A Summer Day in Ephrata, PA!

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A Summer Day in Ephrata, PA!

Posted on July 20, 2021 by Lisa Willwerth

You don’t have to drive far to find some summer fun! Here are five suggestions for a superb summer day in Ephrata!

Summer is the ideal time of year to explore new places—even those right in your hometown! With all of its outdoor spaces, historical landmarks, and unique businesses, Ephrata offers a wide variety of fun activities to choose from. Here are five suggestions for the ultimate summer day in Ephrata, PA.

1. Go for a Bike Ride

Whether you prefer leisurely trail rides or more intense terrain, Ephrata has plenty of biking options for riders of all ages, skill levels, and preferences. At 7.5 miles long, the Warwick-to-Ephrata Rail Trail (WERT) is an excellent place to go for an easygoing bike ride on a nice day. However, if you prefer mountain biking, we suggest visiting Ephrata Bike Park at Heatherwood. This public bike park contains a balance bike learning center for young riders, a pump track, three skills areas, dirt jumps, two bridges, and 1.5 miles of beginner and advanced trails—perfect for both experienced and novice mountain bikers.

Don’t have a bike? No problem! The Ephrata Bike Share, located next to the WERT parking lot at Fulton Street and Railroad Avenue, offers rental bikes for an affordable fee (2-hour and 4-hour share times are offered for $9.99 and $14.99, respectively). For those interested in purchasing one of their own, though, we suggest checking out the selection at Green Mountain Cyclery.

Image courtesy of Ephrata Community Pool

2. Enjoy the Great Outdoors at Grater Park

Thomas P. Grater Community Park is a great spot to spend time with friends and family on a summer day. This well-maintained park features 19 acres of athletic fields, play structures, walking trails, and picnic areas. There’s also a sand volleyball court, skatepark, and wetland area where you can fish in Middle Creek.

Grater Park is also home to Ephrata Community Swimming Pool! With a toddler area, flume slides, climbing walls, and an intermediate/competition pool, it’s the perfect place for people of all ages to cool off on a hot day. You can find more information about membership fees and daily admission rates on their website.

3. Immerse Yourself in Some Local History

Ephrata is incredibly proud of its history and heritage. If you’d like to learn more about the people who had an integral role in shaping our community, then we suggest taking the time to visit some local museums—especially The Historic Ephrata Cloister.

Originally established in 1732 as a small, monastic settlement by Conrad Beissel, The Ephrata Cloister became a thriving community of hard-working men and women who sought a spiritual union with God. Today, the Cloister survives as a national historic landmark that offers both guided, self-guided, and virtual tours of the remaining buildings and land.

Other great places to learn more about Ephrata’s local history include the Eicher Indian Museum at Eicher Arts Center and the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley.

Image courtesy of St. Boniface Craft Brewing Co.

4. Sample the Local Libations

Do you enjoy sampling locally crafted beer and wine? Then you’re in the right place! Ephrata has quite a selection. St. Boniface Craft Brewing Company, Black Forest Brewery, and Pour Man’s Brewing Company all offer a variety of fresh, unique beers that are all brewed on-site. As each brewery has a distinct style, we highly recommend visiting them all at some point this summer.

As for wine-lovers, we suggest heading to Weathered Vineyards Ephrata Wine Bar & Tasting Room! Visit between 5-8 pm on Friday or Saturday evenings during the summer months to enjoy live music in their stunning courtyard.

5. Explore Downtown Ephrata

From specialty shops and eateries to family-friendly attractions, there’s something for everyone in Downtown Ephrata! Here are a few things that you might want to do while you’re in town:

With an abundance of recreational spaces and a vibrant business community, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in Ephrata this season! While you’re out enjoying the area, don’t forget to take photos and post them using #EphrataLocal! We love to see folks exploring and supporting our beautiful Borough.