Pennsylvania's family surprise!! SO MUCH TO DO !!!
Written: Aug 28 '02 (Updated Aug 30 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Very diverse and a wonderland of fun things for the kids to do!!
Cons: gets very crowded at times
The Bottom Line: This is a true family vacation. It's fun for all!!
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Pennsylvania Dutch Country |
My wife and I "discovered" the Pennsylvania Dutch Country nearly forty years ago. Some things have changed and others have stayed the same and there are now many more new quaint and fun attractions for kids. This is a great place to visit!! Tourist love the Pennsylvania Dutch Country attractions!
One thing I do want to say now is that all the towns and places I mention are all within fifteen to twenty or so minutes of each other, farthest point to farthest point. This is one of the wonderful things about this area.
Rt30 is the main route to many attractions. There was a time when you could see farms from the road. Now it's a virtual strip mall with restaurants and motels in between. It's also quite slow on high season days. That's the bad news. The good news is that there is so much to do and find on and off the beaten path.
My wife and I continue to go there every other year or so and business takes me there too.
There is so much I can tell you about this area. I will touch on some places and add more that are perfect for the family.
First, and a huge favorite, is Cherry Crest's Amazing Maize Maze It has a 5 acre field of corn growing over ten feet high. Each year for the last six years they have a theme. This last year had a Western Theme. The maze you go through has many different items pertaining to the story. The object is to get through all of them including Emerald City and get to the ruby slippers. You first go for an orientation. The guide tells you the basic rules. You will be given a map with which you must complete by finding puzzle piece stations throughout the maze.
The maze generally takes about an hour and a half to get through. If you need or want help you can always leave sooner. Some people make a day of it and find every clue etc and stay for hours.
The schedule is from Mid July till the end of October. Please call for specifics.
While in the maze you will hear the Strasburg Railroad come through. It goes and even makes a stop at the maze.
By taking a short ride, seven minutes or so you can go to the railroad station and book a ride on the train. It takes about an hour from start to end. They have dining cars where you can sit and have lunch or a sunset dinner. We opt for the open Hello Dolly car that was used in the movie. The station is a wonderful place for photos. The train ride itself is very relaxing and informative. Our guide that day had a very dry sense of humor that, along with his info made the "old times" and the new come alive. The train takes you through the beautiful countryside where you are told a bit about the farming and the local people.
Just across the road from the train station is the Train Museum for those interested. I have never been in there but I understand people come from all over the country to see it.
If trains are your thing there is the Caboose Motel nearby where you actually have a caboose to sleep in. The general store there is also a good place to watch the trains go by. The kids will enjoy shopping within. It has some very cool kid stuff and info. Be sure to put a dime in the turn style outside the store and take a tour of a caboose. Also there are buggies out front for rides through the Amish country. We found the ride that took about a half an hour informative. The kids even got to "steer" the horse.
This area was settled by people of German descent and the area was called the Pennsylvania Deuetch Country. It start to mistakenly be called the Pennsylvania Dutch country. The Amish and to some extent the Mennonites do not use many of the modern tools we have today. The Amish do not use electricity. If you look at their farms you will not see power lines going to them. What you may see are windmills for pumping water.
There are a few working and open Amish farms that you can visit. Look for them. They are very interesting and give a good lesson as to their religious beliefs, family values, and work ethic.
The tours and free time will take you about an hour and a half to two hours. These places are a must to really understand the people
Over the years my wife and I have met these people and they are wonderful, hardworking, and dedicated to God and family.
A drive though the back country will bring you to wood shops and farm stands. Take a moment buy some wares and talk to the people. Our children found them very interesting and were amazed by the Amish kids all barefoot. They do not drive or own cars, they still use horse and buggy to get around. You will see them on the side roads. You may also see horse drawn plows working the land. No pictures should be taken of them please.
For those who would like to see some amazing and grand shows of the old testament go to the Living Water Theater and another huge place right next store, the Sight and Sound Millennium Theatre. The shows are grand and that's from a guy who sees the Radio City Music shows in NYC. All these place I have mentioned are printed on all the maps that are very easily available everywhere in the little towns. Rt 30 also has a relatively new theater that has "Americana" shows the American Music Theatre.
Bird In Hand is one of those towns in it you will find an Amish market. There are also loads and loads of outlet stores through out the area. Many people from NY go there to shop because there is no tax.
A bit more commercial but far from a huge Disney
is the Dutch Wonderland. It has great rides for kids fifteen and under. My suggestion is to go in at five thirty. It's a reduced price and there were no crowds then. We were on over twelve or more different rides in that time. I recently did a review on it. Check the deals they have.
You will find little kiddie rides, and those a bit more challenging. A small rollercoaster, bumper cars. log flume etc.Don't miss the pleasant boat ride. The gardens in the back area are beautiful!!
Yes, you may be getting hungry. You will find all the chain restaurants there but look for Good and Plenty. Beware the food is served family style with strangers at your table. The strangers are tourists who are in the area for all the different available things. It seems that many go there just for the outlet shopping. We enjoy meeting people and sharing experiences and helpful hints.The majority seem to like it too,but I do know some people are taken back by it. Hey if you come to Epinions I'm sure you would like to hear some live opinions, so go and eat family style and share stories etc.
