PA Counties

18 Must-See Attractions in York County

Collage of four attractions in York County, Pennsylvania, showing a covered wagon exhibit inside a museum, a coin-operated viewing scope overlooking a lake with fall foliage, a brightly colored bear mural on a brick building, and the iconic shoe-shaped house with lit windows and a front walkway.

If you’re looking for the best things to see and do in York County, you’re in the right place!

Map of Pennsylvania showing county boundaries, with York County highlighted in red in the south-central part of the state against a light-colored background.

Founded in 1749, the county is believed to have been named either for the Duke of York, an early supporter of the Penn family, or for the historic city and county of York in England.

Pennsylvania historical marker in York County describing the county’s founding in 1749 and York’s role as a meeting place of the Continental Congress, decorated with a holiday wreath and ribbon along a city street.

The county seat is York, which is often referred to as “the first capital of the United States.”

Historic courthouse building in York County, Pennsylvania with tall columns and twin domed towers, photographed at a downtown street corner with crosswalk signs, nearby hotels, and surrounding city buildings under a blue sky. — The York County courthouse in downtown York.

In 1777, the Second Continental Congress fled British-occupied Philadelphia and spent nine months in York drafting and adopting the Articles of Confederation, America’s first working constitution.

Mural on a brick building in York County, Pennsylvania depicting the 1777 signing of the Articles of Confederation, with Founding Fathers gathered around a table and the date “November 15, 1777” painted above them. — Mural celebrating the signing of the Articles of Confederation in York, PA.

Since this document was the first to use the name “The United States of America,” York embraces its identity as the nation’s first capital.

York was the Capital of the Nation for nine months in 1777-1778.

From state parks and scenic overlooks to museums and a shoe-shaped house, here are 18 of the best things to see and do in York County.

Simply click on the blue text links on the map above or in the descriptions below to read more in-depth information about each destination.

A wooden bench overlooks the calm blue waters of Lake Marburg at Codorus State Park in York County, Pennsylvania, surrounded by trees glowing with autumn colors under a clear blue sky. — Fall foliage at Codorus State Park in York County.

1. York County History Center

The York County History Cente r in York offers an immersive look at how local history connects to the broader American story.

Collage of four photos from the York County History Center showing a covered wagon migration exhibit, locally made pottery and ceramics, a wall of logos from York County companies, and the modern exterior entrance of the museum.

Housed in a renovated Met-Ed Steam Heat Generating Plant, the museum blends historic artifacts and interpretive exhibits with the building’s dramatic industrial setting.

Towering “History Makers” exhibit at the York County History Center featuring illuminated portraits of diverse individuals who shaped York County’s history, culture, and contributions to the broader American story.

2. York County Agricultural and Industrial Museum

The York County Agricultural and Industrial Museum is housed in another former factory complex in downtown York, and features thousands of artifacts and exhibits highlighting York County’s contributions to the areas of agriculture, transportation, and manufacturing.

Exploring the York County Agricultural and Industrial Museum in York Pennsylvania.

3. Colonial Complex in York

The Colonial Complex in York includes some of the oldest and most historic buildings in the city, which served as the Capital of the Nation for nine months during the Revolutionary War!

Exploring the Colonial Complex in York PA.

4. Royal Square Mural Park

Royal Square Mural Park in York is one of the city’s most colorful and creative attractions!

Collage of murals at Royal Square Mural Park in downtown York, Pennsylvania, featuring a vibrant black bear surrounded by flowers, a futuristic mechanical figure reaching toward butterflies, a red-toned mural of a couple kissing, and the colorful York script mural painted across a long brick wall.

Spread across a compact one-block radius in downtown York, the park features more than 30 larger-than-life murals painted on buildings, walls, and urban structures.

Large, softly colored mural in Royal Square Mural Park in downtown York, Pennsylvania, depicting a fox and a hare surrounded by delicate flowers and foliage, rendered in pastel purples, pinks, and blues across a brick building wall.

5. Central Market in York

Central Market in York is a historic public market with more than 50 vendors offering fresh foods, prepared meals, and specialty items in a Romanesque Revival-style building dating to 1888.

