“If you’ve never seen anything quite like it before…you probably saw it in Columbia.”
- Source: LNP / LancasterOnline, 2023
• Hidden Treasures
Four enormous Antique Centers—all with ample free parking—have made Columbia an epicenter for Lancaster and York County treasure hunters. Professional “pickers” also know to check out the town’s numerous nostalgia, collectibles and second-hand stores, as well as a fantastic Locust Street comic book shop and the Columbia Library’s well-stocked “book nook.” Murphy’s Mercantile’s two-story expansion adds thousands more square feet of retail shopping. The challenge is not to find a bargain in Columbia…it’s to leave town empty-handed.
• Artistic License
The creative juices of Columbia artists and craftspeople are flowing like never before. Several former “industrial” properties are now artist cooperatives and gallery spaces, including Switchboard Studios, Kindred Collection, and Keystone Artisan Werks. Special events around town also feature inspired works by regional artists.
• Walk and Chew at the Same Time
A busy day of shopping and exploring doesn’t always leave time for a long meal. But that doesn’t mean you have to throw yourself on the mercy of a food court. Downtown Columbia features three pizza parlors, an old-style malt shop, a couple of superb coffee houses, multiple vendors at the restored 1860s Market House, a Columbia outpost of the popular Prince Street Café, Vietnamese bubble tea, a beloved BBQ joint and classic booth-and-counter service at Hinkle’s. All offer sit-down fare or grab-and-go—and there are additional options within a couple of blocks.
• Raise a Glass
Visitors in search of libation used to be out of luck in Columbia, which was (and still is) known for its many members-only clubs. That is no longer the case! Columbia Kettleworks and Starview Brewery make and serve their own beers, while Lancaster Distilleries features the Boring Bar tasting room. For pub-style traditionalists, Bully’s and Union Street are go-to spots for food and drink, while Mark & Val Wines is the latest newcomer to town.
• The Cool Stuff
Yes…people drive to Columbia for the ice cream. Hinkle’s and Coffee & Cream are Columbia institutions, while the generous scoops at Andy’s Meat Market ranks among Columbia’s best-kept secrets. If you’re an “all-you-can-eat” type, the Turkey Hill Experience beckons.
• Small World
Two floors of elaborate model train exhibits draw thousands to the Columbia Historical Preservation Society every year. The town’s history is on display throughout the repurposed church structure—including the second floor, where Columbia has been lovingly recreated in miniature in an eye-popping, 1,000 sq. ft. working train layout.
• Old School Tik-Tok
Those who claim that “time is just a concept” might change their tune after an hour or two at the National Watch & Clock Museum. The finest museum of its kind in America (and likely the world), it features thousands of extraordinary timekeeping artifacts dating back more than 500 years.
• R-E-S-P-E-C-T
The recently restored Zion Hill Cemetery is the final resting place for more than 150 African-Americans who lived and died in Columbia—dating back to the Civil War—making it one of the most important cemeteries in the Northeast. A quiet stroll through Mount Bethel Cemetery, in the heart of town, is literally a walk through Columbia history, while Mount Laurel Cemetery offers sweeping views from high above the Susquehanna. All told, more than a dozen Revolutionary War veterans and over 400 Civil War veterans are among the 700-plus war veterans interred in Columbia—along with five of the hometown-hero “Bridge Burners” who stopped Lee’s army from crossing the Susquehanna in 1863, and the railroad executive who introduced organized baseball to the Susquehanna Valley.
• The Wright Stuff
Columbia was established in 1726 by the Wright family, who continued to influence its culture and growth well in the 19th century. You’ll be hearing more about the Wrights as the town’s 300th anniversary approaches in 2026. With more than 900 historic structures still intact, Columbia is a walking museum. And there is no better place to start than the Wright’s Ferry Museum, which celebrates the life of Susanna Wright—one of the most extraordinary and inspiring women in Pennsylvania history.
• It All Begins At The River
The Susquehanna River has been the lifeblood of Columbia for three centuries—and is a bigger draw today than ever. The Columbia Crossings Trails Center captures this dynamic in dramatic fashion with spectacular views at one of the river’s widest points. In addition to offering public restrooms and lots of parking, Columbia Crossings also marks the beginning of one of Pennsylvania’s most popular walking-hiking-biking venues, the 14-mile Northwest River Trail. River Park is also a popular put-in for canoers and kayakers, and hosts outdoor events throughout the warm-weather months, including Go Green Columbia, Riverfest, and Albatwitch Day. Two new bike shops are located a block away—one featuring eBikes and the other the kind we all grew up with.
