17 Things to Do Near Lewistown, PA & in the Surrounding Area

Sharing is caring!

If you’re looking for the best things to do near Lewistown, PA, then you’re in the right place! I recently returned from visiting Mifflin and Juniata Counties and got to experience so many fun things to do in this area.

Lewistown is located in the heart of Mifflin County but very close to the Juniata County line and both are well worth a visit.

Downtown Lewistown itself is incredibly cute but the valleys that surround it are full of great hikes and beautiful farmland. Big Valley is one of the best places in PA to experience Amish culture and the mountain ridges provide great hikes to beautiful vistas.

Fun wineries, race tracks, and covered bridges are just a few other things nearby that you can visit. Just note that you’ll want to be prepared to drive 30 – 45 minutes for some of these spots.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through this link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for keeping Stuck On The Go going! I was hosted by the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau for my time here. All opinions are my own.

17 Things to Do Near Lewistown, PA

This list contains a few things to do in Lewistown itself as well as plenty of suggestions for the surrounding area. There are many fun things to do in Mifflin County as well as Juniata County!

1. Explore Downtown Lewistown

Lewistown has an adorable downtown area with a few neat shops and good restaurants. Grab a cup of coffee at East End Coffee to enjoy while you walk around town.

Then head over to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the traffic circle where you can see a stone from President Lincoln’s tomb in the base of the monument. This is because during the civil war, men from Lewistown were the first recruits to respond to President Lincoln’s call.

If you love public art, then look over on the side of KC’s Gifts, Jewelry, and Awards to see the History of the Theater mural painted on the side of the building facing the traffic circle.

Next, head over to the Crooked Shelf Bookshop where you can browse the shelves and hopefully pick out a book or two.

2. Shop the Belleville Sale on Wednesdays

If you are looking for a unique experience, then make sure you are in Big Valley, PA by Wednesday morning. At the Belleville Livestock Market, you can find outdoor vendors, a flea market, auctions, and a few different food options.

The Sale typically starts at 7 am and will run until around 11 am especially if it’s hot outside. The earlier you get here, the less crowded it will be. I arrived around 7:30 and there were barely any cars but by 9:30 the lot was full.

The vendors are selling items like produce, plants, baked goods, handmade crafts, and so much more. When I visited, it was a cool and rainy day so sadly there weren’t as many vendors as normal. There was still plenty to choose from though!

If you’re hungry, then check out the Hayloft Restaurant that’s located up the stairs in the large building with a cow on top. They have breakfast sandwiches or hearty plates of potatoes, eggs, meat, or pancakes.

You can also find a food truck outside and another restaurant in the building where they hold the produce auction which happens in the mornings. The Livestock Auction is in the afternoon.

Many of the Amish attend the sale or are vendors here but there are plenty of people who come that aren’t in the Amish community.

3. Go Kayaking on the Juniata River

If you are a kayaker, then you have plenty of options here in Mifflin or Juniata County. The Juniata River is one of the most popular kayaking spots since it’s wide and calm.

I was able to tag along on a kayaking trip down Tuscarora Creek since the water levels were high enough but I wouldn’t recommend this one for beginners. There were multiple obstacles to paddle around and rocky places to avoid.

We did spot some wildlife though which is always fun! We saw many ducks with ducklings, other birds, and a few turtles.

If this is one of the things to do near Lewistown you have on your list, then make sure you check out the Waterways Guide by Juniata River Valley and know the best places to put in and take out.

You’ll also want to double-check PA laws to make sure you have the proper equipment.

Don’t have your own kayak? Check out Countryside Harness and Outdoors in Belleville or River Valley Hardware in McVeytown for rentals. Just note that you’ll have to pick it up and haul it yourself.

For full shuttle service or a guided float, contact Appalachian Kayak. They leave from Buttonwood Campground which makes it convenient for campers.

4. Hike to Stone Mountain Hawk Watch

This is a neat hike that’s very short but incredibly rewarding. There is a rock field that you have to walk across though so even though the hike is short, you’ll need a bit of balance/sure footing.