Collage of four views of York Central Market in York County, Pennsylvania, featuring the historic brick Central Market House exterior, an interior dining and vendor area with high wooden ceilings, a bakery counter filled with cakes and desserts, and a colorful seafood stand serving crab and fried foods.

Known as a popular lunch destination, the market features dining options ranging from international cuisine to classic American fare.

Collage of four interior views of York Central Market in York County, Pennsylvania, showing colorful vendor stalls, a large seating area with tables under a high wooden ceiling, aisles lined with food counters, and a shop display of “York, Pennsylvania” T-shirts and hoodies.

6. Haines Shoe House

The Haines Shoe House near York is one of PA’s most recognizable roadside attractions, and today it also serves as a vacation rental where you can spend the night!

Spending the night at the Haines Shoe House vacation rental near York Pennsylvania.

7. Codorus State Park

Codorus State Park in York County is a beautiful destination built around the sparkling waters of Lake Marburg, a 1,275-acre artificial lake formed by damming Codorus Creek.

A collage of four photos showcasing Codorus State Park in York County, Pennsylvania, featuring a fisherman on Lake Marburg, a marina with docked boats, benches overlooking the lake, and the park’s entrance sign surrounded by autumn foliage.

8. Northern Central Railway

Operating out of a historic train station in New Freedom, the Northern Central Railway offers sightseeing excursions through the picturesque landscape of southern York County, using both a replica 1860s steam locomotive and a 1959 GP9 diesel engine to pull the trains.

Collage of four photos taken at the Northern Central Railway of York. Top left: Two steam locomotives, Number 17 and Number 85, are on display in front of the New Freedom Station, with steam billowing into the blue sky. Top right: Number 85 steam locomotive pulls a yellow passenger car and red caboose along the tracks, surrounded by green trees. Bottom left: View from the locomotive showing the train tracks and the adjacent trail, with smoke trailing behind. Bottom right: People standing on the gondola car platform near the E.K. Krebs building, a historic red and white building, as they enjoy the scenic ride.

9. Schull’s Rock Overlook

Schull’s Rock Overlook in York County is a fantastic rock outcropping and vista on the west bank of the Susquehanna River, located at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park.

Exploring Schull's Rock Overlook at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park in York County Pennsylvania.

10. The First National Thanksgiving Historical Marker

York, PA and the First National Thanksgiving dives into the fascinating backstory of this Revolutionary War-era event, which had nothing to do with Pilgrims and turkeys!

York PA and the first National Thanksgiving Day.

11. Mount Pisgah Overlook

Mount Pisgah Overlook, at 885 feet above sea level, is the highest point in the this portion of eastern York County and offers a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding Susquehanna River Valley.

A vibrant collage of four images from Mount Pisgah Overlook in York County, Pennsylvania. Top left: A distant view of the Susquehanna River and its bridges amidst lush greenery. Top right: Inside a wooden pavilion with picnic tables, overlooking a scenic landscape. Bottom left: The American and Pennsylvania flags fluttering beside a picnic area with a path leading to a gazebo. Bottom right: A wooden bench faces an open field with a backdrop of the Susquehanna River. Each scene conveys the natural beauty and recreational opportunities the overlook offers.

12. American Daydream Antiques

American Daydream Antiques in York County is not your typical antique mall, but an immersive two-story playground filled with pop culture, nostalgia, and offbeat treasures.

Collage of four photos at American Daydream Antiques in York County, Pennsylvania, showing eclectic interior displays of vintage decor, horror collectibles, vinyl records, and antiques, along with the exterior of the two-story antique store featuring a retro Big Boy statue and vintage signage

13. Grey Beards Antiques

Located in Jacobus, Grey Beards Antiques is a four-story, multi-vendor antique mall offering an experience that rewards curiosity and unhurried exploration.

Collage of four photos highlighting Grey Beards Antiques in York County, Pennsylvania, featuring interior aisles with vintage lamps and framed art, a festive home decor booth, a glass case filled with vintage toy vehicles, and the iconic Grey Beards Antiques roadside sign at the four-story multi-vendor antique mall in Jacobus.

