Ephrata Cloister

"Fun with the Family"

Older children may be interested in learning about a true alternative lifestyle at one time practiced in the eighteenth century at Ephrata Cloister. Here you can step into another reality in twelve restored buildings where hymns still seem to echo.
The guided tour starts with a film, Anticipating Paradise, and proceeds through three of the ten restored buildings. There are two cemeteries, a physician’s house, a bakery, and more. Candlelight tours are offered in December. Most of the historic structures have some limits to wheelchair accessibility.
From March through October, on the second Sunday of the month, the Cloister features a special “themed” day, with extra demonstrations and sometimes hands-on activities, at the regular admission price. Check the Web site for each month’s theme.