History and small-town charms just north of Lancaster
Situated in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Lititz is a little borough whose size is outweighed by its surprising charms. “Lititz is a small town with a lot of historic tradition behind it, and that’s what makes it so cool,” says Gerry Meck, a borough council member. Jason Burkholder, a broker who leads the Jason Burkholder Team at Hometown Property Sales, agrees: “One of our mottos is ‘where preservation meets progress’ because we’re maintaining the history while keeping with the times.” Although the city began as a Moravian community, it now welcomes people of all backgrounds and creeds; in fact, its population has been climbing slowly but steadily to nearly 10,000 people. About 10 miles north of Lancaster, Lititz has been put on the map in recent years for its eclectic local businesses and picturesque streets, drawing in homebuyers looking for a slice of slow-paced, small-town life that’s still close to city amenities. “It’s the kind of place where people smile and say hello when they see you walking down the street,” Burkholder says.
Lititz Springs Park is a privately run park offering regular concerts as well as a playground.
The Lititz Caboose Museum gives the visitor a glimpse into the community's rail road heritage.
1/2
Historic chocolate and pretzel shops in downtown Lititz
Residents can stroll down Main and Broad Streets to find countless cafes, restaurants and shops. Wilber Chocolate has served homemade chocolate to the town for over 125 years, originally setting up shop right next to the train station. Wilber Buds are their specialty, designed to look like flower buds. Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery opened in 1861, making it the first pretzel bakery in the country. Today, they sell soft and hard pretzels, as well as plenty of chocolate-covered options. Housed in a quaint Queen Anne building, Tomato Pie Café offers plenty of sandwiches and eggs for breakfast or lunch. “Rosey’s Lunch Wagon shows up to Lititz Springs Park on Saturday mornings,” says Realtor and former Lititz resident Keith Shaub with Berkshire Hathaway Home Sale Realty. “You can find a line wrapped around the corner just waiting to get a hamburger. Anyone who knows Lititz knows Rosey’s Lunch Wagon.” When shopping for groceries, the Shoppes At Kissel Village features Giant and Target.
Wilbur Chocolate in Lititz has served homemade chocolate to the town for over 125 years.
The Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery was opened in 1861 and is still run by the same family.
1/2
Festivals featuring ice sculptures and craft beer in Lititz
In the winter, the Fire and Ice Festival features 10 days of ice sculptures lit with colorful lights and fire shows with people juggling the flames. “They have a Saturday farmers market in the warmer months, where it brings together a lot of local farms,” Shaub says. “You drive around the more local areas, you see a lot of produce stands. It’s a great way to bring them together.” Every September, Lititz Craft Beer Fest offers samplings of local and national brews, with the proceeds dedicated to various charities. Rock Lititz showcases the world’s largest performers to prepare for upcoming tours. Stars like Taylor Swift, BTS and Ariana Grande descend on the appointment-only production facilities just before launching a national or worldwide tour. “You name a musical talent, and there’s a very good chance they came through Lititz,” Shaub says.
Spectacular displays can be seen at the fire shows at Lititz Fire and Ice.
Lititz Fire and Ice is a ten day event that brings the town of Lititz together.
1/2
Queen Anne houses and twin homes around Lititz
Houses in Lititz are as eclectic as its shops. Historic farmhouses line Main Street, along with some apartments over the storefronts. Queen Annes with spires and wrap-around front porches are another popular style. As people move further from the town center, twin homes are more standard, lining the streets in bunches of twos. Houses typically sit closer together, leaving no room for driveways, but back and side streets feature detached garages. Some people park along the street, but not too many, so the streets feel overcrowded with cars. Backyards stretch out behind the homes, very long but also very thing. “It does seem like there is always a demand for Lititz homes,” Shaub says. “For the townhomes, we’re seeing $200,000 to $300,000 and $300,000 to $450,000 to start for single-family homes.”
Queen Anne–style homes are scattered throughout the residential streets of Lititz.
Twin homes are a popular and affordable style of house in Lititz.
1/2
Students take CTE classes through Warwick High
Lititz Elementary School serves grades kindergarten through sixth. Students then progress to Warwick Middle School for seventh and eighth grades. Niche grants both schools a B ranking. Warwick High School earns a B-plus from Niche and offers technical career education (CTE) classes through Lancaster County Career and Technology Center (CTC).
Lititz Elementary School serves students from kindergarten through 6th grade.
Warwick Senior High School received an overall grade of B+ from Niche.
Warwick Middle School received an overall grade of B from Niche.
