This Quaint Destination Full Of European Charm Is One Of Pennsylvania's Best Small Towns

To tell the story of the small town of Lititz, Pennsylvania, we actually have to travel back to 18th-century Germany. There lived the Moravians, the oldest denomination of Protestants. Led by a nobleman named Count Nicholas Ludwig Von Zizendorf, this group of believers fled religious persecution in 1756 for a new start in the New World. They named their small Pennsylvanian community Lititz, after a Bohemian castle back home.

Almost 270 years later, the town's history can be felt and seen everywhere, through well-preserved colonial buildings, charming storefronts, and a still-flourishing Moravian community. The town is about 1.5 hours west of Philadelphia, making it a great side trip from one of the country's oldest cities.

One of the most obvious reflections of the town's German roots is Sturgis Pretzel House. One of the country's first commercial pretzel bakeries, Sturgis opened in 1861. It would be a travesty to leave the town without trying one of their iconic twisted pastries, but why not go a step further and go on a pretzel-making tour? You can also tour the Wilbur Chocolate Factory, another community staple that's been open since 1895.

You can enjoy the outdoors at Lititz Springs Park, privately-owned by the Lititz Moravian Congregation, but open to the public. There, you can go on leisurely strolls around a water fountain, surrounded by flower gardens. Though if you really want to commune with nature, something truly special sits just six miles north of town: The Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania. Rescued wolves roam the 80-acre sanctuary, where you can go on guided tours and learn about these beautiful and mysterious creatures.

Staying in Lititz truly immerses you in the town's history. Its inns, bed and breakfasts, and hotels all tell a story. Lititz Springs Inn has operated as an inn since 1764, and each of its rooms and suites are suspended in time, with period decor. The Wilbur Lititz is a Hilton Tapestry Collection hotel, housed in the community's 19th-century chocolate factory. There's also The Alden House, an 1870s Federal-style home that's been open as a bed and breakfast since 1987. Alternatively, you could stay among local musicians at Hotel Rock Lititz, a modern hotel sitting next to a massive recording studio. Stays in the historic inns cost around $120 to $140, while nights at Hotel Rock Lititz are a bit pricier, going for $180 to $210.

Mornings can start with a cup of coffee from Cafe Arabella, followed by a hearty breakfast at Tomato Pie Cafe. Other fantastic local eateries are Brickerville House Restaurant (housed in a charming 1750s building), Bulls Head Public House (the local watering hole serving pub fare), and Knight and Day Diner (a more casual, but equally tasty option).

Exploring local shops is an activity in itself. You can find handmade wooden furniture at Cherry Acres, your next read at Aaron's Books, and all sorts of treasures at Bunyaad Marketplace. Whether you make a special visit, or it's just a pitstop on a Pennsylvania road trip, Lititz is a charming, historic town worth exploring.