Each Wednesday throughout National Ice Cream Month, we’ll take a closer look at a part of our home, Lancaster County. This week’s “Taste of Lancaster County” entry is about a small but lively little town called Lititz. Each Wednesday, we’ll also give away a Lancaster County prize to one commenter chosen at random. Good luck!
Lititz is a serene town nestled in the heart of Lancaster County farmland. Founded in 1756, Lititz is typical of many of the small, close-knit towns found throughout the County. Walking downtown, the smell of chocolate and fresh-baked pretzels lingers in the air. Visitors marvel about the small town, whether they’re feeding the ducks on the natural springs located in the center of town, shopping in the many local stores, or gazing at the 18th century buildings.
The Wilbur Chocolate Factory is one of the main attractions in Lititz. (Thanks to Esywlkr over on Flickr for letting us use his Wilbur photo on the left.) The present company originated with Mr. Henry Oscar Wilbur, in Philadelphia, PA and the Kendig Chocolate Company, in Lititz, PA. Wilbur Chocolate Company is the product of over a century of making some of the finest chocolate around. People visit the plant and tour the museum located in the over 100-year-old factory, and each tour isn’t complete without a sample of the famous Wilbur Bud. Another delicious attraction in Lititz is the Sturgis Pretzel Factory, the oldest commercial pretzel bakery in the United States. The Sturgis Bakery has been making pretzels since 1850 and continues to make them to this day.
To celebrate Lititz and give you a taste of the best chocolate Lancaster County has to offer, this week’s prize will be a gift basket of Wilbur chocolates. If you can’t wait to try the treats for yourself, you can buy them on the Wilbur website. Enjoy!
Tags: candy, chocolate, ice cream, lititz, pretzel, sturgis, turkey hill, wilbur
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My grandparents lived not far from Lititz when I was young, so it was one of our stops when I spent the summer with them. It’s good to have a friend in Pennsylvania.
My father loves Turkey Hill…when it’s on sale he will buy enough to stick up the fridge. My mom often says “Bern that’s a bunch of ice cream” He tells her “It’s really only a few dishes”, as he has a dish every night before going to bed. Please keep up the holiday flavors as he looks forward to those…he says that you are the only guys who “make stuff that the others don’t”.
I always find it interesting to see old brick buildings with the company name painted on it for advertising. I don’t know why, but I find it appealing – somehow historic.
Oh Yum! What woman can’t live without chocolate?! It’s in every womans emergency kit. Men, if you want your wives happy, buy em chocolate! :O)
Sounds like a delicious county.
1. of all the small towns in Lancaster County, Lititz is one of the few i’ve not been too! now that you mention Wilbur and Sturgis, Lititz will move to the top of my ‘to do’ list for our next trek to Lanc.
2. to the right you have ice cream links, with the 1st one being about vegan. any chance Turkey Hill will produce a non-dairy (and vegan) ice cream? you could use soy or rice or almond or coconut milk.
Our family’s Nr. 1 chocolate choice is Wilbur Buds. Any time we’re in the Lancaster area, we stop in Lititz to buy them at the factory. We think they’re even better than Hershey Kisses!
If you haven’t been to Lititz, we definitely recommend a visit!
BARRY – We currently do not have plans to create non-dairy or vegan ice creams. That doesn’t mean we won’t consider it though. We’ll pass along your idea to our flavor development team for their next meeting. They keep a long list of customer suggestions!
I’m eating a chocolate Wilbur Bud right now.
Delicious with Turkey Hill Ice Cream, and how!
I agree that Wilbur buds are the best and you can’t go to Lititz without stopping at the factory story. Lucky for me I live just outside of Lititz so I can go there anytime. Of course it helps that Turkey Hill Dairy is in Lancaster County too, can’t live without ice cream.
Lancaster sounds like a great place to get the “sweet and salty” tastes I like! YUM!
Are these two companies partnered with your ice cream comany in any way? It would be nice to see you working with your neighbors. Thanks! (Also – a vanilla chocolate covered pretzel flavor suggestion!)
what is there not to like about turkey foot ice cream come on and it’s july but eating turkey foot ice cream year round
My family is from the area, yet they never mentioned either of these great attractions. I think I need to visit soon.
