Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is a town in the agricultural Alleghenies and Susquehanna Valley region of York County, Pennsylvania. It is located four miles above the Mason-Dixon line (PA-MD border). With approximately 3,500 people residing in Shrewsbury, it is a small suburban community with many farms and family owned or Amish farmers' markets. Its accessibility to Interstate 83 makes it very easy for travelers to reach many other Pennsylvania and Maryland locations.
Understand
Shrewsbury was first settled in part of a larger area known as Shrewsbury Township in 1739. As the village developed, it was incorporated as its own town in 1834. The largest ancestry group in Shrewsbury is from Germany, with 38 percent of residents today identifying with either German or Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. The town of Shrewsbury covers a mere 1.8 square miles, existing in the township that covers 29 square miles. The township includes Shrewsbury, Railroad, New Freedom, and Glen Rock, and students attend the Southern York County School District.
The town has developed rapidly, with a population increase of 45 percent in the past 20 years. With nearly double the people, farms and pieces of land have been sold and commercialized with creation of strip malls and multiple shopping plazas. Although Shrewsbury is part of the York metropolitan area, most commuters travel south to Baltimore County for work. Sixty-five percent of Shrewsbury residents are married or have families, with a median family income of about $57,000 per year. The majority of citizens in Shrewsbury claim to be registered Republicans, and demographically, the town is 97 percent white.
Get in
By car
From Baltimore, take Interstate 83 North. Shrewsbury is the first exit when you cross into Pennsylvania, Exit 4 Shrewsbury.
From York, take Interstate 83 South. Shrewsbury is the last exit before crossing the Maryland line, Exit 4 Shrewsbury.
By plane
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Baltimore, MD 21240, 410-859-7111. About a 50 minute drive from Shrewsbury, BWI airport has many flight options available. There are also many rental car companies for travelers to choose from if they are driving North to Shrewsbury. Be careful of rush-hour flights because traffic can make the commute over an hour and a half from Baltimore to Shrewsbury on any given day. Take 195 West from the airport to Interstate 95 North for 2.1 miles. Take the I-695 North/Baltimore Beltway Inner Loop for 17 miles, and exit 24 to Interstate 83 North. Shrewsbury is the first exit once you cross into Pennsylvania, exit 4 Shrewsbury.
Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), Terminal One, #300, Middletown, PA 17057, 717-948-3900. Smaller airport than BWI with less flight options, but is usually a shorter commute because there is usually less traffic than when coming from Baltimore. There are also many rental car companies to choose from. Take 283 West from the airport to Interstate 76 West (the PA turnpike) for 5 miles. Exit 242 takes you to Interstate 83 South. Drive for 36 miles to exit 4, Shrewsbury.
Get around
Rabbit Transit, Main Location: 1230 Roosevelt Avenue, York, PA 17404. 717-846-7433, http://www.rabbittransit.org/. There are Rabbit Transit stops at many different places in Shrewsbury, including Shrewsbury Commons, Market Square, the public library, and the Markets at Shrewsbury. Service is reliable and can take you from Shrewsbury to other places around York County on 15 of their fixed routes. The Shrewsbury to York route is Monday-Friday, 6 am - 7 pm. Senior citizen and student discounts are available. Out of town adult one-way fare: $1.40. Unlimited adult day-pass: $4.25.
See
Mason-Dixon Line, at the Mason-Dixon Farm Market, 18166 Susquehanna Trail South. There is a concrete post that marks the border between Maryland and Pennsylvania in Shrewsbury, where slaves were made free after crossing into Pennsylvania during the Civil War. Farm market owners have stories to share about Underground Railroad houses and other slave stops between Maryland and Pennsylvania. Free to stand and take a picture with the concrete post marker.
Do
Charles Sweeney Memorial Park, Playground Avenue and Old Susquenhanna Trail. Call Borough building for more information or pavilion requests, 717-235-4371. Baseball field, two basketball courts, playground equipment, three picnic pavilions, and other picnic areas.
