Exploring the Turkey Hill Experience in Lancaster, PA: What to Expect

Living in Lancaster County, PA, and looking for something fun to do for the whole family? The Turkey Hill Experience near Lancaster PA offers a delightful and immersive journey into the world of ice cream and iced tea. Perfect for families, groups, and curious minds of all ages. 

This engaging attraction provides a behind-the-scenes look at the rich history and delicious craftsmanship that goes into creating Turkey Hill’s tea and ice cream products. We’ll share everything you need to know before you go so you can make the most of your visit! 

What is the Turkey Hill Experience in PA?  

Dive into the wonderful work of dairy (and tea) at the immersive Turkey Hill Experience in PA. No matter your age there is something for everyone. Learn the process of how Turkey Hill’s ice cream flavors are selected and how this company makes its delicious treats! Some of the interactive highlights include: 

• A virtual ice cream creation lab 

• A Turkey Hill flavor-tasting lab 

• A Turkey Hill commercial creation station 

• The Tea Discovery Experience with unlimited samples 

Although Turkey Hill ice cream is not made directly at the Turkey Hill Experience, there’s still more to discover. 

Where is the Turkey Hill Experience?

Located in the heart of Lancaster County, the Turkey Hill Experience conveniently sits in Columbia, PA. Conveniently situated near major highways, it is easily accessible for visitors from nearby cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Harrisburg.

The Turkey Hill Experience’s complete address is 301 Linden Street Columbia, PA 17512. But if your GPS gets stuck, look for the giant cow in the parking lot! 

Attractions and things to do at the Turkey Hill Experience in Lancaster, PA 

This Lancaster County experience offers a wide range of fun for all ages. No matter your age, there’s something for everyone; if you love ice cream, this is the place for you! 

Make your own virtual ice cream flavor  

When you visit, the “Create Your Own” interactive experience is the first of three special exhibits you’ll engage with. Make your own virtual ice cream flavor and choose between a number of ingredients so your flavor can sparkle! As you create, you’ll learn about the ice cream-making process, milk and cream delivery, how to freeze your ice cream mix, and more. 

For young children, this experience is especially educational as it details the process of milk homogenization and pasteurization. If your child is interested in farming or the dairy industry, this is something you won’t want them to miss. Once you’ve created a flavor of your choice, you’ll get the chance to design packaging for your ice cream product!

Turkey Hill Taste Lab

Once you’ve created your perfect flavor, it’s time to taste! That’s right, the second of the Turkey Hill Experience’s interactive exhibits is its taste lab. Whether you want to recreate your virtual flavor or create something new, the experience is all yours.  

You start with a base of a Turkey Hill vanilla ice cream flavor and act as a “mixologist” to add an ice cream flavoring of your choice. Syrups include: 

• Apple 
• Butterscotch 
• Marshmallow 
• Caramel  
• Fudge 
• Peanut Butter 
• And more 

Once you’ve got the right mix, head over to the inclusion wall to add the “mix-in” that best complements your flavor. The Turkey Hill Experience offers toppings and mix-ins such as: 

• Oreos 
• Chocolate Caramel Chips 
• Chocolate Chips 
• Whoppers 
• Fruit Loops 
• Cotton Candy Puffs and more!

As a bonus, lab technicians walk you through the whole process and share a short tutorial on the full ice cream-making process. If you’re interested in the Turkey Hill Experience Taste Lab, reservations are required and you should arrive at your scheduled reservation at least an hour early. 

Star in a Turkey Hill commercial 

The third interactive exhibit at the Turkey Hill Experience in PA tops off with the opportunity to make your own commercial to promote your ice cream flavor! Star in an original commercial of your creation with either a script you’ve written or a pre-created script. Once you’ve filmed the perfect ad, you can view and download your commercial at home later through the Turkey Hill Experience website. 

Other activities

Other than the three main interactive activities, there’s much more to explore at the Turkey Hill Experience near Lancaster PA. A few notable and free activities include: 

• Ball pit: This attraction is ideal for kids under 6 and is complete with a curly slide!  
• Photo opportunities: Whether it’s a picture in a lemonade cutout or a photo next to a giant cow, there’s no shortage of opportunities to share with others.  
• Gift shop: Find all the Turkey Hill merch you’re looking for! From fun t-shirts to stuffed cows, you’ll love what you find. 
• Mix and Match Display: Grab a card and start sniffling. Stamp your card with a variety of flavor profiles and learn more about them and what makes them popular. 
• Unlimited free samples: Turkey Hill alone has over 100 ice cream flavors. At the Turkey Hill Experience, you’ll have the chance to taste as much ice cream (and tea) as you want! While all 100 flavors might not be at your disposal, you might find your new favorite flavor! 
• Cow milking: No these aren’t real cows, but you have the chance to milk mechanical ones!  