WE ARE COMING TO LANCASTER FOR VACATION THIS YEAR AND NOW I CANNOT WAIT TO ADD THESE PLACES TO OUR HAVE TO GO TO SPOTS
My Uncle’s family lives in Lititz. Whenever they come to a family function they’re in charge of bringing the Wilbur Buds!
WE ARE COMING TO LANCASTER IN AUGUST AND WILL DEFINETELY ADD THESE PLACES TO OUR LIST
The Wilbur Buds look delicious! Now I have a chocolate craving!
I always make a special trip to lititz.
just to stop and get those oh so delicious wilbur buds.
Grew up in PA and attended college in Lancaster. I now live in MA, but reading about the Lancaster area sure does make me miss the place! Fortunately, Turkey Hill ice cream and ice tea are both widely available here in New England. I feel nostalgic everytime I purchase a Turkey Hill product.
Love Lancaster County. The back roads are so beautiful. I have never made it to the town of Lititz but plan on stopping there on one of my next trips to Roots Market which is near there.
Never been to Lancaster, PA. Maybe one of these days
Whoo whoo chocolate factory. Nothing better to a chocoholic than chocolate. I enjoy a desert called “Death by Chocolate” I’d love to check this place out. I’ve been to Hershey’s Girabaldi’s and Cadbury in Ireland. I love everything chocolate.
Lots of factories in that little town!
Hey! Those are my Wilbur buds! Thanks for linking to my Flickr photo. And thank you Turkey Hill for expanding your presence into New England. While I was living there it was nice to have a taste of home at the grocery store especially when it was buy one get two free day at the Big Y! After 7 years away, we’re back in Lititz and can laugh at the “Imported from Lancaster County” markings on the containers again.
Chocolate and pretzels…heaven.
turkey hill!
Here in suburban Philly, I have heard of Sturgis pretzels…but Wilbur chocolates is new to me. I’m up for a taste test!
on a school trip with my daughter i had toured sturgis pretzel factory. as a chocoholic, i don’t know why i have never heard of wilbur chocolates. it has been added to the list of attractions to visit this august while on vacation at knoebels grove amusement park. using the grove as our base my family will be visiting several diverse attractions and lititz and the wilbur chocolate factory are at the top of our list. i can smell that chocolate now !
We have visited the sites mentioned in this article. We had a ball hand making pretzels! And enjoyed samples at the candy company! PA sure is a wonderful state to live in!!! We are so blessed!
personally i have never been their, my daughter is going to hersey in a few days will tell her about it. i would love to go hope some day i can.
I have been to Sturgis several times and made their pretzels-was introduced to Wilbur buds by my nephew who lives in Lancaster-they were favors at his sister’s bridal shower-have since taken their tour-I think they are better than Hershey’s kisses! they are also addictive!(as is your ice cream)-Lititz is a great town-isn’t there also an old railroad train museum nearby?
Have been to both factory’s and love each of the products almost as much as your ice cream. Will visit there soon this summer.
I grew up in Lancaster and lived in Rothsville before moving to the Washington DC area. I visit the Lancaster County area as much as possible and bring friends with me. I miss my home and get my homesick fix by buying Turkey Hill products. I love the ice cream with chocolate pretzles. It refreshes my memories of Lancaster County. Thank you Turkey Hill.
Oh my gosh, I haven’t had Wilbur Buds in years and I can remember what a treat they were. I actually didn’t know they were still making them, but I will be sure to look for them. Since the price of gas is so high , a trip to Lancaster County may be in the near future and I will be sure to visit the Wilbur Buds factory. You can’t go wrong with Sturgis Pretzels eihter, maybe that should be a new Turkey Hill Flavor Wilbur Buds and Sturgis Pretzel ice cream.
I have been to Sturgis, but will now have to visit Wilbur’s…but I really want to get to Turkey Hill, too!!
I am quite familiar with Sturgis pretzles, but not the Wilbur chocolates. Many of the stores and shops in Lancaster carry the Sturgis pretzles, but I don’t ever remember seeing or hearing anything about the Wilbur chocolates. How about a feature flavor…”Wilbur Box Of Chocolates”!!!