Rail Trail, part of the York County Department of Parks and Recreation, 45 Cherry Street, Seven Valleys, PA 17360, 717-428-0999, http://www.yorkcountytrails.org/. Bicycle, running, or walking trails that go from Bel-Air, MD to just short of Harrisburg, PA. Beautiful year round and free to spend the entire day on the trails. More secluded in the winter, lots of passer-bys during the rest of the year. No parking lot in Shrewsbury, but the Seven Valleys park office is just 10 minutes away.
Buy
Antique Center, North Main Street. Store hours vary, mostly 9 am - 4 pm. Various antique and small boutiques that are locally owned and cherished. More than 10 antique shops carrying anything from furniture and jewelry to clothing and more modern day items. Heading east on Forrest Avenue off of Interstate 83, turn right at the third light on North Main Street. The stores are on both sides of the street and you can park on the side by meter.
Markets' at Shrewsbury, 12025 Susquehanna Trail, Glen Rock, PA 17327, 717-235-6611. http://www.marketsatshrewsbury.com/. Open Thursday from 9 am - 5 pm, Friday from 9 am - 7 pm, and Saturday from 8 am - 5 pm. Can be seen from Interstate 83 between exit 8, Glen Rock, and the Shrewsbury exit. Different vendors including region-unique foods such as fruit, vegetables, meat, corn, candies, and other treats. Also Amish furniture made in Lancaster County, PA, crafts, Penn Dutch structures, and more with new vendors adding every week. Probably the largest attraction in town where travelers can get a little taste and feel of everything. Heading east on Forrest Avenue off of Interstate 83, turn right at the third light onto North Main Street, following for 5 miles to the markets on your right.
Market Square, at main the intersection on South Main Street. Includes more restaurants, tanning, nails salon, banks, a liquor store, and more. Across the street from CVS Pharmacy and two gas stations. Heading east on Forrest Avenue off of Interstate 83, turn left at the third light onto South Main Street, following for one mile to the market square intersection.
Mason-Dixon Farm Market, 18166 Susquehanna Trail South, New Freedom, PA 17349, 717-235-4338. Hours vary with season; usually Monday - Saturday, 9 am - 6 pm. Fruits, vegetables, hay, manure, mulch, landscaping, Christmas trees, and more. The She's Got Crabs' Shack works out of the parking lot in the summer, selling fresh crabs from Chesapeake Bay crabbers. Heading east on Forrest Avenue off of Interstate 83, turn left at the third light onto South Main Street, following for seven miles to the farmers' market on your left.
Shrewsbury Commons, Shrewsbury Commons Avenue. Shopping plaza that can be seen from Interstate 83, including many fast food and other restaurants, Wal-Mart Supercenter, the UPS Store, and more. Heading east on Forrest Avenue off of Interstate 83, turn left at the first light into Shrewsbury Commons shopping center.
Shrewsbury Square, Mount Airy Road. Shopping plaza that can be seen from Interstate 83, including more fast food restaurants, Giant grocery store, hair salon, eye doctor, Hallmark, and more. Heading east on Forrest Avenue off of Interstate 83, turn right at the first light onto Mount Airy Road, and the Shrewsbury Square is on your right.
Stonebridge Plaza, Wolfe Road. Shopping area that can be seen from Interstate 83, including restaurants, Gold's Gym, Home Depot, and more. Heading west on Forrest Avenue off of Interstate 83, turn left at the first light across the bridge and into the Stonebridge Plaza shopping area.
Eat
Breakfast
- Big Apple Bagels, 586 Shrewsbury Commons Avenue, Shrewsbury Commons, ☏ +1-717-235-9559. M–F 6AM–6PM, Sa 7AM–5PM, Su 7AM–4PM. Order at the counter and get your breakfast or lunch to eat there or to-go. Very quick service, with Brewsters’ Coffee, fresh bagels and muffins baked every day. There are also breakfast sandwiches and deli, salad, and omelette sandwich options. Average breakfast or lunch sandwich price: $6.00.
- Mason-Dixon Family Restaurant, 3 Old Farm Lane, Market Square Shopping Center, ☏ +1-717-235-6471. M–F 6AM–9PM, Sa Su 7AM–8PM.. Always busy with locals and families, but fast and welcoming service with local high school students waiting and hosting tables. Diner-type food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Pancakes and waffles for less than $2. Average breakfast platter price: $5.75.
