10 Popular Activities in York

February 22, 2022

Designing and building a custom home is exciting. But, before you get to that point, you have to figure out where you want to live. Whether you are choosing a neighborhood or looking for land as a scattered lot, it’s important to make sure the location is one you want to live in. From travel, amenities, things to do throughout the year, and more, there’s a lot to think about. Here are some popular activities in York, PA to help you determine if it’s somewhere you want to live:

1. Baseball Games at WellSpan Park

WellSpan Park, formerly PeoplesBank Park, is home to the York Revolution, a local minor league baseball team. In the spring and summer, you can often catch a game for a day full of food, games, and fun.

In addition to hosting games, WellSpan Park also hosts nongame events year-round with indoor and outdoor facilities available. You can even rent space to host your own celebrations and events! This makes it one of the great things about living in York.

2. Olde York Street Fair

The Olde York Street Fair, also sometimes called the Mother’s Day Street Fair, is an annual May tradition in York. It occurs downtown and takes place each year on Mother’s Day. The street fair is a free-admission family event that features entertainment, food vendors, artisans, and even a kid’s block dedicated to inflatables.

3. The Great York Train Meet

If you like trains, toy trains, or train collectibles, the Great York Train Meet is a great activity for you. It usually falls in April each year and brings in train enthusiasts, hobbyists, and more from all over the country.

Train clubs from all over set up operating train layouts throughout the venue. Some are just for viewing while others are set up specifically for kids and adults to interact. In addition to incredible train layouts, there is also a dealer hall where you can explore and even purchase trains to start or grow your own collection.

4. May Day Faerie Festival

The May Day Faerie Festival started as a big tea party for a bunch of friends. Over the years, it grew into a large annual event that attracts over 12,000 people. It takes place every year in May either at the Spoutwood Farm in Glen Rock, PA, or in partnership with another location to celebrate the beginning of spring.

The festival draws on the ancient May Day fables and faerie lore. In addition to plenty of attendees wearing a wide variety of faerie wings, you can enjoy international musicians, local and national musicians, artists, authors, vendors, and more at this magical family-friendly gathering.

5. Jewish Food Festival

The Jewish Food Festival is a celebration of Jewish culture and food that everyone can enjoy. It’s hosted by the York Jewish Community Center and tends to occur towards the end of April.

Pastrami on rye is a classic featured sandwich, and you can sample a ton of other traditional Kosher Jewish deli food as well. Matzah ball soup and beef brisket in addition to a variety of classic desserts are always on the menu.

There are also tons of vendors to explore. And, you can also enjoy the mummers. Although this festival features a lot of food, there are a lot of other things to do and see as well.

6. Paddlesports Demo Weekend

Spring is prime time for paddle fanatics to start getting back in the water. Whether you’re thinking about a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard, the annual Paddlesports Demo Weekend at Shank’s Mare Outfitters is a great way to try them out.

You can also try specific models or types of kayaks if you have a specific use in mind or are looking to upgrade to a newer model. If you’re not interested in buying or doing on-the-water test paddles, you can also just rent a kayak to use on the Susquehanna River for the day.

7. Heritage Rail Trail County Park

Although it’s often used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, nothing beats the York County Heritage Rail Trail in the spring. The full trail is 21 miles long and winds throughout the county. There are several scenic areas along the trail, which makes it a great stop throughout different parts of the county.

Plus, the Northern Central Railway excursion trains start running in the spring, so you could see a train or two while using the trail. The trail is a compacted, flat stone surface, which makes for easy walking, biking, running, hiking, horseback riding, and more. Plus, it’s ten feet wide, so there is plenty of room for everyone and you won’t feel crowded while using it.

8. Northern Central Railway Easter Train

In the spring, there are several Easter-themed train excursions available all over the state. In York County, the Northern Central Railway offers special Easter train excursions in addition to their regular scenic excursions. In addition to enjoying the scenic views along the rail trail, the Easter train excursions often give your kids a chance to meet the Easter Bunny.

9. Alpacas of York

Alpacas of York is a 21-acre farm featuring plenty of alpacas for you and your family to befriend. You can take a guided tour of the farm and meet, feed, and pet the alpacas. You can even attend the Annual Shearing Day in May!

Then, when you’ve had your fill of alpaca cuddles, you can stop by the on-site farm store for handmade clothing, accessories, and more. You can even pick up some alpaca yarn for some of your own projects!

10. BAPS Motor Speedway

If you like cars and the thrill of a race, then you will love the BAPS Motor Speedway. This dirt racetrack is a semi-banked oval and is 4/10 of a mile. You can look forward to action-packed racing every weekend in addition to special events, like Monster Truck Mania and more.

These are just a few popular activities in York to keep in mind whether you’re visiting to see if you want to relocate, living in the area already, or actively looking for land. Because York is close to the Maryland border, you can include activities in Northeastern Maryland as some of the benefits of living there. If you’re ready to get started on your Pennsylvania custom home, contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090. We can help bring your dream home to life!