Years ago I visited the Lititz – would love to go again…especially for the craft fair…and the chocolate!
I use to lived in the area, so I have been to both places. Great places to visit. So if you are visiting Lancaster Co. this summer, a must see!
We love going to Lititz! My son-in-law brought us some Wilbur Buds last Spring. Never had them before and they were delicious! We’ve had our kids to Sturgis for pretzels many times since they were little….they are all grown up now! And in two weeks we’ve got company from Lititz coming to visit us – guess what we asked him to bring when he comes?!
My family visits Lancaster County every year, it has become our home away from home. We look for something new to do each year and havent run out of ideas yet. This year it will be Wilbur Chocolates for sure!
I have a friend who lived in Lititz and she always raved about what a wonderful town it was. I’ve personally never been there, but after reading your story, it sounds like someplace we’d really enjoy visiting. It’s always interesting to tour a factory & see how their products are made. A Turkey Hill tour would really be great!
Lancaster is a great place place to get turkey hill ice cream and its great to
On our last two visits to Lancaster County we visited the town of Lititz. It was interesting to visit Wilbur Chocolates and Sturgis Pretzel. I would highly recommend it to everyone. You even get to roll your own pretzel.
Check out the quaint shops in Lititz. There is so much to see in Lancaster County. Go for it.
We live close enough to drive (I actually went to college in Lancaster) but my mom and a friend spent a weekend at a bed and breakfast in Lititz – absolutely loved it!
Chocolate…pretzels….icecream…and shopping too. Lancaster County sounds like heaven to me!
Have only driven through Lititz, but will plan on stopping next time.
Any plans for a new flavor with chocolate icecream, Sturgis pretzels, Wilbur chocolate chunks and maybe some peanut butter to round it all off?
I live in York County but love Lancaster County. I shop there often and visit my daughter who lives there. I have visited Wilbur’s and Sturgis several times so it is really nice to read about the quaint town of Lititz.
Wilbur chocolates sound really good, I hope the winner really enjoys them…I am also going to check out the website…thanks for the information. Also, Turkey Hill Ice Cream and pretzels taste good together!!!!!!!!
For those of you who visit Roots market, one of the candy counters there sells the Wilbur buds. Enjoy!!!
Lancaster area sounds like a wonderful place.
Good Morning to all,
I never been their, but how far is it from Maryland? Can it be a day visited? As always Turkey Hill You bring something into everyone life each day. I love reading this blog everyday.I can se why you are #1 in the world in ice cream. God Bless
I have eaten Wilbur’s chocolate twice and loved it… They have a truly great recipe..
The Lancaster area is beautiful. I would love to live there. Have been there several times. The food is just wonderful.
I love taking my kids on factory tours so I’ll definitely add the chocolate factory to my list. But when will Turkey Hill start offering tours to the public. What could be more wonderful than a tour of an ice cream factory?
The Wilbur buds are awesome… I like giving them as stocking stuffers at Christmas because it’s something a lot of people have never had. Yum…
Litiz sounds like a “tasty” town. We had not heard of it before and will try to visit someday.
I’ve never heard of Wilbur Buds before but the chocolate sounds yummy. If I can get to Lancaster County or to Lititz I would love to visit and sample. It sounds so good..
Marilyn
We have been to Lititz several times. When our boys were young we visited both places while vacationing. These are easy on the budget and tasty and educational to boot.
In the 1950s, when we visited a favorite aunt outside of Philadelphia, she always had a dish of Wilbur Buds sitting on a living room table. When the visitors (us) spotted them, they didn’t last long, but there seemed to be an endless supply. They were great then and they still are!
Lititz is certainly the kind of town you can’t drive through without stopping. It provides a look at the way it used to be. And if you do stop you can partake of the chocolates, pretzels, and top it off with some Turkey Hill ice cream.
I’m from western Pa.and visited Lititz a number of times. I remember how excited our 4 year old son(now 17) was when he was able to twist and bake his own Sturgis pretzel.I wonder if they still let you twist your own. And being a chocoholic I definately stopped at Wilbur’s. The Buds are awesome.
