As we attempt to demonstrate here on our Explore Retirement Living blog, there is no shortage of unique things to do in Lancaster County, PA.

Many of these attractions bring the vibrant history of our area’s industrial and commercial productivity to life and represent the “oldest” or “first” examples of such activity in the entire United States, as well. Lancaster Central Market is America’s oldest continuously operating public farmers market, the Fulton Theatre is likely the oldest working theatre, and today’s featured destination—the Strasburg Rail Road—may just be our nation’s oldest operating railroad!

If you’re a train enthusiast—or someone in your family loves locomotives (including kid-favorite Thomas the Tank Engine)—you’ve likely visited the small town of Strasburg, which is also home to the state-operated Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (just across the street from Strasburg Rail Road).

While also a popular lodging town for tourists visiting the nearby Amish communities, Strasburg is certainly, first and foremost, a railroading hub. And the Strasburg Rail Road offers “a full steam adventure” that’s sure to excite visitors of all ages as they hop on board for an old-fashioned ride to Paradise (and back). Continue reading Why You Should Check Out the Strasburg Rail Road →

True Lancastrians have something of a code when it comes to talking about shopping for fresh produce, baked goods, juice, coffee, candy, snacks, and more at Central Market in the heart of Downtown Lancaster.

They say, “meet me at Market.”

This simple invitation means so much more than you might think since it’s actually somewhat difficult to describe everything that Central Market is.

Sure, it’s a meticulously preserved historic market house building that still operates every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday (since 1730!) where a plethora of unique vendors ply their wares to visitors and residents alike, but it’s so much more.

The Market’s Facebook page puts it like this: “it’s a shopping place where people gather to socialize,” but it’s also “a gathering, socializing place where people shop for great food.” In short, Central Market is an experience—and a routine for many—that’s deeply rooted in Lancaster’s very identity. Continue reading Meet Us at Downtown Lancaster’s Central Market →

Today’s post continues our highlight series about the Lancaster area’s superb performing arts centers with a profile of American Music Theatre.

Simply shortened to “AMT” by most locals, American Music Theatre is a bit different in format and overall style than both our previously reviewed venues—Downtown Lancaster’s Fulton Theatre and nearby Sight & Sound Theatres.

While the Fulton is dedicated to staging hit Broadway musicals and critically acclaimed plays, and Sight & Sound exclusively produces its own Bible-based original shows, AMT is a little less niche in its programming. It brings touring popular music acts, comedians, and dance performers to its stage, but also presents many of its own unique shows each year, including a highly anticipated annual Christmas show—2019’s Joy to the World opens November 1^st!

Here is everything you need to know about AMT before you go. Continue reading Lancaster’s American Music Theatre: Great Shows & Your Favorite Stars →

If you’re new to Lancaster County, you may not know that the area is home to several world-class performing arts venues. We highlighted Lancaster City’s historic Fulton Theatre earlier this year, which brings hit Broadway shows and award-winning stage plays to local audiences.

Sight & Sound Theatres, with its flagship location just outside Lancaster near Strasburg, PA—a second theatre is located in Branson, MO—is different. The company is dedicated to producing original shows based on stories from the Bible—on an epic scale that enthralls audiences.

Today’s post shares what you should know about Sight & Sound Theatres before you go. With each unique show, Sight & Sound offers an experience you won’t find anywhere else, and having a little background on the venue—and its own amazing history—will help you appreciate witnessing the Bible come to life on stage all the more. Continue reading Shining the Spotlight on Lancaster’s Sight & Sound Theatres →

Sitting in traffic again on the way to the office, you sigh at the mile-long line of cars idling in front of you, bright red brake lights as far as the eye can see. You’re so over this treadmill lifestyle of journeying to work every single weekday—the same thing you’ve done for decades.

Suddenly, a ray of hope breaks through like sunshine through the rain clouds. You happily remember a reassuring fact: you won’t have to do this for much longer—the end is in sight. (Well, not the end of that car line, but that’s another issue.) You’re eligible to retire within the next five years!