You’ll find a gravel parking area at these coordinates and the road up to the pull off is gravel as well. The hike follows part of the Standing Stone Trail for 0.3 miles until you reach the platform.

There is a sign on the right of the trail labeled “Hawk Watch” and you just have to walk up some rocks to reach the platform. It’s used to monitor hawk migrations in the fall and volunteers use the platform to count them.

You get some amazing views of Big Valley from the top and it’s truly stunning at sunrise. The weather can be a bit colder up here than it is in the valley so keep that in mind.

Once you’re done enjoying the view, you can either continue down the trail another 0.4 miles to Sausser’s Stone Pile or head back to your car. I wasn’t able to continue down the trail because it actually started sleeting on me the afternoon I hiked up to the Hawk Watch!

5. Get Some Photos at the Stone Arch Bridge

The Stone Arch Bridge is a spot to take cute photos or have a picnic. If you’re looking for an easy spot to get to in Lewistown to enjoy the outdoors, then this is it.

This beautifully restored bridge spans Jacks Creek and was constructed in 1813 as part of the turnpike from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh.

There is a small park along the banks of the river where you can enjoy a picnic or just take in the scenery. It’s the perfect stop for anyone who loves historic structures and bridges!

6. Grab a Drink on the Juniata River Valley Wine Trail

There are five different wineries near Lewistown that make up the Juniata River Valley Wine Trail. You can grab a free passport and get it stamped at each one when you make a purchase then when you go back to each place you’ll get a free gift!

Brookmere Winery is one of the oldest wineries in the state of PA and will be celebrating 43 years in July 2026. They have a balanced selection of dry vs sweet wines and also offer PA beer and slushies. My personal favorite was the Valley Mist.

Hungry Run Wine Bar & Bistro is a full-service restaurant with a fantastic wine selection. Their Cabernet Sauvignon was delicious and I got to try their most popular appetizer – the Trio Dip. This came with housemade tortilla chips and three different dips to try.

Hawstone Hollow Winery was a fun stop where they have mostly semi-sweet or sweet wines and they also have sweet fruit wines. They do offer some dry wine options if that’s more your style. They also have slushies and PA beer here.

Juniata Valley Winery is a gorgeous property where the tasting room is in a historic house. I was so busy gawking at the exterior, I tried to go in the wrong door! They also have a great balance of dry vs sweet wines and offer beer and slushies as well.

Burnt Timbers Winery is located on a 3rd generation farm and has a cozy tasting room and cute outdoor seating. You’ll find more sweet wine options here but they also have a few dry wine options as well. They typically have slushies too!

7. Visit Shy Bear Brewing

I love a good local brewery and Shy Bear was super fun to visit. Let’s start with the beer – I loved their hazy IPA, Jaybird, and the Vanilla Porter, Flower Pants.

Someone recently told me that IPA drinkers don’t typically like stouts/porters so I guess I’m an odd person. I like most types of beers (except sours) it’s very dependent on the brewery to which beer is my favorite. Except for hazy IPAs – I typically like those everywhere.

They also have a full-service restaurant with a menu that changes seasonally. I had the quesabirria tacos that were very good and they brought out an amazing caramel & apple bread pudding dessert for me to try.

Shy Bear also has many opportunities to see live music and an awesome outdoor patio that would be one of the best hangout spots in good weather. Sadly, when I visited it was rainy. Definitely check out their event calendar!

8. Enjoy Reeds Gap State Park or Greenwood Furnace State Park

While Reeds Gap doesn’t offer any stunning vistas, you will find an easy hike through a serene setting along Honey Creek. The beautiful wooded setting is the perfect place for a picnic or just finding some seclusion.

The park also connects to the Mid State Trail so if you’re a backpacker, you can plan a stopover in the park. It can get muddy after big rains, so make sure to bring your waterproof shoes!

There are no RV sites at this park. It’s just 14 tent-only campsites available.

The other great state park in the area is Greenwood Furnace. Here you can take a self-guided historical tour, visit their blacksmith shop, check out the lake, and go camping.