I can’t stand it-chocolate, pretzels, and TH ICE CREAM. What a heavenly neighborhood.
My girls, ages 5 and 6, wake up each morning requesting TURKEY HILL ICE CREAM which I will only dole out in the afternoon when the sun is high and the temperatures rise…..oh, what a delicious treat it is!
I scream – you scream for Turkey Hill ice cream. Yum
I make regular visits to Lititz shoping for theold fashion goods i grew up with. You can’t imatate the real thing
It has been years since I visited Lititz. The place that stands out in my mind is Wilbur Chocolates and the delicious candy! Whenever I get to Lancaster County, I always look for Wilbur Buds. Dark Chocolate is my favorite!
sounds like an ideal place to live
I have a family of chocolate lovers and we’re all keeping our fingers crossed.
I’m afraid if I lived in Lititz I’d always be hungry. Smells do that to you.
Every year in November I visit Wilburs to buy 20 lbs. of chocolate to make my own and share with family and friends.
Oh, my! Who wouldn’t want to live in a town that smells like chocolate? I love sampling different kinds, but I never had Wilburs and would love to try it! Now I have a question…did Sturgis and Wilbur ever get together and make chocolate covered pretzels? MMMMM, sounds like a plan to me!
Oh what a town to live in..Yum!
My daughters are visiting in the area next week and I reminded them about the Stergis pretzle factory in Letitz and to try the chocolate covered peanut pretzles,but forgot about the Wilbur candy place. Thanks for the reminder.
>Susan C wrote July 10th, 2008 at 5:48 am:
>…Lititz is a great town-isn’t there also an old railroad train museum nearby?
the town of Strasburg, south of rt 30 in Lancaster County off rt 896 (Lititz is north of rt 30 off rt 501), is the train town, with the steam trains to Paradise, the PA rail museum, Toy Train museum, and Choo Choo Barn for kids, and maybe even more train related places to visit. we took the 45 minute round trip train to Paradise on 6/30 thru the farmland. go to http://www.strasburgrailroad.com/ for info and links to the area activities.
>Turkey Hill Team wrote July 9th, 2008 at 1:18 pm:
>BARRY – We currently do not have plans to create non-dairy or vegan ice creams. That doesn’t mean we won’t consider it though. We’ll pass along your idea to our flavor development team for their next meeting. They keep a long list of customer suggestions!
thank you. i switched to eating vegan in 10/07 and have since lost 20 pounds just by eliminating meat, eggs, dairy, and increasing fiber. but it also means no more ‘real’ ice cream
. but it doesn’t stop me from reading this blog and whacking the cow at http://www.turkeyhill.com/75/fun-and-games/pinata.asp ! today’s best = 6 swings.
we loved our visit to the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery many years ago. It was a Mr. Rogers show that inspired us to go there. He showed the bakery and how they made the pretzels, so when our kids were young, we gave them their own visit. Next time we visit
Lititz, I want to go to Wilbur’s Chocolate factory. Both chocolate and pretzels go so good with ice cream, now there is a great idea for a fun flavor.
Lititz is a neat old town and their chocolate and pretzels are the perfect things to go with TH ice cream. I love to use pretzels pieces as my spoon when the ice cream starts to soften.
Lititz is a great place and I have a neat tie in with it. I live in Winston-Salem, NC where my Moravian ancestors settled centuries ago. Salem began as a Moravian town just like Lititz. Most of those who settled the Moravian towns of Bethabara, Bethania, Friedberg, Salem, and Friedland in Forsyth County, NC came from Lancaster County. So, I guess that’s why I feel such a kinship with Lancaster. I always stop in at Wilbur Chocolate when I visit Lancaster.
I always loved visiting Lititz. My son really enjoys Wilbur and the Sturgis Pretzel House.
Lititz is one of my favorite Lancaster County towns. Wilbur chocolate is great- especially the chocolate covered raisins and marshmallows.
Lititz sounds like a town I would love to live in or near.
Lititz is a beautiful town with great architecture and wonderful chocolate.
I visited Lititz while working once and went to the Wilbur Factory. I also signed up for their newsletter. I have never been to the Pretzel Factory but look forward to going soon.
