Discover York: History, Lakes, and Trails

York offers a varied blend of history, landscapes, and outdoor activities. Historic museums and reconstructed buildings are complemented by large parks, lakes, and extensive trails. If you are looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in York, you can choose your accommodation based on the type of trip you want: culture and urban history, nature experiences by the water, or active days on trails and in parks.

Historic Trails and Special Insights

Heritage Rail Trail County Park is 27 miles long. It runs 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. The trail is also connected to the 20-mile Torrey C. Brown Trail in Maryland. The historic structures along the Heritage Rail Trail include the Howard Tunnel.

The Colonial Complex also appeals to visitors who want to learn more about York's past. Visits are possible seasonally from April through November and require a scheduled tour. The reconstructed Colonial Courthouse provides an impression of the Second Continental Congress and the debates among its members about the Articles of Confederation. The Golden Plough Tavern has stood since 1741 and offers insight into life during the colonial era.

Museums, Urban History, and Culinary Discoveries

The History Center Museum begins with the History Makers Tower, a state-of-the-art interactive touchscreen exhibition. It 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 historical walking tours every month in summer and autumn. The York walking tours begin and end at the History Center Museum and last 60 to 90 minutes.

The York County Fire Museum is housed in the historic Royal Fire House, dating from 1903. The exhibition preserves more than 225 years of firefighting history, with equipment from 72 fire companies in York County. The third floor contains a recreated firefighters' sleeping quarters. Central Market York offers another way to experience the region's everyday culture, with more than 50 vendors. It features locally grown fruit and vegetables, baked goods, seafood, meat, delicatessen products, specialties, and prepared foods.

Lakes and Parks for Different Travel Plans

Codorus State Park covers 3,500 acres in the rolling hills of southern York County. Its Lake Marburg covers 1,275 acres and has 26 miles of shoreline. Boating and warm-water fishing are popular on the lake. Those looking for accommodation focused on nature and water for their trip can consider this landscape an important part of their plans.

William H. Kain County Park covers 1,637 acres and includes two lakes: 220-acre Lake Williams and 290-acre Lake Redman. Both lakes are designated as Big Bass Lakes by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission.

Rocky Ridge Park consists of 90 percent mature oak forest across its 750 acres. More than twelve miles of multi-use trails are available to hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers. The northern observation platform offers panoramic views of the Susquehanna Valley and is accessible in accordance with ADA standards. This makes it possible to combine a stay in nature with trails, woodland, and scenic views, depending on your interests.

Nature Center and Local Orientation

Richard Nixon Park covers 213 acres of meadow, woodland, and aquatic habitats. The park includes a 14,000-square-foot nature center, as well as more than six miles of hiking trails. 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 Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is closed on Mondays and public holidays.

To reach York City, Interstate 83 intersects Route 30 north of the city. It connects York with Harrisburg to the north and Baltimore to the south. Depending on whether historical sightseeing, trails, lakes, or nature centers are the main focus, you can choose the right emphasis for your trip when searching for a holiday apartment in York.

Discover More Places

For further travel planning, you can also find pages about Shrewsbury, York, Red Lion, Brogue, Stewartstown, Glen Rock, Hanover, Dillsburg, and New Freedom.

For the higher-level travel overview: Pennsylvania.