One of the most popular trails here is the hike up to Stone Valley Vista via the Standing Stone Trail. You can either make a 5 mile loop or go up to the vista then come back down the same way. Maps are available at the park office.

The campground at Greenwood Furnace is larger and accommodates RVs as well as tent campers.

9. Try Your Hand at Fly Fishing

While fly fishing is more technical than fishing on a regular spinning rod, I think it makes it a bit more rewarding.

If you’re just getting started with fly fishing, it’s best to hire a guide who is familiar with the area. I went with Nick from River Valley Fly Fishing and he provided great guidance and took me out to Cocolamus Creek and the Juniata River.

This was my second time fly fishing and I caught a Rainbow Trout and two Smallmouth Bass which was absolutely awesome!

If you’re hesitant about trying fly fishing because you’ve heard how difficult it is, I really encourage you to give it a try. Like anything, it just takes a little practice to get good at it.

10. Watch a Race at the Port Royal Speedway

One of the most popular things to do near Lewistown, PA is to visit the Port Royal Speedway for the races. The track is only 25 minutes from downtown Lewistown and it really makes for a fun night out.

Tickets will get you access to both the grandstands and the infield, so you can choose where you would like to sit.

If you prefer the infield, then you’ll want to bring a lawn chair as they don’t have bleachers out there. It was my personal favorite spot though. You can also stand by the fence if you don’t have a lawn chair.

If you are a big racing fan then absolutely get pit tickets so you can be up close and personal with all the action. It’s only about $10 extra for pit access depending on what races are happening.

I picked up some pizza from the infield concession stand and it was actually pretty good. I watched them making the dough fresh as I was in line.

11. Treat Yourself at Reedsville Creamery Ice Cream Stand

At Reedsville Creamery Ice Cream Stand, you can treat yourself to a delicious cone or cup of ice cream and they give HUGE scoops. I was a big fan. 😁

From the classic Chocolate and Vanilla to more unique offerings like Biscoff Cookie Butter and Strawberry Cheesecake, any ice cream lover will be pleased.

I couldn’t decide between the Biscoff Cookie Butter or Strawberry Cheesecake so I got two scoops and tried both. They were both delicious but I think the Biscoff won out for me.

In addition to ice cream, they also have food items like burgers, hot dogs, and fries that looked pretty good too.

12. Visit the Unique Shops in Big Valley

My mom loves visiting general stores so I was so sad that she wasn’t able to come with me! There are some great general stores here like Whitehall and Hostetler’s where you can find Amish goods, groceries, and sandwich counters.

Whitehall General Store is over 200 years old and in the back, you’ll find a sandwich counter serving up some of the best hoagies around. Pick up a bag of chips and drink from the coolers and you’ve got the perfect meal to-go. They have Hershey’s Ice Cream here too.

At Hostetler’s General Store, you’ll find lots of grocery items and they serve breakfast sandwiches in addition to sandwiches at lunch. You can also get great coffee drinks here – I had the mocha – and Reedsville Creamery Ice Cream.

I tried the ham & cheese hoagie from Whitehall and a sausage egg & cheese from Hostetler’s and both were fantastic.

Pro Tip: Make sure you pick up a whoopie pie (or a few) at one of these general stores!!!

The Wood Lathe Shop is a unique shop in the area run by an Amish family and they make the most beautiful items out of wood. Furniture, bowls, rolling pins, clocks, so many different options!

The address is 70 Rolling Hill Lane and it will look like you are going to someone’s house. Once you veer right onto Rolling Hill Lane, look for a gravel driveway on the right and a small sign that says Wood Lathe Shop. Then just follow the signs back to the workshop!

Make sure you bring cash or a checkbook because they don’t accept credit cards.

Gritwell is another awesome store that’s located in downtown Reedsville and it was an absolute miracle I walked out of there without buying anything.

They make leather goods and sell purses, wallets, passport covers, and so much more. They also have T-shirts, soap, coffee, and even drinkware.