Turkey Hill Experience tours

At The Turkey Hill Experience, the tours are a highlight that captivates visitors with a blend of education and entertainment. These guided tours offer a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Turkey Hill’s famous ice cream and iced tea. 

Tea Discovery Experience

The Turkey Hill Experience offers more than just ice cream excursions. The “Tea Discovery Experience” allows guests to sit down and learn about tea directly from a tea expert. From health benefits to the origins of various teas and the intricacies of brewing the perfect cup, this interactive session delves deep into the world of tea. 

Best of all, you can sample at least five different Turkey Hill Iced Tea flavors as you learn. The Turkey Hill Tea Discovery Experience lasts around 30 minutes and reservations are required. 

Triple Scoop Experience  

Experiencing everything the Turkey Hill Experience has to offer comes in one convenient package! By booking the Triple Scoop Experience, you gain admission to the Taste Lab where you can make your own ice cream creation. 

Enjoy your ice cream while an instructor gives you an “Ice Cream 101” class. After this, you automatically gain admission to the “Tea Discovery” class. With this booking, you must arrive at the Turkey Hill Experience 45 minutes prior to your booking time and should allow about 2.5 hours to enjoy the Triple Scoop Experience. 

Admission and hours  

Admission price for the Turkey Hill Experience varies based on age and how many experiences you sign up for. See their website for current pricing details. 

The Turkey Hill Experience hours occur around four main time periods, although the specific days for these times can vary. For detailed information on the exact hours for the day you plan to visit, check the Turkey Hill Experience website. 

How long will this experience take?  

The duration of your visit to the Turkey Hill Experience can fluctuate depending on the attractions you decide to explore. Typically, the Tea Discovery Experience takes around 30 minutes to complete. If you’re looking to partake in the full experience of the Taste Lab, you should dedicate at least 2 hours to do so, while all other activities should take around 1 hour to complete. 

In general, exploring everything the Turkey Hill Experience has to offer will take around 4 hours. 

Is the Turkey Hill Experience worth it?

In general, the Turkey Hill Experience is worth it, with experiences for all ages! 

For Adults and Couples 

The Turkey Hill Experience offers a charming and unique outing for adults and couples looking to enjoy a leisurely and engaging day together. The interactive exhibits provide an interesting peek into the world of ice cream and iced tea production, complete with hands-on activities. The Tea Discovery Experience is an especially beloved attraction for adults and makes a great date idea. 

For Kids 

Kids will find the Turkey Hill Experience to be an absolute delight. The interactive exhibits are designed to be both educational and entertaining, allowing children to engage with the ice cream-making process in a hands-on way. All other attractions like the ball pit and Mix and Match display are designed for younger children. 

For Families 

For families, the Turkey Hill Experience is an ideal destination for a fun and educational day out. The exhibits cater to a range of ages, ensuring that both younger children and older kids, as well as parents, can enjoy the visit.  

Restaurants near the Turkey Hill Experience  

After enjoying your time at The Turkey Hill Experience, you’ll find a variety of excellent dining options nearby to satisfy your appetite. Columbia, PA and the surrounding Lancaster County area offer a diverse range of restaurants catering to different tastes and preferences. Here are some of your best options: 

• Rocky’s BBQ: Offers mouth-watering, slow-cooked barbecue dishes that are a hit with both locals and visitors. 

• Level Up Pizza Bar & Grill: Serves delicious pizzas and a variety of bar favorites in a fun and vibrant atmosphere. 

• Union Station Grill: Known for its hearty American classics and welcoming ambiance, it is a great spot for a family meal. 

• Mr. Joe’s Steak House & Restaurant: Features tender steaks and a diverse menu, perfect for a satisfying and upscale dining experience. 

• Bully’s Restaurant & Pub: Combines a historical setting with a menu of pub favorites and craft beers, creating a cozy and inviting dining environment. 

The Turkey Hill Experience near Lancaster, PA, is a fantastic destination that offers a rich blend of education, entertainment, and hands-on fun for visitors of all ages. No matter who you are, if you’re in Lancaster County, visiting the Turkey Hill Experience will make for a memorable day out!