F&M Stories

Are you exploring Franklin & Marshall College for the first time this spring? Make the most of your visit! Our College campus is adjacent to bustling downtown Lancaster City and a sprawling conservancy. 

Most students depart F&M saying it feels like home. We hope you’ll agree. Below, browse a quick list of things to do during a one-day visit to Lancaster.

Before you go: Campus tours are currently offered Monday through Friday. Times vary, so be sure to view our tour schedule. On-campus info sessions are held on Monday at 10:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. and Friday at 10:15 a.m. Register for tours and info sessions here.

1. Catch a Ballgame

F&M is less than a mile from Clipper Magazine Stadium, home to the Lancaster Stormers. With tickets ranging from $7 to $16, a ballgame there is the perfect way to end your day in Lancaster. Time your visit to catch an impressive fireworks display after the final inning.  

Fun fact: The stadium’s name was inspired by Clipper Magazine, a business venture created by F&M alumni Ian Ruzow ’85 and Steve Zuckerman ’85. 

2. Take a Hike on Campus (or Off)

Just one mile from campus, the 50-acre Spalding Conservancy has been used in F&M coursework and research since the 1980s. This urban conservancy serves as a natural laboratory for students and local environmental groups.

Want to get off campus? Lancaster County Central Park is just four miles away from F&M, offering 544 acres for hiking, biking and horseback riding. View the Central Park Trail Guide. For hikes just outside of the city, view the Lancaster Conservancy list of hiking spots. 

3. Visit Central and Southern Markets

No visit to Lancaster is complete without a stop at Central Market. Sample Lancaster’s melting pot of cuisine at the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the United States. It’s the perfect spot to grab souvenirs or delectable treats to share, from Amish baked goods to imported spices and snacks. 

Southern Market, opened in 2022, offers a 30-seat bar and large food hall with 12 chef stations featuring local, regional and international cuisine. 

4. Discover a New Artist

Concentrated on the first and second blocks of North Prince Street, Gallery Row is the center of the local art scene. Fans of abstract painter Charles Demuth will delight in spotting the cityscapes that inspired his work. 

On the First Friday of each month, some 90 art galleries, shops and restaurants extend their hours for the evening. 

Up for an extended trip? 

• Spend the weekend searching for Lancaster Public Art installations. 
• View a map of Lancaster murals for an Instagram-worthy backdrop.
• Don’t forget to visit The Phillips Museum of Art, located right on campus!

5. Catch a Concert or Show 

Downtown Lancaster offers theater and music venues for all interests. 

• The Fulton Theatre, a national landmark, is the nation's oldest continuously operating theater. 
• Allegro Orchestra Lancaster, directed by F&M Conductor of Instrumental Ensembles Brian Norcross, makes music accessible to the Lancaster community in modern and playful ways. 
• Prima Theatre bridges contemporary music with musical theater. 
• For a full list of performance venues, see upcoming shows in Lancaster.