Heritage Center Museum of Lancaster, which is located in Penn Square, consists of two sections: the Cultural History Museum and the Quilt and Textile Museum. The Cultural History Museum focuses on the artistic, industrial and social contributions of the Red Rose City's people. Items on exhibit range from fine art and housewares to weaponry. The Quilt Museum contains the Esprit Collection of Lancaster County, an assortment of 80 authentic Amish quilts. Temporary exhibits such as "Gentle Companions," a stuffed animal exhibit, complement the collection with displays of other domestic crafts. The museum is located in a historic building that dates back to the late 18th century and once housed Lancaster's City Hall.

In 1925, the Landis brothers opened the Barn Museum, which was dedicated to preserving the German heritage of their ancestors. Today, the Landis Valley Museum, which is the largest Pennsylvania/German museum in the United States, stands as their legacy. This living history museum includes historic buildings and craft demonstrations and is an excellent place to spend an afternoon.

Lancaster's North Museum is dedicated to the sciences. The museum's planetarium offers a wide range of activities for both children and adults, including the "Night Star Tour," which teaches viewers how to identify different celestial phenomena. The museum also contains several exhibits focusing on natural history.

This cultural complex celebrates the area's Amish and Mennonite lifestyles. Visitors can see the beauty of antique quilts (most are pre-World War II pieces) as well as an array of decorative arts and crafts. People's Place includes the quilt museum, a quilting and fibers supply store, pottery, book store and art gallery.

Located in Strasburg, east of Lancaster on Highway 30, this museum is dedicated to preserving an important component of the Quaker State's past: the railroad industry. Exhibits include original steam and electric locomotives. Plan to spend a few hours here, for the museum's collection is quite extensive and includes several interactive exhibits.