From Ronks, Lancaster Central Market makes a downtown outing centered on local food and goods: it’s a public market at 23 North Market Street in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Scottish Inns is a Ronks base for exploring the area.
- Address: 23 North Market Street, Lancaster, PA 17603.
- Regular market days: Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.
- Regular hours: 6 a.m.–3 p.m.
- The market describes itself as America’s oldest continuously operated public market.
What to expect at Lancaster Central Market
Lancaster Central Market is a public market with a long history and a Market House that dates to 1889. The market says it was established in 1730 and describes its operation as continuous since then.
The market is in the city at 23 North Market Street. Its vendors and food offerings span several categories, so you can browse the market as a mix of prepared food, groceries, and locally made goods rather than a single-type market.
Market days and opening hours
Lancaster Central Market is open year-round.
Opening hours
- Tuesday, Friday and Saturday: 6 AM–3 PM
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Holiday weeks can follow special schedules or include closures. Before a holiday visit, check the official site before you go; the market website posts its holiday-hours notices.
The market also holds recurring events: its Strawberry Festival takes place on the second weekend in June, and its Harvest Breakfast is held on the first Saturday in October.
Food, vendors, and local products
The market says more than 65 local vendors operate in the Market House. Its directory groups offerings into baked goods; meat, poultry, and seafood; produce; ready-to-eat food; flowers; home and wellness; and specialty grocery.
Other offerings include dairy, coffee and tea, sweets, local crafts and collectibles, ethnic foods, pastries, ice cream, chocolates, soup, sandwiches, and salads. That range makes it possible to combine grocery browsing with a meal or snack while you’re there.
How do you get from Ronks to Lancaster Central Market?
The market is at 23 North Market Street in Lancaster. From Scottish Inns Ronks, it’s about a 7-minute drive; use the market address for navigation and plan to find parking nearby.
If your Lancaster County plans also include an Amish Farm and House visit or Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, treat those as separate stops rather than assuming they are part of the market area.
Parking and planning your visit
Several garages and a parking lot serve the area around Lancaster Central Market. The market identifies Hager Parking Lot as the closest option; it is at 40 North Market Street.
- Prince Street Garage: 111 North Prince Street.
- Central Garage: 43 South Prince Street.
- Penn Square Garage: 25 East Vine Street.
- East King Garage: 150 East King Street.
- Hager Parking Lot: 40 North Market Street.
Nearby parking lots and garages offer accessible parking. The market identifies the Hager parking lots, entered from Prince Street, as the closest accessible parking. Inside, the aisles are wide, all standholders are on the main floor, and an elevator serves the mezzanine.
Accessible restrooms are on the main floor in the southeast corner. Doors 1 and 2, also in the southeast corner, are step-free entrances with automatic doors.
FAQs
Is Lancaster Central Market open year-round?
Open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Yes. The City of Lancaster describes it as open year-round.
What kinds of food can you find at the market?
Offerings include produce, baked goods, meat, poultry and seafood, ready-to-eat food, specialty groceries, and prepared items such as soup, sandwiches, and salads.
Where is the closest parking?
The market identifies Hager Parking Lot at 40 North Market Street as the closest parking option. It also names the Hager parking lots, entered from Prince Street, as the closest accessible parking.