Location: 2224 Furnace Hills Pike, Newmanstown, PA 17073
The Pretzel Hut: Free Petting Zoo, Shady Playground, and Fresh-Baked Pretzels Worth the Drive
For about a month, The Pretzel Hut sat on my “one day” list. Every time I was in Lancaster, it felt like it was tucked just far enough out of the way that I’d skip it, but 2 weeks ago, I found myself in Lebanon trying out some parks, and when my last stop (South 6th Street Playground) was only 20 minutes away from The Pretzel Hut, I decided that was my sign.
Now, I’m not a big pretzel person, but for about two weeks, I’d been craving a real pretzel, not the frozen, rubbery grocery store kind, but a soft, handmade, pull-apart pretzel. And the fact that The Pretzel Hut also has a free petting zoo? That sealed it.
Getting There & First Impressions
The Pretzel Hut sits along a quiet road surrounded by trees. From the outside, it looks like the kind of roadside spot you just know has good food. Parking was straightforward (gravel, but plenty), and before even ordering, we decided to check out the animals.
One thing to know before you go: the petting zoo is up a hill and it’s a steep one. I pushed my two-year-olds in a wagon and had to pause halfway to catch my breath. Others were managing with strollers, but be ready for a workout.
I left the wagon outside the petting zoo; it just made it easier to weave between the pigs and goats. Inside, the vibe was relaxed and family-friendly. The goats were curious but not pushy, and while they do sell feed for them, we stuck to just watching.
The Petting Zoo
The animals we saw that day included:
Two very sleepy pigs (adorable and snoring like champions)
Around 10 goats
Miniature horses
Bunnies (temporarily in a slightly different area due to weather)
Peacocks strutting in the shade of the trees
The website lists more animals, so they may rotate who’s out. Most of the petting zoo area is shaded, which is nice on a hot day. There’s someone stationed at the entrance, which made me feel even safer with my kids roaming inside.
The Playground
At the bottom of the hill (you can go down one side and back up the other), there’s a playground that’s almost fully visible from any seat nearby, no hidden corners or blind spots. My two-year-olds were happy sliding, my four-year-old made instant friends, and there were about 6–10 picnic tables right there, plus extra seating a little farther back.
The playground is mostly shaded, with a few sunny patches, and many of the tables have umbrellas. The surface is shredded rubber. There’s also a walking path nearby I saw people heading uphill like they were doing a loop, but I didn’t explore it fully.
The Food
Between the animals, the playground, and ordering food, our whole visit lasted about 1 hour and 15 minutes, perfect for a relaxed afternoon outing.
The Pretzel Hut’s menu is broader than you might expect for a pretzel-and-ice-cream shop (cheesesteaks and fries are on the grill side)
Soft pretzels in multiple flavors
Burgers and fries
Cheesesteaks
Shakes
Ice cream with their signature mini pretzel on top
The pretzel I ordered, a cinnamon sugar one, was exactly what I’d been craving: fresh, soft, warm, and easy to pull apart. The kids got plain vanilla and mint chocolate chip ice cream. The ice cream was homemade (not Hershey’s or a store brand), rich, and creamy. It was hot out, so it melted fast, even in the shade, so I recommend saving it for the end to avoid sticky hands or insect attention.
Prices were pleasantly reasonable. Our pretzel plus two ice cream cones came to under $13
Mom Tips & Things to Know Before You Go
The hill is steep. Wagons or strollers are fine, but prepare for a workout
The petting zoo is free, but you can buy feed for the animals if you want
Shaded seating is available at the playground, plus umbrellas on sunny tables
The grill is on the left side of the building (burgers, fries, cheesesteaks). Ice cream is served from a side window
Bathrooms are most likely inside, near the grill counter, not up by the animals
The hand-washing station is right outside the petting zoo
Plan your visit for about 1–1.5 hours to enjoy everything without rushing
If you’re visiting with little ones, it’s easiest to play first, then do ice cream to avoid melty messes
Why I’d Go Back
This place is an easy “yes” for me now, affordable, shaded, safe for kids to roam, and a mix of activities that keep everyone entertained without dragging out the day. Next time, I’m trying the grilled food, maybe a cheesesteak and fries, before rounding it off with another warm pretzel.
