Ephrata Cloister, Ephrata

A unique history lesson! We took a Christmas Lantern Tour! The Ephrata Cloister is open throughout the year. The guide recommended the group tour when you come to visit. The buildings have steps and low ceilings in doorways thru the buildings. You will find restrooms at the visitor center. The parking lot will accommodate small tours. The lantern tour gives you a overall history experience! The Ephrata Cloister dates back to 1732. A German community living a simple life. They spent time writing music and drawings. The buildings consist of kitchens, workrooms, bedrooms, and the meeting house. Go back in time for this Unique experience. They have a gift and book store if you want to learn more! The community believed it would take a lot of work and discipline to be ready to meet God.

Well preserved historic celebrate worship community. Saw beautiful music preformed aucapela in 5 story 18th century building. Took tour and was very interesting. Great museum shop as well.

Just went on the lantern tour and really enjoyed it! It is more like a play being acted out than a tour of the facilities. You walk through several of the buildings, but they don't talk about the buildings too much or the articles in the buildings. They are telling a story and you get a sense of what life was life in the mid 1700s. Walking around with the lanterns is very fun. It is fairly well lit, so there isn't much worry about tripping. The biggest hazard is banging your head on the low doorways 😀. Definitely worth the visit for a unique experience!

Great tour of the beautiful grounds, buildings and quite an interesting history of how this Cloister evolved and everyone lived then. Highly recommended.

Went on the candlelight tour and it was a fantastic adventure in history and immersive theatre. 10/10 would recommend, (if you're into this this of stuff!)