Plan a Visit

Ephrata Cloister’s Hours of Operation: 

 December 2024

Wednesdays through Saturdays: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm &

Sundays: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

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January & February 2025 Hours

Thursdays: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Fridays & Saturdays: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Sundays: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Choose Your Own Experience

Admission fees are the same for both of the following options:

Guided Tours allow guests to see the orientation video, visit the grounds, and the nine self-guided buildings plus the opportunity to join one of our knowledgeable guides who will lead you on a tour of the two most significant original buildings, the Sisters’ House and the Meetinghouse.  (The interior of these two buildings are only accessible on guided tours.)  Guided Tours last about 1 hour and 15 minutes and offers a look at the ideas, lifestyle, and achievements of this unique early American community. Tours are scheduled at various intervals depending on staffing levels. Current planned tour times are available on our homepage. We recommend you call in advance and ask for the specific times for the date you wish to visit. 

Self-Guided Tours allow guests to see the orientation video, visit the grounds, and the nine self-guided buildings using the visitor guide map and the cellphone tour. Self-Guided tours do not include entrance into the main buildings, the Sisters’ House and the Meetinghouse. A QR Code provides a brief video of the interior of these significant buildings. For self-guided tours we recommend you arrive no later than 3:00 pm. 

Admission to the historic site is required for both guided and self-guided tours. There is no admission to view the Visitor Center exhibit or The Museum Store. 

Call for information about group rates

Plan to spend at least an hour and a half during your visit to the historic site. Special events may have a different tour schedule. Call in advance for details.

Amenities       

Visitors will find picnic tables, ample free parking, and The Museum Store at Ephrata Cloister. Check the Calendar of Events for special programs which may require advance reservations or additional fees.

Accessibility

The guided tour requires walking about 2 city blocks. Seating is available at each of the tour stops. The Visitor Center and much of the historic site is accessible by wheelchair. A wheelchair is available to borrow at no cost. Because of the historic nature of the original buildings, many of the doorways are narrow and may not accommodate some personal wheelchairs. Wheelchairs, rollators, and walkers cannot access parts of the Sisters’ House. A small step or two is required for entrance or inside some buildings. Seating is available throughout the historic site and in the historic buildings. A book of color photographs showing all exhibition rooms in each of the historic buildings is available at the Visitor Center.

Individuals in need of special assistance should call the Ephrata Cloister at (717)733-6600 or the Pennsylvania TDD relay service at (800) 654-5984 in advance to discuss their needs. If possible, a one week notice of the visit will help us to best prepare for visitors with special needs.

Non-English speaking visitors

Interpretive brochures are available in German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and Russian

Map & Directions

The Ephrata Cloister is located at 632 West Main Street in Ephrata, Pennsylvania.

Get Directions

Photography

Photography for personal use only is permitted on the grounds of the Ephrata Cloister, subject to the following limitations:

• No photography requiring flash or additional lighting sources is permitted inside any structure.
• No video or audio recording devices are permitted on the guided tour.
• No tripods or other camera support devices are permitted in the buildings.
• Use of the historic site as a backdrop for wedding, graduation, or family photos, or other such photos requires an admission fee to the grounds, and a signed Location Release, regardless of whether or not you take advantage of the tour or other programs offered during business hours. Pre-arrangements for such photographs are encouraged.

All commercial photography or video taping requires advance approval. Members of the media are required to notify the site in advance of a planned visit. For full photography guidelines, please see the Photography Policy.