Story Ideas

Your Story Begins in York County, PA!

To inspire your next travel writing adventure, we've pulled together a variety of innovative story ideas. From historical features to family fun, downtown excitement or a wine trail adventure, there are plenty of stories to be told in York County!

A single one-sheeter for story inspiration just wasn't enough, so we made two! Click here or here for PDFs of buzzworthy York County, PA content. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, YORK COUNTY

Step back in time with York County as we celebrate our 275th birthday in 2024. Walk the historic squares where the Second Continental Congress adopted our Nation's first constitution and drafted the Articles of Confederation. On August 19, 1749, the County of York was created as the fifth county of Pennsylvania, the first county west of the Susquehanna River.

HAVE IT MADE HERE
Meet our makers. The independent maker's spirit is alive and well in York County with a wide variety of local, independent businesses. From cutlery to charcuterie boards, furniture to fab fashion finds, York County invites you to put away your laptop and shop outside the box.

AMERICA'S CAPITAL CITY 
Long before modern factories roared to life, the United States itself was made here in one of America's first capitals -- York, PA. Founded in 1741, York soon hosted a Continental Congress on the run from British troops and it was here in 1777 the Founding Fathers ratified the Articles of Confederation forming the "United States of America." Downtown's Colonial Complex is dedicated to this era of York's rich history, which goes on to include roles in the Civil War, Industrial Revolution, World War II, and the American artisanship resurgence seen today at the city's Sunrise Soap Company.

GOOD LIBATIONS TRAILS

The Mason-Dixon Wine Trail is the Mid-Atlantic's Premier Year-Round Wine Destination and has been joined more recently by the Susquehanna Ale Trail and Keystone Craft Spirits Trail, forming the Good Libations Trails, complete with a year-round digital passport program for visitors. Meet passionate beverage makers dedicated to crafting the finest libations as you try some of the most unique and delicious libations around. 

NORTHERN CENTRAL RAILWAY

York County is also home to three historical railroads including the Northern Central Railway of York, where visitors can watch history come to life while riding along the same route that carried Abraham Lincoln from our Nation's capital to deliver the Gettysburg Address. 

EXPLORE PA'S TOP-RANKED TRAIL -- THE YORK COUNTY HERITAGE RAIL TRAIL
Looking for the next great outdoor getaway adventure? Come and bike PA's 2015 Trail of the Year, the York County Heritage Rail Trail, stretching from the Mason-Dixon Line (or farther south if combined with Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail) to historic Downtown York and north to Rudy Park. Discover a boutique winery, working Civil War-replica locomotive attraction, the iconic Howard Tunnel and more along the way.

SUSQUEHANNA RIVERLANDS -- MID-ATLANTIC WILDERNESS OASIS
The Lower Susquehanna River Region is home to one of the most picturesque-yet-accessible paddling venues in America. Just north of the Interstate 95 corridor and the Chesapeake Bay, a trip to this section of the Susquehanna quickly transports you to a wilderness oasis with seemingly endless, glassy flat water reflecting the images of bald eagles flying overhead and the lush green hues of tree-lined shores. Discover the Audubon Society-designated important bird area called the Conejohela Flats and petroglyphs created by our region's first inhabitants or lace up your boots for backcountry treks on nationally recognized trails.

RIVER DISCOVERY TOURS -- SUSQUEHANNA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

Set sail on the Susquehanna aboard the mahogany-planked, "Chief Uncas" from June through mid-October. Chief Uncas is a 111-year-old, fabulous electric yacht originally commissioned for the Anheuser-Busch beer magnate, Adolphus Busch in 1912, later to be purchased by the Susquehanna National Heritage Area. Along with the amazing standard tours, there are also themed tours and private sunset cruises available.

HEART OF HANOVER TRAILS

Walk the steps of history to learn about the Battle of Hanover and other compelling stories that unfolded in Hanover, in southwestern York County. Each storyboard was carefully created to feel history first-hand through others’ experiences through many eras, including the Civil War. Downtown Hanover is full of unique eats, exciting retail, and libations for all palettes.

HISTORIC AND ICONIC THEATERS 

The Eichelberger Building, a century-old landmark in Hanover, boasts a storied 95-year history in private and public education, initially established by Abdiel W. Eichelberger. Donated for public school use in 1900, it now serves as a commercial space housing professional offices and the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center, aligning with Captain Eichelberger's original vision for perpetual educational use. Additionally, the building holds a prestigious spot on the National Register of Historic Places. The Appell Center for the Performing Arts houses two historically significant theaters, the Strand Theatre built in 1925 and the Capitol Theatre built in 1906, each with its own unique architectural and cultural legacy. Following extensive renovations in 1980 and 1981, and a subsequent $18.1 million project in 2003, both theaters continue to thrive, with ongoing support from ticket sales and donors ensuring their preservation for future generations. The Pullo Center at Penn State York, inaugurated in August 2005, boasts a 1,016-seat theater with full-scale production capabilities, offering a diverse range of touring shows, concerts, and community events. Constructed through a combination of state funding, university resources, and local donations totaling $11.9 million, the facility provides an intimate theater experience with various seating options, state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, and ample backstage amenities for performers.