I showed you my indoor Christmas decorations, so I figured next I should post about the beautiful details around the city!
Today, Jake and I went out for a last minute gift and ended up stopping for a quick lunch at the Lancaster Dispensing Company. Due to a fire last year, The Dispensing Co has been closed the entire time we lived here in Lancaster. It reopened in October of this year, so we were excited to finally try it out!
Many restaurants around this time of year are decorated to feel cozy and festive and The Dispensing Co definitely achieved a wonderful Christmasy atmosphere without being too over the top or fancy.
Jake and I sat in front of a beautiful big Christmas tree and enjoyed The Monte Cristo and a New England Sandwich. He had a side of macaroni salad and I had fresh fruit. I have to say, it was good but the price was incredible!
Our lunch was so affordable that I am kicking myself for not trying something from the drink menu. There are a bunch of options for alcoholic coffee drinks, martinis, and cocktails (seasonal flavors too.) They also have a variety of beer and wine.
The atmosphere was so delightful and relaxing, perfect before a few days packed full of Christmas events.
After Christmas shopping and eating, we got to explore downtown for a little bit.
The best section of Lancaster City around this time of year has got to be Penn Square in the evening. Not only are all of the shops and restaurants situated around this part of the city, the city decorates Penn Square in amazing lights.
Every year, Lancaster City has a tree lighting much like a teeny tiny version of Rockefeller (lol) and Santa comes to visit. Central market stays open and the Mariott at Penn Square is the place for attendees to take pictures with Santa.
All of this happens at the end of November, but it is the beginning of a whole month of Christmas cheer lighting up the streets.
Another cute Christmasy spot in Lancaster is that little area on Prince Street that usually acts as a little beer garden and taco spot. In place of the airstream and the seating are little shops inside wooden sheds. This is the first time I've seen this holiday market, but I really hope they do it again. Tiny shops full of homemade goods surrounding a camp fire... seriously how cute can it get?!
Gallery Row on Prince Street, the main attraction for First Fridays, also has some ornate Christmas decorations lining the streets. The nearly-life-sized nutcrackers and Christmasy artwork in the gallery windows make an evening walk so whimsical and festive.
Walking around the city during the holidays always makes me feel so grateful to live in such a happening place. Every shop and house is decorated in its own way, which makes it really feel like a community.
Since moving to Lancaster, I don't think I've ever celebrated this much for the holidays. The festivities every evening and weekend, the seasonal food and drink, and the general holiday cheer sprinkled around the city really makes you feel like you've made the most of Christmas time!
I hope you liked the Christmasy pictures of my little city.
Tomorrow is Christmas eve!!! Jake and I will be celebrating tomorrow with his family and I can't wait!
-KB