6 Best Things to Do in Ephrata, PA

© lspi138/stock.adobe.com

The Ephrata Cloister, also known as Ephrata Community was a religious community, established in 1732 in today’s Ephrata, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It was established by a group that separated from the Schwarzenau Brethren movement of Alexander Mack of Schwarzenau in Germany. The first separation from the general body of the movement happened in 1728. In 1732, Johann Conrad Beissel arrived with a group of followers at the banks of Cocalico Creek in Lancaster County and established a semi-monastic community, a convent and a monastery and called it "Ephrata". The members of the order had to be celibate, to believe in self-discipline and strict interpretation of the Bible. At its height, the Ephrata community owned 250 acres and had about 80 celibate men and women. The last resident of the Ephrata Cloister died in 2008. The grounds of the community are now owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

632 W Main St, Ephrata, PA 17522, Phone: 717-733-6600

© Seiverling Museum, LLC Car and Pedal Car Museum

The Seiverling Antique Car and Pedal Car Museum, now called Seiverling Museum, LLC Car and Pedal Car Museum has one of the largest collections of toy pedal cars in Eastern Pennsylvania. The museum has 140 toy pedal cars and a small collection of antique cars. The toy pedal car collection consists of children pedal cars from America, England, Canada, France, Italy, and Russia. There are pedal cars, fire trucks, tractors, planes, a pedal boat and even a pedal bull dozer. The museum was established in 1991 by Richard and Ethel Seiverling. Each pedal car had a teddy bear driver created by Ethel. The museum is still owned by the Seiverling family and is open by appointment only.

66 Lancaster Ave , Ephrata, PA 17522-1708

© St. Boniface Craft Brewing Co.

Established in 2011 in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, St. Boniface Craft Brewing Co produces year-round, seasonal and limited edition beers brewed and served on site to the delight of local beer drinkers who are fond of more interesting beers. Their first beer Hegemony was sold in a couple of hours. Their tap room, attached to the production facility, is a popular gathering place, with recycled wood, high ceilings, house beers on tap and local wines. The tap room offers a small menu of pizzas and sandwiches and rotating food trucks on weekends. The brewpub is particularly lively on the nights with live music. St. Boniface beers are available on tap in many pubs and bars in and around Lancaster County. Their beers are also available in cans.

1701 W Main St, Ephrata, PA 17522, Phone: 717-466-6900

© Weaver Nut Sweets and Snacks

Weaver Nut Sweets & Snacks is treasure trove of sweets, candy, dried fruits, nuts, snacks and bulk foods. They also offer a range unique gifts, from a box of chocolates to tins filled with delicious snack to baskets or fruit and nut trays. Established in 1975 at the outskirts of Ephrata, Pennsylvania, Weaver Nut Sweets & Snacks is a family-owned and operated business that started originally as Weaver Bulk Foods in the basement of the Weaver family home, with several market stands around town. In 1982, they moved the wholesale business from their home to a leased space behind the Cloister Shopping Center and continued to grow and expand ever since. They also sell their products online and deliver anywhere in the world.

1925 W Main St Building B, Ephrata, PA 17522, Phone: 717-738-3337

© Weathered Vineyards Wine Tasting Room

Weathered Vineyards is a winery located on a family farm among the rolling hills above the Lehigh Valley near Ephrata, Pennsylvania.The winery and vineyard sit atop a hill with a commanding view of the surrounding countryside. The hilltop location creates several microclimates, which account for the vineyard’s unique terroir. The Weathered Vineyards Ephrata Wine Tasting Room & Bar offers 11 varieties of wine ranging from sweet to dry. The tasting room is located in the rustic chic Smithton Inn B&B, perfect for those who would like to extend their visit to the winery. Smithton Inn combines historic charm with all modern conveniences

900-A W Main St, Ephrata, PA 17522, Phone: 717-271-7274

© Jacob Lund/stock.adobe.com

The American Legion was established in the 50s as a mutual-help, patriotic and community-service organization. Since then, it has become the world’s largest service organization, with more than five million members - three million Legionnaires and two million members of the American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion that supports Legionnaires. The organization’s objectives were always to be a watchdog and an advocate of veterans’ benefits and programs. The Legion’s Ephrata Post429 has 700 members that continue to serve their community. They support the Legion Ball Team, Ephrata soccer, Boy Scouts of America, the Coatesville Veterans Hospital, Meals on Wheels, various scholarships, and the local Veterans home on Church Street, among others.

300 Cocalico St. Ephrata, Pennsylvania, Phone: 717-733-2576