1/3
Stroll through Lititz Spring Park's ambling pathways
Right by downtown Lititz is Lititz Spring Park — an oasis of trees and walking paths, with a pond in the center for watching the ducks and a playground for kids. The old train station used to be here, but today functions as the community’s welcome center. An old red Reading Railroad rail car sits here, highlighting the town’s past. On the far side of town, residents can access the Warwick to Ephrata Rail Trail, which offers 7.1 miles of hiking and biking, with options for skiing in the winter.
Lititz Springs Park is a perfect place for a stroll will furry friends and loved ones.
Ducks gather along the creek at Lititz Springs Park, a favorite spot for families fun.
1/2
Sidewalks connect all of Lititz
With sidewalks throughout Lititz, residents can walk from their homes to downtown and the park. “Almost anything in the borough is walkable,” Shaub says. “You can connect anywhere you need to go via sidewalk.” When driving beyond the town, I-76 connects the community the 41 miles to Harrisburg and 76 miles to Philadelphia. Harrisburg International Airport is the nearest airport, just 31 miles away. Just over 2 miles from downtown, UPMC Lititz is the closest medical center, accessed along Broad Street.
Lititz has a pedestrian friendly main street filled with a variety of shops and restaurants.
Downtown Lititz features local boutiques and specialty shops along its historic sidewalks.
1/2
Written By
Elliot Schorr
Photography Contributed By
Justin Schmidt
Video By
Joan Wall
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Todd Sell,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Lititz, PA sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Lititz, PA over the last 12 months is $461,845, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Your Woodland Retreat Awaits!Tucked away on 13 private acres of mature woodland, this beautifully updated stone home blends timeless craftsmanship with modern comfort. Built with authentic stone, it stands strong and full of character — a classic Lancaster County beauty surrounded by nature.Inside, warmth and charm welcome you at every turn. A wood-burning fireplace anchors the
Experience Easy First-Floor Living in this Beautiful Home in Highly Sought-After Manheim Township! Welcome to effortless living in this stunning Ranch-style home with over 2,200 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space, offering an ideal blend of comfort, style, and functionality. Step onto the inviting front porch and enter a spacious foyer featuring engineered wood floors that flow
Jennifer FiglioHoward Hanna Real Estate Services - Lancaster
Rates are dropping, don't miss this opportunity. This remarkable Bent Creek home has been cherished by it's original owner since it was built in 2004. An exquisite Costello-build, this dream home offers over 7,400 sq ft of meticulously maintained living space, and is nestled in the most sought-after gated golf course community—Bent Creek. Every inch of this residence reflects thoughtful design
Nestled on a spacious corner lot just minutes from the charming dining and shopping of Downtown Lititz, this 4-bedroom, 2 full and 2 half bathroom home offers comfort, functionality, and style. Step inside to a welcoming foyer with a coat closet, leading to a bright living room and adjacent dining room accented with crown molding and an abundance of natural light. The kitchen features a center
Welcome to this refined 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom condo in Bent Creek’s Northfield II community, where thoughtful open-concept design and timeless details create an inviting atmosphere. Step through the front door into a dramatic foyer/dining room with a soaring two-story ceiling, adorned with double crown molding, a statement chandelier medallion, and abundant natural light. The adjacent living
Affordable Living in Twin Brook CommunityDiscover the potential of this 1993 single-wide mobile home featuring 2 bedrooms and 1 bath. The home is being sold as-is and offers a great opportunity for someone ready to make repairs and add their personal touch. Conveniently located in the Twin Brook community, residents enjoy easy access to local farm produce stands, the nearby community park,
Located on a pristine bluff above the rolling fields of Lancaster County is a classically elegant neighborhood the likes of which has not been seen before in Central PA. The Highlands at Warwick is designed to offer every feature you desire in a tranquil, yet convenient setting. The Highlands conveys the sense of living in a custom-designed home without the long-term commitment or headaches of
Completely remodeled first floor unit. Open floor plan w/1 bed, 1 fb, new windows, flooring, and paint throughout. Washer/Dryer included. Water/Sewer/Trash included. 2 blocks from downtown Lititz.
Phase-two of the Wilbur Chocolate Factory redevelopment is Lititzs newest downtown residential community; the Apartments at Lititz Springs. Overlooking Lititz Springs Park, were just a short stroll from the Market at the Wilbur, Blackworth Live Fire Grill, The Wilbur Lititz Hotel, walking and biking paths, and the Lititz recCenter. Our expertly designed studio, one, two and three-bedroom
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
