This was a favorite stop when Ben would visit Madi on weekends and over breaks from school! Located in Madi's hometown of New Oxford :)
Want a little taste of Lancaster Amish markets? Just ten minutes away is a place Madi visited frequently for the Vietnamese food, artisan pizza, great coffee, smoothie bowls, and GF foods! Fun fact: Her first job was here, at the Stoney Point Farm market deli stand. (Bonus: there is a large Shady Maple shop in the Markets, with all your pastry and baked goods needs!!)
Being that both Madi and Ben love all things antiques, artsy, and history, antique stores were the most frequent place they went on dates. This is one of the largest collections of antique dealers in the state. Definitely worth a visit if you have an hour or two!
If you like pit beef & barbecue, this is the place to go. Owned by a relative of Madi’s, this small restaurant has never been a disappointment. Always great food, and they have outdoor seating as well as pickup! Approximately 5 minutes from Boyer Farm.
This was one of Madi's favorite coffee shops to go to over breaks from school. She stumbled upon it one day, exploring in town in Gettysburg. They have art (including pottery--mugs!) from local artists, as well as used books for sale, and their own print studios and wheels for ceramics. Run by artists, coffee is simple, but good, and payment is by donation to fund the artists' work! Great place to check out if you decide to stop by Gettysburg!
Another one of Madi’s coffee finds (noticing a trend here?) that just recently opened in downtown Hanover, PA, one of the only coffee shops in town! They are also one of the only coffee shops in the nearby area that offers not only specialty coffees but boba teas and unique pastries and foods, too! They are located in the bottom of the Hotel Hanover, so look for steps going down if you decide to check it out!
Run by a woman who started the company at 20 years old, Half Pint is one of the most successful ice cream stores in the area. They have new flavors almost weekly, and all recipes are created by the owners. Bonus: they have several dairy-free ice cream options, too (the coconut caramel is Madi’s favorite!)
Okay, this one is a no-brainer. But, don’t go to Madi for any Civil War facts...you’ll have to find them yourself! The Battlefield is beautiful to walk around in the fall, and if you’re really looking for a good experience, go to the Gettysburg Heritage Center (a past job of Madi’s!) and ask about the horseback and carriage tours!
Funny story, Madi had never actually been on the campus until 2021, but it was a beautiful walk, especially in the early evening. It would be even better with fall colors! Plus, it’s close to the circle, where tons of little shops, restaurants, and other things to check out are located!
This is yet another coffee shop that Madi and Ben visited a few times on dates while he was in the area on weekends. It’s cozy, has lots of great coffee/smoothie/food options, and is just a little bit quirky and artsy.
If you’ll be around Sunday morning and would like to attend a service, there are several options in Gettysburg, most of them in the original historic buildings from the time of the Civil War or shortly after. This one and Christ Lutheran are the biggest in Gettysburg.
Another option for Sunday morning services! Beautiful church right in the center of town.
An Episcopal/Anglican church that is beautiful even just to check out for its design!
A small, whimsical locally owned bookstore, this little haven is unassuming on the outside, but inside appears to have been set up in an old church building, given the soaring roof and other architectural designs. Ben and Madi were only here once, but have talked about going back. The drink options are limited, but there is a small balcony with seating and plenty of books to browse if you’re a book lover like Madi!
A local soap, oil, lotion, and almost anything else you need store! Owned by Madi's mom's friend, Rachel, this store was the first of its kind in the Hanover area several years ago and exploded into the business it is today. Everything is handmade and natural, and Rachel has even started a side ministry geared towards building community with women in the Hanover area. Really neat store for gifts, and you can check out the flower shop right next door that Olive Branch often partners with!
Ben and Madi went on one of the best picnic dates here one weekend fairly early on in their relationship, and it is a beloved hiking and camping location for Madi and her family and friends in the area. Check out the LaHo Trail if you want to get out in nature while you are in the area: it is a lowkey and beginner level hike that is more of a nature walk around part of the lake's border! You can rent kayaks or paddleboards if you'd like to get out on the water, as well!
Right beside Deja Brew Coffee Co., Dawg Gone Bees is a cute little shop that has almost any kind of honey or bee-based product you could ask for, even kits to start your own beehives! They also have their own mead products!
Alongside Deja Brew and Dawg Gone Bees, Redbud House is a branch off of a Gettysburg-based kitchenware and whimsical home decor. They have a lot of cute mugs, pot holders, and other little trinkets to browse!
Though we haven't been here yet, this shop is the face of a PA-based winery, and has intrigued us since it opened a few years ago. If you decide to go for a tasting, it sits on the New Oxford Square opposite Deja Brew, beside the post office! Let us know what you think!
If you're looking for a higher end dinner to experience the best of what the area has to offer, C&D is highly recommended by everyone we know who has been there. Additionally, they have The Rocks Lounge open until 1 am Friday and Saturday nights!
One of the oldest operating pubs and taverns in the area, the Altland House is another classy place to get dinner and a drink. Owned by friends of Maya (Madi's sister), they serve delicious food in a really neat lowkey, historic setting! Plus: they are a mere 3-4 minutes from the ceremony venue, on the Abbottstown square!