York was briefly the capital of the United States during the American Revolution, when the Continental Congress met here in 1777–1778 while Philadelphia was occupied by the British. The Articles of Confederation were adopted in York, and the York Colonial Complex still preserves the buildings where it happened — an undervisited rival to Philadelphia's more famous sites.
Today York is a mid-sized city surrounded by green rolling farmland and golf courses. The Central Market, operating since 1888, is a good place to sample local food. The Harley-Davidson factory offers tours for motorcycle enthusiasts, and the York County History Center covers the region's manufacturing and Civil War heritage. The countryside south of town stretches to the Maryland border and makes for pleasant driving through small towns and covered bridges.