York was founded in 1741 and named for York, England, although it was originally called Yorktown. It's known as the White Rose City, which comes from the symbol of the House of York. York was incorporated as a borough in 1787 and as a city in 1887.
York hosts the historic York Fair, which can be traced back to 1765, for 10 days every September in the York Expo Center. The fair features, rides, games, contests, and musical performances by top artists, usually in country music. The facility also hosts the annual National Street Rod Association Street Rod Nationals east every June.
Theater is an important part of York, which houses the DreamWrights Center for Community Arts, the Belmont Theatre, the Appell Center for the Performing Arts, and the historic Capitol Theatre. The Appell Center brings artists of national acclaim to York, while the Capitol Theater provides opportunities to view independent and foreign film, including some rare critically acclaimed titles.
What Are the Best Times to Visit York, PA?
The best times to visit York are from May through September, when average highs range from 70 to 85 degrees. You'll find ample activities during the warm season and can expect hotel prices to be at their highest during this popular time of the year. Traveling in spring or fall can net you some lower rates if you're OK with high temps in the 50s and 60s. If you happen to be traveling in the winter, you'll enjoy the lowest rates of the year, albeit with temps in the mid-30s to the mid-40s and average lows at or below freezing.
The annual Old York Street Fair is held each year in May on Mother's Day, the National Street Rod Association Street Rod Nationals East takes place in June, and the York Fair is in September. The Harley Davidson Open House, also in September, draws more than 50,000 people a year, with festivities such as the Bike Night parade, tours of the assembly plant, demonstration rides, a skills competition, kids' activities, riding tours, and concerts.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in York, PA:
York, PA: Prices by Star Rating Class
Below we've posted 3 graphs illustrating avg. rate patterns by star rating class in York, PA. Browse these charts to evaluate the least expensive time period to make a reservation in York for any future trips.
What Are the Best Luxury Hotels in York, PA?
4 Star Average Prices: $131.24
Golfers will love a stay at Heritage Hills Golf Resort, where you can walk right onto the Heritage Hills Golf Course. This upscale resort is in York, within a few miles of York Little Theater and York Galleria, and features a full-service spa, a health club, and a hair salon. Rooms come with pillowtop beds with premium bedding, refrigerators, LCD TVs, iPod docking stations, and wired and wireless internet access. Dine at one of two on-site restaurants, or get room service during limited hours. The hotel also has two bars. Free breakfast is served each morning.
The gorgeous Susquehanna Manor Inn in Marietta is a bed-and-breakfast in Marietta, about 12 miles from York and a 15-minute drive from Chickies Rock County Park. The six individually decorated and furnished guest rooms range from a room for one or two people to family suites with multiple beds. Each of the elegant rooms has a private patio or balconies and is connected to free Wi-Fi. Free full breakfast is served each morning.
What Are Some Affordable Hotel Options Near York, PA?
3 Star Average Prices: $103.35
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham York offers nice amenities at low prices near Dreamworks Youth and Family Theatre. Rooms feature pillowtop beds, refrigerators that you can stock with drinks and snacks from the on-site convenience store, flat-screen televisions, and free wired and wireless internet access. You'll also enjoy the indoor pool, spa tub, and 24-hour fitness center, as well as the free breakfast. A business center is also on-site.
The Bear House Bed and Breakfast in rural Dover, about 7 miles from York, will give you the royal treatment for a reasonable price. This lovely place has two guest rooms with private entrances and seating areas. The Bear Cottage Room sleeps two, while the Bear House Suite's loveseat converts to a single bed for an additional person. Both rooms are equipped with microwaves, refrigerators, desks, private bathrooms and bathrobes, and the suite has a sink, dishes, and a coffee pot. The Cottage Room has a wood-burning fireplace, while the suite has a gas log-burning stove with a view pane.