14. Shrewsbury Antique Center

Housed in a charming red barn-style building, Shrewsbury Antique Center is a multi-level antique mall offering an inviting mix of history, nostalgia, and discovery.

Collage showing interior vendor booths filled with antiques and collectibles, a balcony view overlooking the lower level with a Shrewsbury Antique Center bench, and the red barn-style exterior of Shrewsbury Antique Center in York County, Pennsylvania.

15. Dover Antique Mall

Spread across two levels and home to more than 130 vendors, Dover Antique Mall in York County offers an impressive variety that appeals to casual browsers and serious collectors alike.

Collage of four photos taken at Dover Antique Mall in York County, Pennsylvania, showing interior vendor displays with antique books, clocks, artwork, vintage décor, and collectibles, along with an exterior view of the two-level antique mall building and roadside sign.

16. Black Rose Antiques

Located inside the North Hanover Center, Black Rose Antiques is a multi-vendor antique mall offering one of the most diverse collections of vintage and collectible goods in south-central Pennsylvania.

Collage of four images from Black Rose Antiques in Hanover, Pennsylvania, showing a long aisle of vendor booths filled with vintage items, a retro dining and holiday décor display, a wall of antique clocks and collectibles, and the exterior storefront with “Antiques & Collectibles” signage.

17. Yesteryear Antique Center

Yesteryear Antique Center in Hanover is a 26,000-square-foot climate-controlled facility featuring over 140 vendors, offering an incredible variety of antiques and collectibles.

A collage of four photos showcasing Yesteryears Antique Center in York County, PA. The top-left image features a spacious aisle lined with vendor booths filled with antiques and collectibles, including glassware and decorative items. The top-right image displays a booth with rustic vintage decor, including old signs, tools, and wooden crates. The bottom-left image highlights a whimsical Pabst Blue Ribbon boxing figurine surrounded by retro beer collectibles and holiday-themed decor. The bottom-right image showcases the outdoor sign for Yesteryears Antique Center, emphasizing its daily hours of operation and highlighting its "Iron Horse Trains" section. Together, the images capture the charm and variety of the 26,000-square-foot facility with over 140 vendors.

18. Morning Sun Marketplace

Morning Sun Marketplace in York County is a sprawling, year-round flea market that offers a true treasure-hunt experience across nearly 30 acres.

Collage of four scenes from Morning Sun Marketplace in York County, PA, featuring long aisles of collectibles in glass cases, a glowing selection of uranium glass antiques, vintage toys including Mr. T and Popeye figures, and the exterior of the large warehouse-style flea market buildings.

Nearby Attractions

28 Must-See Attractions in Adams County is your guide to the best things to see and do in York County’s neighbor to the west.

A collage of scenes from Adams County, PA including the Gettysburg National Military Park, the Round Barn, the World War II American Experience Museum, and the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing.

19 Must-See Attractions in Lancaster County is your guide to the best things to see and do in York County’s neighbor to the east.

A collage of images from Lancaster County PA.

16 Must-See Attractions in Cumberland County is your guide to the best things to see and do in York County’s neighbor to the north.

A collage of four photos highlighting attractions in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The top left image features a serene lake surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage, with a wooden bench overlooking the water. The top right image shows a Civil War memorial in a cemetery, with a statue of a soldier, an American flag flying above, and headstones and memorial markers in the foreground. The bottom left image displays a preserved World War II Sherman tank on a concrete platform, set against a bright sky and open landscape. The bottom right image captures a bustling car show with colorful classic and modern vehicles, vendor tents, and crowds of visitors at a large outdoor venue.

11 Must-See Attractions in Dauphin County is your guide to the best things to see and do in York County’s neighbor to the northeast.

A collage of 4 attractions in Dauphin County, PA, including Hersheypark, the AACA Museum, Indian Echo Caverns, and Lake Tobias Wildlife Park.

Discover more than 1000 exceptional destinations worth exploring all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

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