If this is you, congratulations! What a great feeling! Of course, just as you plan ahead for any new adventure, there are some necessary preparations to make before you celebrate that last day at work. These are five of the biggest things to think about and begin working on as you wind down your career years. Continue reading Retiring in the Next 5 Years? These Are 5 Big Priorities for Your To-Do List →

As you begin to explore your options for a vibrant retirement here in Lancaster County, PA (aka, the best place in the USA to retire), there are many exciting things to think about. From the fun activities you’ll get involved in now that you have the time, to checking out the fantastic local restaurant scene, you have much to look forward to.

Of course, there is also a serious side to retirement preparation, too, which involves planning ahead for your own potential future care needs. Long-term care planning can seem daunting, and you likely have a lot of questions. The good news is, you’re not alone—far from it, in fact.

Pennsylvania has a multitude of strong resources that you can consult for knowledge about your long-term care options—including us here at Explore Retirement Living for questions specifically related to retiring well in the Lancaster area. Today’s post shares what you need to know. Continue reading Have Questions About Long-Term Care in PA? These Resources Can Help →

While you’ll find an amazing number of retirement community types these days, it’s true that many people still have the misconception that all of them are the same—and not in a good way.

Thoughts of being stuck in a hospital-like atmosphere where sad people spend most of their hours cooped up in small shared rooms (never with a roommate they like, either) or confined to bed still come to mind for a majority of folks facing retirement.

Luckily, nothing could be further from the truth in 2019—especially for retirees who don’t have current regular care needs and are looking to downsize in order to maximize their free time and enjoyment of life. Independent living communities, like the Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) and Life Plan Communities we serve here at Explore Retirement Living offer comfortable and innovative housing options and fun things to do for active adults every day. And they expect and encourage residents to come and go as they please!

But how do you determine whether retirement community living is right for you? Continue reading What to Ask as You Consider Retirement Communities for Active Adults →

For as long as you can remember, you’ve worked in some capacity. Maybe you started with chores on the family farm as a child, or if you grew up in town, perhaps you ran errands for neighbors or shoveled snow off the sidewalks in winter to earn some pocket change. You then worked in a full-time job or career throughout your adult life, probably also while you were raising a family. It was a lot of work, but it was fulfilling, too.

Now, in retirement, you may have found yourself technically “unemployed” for the first time in your life, and you’re realizing it just doesn’t feel right—you have too much time on your hands or maybe you enjoy having that extra spending money to put toward your favorite hobbies or buy little gifts for the grandkids. Whatever your reasoning, working in retirement can be an enjoyable and fulfilling endeavor. And here in Lancaster County, there are many opportunities to keep busy while earning a nice little paycheck to go along with the effort.

Today’s post gives you some general ideas about new paths you might take as a worker in retirement. After all, there is no need to only pursue work related to your former profession or acquired skillsets—now is the time to try something new that you know you will enjoy! Continue reading Great Retirement Jobs for Seniors in Lancaster County and Beyond →

If you’re well-acquainted with the attractions and institutions that make Lancaster, PA a unique place to visit, play, and live, you’re likely familiar with the Fulton Theatre – the city’s fantastically historic yet fully modern performing arts venue. If not, it’s time to meet the “Grand Old Lady of Prince Street” in today’s post!

Home to the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, as well as a regional destination for well-produced popular musicals and stage plays, the Fulton first came to life in 1852 as a community center for meetings, lectures, concerts, and theatrical performances. Though it’s had a few reincarnations over the years, including a stint in the mid-20^th century as a movie house, today’s Fulton Theatre is one of the best live performance stages in perhaps the entire USA. (It is, after all, reportedly the oldest working theater in the nation.)

Feeling like a show? The current 2018-2019 season is chock full of familiar favorites within the Mainstage Series, as well as family-friendly delights in the Eichmann Family Series and critically acclaimed works in the Studio Series. Get your tickets today for the best seats in the house! Continue reading What’s on Stage at the Fulton Theatre in 2019? →