Let me tell you about how much I LOVE Lititz. There is a cute little B&B “The Lititz House” that we became in love with. The couple that had it retired and sold it this past year. We were there last year had to get away after my sister past away. Pat & Jim were always so nice to us just like we were family! We would walk down to Wilburs and get chocolate then go to the thrift store nice place always crowded. Then we would go to the “PANTRY” and have dinner and Ice Cream! The Chocolate Walk is even great! We also walked down and got pizza across from the Tin Soldier don’t remember the name of the pizza place.
The town is so friendly and I would love to go back and get MORE CHOCOLATE!! There is also a lot of cute stores down on the main street. Just love the place!!!!
Will definitely stop in for a tour next time we’re in the area!!
Pretzels and Chocolate!!! Two of my favorite things.
Wilbur Chocolate Factory “oh My” Dark Chocolate Wilbur Buds? “Oh My,OH MY”
Great story !
I have never been to Lititz…but I plan on getting out the map…checking which direction to go … setting up the GPS and taking off. My mouth is watering for the Wilbur chocolate and Turkey Hill Ice Cream (a favorite of mine) Look out;here we come (as soon as the Social Security check arrives!)
I’d heard of Wilbur’s chocolate from a dear friend from the area. They sound yummy.
My niece and I had visited Lititz a few years ago and enjoyed the town very much. We bought Pretzels and of course Wilburs chocolates. My niece also took a picture of a gentleman with hop boots in the Springs. I love Lancaster and Lititz is one of our favorities.
I have a wonderful friend who gave me a box of Wilbur Buds for my birthday one year. They are the best.
My cat and I love Turkey Hill ice cream. Whenever I try to sneak some ice cream out of the freezer my cat is always there waiting for me to get him some too.
I have to agree on one thing about Lititz. It is a fabulous town to visit, Wilbur’s and Sturgis’s are fantastic.
But I found from personal experience. Visiting and living there are entirely two diffrent things. People who are born and raised in Lititz are unkind to anyone who moves to thier town unless you have a Moravian background and you didn’t come from a large city and don’t meet with thier”ideals”. Many seem to have problems with ones ethnic background and thier believes.
I’m from Philly and moved and lived there for 5 years. Loved the town, not the people. My Family were treated like outsiders which made it very uncomfortable living there up to the point I ended changing jobs and moving back to the suburbs. Two other families who lived nearby who wasn’t from the area moved out soon after.
To coin the phrase “It’s a great place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there” must of been quoted by someone who had the same “pleasure” as I did.
Lititz sounds like my kind of town! Chocolate & pretzels, oh yeah!!!
Wow, my mouth is watering. I hope I can visit some time soon!
Lititz is a step back in time. If we could only go there.
My husband and I love visiting Lancaster County often and we have visited Lititz at vaious times over the years…taking our kids to the pretzel factory and Wilburs Chocolate. More recent visits were to attend Contemporary Christian concerts at area churches. Last visit we came upon youth group selling barbecued chicken and enjoyed it at the lovely community park.
I’ve toured both of these places. Great chocolate and great pretzels!
Our one camping vacation in PA, which included Lancaster County but not Lititz,hit a snag when we awoke to a torrential rainstorm that was just about to turn our tent into a houseboat. Our sightseeing had to be limited to places that would accept tourists who looked a bit like drowned rats and places that had sunny parking lots so the sodden tent in the back of the van could start drying. It sounds as though this would be a great destination for a future visit…after checking the weather forecast, of course.
Sounds like Lancaster County has it all. What a wonderful place to live. All my favorites- Turkey Hill, chocolate and pretzels in one area plus the beautiful scenery. We are planning a road trip there soon and I can hardy wait!
If I win, I’m going to put the chocolate in my Turkey Hill ice cream.
Such yummy food comes from Lancaster County. The last time we were in the area we had delicious treats. Even the air was sweet!
With the price of gas these days, Chester County seems a little further away from its next-door neighbor Lancaster than it used to – but places like Lititz have too many fun things to do to stay away. Gotta check out the food factories, yum.
OOh! As long as we’re throwing around flavor suggestions… how about Pumpkin Whoopie Pie flavor in time for Thanksgiving this year???