13. Challenge Yourself with the Thousand Steps Hike

The Thousand Steps Hike is one of the most popular hikes in the area but it’s a tough one! Parking is located right on the side of Highway 22 so do be careful when pulling in or out.

There is 843 ft of elevation gain in the first 0.5 mile of the trail so if you aren’t an avid hiker you’ll want to take it easy. I hike relatively often (usually once or twice a month) and had to take multiple breaks on the way up.

There are plenty of rocks you can sit on to rest though you may have to move for people coming up or down.

Once at the top, many people walk out to the right to see the East Viewpoint. If this is the route you take, the trail will be 1.5 miles long. You can also go left to check out Dinky Shed.

I hoped going down would be easier than coming back up but that wasn’t the case for me. My legs were like jello by the end and my calves were sore for days! The views at the top are truly worth it though.

As you are walking along the trail on top of the ridge, you can see the town of Mapleton between the two mountain ridges. It really is stunning!

14. Take a Buggy Ride with Dayze Gone Bye Carriage Rides

Taking a ride with Dayze Gone Bye Carriage Rides was one of the coolest things I did while in the area as it gives an interesting peek at this part of Amish life. I also got to learn all about the surrounding Amish and Mennonite communities.

Like the fact that there are three different types of Amish that live in Big Valley and this is the only place that you’ll see yellow buggies.

Typically you would ride in an open carriage but since the weather was rainy, we got to go in an enclosed Amish buggy. This is an amazing way to see the backroads of Big Valley and enjoy the gorgeous surrounding farms.

Weather depending, you could make a stop at one of the local farms or an Amish store but with the rain, we stayed in the buggy.

The owners are so friendly and knowledgeable about the local area so they are great resources for additional things to do nearby. They also have a vacation rental available.

15. See Pomeroy-Academia Covered Bridge

If you’re always on the lookout for roadside attractions, then you’ll love this. Spanning 278′ and 4″ across Tuscarora Creek, this is the longest remaining covered bridge in the state.

Originally constructed in 1902, the bridge underwent major renovations in 2009 and is now open to pedestrians only.

It can be a bit confusing to get there but if you follow your GPS, you can either turn on Mill Road or Covered Bridge Road and both will take you to the bridge.

If you turn on Covered Bridge Road, there is more of a parking area. On Mill Road, you just pull off to the side of the road to park. There is very little traffic in the area though.

I didn’t have cell phone service here so you may want to download maps of the area as a precaution. This is a great photo spot and a fun part of PA history.

16. Visit LoveTwo Farm

Supporting local farmers, petting cute animals, and enjoying beautiful scenery? Sign me up!

This is one of the farthest things on the list from Lewistown but it’s still only 40 minutes from town. Here you’ll find a farm store and plenty of animals to keep you busy for a few hours – especially if you have kids!

A few of the animals that you can see and pet are miniature donkeys, a Mini Scottish Highlander, zonkey, zebu, and water buffalo. My favorite was Long John Silver – one of the mini donkeys – but most people’s favorite is the Mini Scottish Highlander.

If you hit it at the right time, then you can go on a tour of the farm with one of the farmhands and get a behind the scenes look at things.

Daniel, the farm owner, was able to show me around and it’s evident how much he cares for the animals, the land, and his community. He is the 4th generation that’s run this farm and he’s been a great steward of his resources.

The farm store is where you can purchase meats from LoveTwo Farm as well as other products from local farmers. I hope by now you realize how important it is to shop local and support our hard working farmers!

The small farmers are the ones typically using sustainable agricultural practices and they are putting the money right back into our local economy.

17. Eat at Local Restaurants

There are so many great restaurants in Lewistown and the surrounding area! I was seriously impressed with some of the food I got here.

I had East End Coffee for breakfast in downtown Lewistown and their breakfast tacos hit the spot. Hungry Run Wine Bar & Bistro and Shy Bear Brewing are also great spots to try.

Wingman Brew n Que is a fun spot with a nice deck that is known for their wings and owned by the same people who recently opened Iron Ridge Brewing next door.

