Calling all Food Network junkies: Both parents and kids love the hands-on pretzel-making experience at Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery. Even the culinary-challenged can learn to twist their very own piece of dough, transforming it into a mouthwatering soft pretzel just like the ones Julius Sturgis made when he first opened this bakery back in 1861.
Located in historic Lititz, Pennsylvania, a town settled primarily by the Moravian people in the 1740s, this pretzel bakery is an opportunity for visitors to tour the facility, observe the bakers twisting sourdough soft pretzels by hand, shop for delicious treats and souvenirs in the bakery store and — best of all — make your own pretzels. Tours are 20 minutes long and run on the half hour every day except Sunday.
In the store, shop from a wide assortment of pretzels from Tom Sturgis Pretzels of Reading, Pennsylvania (named for the grandson of the founder). Sweets lovers won’t be able to resist the smaller pretzels covered in chocolate, while folks who like a little zing on the palate will naturally gravitate to the Hot Cheesers. Can’t decide? Then get a sampling of everything in the Pennsylvania Dutch Sample Tote.
Walk off the calories along the picturesque downtown streets of Lititz where gourmet shops, restaurants, coffee shops and museums contribute to the reputation this town has earned as one of the top-three historic downtowns in Pennsylvania. Don’t leave without a visit to the Wilbur Chocolate Company, a chocolate candy store, museum and manufacturing plant. The handmade fudge with Oreo cookies is simply irresistible, and it’s the perfect counterbalance to those salty pretzels.