I have been to the Wilbur Chocolate, the chocolate is Great! That with wome Turkey Hill ice Cream on the side is like you died and went to Heaven! LOL!
Pumpkin Ice Cream is GREAT!!
I hope that I win so do my three Schaunzers because they enjoy Turkey Hill just as most. They love to like it off their noses….
Chocolate and Ice Cream are my weaknesses!!!
I haven’t had Wilbur Buds in a few years, guess it is time to make another trip to Lititz. There is nothing better then chocolate and pretzels.
It’s been a while since I’ve visited the Lititz area. Guess it’s time to see it again and sample all the goodies.
I TRIED WILBUR BUDS FOR THE FIRST TIME AT CHRISTMAS AND THEY ARE GOOOOOD!!!! STURGIS PRETZEL MINIS ARE THE WAY TO GO.
I think I need to take a trip to Lancaster soon and find me some home made ice cream there. Maybe do a taste test to see if it compares to Turkey Hill!
I have always wanted to visit Lancaster Coumty. I know a few people from Lititz and hear it is beautiful.
How exciting! We’re going to Lititz for a soccer tournament in 2 weeks. Now I can’t wait to go!
Fasinating information!
Every year I take my daughter somewhere she hasn’t been to before. Lititz sounds great especially since she loves chocolate, pretzels and Turkey Hill ice cream. I will make sure it gets put on her list of places to visit.
Lititz is a lovely town — be sure to try the pretzel sandwiches many of the local restaurants offer. They’re de-lish!
Sounds like a great to visit. The thought of choclate and pretzels cannot be beat. And a quaint little town to go with it. Thanks for sharing.
Love that white house icecream. Cherries and ice cream . How wondereful on a hot day!
I READ SOMEWHERE THAT A BOWL OF ICE CREAM BEFORE BEDTIME WILL HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT??? DON’T KNOW IF IT’S TRUE BUT IT SURE BEATS A GLASS OF WARM MILK FOR ME! HEY DAIRY IS DAIRY, RIGHT? I DO SLEEP GREAT AND ALWAYS HAVE A SUPPLY OF TURKEY HILL ICE CREAM IN THE FREEZER TO INSURE THAT I DO.
A tasty, fizzy root beer float
With TH ice cream sure gets my vote!
Litiz is one of my favorite places to visit in Lancaster. I am 45 years old and still remember visiting Wilbur and Sturgis as a kid. I try to go at least once each year. It brings back good memories of my parents, both of with are no longer with us.
As they would say, “Been there, done that.” We loved our trip to Lititz! We also toured the Moravian Chapel which was very interesting. Great memories.
Visited Lancaster County many years ago.
My family loved the Sturgis and Wilbur factories. Hope to return again some day.
I am a fourth grade teacher in Maryland. It would be great to take the kids on a tour of Lancaster County, but is too far away. Instead, as an incentive, they are given Turkey Hill ice cream sundaes. They love to put a variety of toppings on their vanilla ice cream. Since it is a dairy product, I justify serving ice cream as a “health food”.
We enjoyed visiting Lititz and learning about their chocolate, and taking in the sights of the interesting town. Love Wilbur buds, especially the dark chocolate, and bring some home whenever we get the chance (we share with family). Have recommended the trip to friends.
We love Turkey Hill products, especially the frozen yogurt, which doesn’t last very long when I get near the container. Thanks for the delicious treat, and look forward to new flavors.
This makes me really want to visit! I have never been here and I am a Pennsylvanian- and a number one Turkey Hill fan too!
I’ve been to Lancaster several times and we always make sure we visit the Wilbur chocolate factory and the Sturgis Pretzel Company. I also order chocolate from their website and catalog. It is really delicious!
Why doesn’t Turkey hill offer tours
of their ice cream plant?
Let me know if you are even considering running tours. I love your ice cream.
[...] Ice Cream Journal » A TASTE OF LANCASTER COUNTY: LITITZ [...]
We’ll be in Pennsylvania the end of July (Sesame Place, Crayola Factory, HersheyPark). Sounds like I need add Lititz to my trip itinerary now too!!!