For those snow birds in Pennsylvania now

[senior citizen]

For those snowbirds in Pennsylvania now, we'd appreciate suggestions for a road trip through Lancaster County this upcoming autumn period and again next May with the grandchildren............we'd be driving, coming down from Binghamton New York area (not through New Jersey) and would probably end up on what they call the "Old Philadelphia Pike" someplace out of Philadelphia.......really want to avoid the city.

We'd have a week or more so we'd like to leisurely see the Amish Countryside.

Online searches show that it's really GROWN UP since the early 1960's when we were last there. I was surprised at how many covered bridges there were in Lancaster Co alone..........appears to be 25 of them....and no doubt more in surrounding areas.....we don't want to stay on a FARM B&B but neither do we want to stay in a high rise hotel........any suggestions?

Some of the first towns would be Bird in a Hand, Intercourse, Stroudsberg, etc. but there are dozens of other interesting villages such as Mount Joy, etc.......and many others..........all the way to Hershey.

It all looks like one big tourist trap now........but we'd like to get "off the beaten track" and see the farmlands..........that's what we like coming from Vermont ourselves. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. I sent for the Pennsylvania Travel and Tourism folder and maps but not sure how long they will take to arrive.

We remember taking our parents to the real old fashioned Amish cooking type restaurants which were served family style........so any names stand out in particular?

[Peter@PeacefulPL]

PA Railroad museum in Strasburg, probably the second best in the nation (behind Sacramento.) Across the street is the Strasburg RR, running steam in front of the finest reconditioned cars in America. Down the road in Paradise is the National Toy Train Museum. Amish style restaurants__Good and Plenty, and Shady Maple. Check out Lititz, about ten mi N of Lancaster. Sturgis Pretzel Factory, Wilbur's Chocolates, a couple nice B and B's there as well. Have a great trip.

[senior citizen]

PA Railroad museum in Strasburg, probably the second best in the nation (behind Sacramento.) Across the street is the Strasburg RR, running steam in front of the finest reconditioned cars in America. Down the road in Paradise is the National Toy Train Museum. Amish style restaurants__Good and Plenty, and Shady Maple. Check out Lititz, about ten mi N of Lancaster. Sturgis Pretzel Factory, Wilbur's Chocolates, a couple nice B and B's there as well. Have a great trip.

Yes, plan to visit Strasburg so all your information is welcomed....plus the Amish style restaurants. Thanks....appreciate it.

[vclaes]

In addition to the excellent previous recommendations, I would suggest you consider taking the grandchildren to Hershey Park or Dutch Wonderland, Sight and Sound Theatre, Clipper Stadium for a baseball game, American Music Theatre, visit the Lancaster Science Factory, have an Auntie Anne's pretzel, an incomparable sticky bun at Mr. Sticky, a cheesesteak at Caruso's, dinner at John J. Jeffries, and shop tax-free for clothing at Tanger and Rockvale outlets. Loving food, I would be happy to tell you of my many other favorite places to eat in Lancaster. Lancaster Host Resort, Hilton Garden Inn and Suites, and the new Comfort Suites are very conveniently located. Two NON-chain and interesting hotel choices are The Lancaster Arts Hotel and the Cork Factory Hotel. I highly recommend a day trip to Gettysburg. If I can be of any help to you, you know the drill. Wishing you safe travels and great adventures!

[asianthree]

i have never met a amish resturant i didn't love

[senior citizen]

In addition to the excellent previous recommendations, I would suggest you consider taking the grandchildren to Hershey Park or Dutch Wonderland, Sight and Sound Theatre, Clipper Stadium for a baseball game, American Music Theatre, visit the Lancaster Science Factory, have an Auntie Anne's pretzel, an incomparable sticky bun at Mr. Sticky, a cheesesteak at Caruso's, dinner at John J. Jeffries, and shop tax-free for clothing at Tanger and Rockvale outlets. Loving food, I would be happy to tell you of my many other favorite places to eat in Lancaster. Lancaster Host Resort, Hilton Garden Inn and Suites, and the new Comfort Suites are very conveniently located. Two NON-chain and interesting hotel choices are The Lancaster Arts Hotel and the Cork Factory Hotel. I highly recommend a day trip to Gettysburg. If I can be of any help to you, you know the drill. Wishing you safe travels and great adventures!

Again, all wonderful ideas which we will be sure to explore......
I've sent for the big free Pennsylvania Amish Country Travel Guide.
Gettysburg is another great suggestion; we were last there back in our 20's when we lived in N.J.

I would appreciate knowing WHICH of the "Amish" restaurants you feel are the most authentic. I searched online and was surprised to find that some with Amish sounding or quaint sounding names actually had the typical food one might find at Applebee's on their menus..........we remember the family style REAL Amish dishes....chicken and noodles, the relishes, the pies, etc. and many many others served at long tables.

I just received an offer to stay in a real "ex Amish" guest house which comprises two.....both quaint....one a larger farmhouse and the other a cute guest cottage............I've also found some upscale big hotel/motel chains.

