6 Must-Visit Urban Farmers Markets in Pennsylvania

Broad Street Market (Harrisburg)

Dating back to the Civil War, this midtown Harrisburg gem claims to be the oldest continuously operating market in the United States. With nearly 40 vendors between two buildings, you can get all of the local and international foods Harrisburg has to offer and more at the Broad Street Market. African, Greek, Indian, Italian, Korean, Mexican, Polish, Spanish, and of course, Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine are all on offer Thursday through Saturday. There are also vendors selling chocolates, craft beers, fresh seafood, olive oils, pastas, wines and a variety of baked goods. The market is a short walk from the Capitol Building as well as the Susquehanna Riverfront.

Central Market York

Housed in a Romanesque Revival-style two-story red brick building, York’s Central Market occupies an entire city block. The market has been operating since 1888 and the building has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978. More than 50 vendors set up shop in the downtown market, which is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and evenings on the first Friday of every month. The market has a Pennsylvania Dutch feel, but there is also Asian and Mediterranean food available as well as a burrito truck inside of the market.

Easton Farmers’ Market

America’s longest continuously operating open-air market was established before there was a United States of America. The Easton Farmers’ Market was founded in 1752, the same year the city of Easton was founded. The farmers’ market is open Saturdays from 9-1 and features food from local restaurants as well as specialty vendors selling breads, cheeses, olive oils, pastas, and more.

The Easton Public Market is located one block west and is open Wednesday through Sunday. Inside, you’ll find cakes, chocolates, crepes, French macarons, fresh seafood, Neapolitan-style pizza, a noodle bar, and more. There’s seating inside as well as a parking lot in the back.

Fun fact: The Declaration of Independence was only read publicly in three places. One of the three locations was Easton’s Great Square, just a few blocks from the Northampton Street Bridge to New Jersey, where the Easton Farmers’ Market is still held every Saturday.

Fairgrounds Farmers Market

Open Thursday through Saturday. the Fairgrounds Farmers Market is located next to the Fairgrounds Square Shopping Mall. It’s roughly four miles north of downtown Reading, which means it’s easy to find parking there. In addition to the typical Pennsylvania Dutch fare on offer at most Central Pennsylvania markets, the Fairgrounds Farmers Market offers $10 haircuts, pet supplies, flowers, and other plants.

Lancaster Central Market

Decades before there was a United States of America, there was the Lancaster Central Market. It claims to be America’s longest running farmers’ market (since 1730). Sorry, Broad Street Market! The market does a superb job of blending Victorian charm, agricultural heritage, and multiculturalism. Take advantage of the opportunity to try local (Amish) specialties like sticky buns and whoopie pies. Its convenient downtown location makes the market an ideal base from which to explore the rest of the city.

Reading Terminal Market (Philadelphia)

Reading Terminal Market has its own mascot takes up more than one city block in Downtown Philadelphia. The market is open 7 days a week and gets its name from the Reading Railroad Company which owned and operated the market until 1976. Two of the more than 100 vendors date back to 1893 when the market first opened. There are two seating areas in the middle as well as a diner with seating on the south end.

Episodes of Man v. Food, the Food Network’s Guilty Pleasures, and Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre Foods have been filmed at Reading Terminal Market. The market is conveniently located next to Jefferson Station (SEPTA regional rail) and is also easily accessible via the underground Market-Frankford (blue) line.