Are you exploring Franklin & Marshall College for the first time this fall? In town once again for True Blue Weekend Oct. 5-6? There’s something for everyone on campus in autumn. 

To make the most of your visit, browse the list below for ideas to fill a one-day visit to Lancaster (or longer). If you’re in town for True Blue, check out First Friday downtown and Lancaster Central Market’s Harvest Breakfast Oct. 5. See the True Blue Weekend schedule of events. 

1. Pick Your Own Pumpkins and Produce 

Venture 30 minutes off campus to Cherry Crest Farm (Ronks) to pick pumpkins and sunflowers or explore a five-acre corn maze. See a complete list of pumpkin patches in Lancaster County.

The county is home to dozens of orchards and roadside stands. Spend an afternoon picking your own apples, peaches, pumpkins and more. Cherry Hill Orchards is a six-mile drive from campus. 

If you prefer a more scenic route, explore hidden gems nestled among Lancaster’s bountiful farmland. Find roadside stands to purchase Amish-made jams, jellies, flowers, baked goods and more. (Insider tip: Bring cash, as many stands do not accept credit cards.) 

2. Go on a Ghost Tour

Combine history and Halloween with a Lancaster ghost tour. This candlelight walking tour takes you through 300 years of downtown Lancaster’s long-forgotten mysteries.

If jump scares are your thing, check out a nearby haunted hayride or “frightmare” house. Students love Jason’s Woods (Lancaster) and Field of Screams (Mountville), consistently rated among the top haunted attractions in America. 

3. Find the Best Foliage 

Short on time? You can catch a glimpse of nature’s beauty right on campus! The entire campus, formally recognized as the Caroline Steinman Nunan Arboretum, has earned national awards. And 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. View Google map.

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. 

For hikes just outside the city, view the Lancaster Conservancy list of hiking spots.

If hiking isn’t on your agenda, try a driving tour of covered bridges. The county is home to more than 25 – each with a story to tell. Many of these architectural beauties are adjacent to quaint  towns and villages lined with restaurants, shops, galleries and attractions.

4. Explore the Restaurant Scene 

Food and Wine magazine just spotlighted Lancaster as a must-see city when it comes to farm-to-table dining. For the best locally sourced cuisine, check out this local list.

Lancaster is also home to several farmers markets. F&M students love venturing to Central Market, the oldest continuously operated farmers market in the country. Southern Market, opened in 2022, offers a 30-seat bar and large food hall with 12 chef stations featuring local, regional and international cuisine. 

5. Check Out Campus Happenings

With the fall semester in full swing, there’s plenty to see on campus, too. Cheer on the Diplomat athletic teams, visit the Phillips Museum of Art, catch author craft talks, book signings and open mic nights at The Writers House and more. 

See the fall splendor of campus for yourself. Schedule a tour today. For virtual tours and info sessions, see current virtual offerings.

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