Elizabethtown is a small town in Pennsylvania.
The town was mainly agricultural until the 1900s, when Klien Chocolate Company and several shoe factories opened. The town probably best known for the small college in town, Elizabethtown College. Locals and college alumni often refer to the town as "E-town".
Get in
All Amtrak trains going between Harrisburg and Philadelphia stops in Elizabethtown. Named Keystone Service, there are up to 13 daily trains on this route. Most trains terminate in Philadelphia, however a few of them continue to New York City. Additionally, the once daily Pensylvanian, linking New York City with Pittsburgh via Harrisburg and Philadelphia, also calls here.
One can also arrive by automobile. Buses run by the Red Rose Transit Authority connect Elizabethtown to Lancaster City, but are infrequent and do not run at night.
Get around
There is very little mass transit in the area. It is possible to walk from the train station through downtown Elizabethtown to Elizabethtown College. Driving is a more common way to get around.
See
- Elizabethtown College, 1 Alpha Drive, 40.15°, -76.5919°, +1 717 361-1000. Founded by the Anabaptist Brethren in 1899, this college has a center dedicated to the study of Plain communities in America. The center employs several experts on Plain societies like the Amish and contains a one-of-a-kind library of resources on the Mennonite, Brethren, and Amish. Lovely campus of red brick buildings, especially nice to walk around on a sunny spring or fall day. 2019-11-26
Do
- Winters Heritage House Museum, 47 East High St, +1 717 367-4672. W-F 9:30AM-3PM; additional times by appointment. Community driven effort to preserve and interpret some of Elizabethtown's earliest structures. Museum consists of three original log structures dating from 1750 to 1847 and a brick house from 1877. The museum offers many annual programs.
Buy
Eat
- Good Burrito - Local burrito place in the style of Chiplote. Their ingredients change on a regular basis
- Brother's Pizza - Local pizza place that serves subs, chicken wings and fries. Delivers
- Sal's - subs, pizza, limited Italian menu. Order in or pick up.
Drink
- End Zone Bar & Grill, 45 W High St. Local dive bar; cheap drinks with pool and darts.
- Lucky Duck Bar & Grille, 45 N Market St.
Sleep
- Holiday Inn Express, 147 Merts Drive, +1 717-367-4000. Typical chain hotel. Generally the hotel will be booked up the weekend the Elizabethtown College graduates (middle of May).
- Red Rose Motel, 2346 South Market St, +1 717 367-7518.
- Amanda Gish House Bed & Breakfast, 556 West Brainbridge St, +1 717-361-8637, innkeeper@amandagishhouse.com. 19th-century bed and breakfast filled with antiques. $100-150 depending on the room
- Cameron Estate Inn, 1855 Mansion Lane, Mt Joy (3 miles south of Rheems Elizabethtown Exit off 283), +1 717 492-0111. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Historic Country Inn. Secluded on 15 acres surrounded by farmland.
Connect
Go next
Elizabethtown is in the heart of Lancaster County. Be sure to get out and explore the Pennsylvania Dutch Country side, see an Amish horse and buggy, and check out Lancaster city. Mount Joy is right next door. Hershey and Harrisburg are only about a 20-minute drive away.