Several Lancaster County businesses, from a doughnut shop to a hot-air balloon company to a shopping-and-dining “village” that’s a tourist favorite, will be on the national radar as they compete for votes in a contest sponsored by USA Today.
USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice contest has voting open now in several categories that include Lancaster County entities.
Readers across the country can vote once per day at 10best.usatoday.com/awards.
— Shady Maple Smorgasbord in East Earl and Miller’s Smorgasbord in Ronks, which were declared the No. 1 and No. 2 best buffet restaurants in the country in Readers’ Choice voting in 2025, respectively, are both nominated again this year for best buffet. Voting closes at noon Monday, June 15. The 10 winning buffets will be announced on Wednesday, June 24.
— Beiler’s Doughnuts, which has locations in Lancaster and Philadelphia, along with Germantown, Maryland, is nominated for the best doughnut shop in the country. Voting closes at noon Monday, June 8. Winners will be announced Wednesday, June 17.
— Lancaster Balloon Rides in Bird-in-Hand has been nominated for the nation’s best hot-air balloon ride. Voting closes at noon Monday, June 1, and winners will be announced Wednesday, June 10.
— Kitchen Kettle Village, a shopping-and-dining area in Intercourse, is nominated for best shopping center in the U.S. The village, which started as a jam-and-jelly business more than 50 years ago, is known for its annual rhubarb festival and other events. Voting closes at noon Monday, June 1, and winners will be announced Wednesday, June 10.
— And among regional nominations, Boscov’s, headquartered in our neighboring county of Berks, has an anchor location in Lancaster’s Park City Mall. It’s a Readers’ Choice nominee for best department store. Voting closes at noon Monday, June 1. Winners will be announced Wednesday, June 10.
For the Readers’ Choice contests, USA Today’s panel of experts pick 20 locations to be in each “best-of” list. Readers then vote digitally on their favorites.
Lancaster County businesses have fared well in the USA Today 10Best contests in the past.
In addition to Shady Maple and Miller’s recent wins, the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre in Lancaster recently earned fourth place among dinner theaters across the nation. It came in third in the same category in 2024.
Southern Market in Lancaster won second place for best food hall and Lancaster Central Market earned seventh place for best public market earlier this year.
The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, north of Manheim, recently earned fourth place among best Renaissance faires.
Regionally, The Hotel Hershey was recently voted the No. 1 best theme park hotel in the country. Hersheypark was recently voted the tenth best theme park in the country; its Wildcat’s Revenge roller coaster ranked No. 10 for best roller coaster; and the Shore at the Boardwalk at Hersheypark was voted to have the No. 6 best wave pool.
In the ongoing battle among convenience stores with a local presence, Royal Farms, Rutter’s and Sheetz came in second, sixth and seventh, respectively, in the Readers’ Choice top 10 for best gas station for food. (Wawa didn’t make the top 10.)
Other Lancaster County businesses have also found themselves on USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice lists over the past few years.
— Bulls Head Public House in Lititz was named the country’s top beer bar.
— Dutch Winter Wonderland at Dutch Wonderland is one of the best theme park holiday events.
— Cherry Crest Adventure Farm is one of the best corn mazes.
— Strasburg Rail Road is one of the best scenic train rides.
— Field of Screams is one of the best haunted attractions.
— Beau’s Dream Dog Park at Buchanan Park is one of the best dog parks.
— Lancaster was also one of the best towns for antiquing.