Casual dining
- Coach Light Restaurant, 99 E Forrest Avenue, ☏ +1-717-235-4711. Daily 7AM–9PM. One of the oldest restaurants in town, a local's favorite for meatloaf and other country cooking. Most crowded around early dinnertime, from about 3PM–5PM. Average dinner price: $11.99.
- Emerald Garden, 564 Shrewsbury Commons Avenue, Shrewsbury Commons, ☏ +1-717-227-2288. Daily 11AM–10PM. Asian food with inexpensive deals for lunch, such as the two for $10. Friendly staff and very quick service, with take-out option also available. Average dinner price: $13.50.
- Nikolas' Café, 551 S Main Street, Market Square Shopping Center, ☏ +1-717-235-2200. M 3–9PM, Tu–Th 11AM–9PM, F Sa 11AM–9:30PM. Very small indoor dining area, but outdoor seating is available during the summer and late spring/early fall months. Carry-out option is available, along with catering services. Authentic Italian recipes served by a very friendly and small waiting staff. Call ahead for a table if dining in. Average dinner price: $15.99.
- Sal's Pizza, 437 S Main Street, ☏ +1-717-227-4846. Su–Th noon–10PM, F Sa noon–11PM. Small dining area with outdoor seating available during the summer and late spring/early fall months. Calzones, Stromboli, pizza, salads, and more, with carry-out or delivery options available. Average dinner price: $9.99.
Sleep
Shrewsbury only has one hotel, which is located in the Stonebridge Plaza. There are motels off the exit before and the exit after on Interstate 83 if travelers would like to seek cheaper locations. Most people traveling in and around Shrewsbury have family nearby; for those familiar with the area, the Bed and Breakfast that used to exist on Main Street was closed a couple of years ago.
Hampton Inn, 1000 Far Hills Drive. From Interstate I-83 take Exit 4, Shrewsbury. East onto Rt 851 (towards Stewartstown). Turn left onto Wolfe Rd in the Stonebridge Plaza. Take the first left onto Far Hills Drive, and the Hampton Inn is on the left. Phone: 717-235-9898. Fax: 717-235-9897, http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=SWYPAHX [dead link]. Check-in time at 3 pm, Check-out time at 11 am. Can be seen from Interstate 83. As the only hotel in town, there are always lots of people coming and going, so travelers should almost always plan to book their stay in advance, especially in the summer. There's a complimentary breakfast with good service, and an indoor swimming pool that is very clean. Current price is listed as $111/night.
Connect
Shrewsbury Borough Municipal Building, 35 W Railroad Avenue, 717-235-4371. http://www.shrewsburyborough.org/. Open Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4 pm. Information about the town, services, and local government. Public computers, phones, and maps available for travelers.
Paul Smith Library of Southern York County, 80 Constitution Avenue, 717-235-4313. https://www.yorklibraries.org/shrewsbury-paul-smith/. Open Monday - Wednesday, 10 am - 8 pm, Thursday - Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm, closed on Sundays. Free Internet and Wifi available, information about the town, childrens' programs, and town services directory.
Go next
Nearby destinations that are suitable for day trips include:
York, PA: Explore the unofficial, first capital of the United States and the original Harley-Davidson manufacturing factory. (15 miles, approx. 20 minute car ride)
Harrisburg, PA: Explore the Capital of Pennsylvania. (42 miles, approx. 50 minute car ride)
Hershey, PA: Explore Hershey Park and other chocolate town attractions. (50 miles, approx. 50 minute car ride)
Lancaster, PA: Explore Amish country. (40 miles, approx. 45 mintue car ride)
Baltimore, MD: Explore Inner Harbor and enjoy Maryland blue crab or other fresh seafood. (40 miles, approx. 45 minute car ride)
Washington, D.C.: Explore the nation's Capital. (80 miles, approx. 1.5 hour car ride)
| Routes through Shrewsbury |
| Harrisburg ← York ← | N  S |
→ Hunt Valley → Baltimore |