A couple other places that were absolutely amazing and within 15 minutes of Lewistown were Stonefly Cafe in Reedsville and Guante Family Restaurant in Mifflintown. Stonefly is known for their burgers and Guante Family Restaurant serves up fresh Latino foods.

Bonus: Attend Goose Day Events

This is a bonus since you can’t experience it any time of year – only on September 29th!

It’s a pretty big deal in the Juniata River Valley as it started back in the 1700s. No, that is not a typo.

The legend goes that if you eat goose on September 29th, you won’t want for money all year.

Many restaurants in the area add goose dishes to their menu and for 2026, you can attend all kinds of events the weekend of September 26th – 29th. They release the event list on September 1st.

Where to Stay Near Lewistown, PA

If you’re looking for unique accommodations, then the Juniata River Valley absolutely delivers. There are tons of cool lodging options from Airbnbs to traditional Bed & Breakfasts to campgrounds.

Airydale Retreat

Airydale Retreat located in Big Valley is the perfect place for a glamping getaway. Home to two glamping domes, two canvas tents for couples, and two for larger families, it offers visitors the comforts of home in a beautiful natural setting.

I stayed in one of the domes and had a mini kitchenette, pellet stove (air conditioning for warm weather), and full bathroom inside, so you can relax in complete comfort while still enjoying the outdoors.

Each site also has its own fire pit which would make for the perfect romantic evening. Airydale is about 30 minutes outside of Lewistown and also close to Huntingdon or Mt Union.

Airbnbs in Lewistown

There are a few Airbnbs in Lewistown itself, The Lewistown House and Jacks Creek Cottage.

The Lewistown House is located downtown and while it is an older home, it has all the amenities you might need and a fantastic host. Rated 4.89 out of 5 on Airbnb.

Jacks Creek Cottage is an adorable cottage just outside of downtown along the banks of the creek. Rated 4.94 out of 5 on Airbnb.

Briar Rose Bed & Breakfast

One of the closest bed & breakfasts to Lewistown is Briar Rose Bed & Breakfast. This cozy home, built in 1887, is always beautifully decorated for each season and holiday, which gives it lots of charm.

The homemade breakfast is delicious and large enough to keep you full until lunch. There’s even a nice backyard patio with tables where guests can relax for a peaceful evening.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites

If hotels are more your speed then check out the Holiday Inn Express & Suites just 10 minutes up the road in Reedsville. It’s located right off of Highway 322 which makes it extremely convenient to anything in the Juniata River Valley.

Here you’ll have complimentary breakfast, WiFi, and parking and they also have an indoor heated pool.

✅ Check availability here. ✅

FAQs on Things to Do in Lewistown, PA

What is the history of Lewistown, PA?

Located right along the Juniata River, Lewistown, PA has a long history. It was first settled in 1790, when the first buildings were constructed on the site of a Shawnee Indian Village.

In 1795, Lewistown was officially incorporated and has been an important part of local history ever since.

During the early 1800s, it was a major stop along the Pennsylvania Canal System, which connected Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. The major industry here and in the surrounding area is manufacturing.

Another fun historical fact – Lewistown was home to the first troops to answer Lincoln’s call at the start of the Civil War.

What is Mifflin County known for?

Mifflin County is well-known for Big Valley, one of the largest plain communities in the state where you’ll find Amish and Mennonite groups. In addition to agriculture, it’s known for manufacturing facilities, especially for textiles.

Who is Mifflin County named after?

Mifflin County is named after Thomas Mifflin who was the first governor of Pennsylvania. The county was founded in 1789.

Wrap Up: Things to Do in Mifflin County & Juniata County

As you can see, there are tons of things to do in Lewistown, PA and the surrounding area. If you love the outdoors and want to experience rural living then this is definitely the perfect place for you to visit.

The nearby state forests and state parks are ideal for hiking, while the waterways are perfect for kayaking and fishing. Explore Amish country and take a step back to simpler times.

There are so many things to do here if you know where to look!