48 Hours in:

Lewisburg, PA

A weekend of art in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Lewisburg is a gem along the Susquehanna River—one of the best preserved 19th-century communities in America. With 871 historic buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this "true Pennsylvania Town" combines world-class art at Bucknell University's Samek Art Museum with an authentic downtown brimming with boutiques, galleries, and cafes. Lewisburg seamlessly blends academic culture with small-town charm, Victorian architecture with contemporary creativity, and river valley beauty with vibrant street life.

We've put together a 48 hour itinerary for you for your next visit to this historic river town.

Day One

Art & Brunch

Start your Saturday morning at Amami Kitchen & Espresso Bar at 216 Market Street. This trendy Italian-inspired cafe serves authentic espresso drinks and all-day breakfast with fresh, house-made ingredients. The contemporary space is perfect for fueling up before a day of art exploration.

Photograph by Amami Kitchen & Espresso Bar.

The Lewisburg Arts Council Gallery

After brunch, head to The Gallery at 15 North Water Street—home to the Lewisburg Arts Council, which has been connecting the community to the arts since 1968. This welcoming gallery space showcases work from local and regional artists, hosts rotating exhibitions, and offers hands-on workshops including WIP Wednesdays (knitting and crocheting meetups), Open Studio Sessions, and creative classes like fabric arts and photography.

The Gallery is where artists and art lovers intersect—a perfect embodiment of the Arts Council's mission to build recognition and support for all art forms. Check their calendar for current exhibitions and "Live at the Gallery" performances.

Photograph by Lewisburg Arts Council.

World-Class University Art

Continue your art exploration at the Samek Art Museum with two spectacular locations. Visit the Downtown Gallery at 416 Market Street (free admission, open Wed-Fri noon-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm). This intimate space in the heart of downtown features rotating exhibitions of contemporary and historical art curated to museum-quality standards.

Then make your way to the Campus Gallery on the top floor of Bucknell University's Elaine Langone Center at 701 Moore Avenue. The museum's academic location houses The Kress Collection of Renaissance and Medieval artworks—a remarkable collection received in 1961—along with innovative contemporary exhibitions. Parking is available on Moore Avenue and 7th Street with no permit required.

Photograph from Samek Art Museum.

A Journey Through Time

Walk back toward downtown along Market Street and stop at the Packwood House Museum at 15 N Water Street. This extraordinary 200-year-old building began as a log cabin constructed between 1796-1799 and served as a tavern throughout much of the 19th century.

In 1936, antique collectors Edith and John Featherston purchased the house and spent decades filling it with thousands of art objects and antiques from across Pennsylvania and the world. When they passed in the 1970s, their wills transformed their home into a museum—a time capsule of decorative arts history. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm.

Photograph from Packwood House Museum.

More Arts & Culture

If you haven't fully explored the Samek Art Museum, return to whichever location you missed yesterday—or stop back at The Gallery at 15 North Water Street to see what new exhibitions or workshops the Lewisburg Arts Council is hosting. Their rotating shows feature local and regional artists, and you might catch an Open Studio Session where you can create your own art.

If you're visiting in late April, don't miss the Lewisburg Arts Festival—the Arts Council's biggest event of the year, celebrating creativity with over 100 juried artists on Market Street. This premier spring celebration features live performances, food vendors, interactive art demonstrations, and family-friendly activities. The Arts Council has been organizing this beloved festival since the organization's founding in 1968, making it one of Central Pennsylvania's longest-running arts celebrations.

Photograph courtesy of Lewisburg Arts Council.

Victorian Architecture Walk

Continue your architectural tour along Market Street, where Lewisburg's Victorian heritage comes alive. Don't miss these highlights:

Market Street known as a, "Victorian boulevard," this central business district features, "distinctive triglobed lampposts" as well as a diverse range of styles including Queen Anne, Italianate, Second Empire, and Gothic Revival.

First Presbyterian Church (18 Market Street) - Lewisburg's finest Greek Revival architecture from 1856, featuring a beautiful spire, fluted columns with Ionic capitals, and fan-lighted doors.

The Lewisburg Club (131 Market Street) - Originally built in 1858 and renovated in 1906, this Romanesque Revival building showcases rustic yellow sandstone with brownstone accents and a striking overhanging bay window.

