Move-In Day Survival Guide: Three Great Stops Near F&M

DipsLocal Best of Near Campus Series (Part One)

As move-in day approaches, we thought we would take a few minutes to revisit some of the best places in F&M’s backyard.

Because we all know move-in rarely goes exactly as planned.

Someone forgets a fan. A storage bin does not fit under the bed. One family member is assembling something without reading the directions, while another is quietly wondering how four people and seventeen bags are supposed to fit into one dorm room.

Fortunately, there are so many great places within about a mile of campus that you do not have to go far to recover. In fact, it is surprisingly easy to miss some of the best options because they are tucked into neighborhoods and side streets just beyond F&M.

This is the first installment of our DipsLocal Best of Near Campus series. We’re starting with three places that answer three very different post-move-in needs: blowing off some steam, celebrating the start of a new academic year and finding a casual spot to relax over a good meal and a well-earned drink.

Best Place to Let Off Some Steam: Decades

When was the last time you played Donkey Kong, Space Invaders or Skee-Ball?

Decades is a retro arcade, six-lane bowling alley, full-service restaurant and bar housed inside the historic Stahr Armory on North Queen Street. It is also an excellent place to work out any lingering move-in frustration through a little healthy family competition.

I should probably warn everyone that a few F&M lacrosse moms take their Skee-Ball very seriously. And, for the record, I’ve been practicing.....but probably not enough.

Be sure to look for the oversized Space Invaders game upstairs. For those who are equally committed to gaming and adult beverages, ask about having your drink served in one of the bags with a lanyard. It leaves both hands free, which may be the competitive advantage you need.

As an added move-in bonus, the outdoor Ice Cream Bar should also be open, weather permitting. The adult milkshakes are a must.

🥃 DipsLocal Sip Pick: The Toasted Pecan Smoked Old Fashioned. It is a strong choice for anyone who believes bourbon and arcade games belong together—and we do.

DipsLocal Pro Tip: The North Queen Street parking garage is immediately beside Decades, but the entrance is surprisingly easy to miss when you are driving north on Queen Street. Turn left just before you reach Decades.

One additional warning from experience: for some reason, the payment gate at this particular garage has proven to be a challenge for those of us with short arms. Pull in close, stretch first and plan accordingly.

Best Place to Toast the New Academic Year: 401 Prime

Whether you are celebrating a successful move-in, the beginning of a new academic year or simply the fact that you finally returned the rental cart, 401 Prime is Lancaster’s luxury steakhouse and an impressive place to mark the occasion.

Located on North Prince Street, it has the beautiful dining room, polished service and steakhouse menu you would expect—but there are choices for everyone. And do not overlook the meatloaf. After a long day of lifting boxes and negotiating dorm-room storage, sometimes the best meal is simply excellent comfort food.

Bourbon drinkers should also leave themselves enough time to explore the bar selection. The lounge is a destination of its own, with comfortable seating, handcrafted cocktails and the full dinner menu available at the bar.

Many F&M families have already discovered 401 Prime, so we will save a deeper dive for another post with input from others. Just remember to check the current happy-hour offerings before making your plans.

DipsLocal Pro Tip: If nearby street parking is scarce, use the same North Queen Street garage beside Decades. Exit through the rear of the garage, and you will be just a short walk from 401 Prime.

The short-arm warning still applies. See me for recommendations for an extension appliance that can help.

Best Casual All-Day Option: Lombardo’s Deli & Bistro

For something more relaxed, head straight down Harrisburg Pike toward Lombardo’s Deli & Bistro on West James Street.

The Deli & Bistro sits behind the original Lombardo’s Italian restaurant and is an easy walk from the Lancaster Arts Hotel. It works equally well for a late-morning Bloody Mary, a casual lunch, a quick dinner or an espresso martini after the heavy lifting is done.

When the weather cooperates, you can take your food and drinks outside to the lower patio or courtyard, an especially nice option when no one is quite ready to go back inside after spending the day in a dorm room.

☕🍸DipsLocal Sip Pick: The espresso martini. It is currently listed as All Night Long, which also seems like an appropriate description of move-in day.

And yes, the familiar Lombardo name has an F&M connection.

The Samuel N. and Dena M. Lombardo Welcome Center was made possible by a historic gift from Lancaster residents Sam and Dena Lombardo, whose family owns the restaurant. In other words, the family that helped create F&M’s front door also knows something about welcoming people around a table.

DipsLocal Pro Tip: The Deli & Bistro is separate from the original Lombardo’s restaurant. Use the West James Street address when navigating so you arrive at the right entrance.

And We’re Just Getting Started

There are still plenty of places close to campus that deserve their own categories.

Coming soon: the burger at Cabalar; Pizzeria 211’s new Lemon Street home; easy, BYOB Thai food at SukhoThai; coffee, cocktails and something completely different at West Art; a big-group afternoon at the Warehouse District Beer Garden; and LUCA, which remains one of our favorite overall Lancaster restaurants.

We’ll also share our favorite date-night destination for the evening your son heads off to a team social—or offers one of those carefully vague explanations of his Saturday-night plans. That is your cue to make a reservation at The Belvedere and enjoy dinner, cocktails and live jazz without him.

And finally, we’ll continue our search for a spicy margarita better than the one at Double C.

🍹 DipsLocal Sip Pick: Double C’s Spicy Margarita.

Spoiler alert: so far, we have not found one, but we'll keep looking.