blogs, I began to notice the variety of Date Night events being held in Lancaster County. Who knew!  So, if you’re in need of some ideas, follow along.

Dining … Taste the World

While dining out is the obvious and tried-and-true Date Night option, you could put a spin on it. How about infusing your dates with international flavor? On each of your outings you could sample a different restaurant that offers a taste of another part of the world. Some that come to mind include Flora’s (Latin America); Issei Noodle (Asian); Himalayan Curry & Grill (Nepalese and Indian); Diyo Fusion (Nepalese); Cocina Mexicana (Mexican), Yorgos (Greek specialties), Callaloo (modern Caribbean), Lombardo’s (Italian), Chellas Arepa Kitchen (South American) and Annie Bailey’s (Irish Pub). For one-stop global dining, head for Southern Market, a food hall that is filled with an array of vendors. All the above are located in Lancaster City.

The burbs also offer possibilities, including Lititz, where you’ll find Brazilian Table (South American), Piccolo Eatery (Italian), Beccafico (Southern Italian) and Chilangos Authentic Mexican Restaurante (Mexican).

Chinese? Head for Hong Kong Garden on Columbia Avenue. A taste of Egypt? Koshary Station in Millersville.

At Columbia Market House, vendors such as George Christopher’s Greek Cuisine and Momma Son’s (Cambodian) host special after-hours dinners on occasion.

A Little Romance

You can’t beat a romantic night out and Lancaster has quite a few restaurants that fit the bill. At the top of the list is The Belevdere Inn, which, earlier this year, was named as one of the most romantic restaurants in the country by Open Table.

You also can’t go wrong with Josephine’s Downtown or 401 Prime (both in Lancaster City), The Log Cabin (Leola), the Railroad House Inn (Marietta) and John Wright Restaurant (Wrightsville), which offers a view of the river. At El Serrano (Lancaster), you’ll find tables for two that are tucked into private alcoves. The outdoor areas are also swoon-worthy.

1906 Nights

Speaking of a romantic night out, Longwood Gardens’ new restaurant, 1906, is offering special evening dining hours (4-8 p.m.) that enable guests to experience the restaurant’s adventuresome menu and become acquainted with the new Longwood Reimagined gardens. These special dining hours are offered most Friday and Saturday evenings, and often coincide with music, dance and theatre events. Information: Longwoodgardens.org

Jazz Up Dinner

Jazz on the Patio is back for another summer at The Barn at Paradise Station in Ronks. Guests can enjoy the talents of Lancaster’s best jazz groups while they enjoy drinks and dinner on the blue flagstone patio that overlooks the Strasburg Rail Road and the countryside. Food, wine, beer and specialty drinks are available for purchase. The series continues Thursdays, July 10 through August 28. Information: Barnatparadisestation.com   

If You Must …

Go the dinner-and-a-movie route, consider Zoetropolis in Lancaster, which is one part restaurant, one part bar/distillery and one part movie theatre that specializes in Indie films, documentaries, classic movies, live music, art and crafts, trivia and more. In May, the theatre hosted a Pitch-A-Friend singles event that enabled people to take the stage and extol the redeeming qualities of a friend (power-point style) in hopes of fixing them up with a date. Information: Zoetropolis.com

Go Old School

You could go bowling at Decades in Lancaster City, which is home to what might be one of the most beautiful bowling alleys in the country, thanks to the chandeliers that came courtesy of the Netflix series, House of Cards. Ah, but there’s more, including vintage video and arcade games, a fun menu and tasty cocktails. Information: Decadeslancaster.com

Get Adventurous

Have you ever tasted mead? If not, it’s high time you did! Head for Meduseld Meadery in Lancaster to sample tasty meads with names like How to Choke Your Dragon, Just Honey and Cunning. You can also engage in axe-throwing … there’s nothing like throwing an axe to unwind! Or, travel to Meduseld’s sister location, Artifice Ales & Mead in Manheim, for food, mead, beer, trivia, live music, karaoke and more. Information: Meduseldmeadery.com and Artificeales.com

Hit the Trail!

The Craft & Cork Trail, which is spearheaded by Discover Lancaster, will be in operation through October 31. With over 40 participating breweries, wineries and distilleries, you’ll have no problem finding a Date Night destination. The Craft & Cork Trail is a free mobile passport that allows you to check in at participating businesses to redeem special offers and earn points towards prizes. If beer isn’t your thing, Discover Lancaster’s new version of its popular Ice Cream Trail is up and running. Information: Discoverlancaster.com for details about both trails.