Take your time strolling this National Historic District—nearly 900 historic buildings line these streets.

Photograph courtesy of The Lewisburg Club

Dinner with Style

Lewisburg offers exceptional dining experiences. Consider these local favorites:

  • Brasserie Louis - French-inspired American cuisine in an intimate downtown setting with craft cocktails.

  • LA Primavera Italiano Ristorante & Pizzeria - Authentic Italian dining with homemade pasta and wood-fired pizza.

  • Brendan’s Towne Tavern - With a warm, inviting atmosphere, it is a place to relax and enjoy delicious home-style pub cooking and a large variety of craft beers.

  • Trevina - Trevina’s atmosphere blends vibrant energy with elegant charm, creating an inviting space for memorable dining in historic Lewisburg.

  • Elizabeth’s American Bistro - A philosophy that states “Let the food speak for itself & enhance the natural flavors in each dish while staying true to its ethnic roots.”

  • Cornerstone Kitchen - Innovative farm-to-table dishes showcasing regional ingredients.

Photograph from Elizabeth’s American Bistro.

Day Two

Sunday Brunch

Start your day with brunch at the at one of the many options throughout Lewisburg, while taking in the over 800 historically registered buildings throughout.

  • Gram’s Eatery - A cozy restaurant nestled in the heart of Lewisburg, PA, offering a variety of homestyle dishes and comfort foods.

  • Banty Rooster - Ruffling feathers and ruling the roost…It’s a Culinary Rebellion one dish at a time.

  • All Star Bagels - Bagels are baked on site and all our spreads are made in house for a fresh and delicious one of a kind taste.

Photograph courtesy of Banty Rooster.

Coffee, Antiquing, & More

Grab an afternoon pick-me-up at one of Lewisburg's independent cafes. Then explore the side streets off Market—North 2nd Street, South 3rd Street, and the alleys between are home to hidden galleries, studios, and murals waiting to be discovered. Visit Barnes & Noble at Bucknell University at 400 Market Street for academic books and university-themed items.

Then browse antique shops like Rollermills Antique Mall with 400 antique dealers in a restored flour mill from the 1880’s and specialty boutiques tucked throughout downtown.

Photograph courtesy of Rollermills Antique Mall.

Whether you're admiring Renaissance masterworks at the Samek, browsing 400 shops in a historic mill, walking streets lined with Victorian architecture, or catching an indie film in an Art Deco palace, Lewisburg offers a weekend that surprises and delights. Come see where academic excellence meets Main Street authenticity, and discover why historians call this one of America's best preserved 19th-century communities—still thriving in the 21st century.

Catch a Film at The Campus Theatre

Finish off the day at The Campus Theatre (413 Market Street). This Art Deco treasure, now operated as a nonprofit partnership between Bucknell University and The Campus Theatre Ltd., shows a diverse mix of art films, independent cinema, classics, and popular releases. The single-screen experience in this 1941 architectural gem is unlike anything you'll find at a modern multiplex.

Photograph courtesy of The Campus Theatre.

Lunch & Shopping Downtown

Stop for lunch at Elizabeth's An American Bistro, one of Lewisburg's most beloved restaurants. This farm-to-table establishment serves eclectic New American cuisine with seasonal ingredients. Their menu changes to reflect what's fresh and local.

After lunch, explore Market Street's thriving independent shopping scene. Browse Mondragon Books at 302 Market Street—a treasure house of high-quality used books focusing on literary fiction, poetry, social studies, and the arts. This welcoming community bookstore also features used LPs, local artist goods, and even has a Book Annex at the Roller Mills Antique Mall.

Visit Daisylace Boutique for trendy fashion, Black Dog Jeweler's for handcrafted jewelry, or discover The Street of Shops at 100 North Water Street. This extraordinary indoor country village occupies a historic woolen mill with over 375 vendor spaces, featuring a recreated old town streetscape complete with antique bank teller windows, park benches, and vintage streetlights.

Photograph courtesy of Street of Shops

Riverside Stroll

Spend the late afternoon exploring Lewisburg's parks and greenways. The Bull Run Greenway connects downtown to the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail, offering miles of walking and biking paths along the Susquehanna River valley. These trails provide stunning views of the mountains and river—where nature and town intersect beautifully

Photograph courtesy of The Lewisburg Club