Meet Fig Contributor Debbie Dawson

We are so excited to welcome local expert Debbie Dawson to the team as a Fig Contributor! You may recognize her from her @lancexplorer Instagram and blog. She will be writing feature blogs for Fig Lancaster online. We recently asked Debbie some questions to help us introduce her to you. Look out for her writings, reviews, and blogs here on FigLancaster.com. 

What do you love about your area?

I love that Lancaster is a walkable city filled with exceptional galleries, outstanding restaurants, and unique shops. As a vibrant, growing, diverse community of creative people, Lancaster is the perfect combination of small town friendliness and big city bustle.

What is your favorite local restaurant? Favorite museum, landmark, place to visit?

I love being adventurous and relishing in the excitement of a “coming soon” sign on a business window. My favorite places to visit are ones that I’m visiting for the first time.

I always appreciate recommendations of favorites from locals and add them to my “someday soon” list. Anticipating new adventures and making plans to visit the new-to-me places and events is part of the joy of exploring.

Why do you like writing for Fig?

Writing for Fig gives me the opportunity to share my passion for Lancaster with a wide audience, from first-time visitors to long-time Lancastrians. Through my writing for Fig and daily postings on Instagram as @lancexplorer, I hope to inspire and motivate others to explore, experience, and enjoy Lancaster!

I enjoy learning about Lancaster, sharing my love of Lancaster, and supporting our local businesses.

Where can we find you on a Friday night? Or on a Saturday?

On Friday nights, you will often find me in downtown Lancaster, strolling down Gallery Row during the First Friday festivities or listening to free music performances on every block on Music Fridays.

Sunday evenings throughout the summer, you will find me having a picnic at Long’s Park listening to the Summer Concert Series musicians.

What’s your dream day in your location?

My dream day in Lancaster would start with an early morning mocha and scone at a local coffee shop, spending time with a good book and my journal. Then, I’d stroll a few downtown blocks browsing at boutiques and gazing at new gallery offerings, eventually ending up at Central Market for lunch. For some afternoon exercise, I’d head to the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail for a bike ride along the Susquehanna River, and later I’d make my way back to downtown Lancaster to meet friends for outdoor dining and drinks.

How long have you lived in your area?

I moved to Lancaster in December 2015. In an attempt to quickly become acquainted with my new city, I made a concerted effort to explore the community visiting at least 2-3 new places each week. So far, I’ve dined at over 90 restaurants, visited more than 100 local businesses, experienced numerous local events and places of interest . . . and the adventures continue.

What do you feel you bring to Fig as a local expert?

As a recent transplant, I bring fresh eyes and a new perspective as a resident tourist who delights in finding new adventures throughout historic Lancaster County.

Having recently relocated to Lancaster after a lifetime in Oklahoma, I’ve been fortunate to have more than 16 friends and family members visit me; these frequent house guests provided me the opportunity to be their personal tour guide and to show off my new community. With each set of guests, I planned daily itineraries from a downtown walking tour of galleries and shops to a covered bridge driving tour through Amish farmland with stops by roadside markets and Kitchen Kettle Village.

Most importantly, I simply love Lancaster and love sharing all the goodness it has to offer!