February 2023: Don’t Get Caught In The Cold!

Top Events to Visit For Click to learn more about each attraction.  February: 2023 Lititz Fire & Ice: Feb 17-26 The town will be glistening with freshly carved ice sculptures, and we’ll be ready to show it off. Take a stroll, shop the shops, eat at our local restaurants and food trucks, see the sculptures and check out our photography exhibit at Lititz Shirt Factory on 5 Juniper Lane, just south of Main Street on Broad Street. Take part in the event-long pub and town crawl, Winter Funderland on 2/20, Lititz Maker's Market, and a Photography exhibition!  March: The New Main: Something To Wine About with Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach TV personality, award-winning sommelier, and comedian Laurie Forster delivers an edgy, off-beat hilarious show where wine meets punchline. Using her down-to-earth approach to “wine education,” Forster peels back the labels of a few… Read More

January 2023: It’s Cold and Wet Out There!

Stay warm with our delightfully historic colonial rooms. Events to Visit For Click to learn more about each attraction.  January: 2023 Pennsylvania Farm Show: January 7-14 Pennsylvania is proud to host the largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof in the nation. The event showcases the quality and breadth of Pennsylvania's agriculture industry and the people who make it thrive. The show offers visitors a tiny slice of the industry that employs nearly half a million people and contributes $185 billion to Pennsylvania's economy every year. Spend a few moments in quiet reflection with seasonal readings and holiday music in the historic Saal. Two programs are offered each night, one starting at 6:30 p.m. and the other at 8:00 p.m. Annual Holiday Train Show: January 7-8 The Short Line Model Railroad Club, 11 S. State St., Ephrata, Pa., will hold its annual Holiday Train… Read More

December 2022: Visit The Holiday’s Picturesque Ephrata!

Come explore Ephrata, PA, one of the most picturesque main streets in the US. Here are some of this month's seasonally appropriate attractions: Events to Visit For Click to learn more about each attraction.  December: Jingle Bell Tour: December 9th, 2022 The Jingle Bell Tour is BACK for the ninth season! Mainspring of Ephrata cordially invites you to this special community event. Christmas at the Cloister: December 12-13, 2022 Spend a few moments in quiet reflection with seasonal readings and holiday music in the historic Saal. Two programs are offered each night, one starting at 6:30 p.m. and the other at 8:00 p.m. Christmas Classic Movies: Dec. 22 Enjoy a holiday favorite in our historic downtown Ephrata theatre! Today's showing is How the Grinch Stole Christmas featuring Jim Carey and the 1947 classic It Happened On Fifth Avenue. Lantern Tours at the Cloister:… Read More

November 2022: Stay cozy this fall and winter!

Winter is just around the corner! Make sure to reserve a room for the holidays, we’re filling up quickly. Here are some of this month's seasonally appropriate attractions: Events to Visit For November Veteran’s Day Luminary Trail 2022: November 11th, 2022 The mainspring of Ephrata’s Winters Leadership Memorial Committee will continue the tradition they began on Veterans Day 2014 and will host a moving Luminary Tribute to those who have served. https://mainspringofephrata.org/event/veterans-day-luminary-trail-2022/ Santa's Arrival & Tree Lighting: Friday, November 25, 2022 (within walking distance) Our Ephrata tradition of Santa's arrival and tree lighting continues. Mainspring of Ephrata is taking this event to new levels! Many families look forward to this special evening and making precious memories each year. We will also welcome the Belsnickel. You won't want… Read More

Romantic Winter Getaways Lancaster County, PA

Old Man Winter has graced us with his presence, and many are dreaming of sandy beaches, umbrella drinks, and sunscreen already! NOT ME!  I absolutely love living in Lancaster County, and the main reason it is perfect for Bob and me is that Lancaster County, PA has FOUR legitimate seasons to enjoy. Rach one beautiful in its own way.  Nope, I am not crazy, winter and winter getaways are lovely. I encourage you to join us and see for yourself why the Lancaster County landscape makes for the perfect romantic getaway! Take In The Sites What better way to see the Lancaster County Amish Country and landscape than in a horse and buggy!  Yes, it will be cold, but they will be ready for you with layers of warm blankets and quilts to snuggle under as you enjoy the tales of the Amish and their lifestyle.  Stop in Kitchen Kettle Village after your tour and grab some great charcuterie, cheeses,… Read More

