Your Local Guide to Mount Gretna, PA

Mount Gretna is a small wooded community in southern Lebanon County, tucked into the hills between Lebanon, Hershey and Manheim. It's known for its historic cottages, shady streets, summer theater and the lake. Some people come for a summer place and end up living here year-round.

A summer community since 1892. The Pennsylvania Chautauqua was founded here in 1892, built around learning, the arts and the outdoors. That spirit is still here. Gretna Theatre performs in the open-air Mount Gretna Playhouse, which dates to 1927. Summer brings concerts, lectures, the Mount Gretna Art Show in August and lines at the Jigger Shop for ice cream. Conewago Lake has a sandy beach, a swimming area and an old-time bathhouse.

Homes in Mount Gretna. Most homes here are Victorian-era cottages with big porches, close together on narrow, wooded streets. You'll also find larger year-round homes on the edges of town and in the surrounding townships.

Many cottages were built for summer use, so things like insulation and heating are worth a close look before you buy. With 27 years in construction, I can point out obvious issues as we walk through, so you know what to ask your home inspector about. Some sections of Mount Gretna have their own association rules and ground arrangements, so I go over those with you up front too.

Schools. Mount Gretna Borough is in the Cornwall-Lebanon School District. Homes on the South Londonderry Township side, around Conewago Lake and Timber Hills, are in the Palmyra Area School District.

Getting around.

• Route 117 runs through town, east to Cornwall and Route 72, and west toward Colebrook and Palmyra.
• Route 72 heads north to Lebanon and south to the PA Turnpike's Lebanon-Lancaster interchange, about 10 minutes away.
• Hershey is about 20 minutes away, and Lancaster and Harrisburg are each about 35 minutes.

Why people like it here.

• Walkable, wooded streets and a real sense of community
• Theater, music, art and the lake all in walking distance in summer
• Quiet in the off-season, with trails in the state game lands nearby
• An easy drive to Lebanon, Hershey and the Turnpike

See homes for sale in the Lebanon area, plus current market stats »

Also see: Living in Lebanon, PA · Living in Hershey, PA

Have more questions? See the answers to what Central PA buyers and sellers ask most on my Central PA Real Estate FAQ page.

Thinking about buying or selling in Mount Gretna? I'm always available. Call or text me at (717) 203-2383, email rod@property-dream.com, use the What's My Home Worth tool for a free home value, or send me a note below.

Iron Valley Real Estate of Lebanon | 717-769-2986