The Lancaster County Brewers Guild also operates an Ale Trail that is passport driven and awards prizes. More than two dozen breweries participate. Information: Lancasterbreweries.org

Tiptoe Through the Tulips

Conestoga House & Gardens offers Date Night in the Gardens on designated Thursdays (5-8 p.m.); upcoming dates include July 17, August 21 and September 18. Enjoy the beautiful gardens, stroll the grounds, listen to live music and BYO picnic/wine or pre-order wine and food that’s being provided by Proof of Lancaster. Another date-friendly event at Conestoga House is Music on the Lawn. Held on Fridays (5-9 p.m.), dates include July 11, August 8, September 12 and October 10. Same format as Date Night re food and drink. Information: Conestogahouse.com

Take a Cruise

The Susquehanna National Heritage Area (SNHA) is home to a 112-year-old yacht that was once owned by Adolphous Busch, the co-founder of Anheuser-Busch. Now restored, the Chief Uncas is used to acquaint visitors with the many unique aspects of the Susquehanna River. The River Discovery Tours include Date Night and Sunset cruises. Guests are welcome to BYO food and beverages for the cruises that depart from the Zimmerman Center for Heritage in Long Level, York County. Afterwards, head for John Wright’s fun Pizza Patio. Information: Susqnha.org

Ride the Rails

The Strasburg Rail Road has joined the Date Night phenomenon by offering events such as the Wine & Cheese Train that entails seating in a First Class car, wine from Waltz Vineyards and select cheeses and other accompaniments. The trains operate late afternoons/early evenings on weekends. Other possibilities include dinner events (held in First Class cars); Whiskey on the Rails (with Stoll & Wolfe) on August 30, October 25 and November 8; and packing a picnic and riding the train to Groff’s Picnic Grove, where picnic tables, charcoal grills and other amenities are available. Information: Strasburgrailroad.com

Take a Cooking Class

It’s probably fair to say that Sharon Landis, the owner of Zest! and the Zest Cooking School in Lititz, is the godmother of Date Night in Lancaster County. When she began holding classes in 2018, she noticed that the classes involved more than learning to cook. “There’s a relaxing quality to them, people have fun, they mix and mingle. It’s a pressure-free environment,” she notes. Those qualities provided the perfect ingredients for Date Night, which is typically held twice a month on a Friday night and invites attendees to BYOB. “The rule is, bottles can be opened only after the knives are put away,” Sharon says. Helen Chudakova-Sanya, who manages the cooking school and is one of the instructors, says, “Date Nights are so much fun!” She estimates that attendees consist of 50% married couples, 25% dating and 25% friends, parents, children or siblings.

How popular are Zest’s Date Night cooking classes? They fill very quickly. May 3’s Cinco de Mayo event had already sold out by mid-February. Next up is A Taste of Cape Cod with chef Joe Hall on July 18; Summer Focaccia and Tiramisu with chef Stephanie Willette on August 1; and a Luau Party with instructor Cat Alwine on August 6. Information: Zestchef.com

Make Something … a la Ghost

Thirty-five years after making its debut, the movie Ghost still renders visions of the scene in which Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze share a very romantic interlude while making pottery to the music of Unchained Melody. (FYI: Demi Moore still has the pieces she and Swayze made during filming.) That enduring scene has no doubt impacted the continuing popularity of Date Night at local pottery studios.

Lititz Clay Studio

In helping photographer Nick Gould establish a shot, Nate Nixdorf, the owner of Lititz Clay Studio, took a seat at the wheel and created a work of art. While he can’t guarantee you’ll leave with a masterpiece, he’s confident you’ll have fun at the Date Night events he hosts. And, yes, he finds that everyone wants to recreate the Ghost shot at the start of the evening, adding that he notices 20-somethings seem to be in the dark and have no clue what it references. Photos by Nick Gould.

Nate Nixdorf, who has operated Lititz Clay Studio since 2017, offers Date Night on a semi-regular basis. “I try to have two to three each month, as I like to also leave room for private parties, which are like Date Night, but everyone knows each other. I would offer more date nights,” he says of their popularity, “but I teach at Warwick fulltime, and have two young kiddos at home.” Nate, who has been teaching ceramics for nearly 20 years and markets his work through local shops, galleries and online, says the idea for Date Night was inspired by the fact that “working on the pottery wheel is more fun with friends! The pottery wheel is a lot harder than it looks, so Date Night provides the opportunity to try it with a friend or significant other for two hours in a laid-back atmosphere. I ensure that everyone has something to keep at the end of the night, and participants are always excited to pick up their pieces once they are fired.” Information: Lititzclaystudio.com

Lancaster Creative Factory

Date Night is very popular at this studio that was once the home of Posey Iron Works. Operated  by multi-media artist Kevin Lehman, the enterprise offers classes and workshops that are taught by Kevin and other artists. Kevin explains that Date Night at Lancaster Creative Factory began as an experiment. “We heard about Date Night events being held at Goggleworks in Reading and how successful they were, so we decided to try it.” That was five years ago and since making its debut, Date Night has grown into a multifaceted event that extends to pottery, glass and painting. “It lets people come in and try something new,” Kevin says. “A lot of people taking our classes were introduced to us through Date Night.” Stacy Martin, Kevin’s life partner, enjoys helping with Date Night events. “The energy is always upbeat,” she says. “I think people are excited to be doing something special and unusual for a date night.” Just recently, one young man got extra creative during a Paint Your Partner Date Night and used the moment and his canvas to propose.

