The Great Outdoors & Unique Tours: Amazing Things to Do in Hanover, PA

Snyder’s pretzels. Utz potato chips.

These iconic snacks are just some that have earned Hanover, PA, the moniker of “Snack Food Capital of the World.”

Close to the Maryland/Pennsylvania border, Hanover sits in a beautiful region of the state near an abundance of nature, history, and fun places to tour.

Right in the middle of the best of Hanover, you can find DRB Homes building exceptional new homes and communities just like we have in over 17 markets for over 30 years. But we don’t just build in an area, we become a vibrant part of the area. We make connections to local businesses and ensure that our new homes perfectly blend into the larger community while giving you more than any other home.

We want to highlight a few of the amazing reasons why Hanover is such a fun place to call home when you love the great outdoors and going on unique tours, and why a new home by DRB Homes is the best choice!

DRB Homes in Hanover, PA

Our homes in Hanover are perfectly located to put you close to everything this borough has to offer, including many fantastic outdoor adventures and tours that you won’t believe.

Homestead Acres – Townhomes

Homestead Acres Townhomes is a notable community nestled in the rolling hills of York County, and minutes from the MD-PA state line. Three spacious home plans will give you 3–4 bedrooms, 2–3 baths, and up to 2,471 Sq. Ft. of first-class living space. Plus, you’ll love that Homestead Acres is just around the corner from shopping, dining, historic Downtown Hanover, Codorus State Park, and Lake Marburg (a popular destination for boating and sailing—more on that below).

Prinland Heights – Single Family Homes

Prinland Heights Single Family Homes are conveniently located along major commuter routes in York County, leading to adventure in every direction. Choose between 9 floor plans and up to 4,891 Sq. Ft. You’re sure to find a superior home for your family. Living 10 minutes from the MA-PA state line, you’ll be perfectly poised to commute to the Baltimore and Washington areas. Plus, you’re only 3 miles away from Codorus State Park and Lake Marburg! Let the good times begin!

Outdoor Adventures near Hanover, PA

The great outdoors extend in every direction in Hanover, and there are many wonderful places to get out into the fresh air. Here are three of our favorites:

‌Codorus State Park

Stretching across 3,500 acres, Codorus State Park is ready for year-round enjoyment. Popular pastimes here include hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, fishing, hunting, swimming, watching wildlife, and seasonal camping. In winter, you can ice skate in a 10-acre area in Chapel Cove and ski across 6.5 miles of trails. Plus, Codorus State Park is home to the amazing Lake Marburg!

Lake Marburg

Inside Codorus State Park, you’ll find the 1,275-acre Lake Marburg. With seven boat launch ramps (including one reserved for campground guests), Lake Marburg is all about getting you on and in the water. During boating season, you can rent canoes, kayaks, motorboats, paddleboats, and pontoon boats. And in the winter, you can even go iceboating!

Hanover Trolley Trail

Beginning in the early 1900s, the York Railway company opened trolley services that brought those from outlying communities into Hanover. By 1938, cars were plentiful and the trolley was no longer needed. BUT, the 16.5-mile trolley corridor still remained. And now, on land that once linked other communities with Hanover, this corridor is being transformed into the Hanover Trolley Trail. Bit by bit, mile by mile, and year by year, the trail is being expanded on multiple fronts as a hiking and biking path that will once again connect this wonderful area. 

‌Tours Near Hanover, PA

As the “Snack Food Capital of the World,” Hanover is home to many big snack companies. And many of those companies offer tours! And while those tours are deliciously fun, they aren’t the only ones you can find.

Utz Factory Tour

It started as Hanover Home Brand Potato Chips in 1921, but it’s become the Utz potato chip empire. Visit their factory (still in Hanover) and head to the second-floor observation gallery to watch the magic of potato chips happen below you on the Utz Factory Tour. Enjoy the self-guided tour with audio and video displays along the way. Delight in how the Utz factory maintains its status as “one of the cleanest and most modern snack food operations in America.” Plus, the tour is free!

Snyder’s of Hanover Bakery Tour

But potato chips aren’t the only game in town. There’s also the Snyder’s of Hanover Bakery Tour! You’ll witness the birth of a pretzel, from raw materials to the state-of-the-art packing room. You’ll also get to see the oven, where love is baked right into each and every twist. The Snyder’s Baker Tour starts and ends at the Factory Store, where every tour goer will enjoy a free bag of pretzels! Reservations are required.

Haunted Gettysburg Walking Tour

Some tours are made to feed your face, and others hope to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up in fear—in a fun way. Such is the case with the tours from Ghost Walk Gettysburg. With multiple tours to choose from, you’ll step back in time with an experienced paranormal professional. Bring the whole family or try your hand using “ghost hunting” equipment—either way, you’ll learn a lot about this history-rich city while having a spooktacular good time!

Warehime-Myers Mansion Tour

Located in the Hanover Historic District and on the National Register of Historic Places, the Warehime-Myers Mansion dates back to 1913. And we highly recommend a Warehime-Myers Mansion Tour! As part of Hanover’s history, the mansion used to be owned by Clinton Myers, who ran the Hanover Shoe Company. Later, J. William Warehime bought it in 1997, and added to it (such as the fountain, gazebo, and much of the interior furniture). A tour of the Warehime-Myers Mansion is a trip through Hanover’s history and a fun way to help preserve that history for generations to come.

DRB Homes, the Great Outdoors, and Unique Tours in Hanover, PA

The new homes by DRB Homes in Hanover, PA, offer the perfect blend of comfort and adventure. Nestled in a region rich with outdoor activities and historical sites, these new homes provide not only a place to live, but also a gateway to endless exploration. Whether you enjoy connecting to nature, touring history, and seeing how your favorite snacks are made, there’s always something exciting to do.

And it’s not just about the location: DRB Homes are designed with modern living in mind, ensuring that after a day of exploring, you have a functional and elegant home to return to. Spacious layouts, first-rate finishes, and thoughtful design features mean you can relax in a space that’s as memorable as the adventures waiting outside your front door.