Lancaster
Video by Andrew BilindabagaboLancaster Is One of the Best Places to Live In 2024
Money.com featured F&M's home city of Lancaster as one of the best places to live
in the U.S. in 2024. See why they said Lancaster "combines many of the draws of a
big city but with the charm (and cost of living) of a small town."
Read More »One of WalletHub's Best Small Cities in America
Personal finance expert WalletHub compared more than 1,300 U.S. cities based on 45
key indicators of livability — and Lancaster is recognized as one of its Best Small
Cities in America.
Read More »
A Historical City with an Eye on the Future
Lancaster is a lively city of nearly 60,000 residents with a rich history and a thriving downtown. Vibrant social and cultural experiences a short distance from campus give you a chance to explore, have fun, and build connections, while our educational partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations throughout Lancaster help you take what you’re learning out of the classroom and into the community.
Local Community, Global Culture
Lancaster is a global village with a vibrant mix of cultures. Students in the School District of Lancaster speak more than 30 languages, reflective of the many nationalities represented within the city. Throughout the year, local organizations host cultural celebrations in downtown Lancaster.
This rich off-campus experience compliments the broad diversity on F&M’s campus, where hundreds of student organizations — including ethnic and lifestyle clubs, political advocacy groups, religious organizations, service groups, and other special interests clubs — open their doors to any student interested in learning about new cultures and customs.
A Lively Arts Scene
Immerse yourself in Lancaster’s arts scene with a trip to Gallery Row, a three-block cluster of art galleries less than two miles from campus, or catch a show at one of Lancaster’s theatre and music venues. As you explore, be sure to keep an eye out for Lancaster's public art installations and murals, several of which were created by F&M alumni and staff artists.
“I love how Lancaster has evolved. It’s exciting to see so many murals pop up, more access to the arts, more restaurants and cafes.”
— Salina Almanzar ’13
More to Explore
No matter where you turn, Lancaster is full of exciting events and opportunities to explore during your time at F&M and is an incredible place to call home.
- Grab a bite from one of Lancaster’s more than 100 restaurants, cafes and eateries featuring food from around the world. Many restaurants source from nearby farms to create fresh farm-to-table dishes.
- Make a trip to Central Market, built in 1730 and recognized as the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the U.S.
- Check out Lancaster’s First Fridays, when 90-plus galleries, museums, shops and restaurants extend their hours into the evening.
- Cheer on the Lancaster Stormers at Penn Medicine Park, a 10-minute walk from campus.
- Visit the Fulton Theatre House, a National Historic Landmark that has hosted some of the brightest stars of theatre, music, and film, including Mark Twain, Lionel Barrymore, Louis Armstrong, W.C. Fields, and Lancaster’s own Jonathan Groff.
“It is safe to say that my time at F&M would not have been the same without the city of Lancaster.”
"Lancaster has provided me with some incredible opportunities and cultural entertainment. It is so nice to have the city right next to the college.”
— Lara Gillingham ’23
To shape the world, start right where you are. Our home city of Lancaster is not only
an active urban hub, but also an integral educational partner teeming with opportunities
to learn, serve, and engage with the local community.Lily Finds a Rose: Lily Vining ’24 Shares How Lancaster Became Home
After three years at F&M, Lily Vining ’24 set her mind to embrace the experience of
“Lancaster local.” She developed a bucket list to explore Lancaster, which is nicknamed
the “Red Rose City,” including trying new restaurants, seeking live music, visiting
new coffee shops and bookstores, and more. “My bucket list grew more quickly than
I could eat, dance, and hike my way through it,” Vining said. “But in the process,
I met incredible people, explored countless new destinations, and developed a deeper
sense of belonging in F&M’s home city.” (Illustration by Robert Nuebecker)
Read More »Living & Learning in Lancaster
Plan Your Visit
Take Your First Look at Campus
Step on campus and find your home. Visiting F&M is the best way to get a feel for day-to-day life on campus and to visualize yourself as a member of our curious, collaborative and close-knit community.
Getting to Campus
Lancaster’s location offers easy access to major metropolitan areas. With an Amtrak train station just two miles from campus, you can ride the rails toward an exciting day in New York City or Philadelphia with your friends. Or, hop on the highway and reach major cities and airports in just a couple of hours.
Where to Stay and Dine
Stay at hotels near campus and grab a bite from one of Lancaster’s more than 100 restaurants, cafes and eateries, featuring food from around the world! Explore our recommendations, including our hotel and bed and breakfast partners that offer a special rate for F&M visitors.
Explore F&M Students' Favorite Spots in Lancaster
Check out this list of places to visit, curated by our very own students! These suggestions are just the start — all are a short walk off-campus.
F&M in Lancaster
March 27, 2025
Make the Most of Your Spring Visit to F&M
When you become an F&M Diplomat, your college experience will extend beyond our campus and into the vibrant city of Lancaster. If you’re planning a visit to campus this spring, add a stop at one of our favorite spots and get a glimpse of what it’s like to call Lancaster home.
January 28, 2025
Revisiting World War II Correspondence of F&M Servicemen
In August 1943, F&M President Theodore “Prexy” Distler created a bimonthly newsletter to keep enlisted service members informed of changes on campus. The newsletters also shared welcome updates from classmates around the globe, including Richard “Dick” Luxner ’48, a member of the College’s volunteer Cadet Corps.
January 16, 2025
Visiting F&M? Explore Winter Activities On and Off Campus
Make the most of your winter visit to F&M's campus with these ideas to fill out your day or weekend.