4 Tips to a Stress-Free Holiday Season in Lancaster County

The holiday season is upon us, and many people begin to stress over creating and capturing the perfect holiday gift and getaway.  I personally believe the holidays are for family, friends, and gatherings, and should not be about trying to get everything done perfectly.  Honestly, does it really matter to anyone if the bow falls off the present or the ham is a tad cold when served?  Below are a few tips and tricks to help you enjoy the holidays this year and avoid the dreaded holiday stress. 1. Take Time For Yourself The most important gift you can give your family and friends is a healthy happy you.  Plan a quick getaway – sure you can combine this getaway with a little holiday shopping and kill two birds with one stone, but get away!  Like many small towns across the country, Downtown Ephrata is very special during the holiday season, and we would love for you to join us and… Read More

Get to Know Lancaster County and Our Amish Community

As a native of Berks County, discovering the wonders of Lancaster County has been a great joy. When we first moved to Ephrata in March of 2014, I was under the misguided impression that Lancaster County could not have been much different than Berks County. After all, Berks is a neighboring county with less than a 20-minute drive to just about anything Lancaster County has to offer. Boy was I ever wrong! Lancaster County and its Amish countryside are completely unique and compare only slightly to the Pennsylvania Dutch area of Berks County. With so many attractions and delightful restaurants to explore, Bob and I set our sights on enjoying all that Lancaster County has to offer. I know what you’re thinking, “that’s a tough job”, but somebody had to do it. When we bought the 1777 Americana Inn Bed and Breakfast in the heart of Amish Country, we knew our guests would want a tried and… Read More

Visiting Historic Architecture in Lancaster County

In 1709, Lancaster was settled by German immigrants (or Pennsylvania “Deutsch”). In the 300 years since then, many generations of residents have lived and worked here, and have helped our young nation grow. Structures ranging from modest log homes to immaculate institutions were built to provide shelter and to serve other important functions in the community. Lancaster and its built environment have played a vital role in history, serving as a meeting place during the Revolutionary War, and a hiding place along the Underground Railroad. Renowned figures such as President James Buchanan, Thaddeus Stevens, Andrew Ellicott, and Charles Demuth once resided in Lancaster. Today, we live in the shells of previous generations. With the help of historic preservation, renovation, and restoration, many historic structures remain for us to use and enjoy. The primary architectural styles one might… Read More

Farm-to-Table in February

February doesn’t seem like the most advantageous time of year to be eating farm-to-table in Pennsylvania. Living off the land is not an easy thing to do here; the typical growing season is 6 months long. But Lancaster County is the agricultural mecca of PA. Eating local through the winter isn’t as difficult as you may think. Whether you’re planning to dine out, or shop at one of the many year-round farmers markets, there are plenty of options to choose from.   What local foods are available in Lancaster County at this time of year? Meat, dairy, and eggs are, of course, year-round staples. Be sure to try the local cheeses and ring bologna. Pickled and fermented foods are key in eating farm-to-table through the winter season (don’t miss the sauerkraut!) Also, February is the perfect time to crack open a jar of peach or strawberry preserves. The selection of PA-grown produce… Read More

2017

Well, we’re officially three weeks into 2017 and so far the worst thing to happen is a horse and buggy breakdown on Main Street! In fact, our 2017 here at the 1777 Americana Inn B&B and Black Forest Brewery has been filled with more blessings than we can already count! So, I’d love to take this opportunity to highlight some of the fortune that we have enjoyed so far this year! December 13, 2016 was the actual 2nd Anniversary of our on-site pub, the Black Forest Brewery but our actual party was held on January 14th.  The brewery marked the occasion with an all day event including two custom food bars including chili from local Berks county business, So Good Homemade Soups & Salad, a vodka tasting from Pennsylvania distillery, FABER, and music from the ever talented duo, Two Pints Shy. The day was much anticipated after last year’s success and it did not disappoint. We saw… Read More