Outdoors, enjoy the garden, backyard deck, backyard patio with fire pit, trickling serenity pond and swing, and barbecue grills. The hotel also has a library, board games, books on local history, and a computer station. You can enjoy the backyard deck, refreshments upon arrival and in the evening, delicious breakfasts, and a piano and a gas log fireplace in the Common Room. Guests say the hosts are friendly and attentive.
2 Star Average Prices: $78.86
What Budget Options Are in York, PA?
AAA members, government employees, and members of the military get discounts at Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, York. The hotel is a five-minute drive from both Heritage Hill Golf Course and York Little Theatre. Rooms feature refrigerators, flat-screen televisions, DVD players, and free Wi-Fi, and you can get a nice seating area and a hot tub in your room if you opt for a suite. The indoor pool and 24-hour fitness center will rejuvenate you, and you can enjoy a cozy fireplace in the lobby. The hotel also offers a business center, free newspapers, and complimentary newspapers.
Wyndham Garden York offers discounts to government employees and members of the military. The elegant and brightly decorated hotel is in the York business district near the West Manchester Mall and Ski Roundtop. A refrigerator, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and a deep soaking bathtub will give you pleasant, relaxing accommodations, and when you're not in your room you can swim in the outdoor pool, dine in the FenderZ Grill & Pub, and have a drink in the on-site bar. The hotel also provides a complimentary breakfast, a fitness center, discounted use of a fitness facility nearby, and a 24-hour business center.
What Are Some Top Hotels in York, PA?
Tru by Hilton York is a brightly decorated hotel that provides decent amenities for the money. Rooms feature refrigerators, flat-screen televisions with premium channels, and free wired and wireless internet access. The hotel provides an on-site restaurant, fitness center, business center, and free breakfast.
Another value hotel is the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites York, where your spacious, comfortable room will feature a refrigerator, a flat-screen TV, and free wired and wireless internet. The hotel provides a seasonal outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness facilities, a 24-hour business center, and free breakfast.
What Can You See in the Historic Districts in York, PA?
York's historic districts offers strolls through the city's well-preserved past. The York Historic District is made up of the city's central business district and surrounding residential areas. The district contains 309 contributing buildings, highlighted by examples of Late Victorian and Classic Revival architectural styles.
Some of the structures are St. John's Episcopal Church (1765), the Friends Meeting House (1766-1783), the William C. Goodridge House (1827), and the Odd Fellows Hall (1850.)
York also has three historic districts that are residential neighborhoods. The Fairmount Historic District features 101 contributing buildings and one contributing site. The neighborhood was developed between 1889 and 1905 and illustrates Queen Anne and Second Empire styles. The Northwest York Historic District has 815 contributing buildings, one contributing site, and one contributing structure. Developed between 1882 and 1930, the neighborhood has notable examples of Late Victorian, Colonial Revival, and American Foursquare styles. The Springdale Historic District contains 199 contributing buildings and one contributing site. The neighborhood, developed between 1920 and 1950, includes Colonial Revival and Classic Revival styles.
The Golden Plough Tavern, the Gen. Horatio Gates House, and the Barnett Bobb House are within the York Historic District but listed on the National Register individually. The Golden Plough Tavern, built in 1741, and the Georgian-style Gen. Horatio Gates House, built in 1751, are connected by a shared kitchen and are now a museum operated by the York County History Center. The adjacent Barnett Bobb House, a two-story log dwelling build in 1811, is operated by the York County Heritage Trust as a museum.
Other important historic structures in York include the 1761 Cookes House, the 1766 York Meetinghouse, the 1863 Billmeyer House, the 1878 Laurel-Rex Fire Company House, the 1888 York Central Market, the 1907 Moorish Revival Temple Beth Israel, and so many more.
You could spend your entire vacation exploring the history of York through its historic districts and museums, but be sure to enjoy the city's parks, hiking trails, nightlife, shops, and restaurants as well. York, Pennsylvania, offers plenty of opportunities for fun and fascination in a trip you'll never forget.
FAQs about hotels in York