When kid’s away, the parents can play. A school camping trip meant a whole evening to ourselves – no homework or after-school activities or bedtime routines. We spent the bonus artfully, indulging in a quick getaway that left us refreshed and inspired. Lancaster Arts Hotel is an extraordinary place to recharge, with a delightful mix of historic architecture (restored tobacco warehouse) and contemporary art by local artists. Our room was graced with the charcoals of artist Linda Mylin Ross, but every corridor, alcove, and sitting room boasted the talents of the community, from ironwork to plaster to mixed media sculpture, as well as textiles, photography and oils. The breadth and depth of the displays reinforce the notion of Lancaster as an arts hub. At the start of a linear park, this boutique hotel invited us to explore the city on foot, along pathways less traveled by. A fabulous dinner at John J. Jeffries restaurant with fresh local asparagus and spinach soup, grass fed beef brisket and and local organic chicken topped off the day. And a room with cloud-soft bedding and the indulgence of a whirlpool made the night. A generous continental breakfast in the morning, surrounded by artistic photographs of some of the region’s top artisans got us inspired to hit the city streets and peruse the wealth of galleries all within a short stroll.