Would you say that "Bird in a Hand", "Intercourse", "Strasburg", etc. at the beginning of this old Philadelphia Pike (not sure the route number at the moment; not looking at a map) is a microcosm of everything else?

We want to also "get off the beaten track" and of course see the real farmlands, dirt roads and covered bridges, such as we have here in Vermont. But, we don't want to "fly through" the above mentioned towns on an interstate..................it's been over 47 years since we last were there and I'm certain progress has taken over.............

Sorry to bombard you with questions, but wouldn't Hershey Park be more in the western part of the state......or just in the western part of Lancaster County??? The grandchildren will be one year old and two years old.........not our "older crowd" who will be in school at the time.

THANK TO EVERYONE .....................

P.S. Apparently, Lancaster County now has a BIG WELCOME CENTER (similar to what Iowa has when you cross the border; we LOVE the Iowa Welcome Center on the Mississippi River)...........and Lancaster's welcome center offers a free 90 minute guided bus tour of the region so you can get your bearings. Again, we like to get off the beaten track and see the "back roads" whether it's Maine or elsewhere...........not stay on the highways. The road less traveled.

I noticed there are also HORSE AND BUGGY RIDES on dirt roads under covered bridges.....Amish driven. Not sure if I'd go on that....but it looked like a very scenic tour.
Would be different than a golf cart, wouldn't it?

[travelguy]

i cannot believe that you are avoiding philadelphia, the birthplace of american freedom. it is a fascinating city, filled with fabulous food, gorgeous parks, architecture from every american period, collections of incredible art, and independence national park. not to mention the beautiful suburbs, especially bucks county!

[senior citizen]

i cannot believe that you are avoiding philadelphia, the birthplace of american freedom. it is a fascinating city, filled with fabulous food, gorgeous parks, architecture from every american period, collections of incredible art, and independence national park. not to mention the beautiful suburbs, especially bucks county!

SOUNDS GOOD..........THANK YOU FOR SHARING.

We have been to Philly when we were much younger and lived in New Jersey........drove down there to see the Liberty Bell.

Have friends who live in the burbs now.

For some reason, we've always gravitated to the rural countryside; perhaps because we were born and raised in a city........did all the "city things" way back when.......New York City, Washington D.C., Boston, etc.

We find rural areas peaceful .........

[senior citizen]

In addition to the excellent previous recommendations, I would suggest you consider taking the grandchildren to Hershey Park or Dutch Wonderland, Sight and Sound Theatre, Clipper Stadium for a baseball game, American Music Theatre, visit the Lancaster Science Factory, have an Auntie Anne's pretzel, an incomparable sticky bun at Mr. Sticky, a cheesesteak at Caruso's, dinner at John J. Jeffries, and shop tax-free for clothing at Tanger and Rockvale outlets. Loving food, I would be happy to tell you of my many other favorite places to eat in Lancaster. Lancaster Host Resort, Hilton Garden Inn and Suites, and the new Comfort Suites are very conveniently located. Two NON-chain and interesting hotel choices are The Lancaster Arts Hotel and the Cork Factory Hotel. I highly recommend a day trip to Gettysburg. If I can be of any help to you, you know the drill. Wishing you safe travels and great adventures!


Great recommendations for which I thank you..........

We've been to Gettysburg when younger..........but it would be nice to see it again.....

Appreciate all of the above.........thank you for the "safe travels" wish.

p.s.
Thanks also to private posters with the overwhelming long lists of suggestions of where to go and not to go.........truly truly appreciated.
I'm printing everything out for our travels.

[2 Oldcrabs]

Take I-95 south to Rt 896 north in Delaware. (exit before the toll). It will take you thru the college town of Newark De. then about 5 mi you are in Pa. It is a winding back road that takes you thru Strasburg Pa and brings you to Rt 30 which is about center of Lancaster. It is a nice ride but watch your signs for the turns of Rt 896. About 1hr & 10min off I-95. :)

[greenhillsgirl]

We moved here from Berks County this past October. I often got in the car and headed to Lancaster just for something to do. when our son went to Lancaster School of Art & Design, I spent many afternoons just walking around the town. Anyway, the Lancaster Farmers Market is really a treat...it is the oldest farmers market in this country (or so THEY say). The ride on Route 23 (heading west) between Morgantown and Lancaster is a great ride...it passes Shady Maple, and by the way, you must take your family there. Also, there are many many private front lawn types of shopping, i.e. quilts, home grown everything. The produce is the very best you will every find. The tomatoes are to die for...as good as the Jersey ones, if not better. They should have all kinds of pumpkins, squash, apples, pears....I am envious. Also, there a great store called "Churchtown Supply", which is on the right side, heading west on Rt. 23. Churchtown is a really small area, so don't hurry down 23. The hours for most everything in the area are limited, so check the hours carefully. If you have any questions, you can call me or post me directly.