The food at Good and Plenty is hearty, filling, and delicious. There's also the nearby Plain and Fancy Restaurant where my wife and I recently had a good experience and delicious food also served family style.
Leave room for dessert.
Also try Millers for the best buffet breakfast you have ever had. They only serve it on Sundays. We recently ate there for dinner. It was excellent. See my review for more details.
Also at night or even the afternoon stop in Strasburg for an ice cream at the little corner store. Strasburg also has "Ghost Walks" that are fun, light hearted and even haunting. It even took us through a cemetery. I wouldn't take any kids under eight though. Though it's fun,they may not understand. I don't want any little ones having nightmare due to my review. The older kids will have fun.There is a bit of walking,probably a total of a mile. It's all level.
Just a few hundred yards east of Millers on RT 30 on the same side is a store called the "Outhouse" That should tell you something right away. Go in and be prepared to spend a few quarters and dimes and have a lot of real good laughs. Maybe you will even buy something. Their fudge is great. Most of the times I have been to the store we went to the "Pig" show just outside the doors. It was closed this time for a "pig vacation". It is run by an old timer who is blind. It's fun for all the kids. You give a "Piggy donation" at the end of the show if you like. UPDATE; The Piggy show has closed.
There are many excellent miniature golf courses in the area too.
The Pennsylvania Dutch Country has many motels for lodging throughout it, but, do know, at certain times of the year you cannot get a room. Call ahead. We have stayed in a little place by the name of Cherry Lane Motor Inn. It's a perfect rustic yet family friendly place to stay. Write the chamber of commerce in Bird in Hand, Strasburg etc. They will all send the same maps. Pick and choose from there. I would say to stay away from the Host hotel and for excellent modern lodging I suggest Bird-in-Hand Family Inn and the Amish View Inn for a bit upscale property.
Sturgis has a 1700s home that also housed the New Worlds first pretzel factory. They have a tour there and I loved it. It's a small location, low key but interesting. It's just the right length of time for kids too. Herr's chips has a tour that is a bit further away from all else. Closer by is the Intercourse Pretzel Tour.
A recent stop in the area brought us to the Christmas Center a sort of museum that was amazing! It's in Paradise and well worth a visit for kids and adults.
I could go on and maybe I will, in the future, divide my review into kids things to do, places to eat,historic sites, entertainment, the Amish and Mennonites, the railroads, the corn maze etc. Well as of this update I have introduced many specific reviews. Go to them for more detail.
My, my. I didn't mention all the outlet stores in the area in Tangers and other shopping mall centers. there's also the Green Dragon Farmers market and Auction house about a half hour north west of this area. It's H U G E.
We happen to enjoy the Bird-in-Hand market. The Pennsylvania Dutch country is full of Hex signs, recipes, markets, Pennsylvania Dutch tours, furniture and so much more. We also picked up our dear doggy in the Pennsylvania Dutch are that has many breeding kennels.
As you can see there really is so much to do in such a small confined area of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country attractions. Spend a few days, or a week or two!
Bring the family, have fun as a family.
The Pennsylvania Dutch Country is listed in the book 1,000 Places To See Before You Die It's good reading and dreaming.
Wonderful Weekends from New York City The Pennsylvania Dutch Country a tourist attraction is listed in this book that suggests places to stay, where to dine and what to do.
A good guide to the area
Fodor's Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Dutch Country
Other Pennsylvania reviews by poprocks
Pennsylvania Dutch Country An overview
Pennsylvania Dutch Visitors Center
Intercourse There's nothing quite like it.
Bird-In-Hand Small farmers market and antiques
RONKS Our favorite "Amish" town
Paradise
Strasburg
Strasburg Rail Road, Strasburg, PA
DUTCH WONDERLAND An amusement park for young families.
The Cherry Crest's Amazing Maize Maze This is family fun at its best!
Sight and Sound Millennium Theatre, One of the Most Popular Venues in the East
American Music Theater
National Christmas Center
Amish Farm and House Tour
Sturgis Pretzel House
Tangers Name Brand Shopping Mall
Green Dragon Farmers market and Auctions
Ghost Tour of Lancaster County
Good'n Plenty Restaurant Pennsylvania Dutch Cooking served Family Style
Plain and Fancy Farm Restaurant
Miller's SmorgasbordExcellent Pennsylvania Dutch Fare served buffet style
Harvestview Family Restaurant, Intercourse
Lapp's Family Restaurant
Jakey's Amish Barbeque
Dienner's Country Restaurant
Cherry Lane Motor Inn A very simple well priced, place to stay while in PA. Dutch Country
Lancaster HOST Resort and Conference Center
Bird-in-Hand Family Resort A fine family resort in the Amish Country
Amish View Inn, Bird In Hand, PA Upscale for the area
Places to visit an hour or two away
Hershey
Eisenhower National Home
Gettysburg National Historic Park
Hampton Inn, Gettysburg
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
Valley Forge National Historic Park
Brandywine Valley Museums, Gardens and More
Longwood Gardens, Brandywine Valley
MY favorite Map.
American Map Road Atlas: Large Scale - Large Type
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Mar - May
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