The offerings include Date Night Wheel Class, which allows twosomes to throw a pottery piece, choose a glaze and LCF takes care of the rest. Taught by Carlo Jury, it’s offered Saturdays at 6 p.m. Date Night Glass Class, which is held April-June and resumes October-December, is led by Kevin on Fridays at 6 p.m. Basically an intro to glass-blowing, students create flowers during the class. Paint Your Partner is a class in which partners paint each other’s portraits, using 16×20-inch canvases. Instructor Lauren Terry leads the classes on Saturdays at 6 p.m. Adult Paint Date Night, which is also led by Lauren Terry, offers a different theme for students to tackle each week. It’s offered Saturdays at 6 p.m. Information: Lancastercreativefactory.org

Inspire Pottery Studio

Owned by Joel Hildebrand and his uncle, Matthew Hildebrand, the studio makes its home in a barn in Denver, where 12 wheels and three kilns are in operation. Matthew brings 40+ years of experience (and renown) to the studio. The Hildebrands opened the studio as a way to connect to the community and help budding artists take their talents to the next level.

Date Night at Inspire is held Fridays (6:30 p.m.) and Saturdays (2 and 6:30 p.m.). The two-hour classes, which are led by an instructor, include a snack break. Inspire’s website notes that Date Night provides the perfect opportunity to take a beginner’s lesson and determine if you’d like to advance. Information: Inspirepotterystudio.com

Go for a Bike Ride

Lancaster County has become a mecca for rail-trail enthusiasts and bike shops are answering the call for renting bikes (including E-bikes) to  those who want to see the sights. Lancaster’s Let’s Roll Electric Bike Shop has expanded to Columbia, where it maintains a presence that’s in close proximity to the Northwest Lancaster County Rail Trail. Take a test ride or rent a bike for a two- or four-hour (or longer) period of time. The shop also provides shuttle service to the Enola Low Grade Trail at Turkey Hill. Information: Letsrolllancaster.com

Bikeworks in Lititz offers rentals (including E-bikes) through its Rock Lititz store. Rentals include helmets and maps of routes that are deemed safe and scenic, including the Warwick-to-Ephrata Rail Trail. Another option is Bikeworks’ bike-share program that has locations along the trail in both Lititz and Ephrata and allows riders to gain access to bikes through a text message. Information: Lititzbikeworks.com   

Go For a Joy Ride

Strasburg Scooters offers a Date Night in Amish Country Tour that provides couples with a guided tour of the backroads around Strasburg and Ronks. Guests have the choice of tooling around in a two-seater coupe or on a double-seat Honda PCX. In addition to the (up to) two-hour tour, guests have the choice of selecting passes to Village Greens for a round of mini-golf and ice cream, or $25 gift cards to Fireside Tavern or Bespoke Brewing. Tours are offered Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings (6 p.m.) through September 30. Information: Strasburgscooters.com

Go Stargazing

Stargazing became hugely popular during the pandemic, which led to Hallmark incorporating it (and the Northern Lights) into quite a few of their movies as a Date Night activity. Did you know that you can get a beautiful view of the night skies during events that are held at the Ryan Observatory, which is located at Muddy Run Park in Holtwood? The observatory is a public outreach facility whose educational programs are provided by Rittenhouse Astronomical Society under contract with Constellation Energy. The observatory is open to the public for monthly stargazing and presentations. During the Open House events (July 12 and August 9), you can visit the observatories, attend an indoor program and  visit the outdoor amphitheater. Those attending are encouraged to bring binoculars to see deep sky sights. Information: Ryanobservatory.com

Go Dancing

Speaking of the stars, Nissley Vineyards will again be hosting Music in the Vineyards on Saturday evenings, July 12 through August 30. Bring your own dinner/snacks or purchase items from the food trucks that will be onsite. Wine, craft beer, wine slushies and zero-alcohol beverages can be purchased, as well. Music will be provided by Central PA’s top bands including Maxwell Project, Central City Orchestra and Jess Zimmerman. 5:30-10 p.m. Information: Nissleywine.com

Connect With Nature

Experience nature with certified nature- and forest-therapy guide Elizabeth Mills, who is the founder of Willow Street-based One With Nature. Here’s an opportunity to slow down, relax and form a connection to nature and each other. Such therapy benefits the body, mind and spirit, which is why nature is being prescribed by the Mayo Clinic and other physicians around the world. It is not about hiking a long distance or exercising. It’s about reconnecting through walking in nature. For twosomes, Elizabeth offers a Partners Nature Experience, with the goal being to relax, have fun and reconnect with nature … and each other. The walk concludes with a traditional tea ceremony and light refreshments. Destinations vary. Information: Restawhile.us

Play Golf

Blue Collar Restaurant is partnering with Four Seasons Golf Course to help you end each of the summer months on a fun note by playing nine holes of golf in late afternoon and then relaxing over dinner in Blue Collar’s fireplace lounge area, where a special menu will be available. The Nine & Dine promotion is being offered on the last Friday of each month, i.e., July 25, August 29 and September 26. Information: Bluecollarlanc.com

Get Lost

Cherry Crest Adventure Farm isn’t just for kids! The 5-acre corn maze, with its 2.5 miles of paths, would make for a fun Date Night, especially on weekends in September and October, when visitors can negotiate the maze in the dark with the aid of flashlights. There’s plenty of food available and a brewery and winery are onsite most weekends. Information: Cherrycrestfarm.com