A Simple ( Yet Superb ) Time
Written: Jun 28 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Family Fun, Great Food
Cons: Odors
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| roynyr's Full Review: Pennsylvania Dutch Country |
The Pennsylvania Dutch Country located near the town of Lancaster, Pennsylvania transforms one from the present day hassle of the twenty-first century to a simpler time when our ancestors lived. I went on a short vacation to this area this past weekend and had a really fun time. The Amish Country, as it also known, is not a place I would want to live in but it is a place I would visit again.
The Amish Tradition
When visiting the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, it is important to respect the Amish. You are coming into their home so respect their rules and traditions. It is improper to take photographs or video recordings of the Amish people. This is against their beliefs so respect them. You would not want someone to come to your home and break the rules of the house so do not do it to them.
Also when traveling the side roads of towns like Bird in Hand, Strasburg, Smoketown, and Intercourse watch out for the Amish wagons. These are distinguished by an orange triangle on the back. Respect not only them but the rules of driving and the road as well and be careful. When walking along the roads, by the way, watch out too as the horses leave their "marks" all over the side of the roads. This is another distinguishing feature of these side roads, the odors. They are rather pungent and awful.
Attractions and Landmarks
These are numerous places to visit and see while in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country and not all of them are associated with the Amish people directly.
One must see is The Strasburg Railroad. This nine mile long steam powered railroad runs from Strasburg, PA over to Paradise, PA. It is the second oldest steam powered railroad in the United States. It will cost you $8.50 to ride in the coach section and $9.50 for a ride in the open air cars. The ride lasts about forty five minutes but it is a great experience. They have tried to replicate the railroad and the station as much as possible from its' early days in the 1920's. You can get off about half way through the ride for a picnic in the country. I enjoyed the railroad a whole lot and recommend it for everyone. Across the street on Route 741 from the Strasburg Railroad is a very nice museum about the history of the railroads in Pennsylvania which is also interesting to take a look at.
Food!
The restaurants of Lancaster County are also great. Two in particular that I can recommend are The Perkins Family Restaurant and Plain and Fancy. The Perkins Family Restaurant is located along Lincoln Highway also known as Route 30. This place has incredible home cooked meals. I went there for both breakfast and lunch on my trip and was not disappointed at all. I recommend highly their serving of five buttermilk pancakes along with a side order of sausages. It was outstanding. Their pancakes were the best I ever have eaten. One word - awesome! Their chicken sandwiches and burgers for lunch were also great. A definite place to go for those who love great food. Plain and Fancy is another great restaurant to go to. I went there for lunch and the servings were huge. You will not leave their wanting for more food, I can guarantee you that.
Along Route 340, there is a great wine gallery called The Mt Hope Wine Gallery. Definitely stop by, the wine is homegrown in Lancaster County and it has a very distinctive taste.
The final must see, also along Route 340, is the Kitchen Kettle Village. This place has homemade jams, jellies, and other delicious treats. Stop by the Kitchen Kettle for their famous shoo-fly pie. It is great. They make the jams in a kitchen in the back. You can try all sorts of different flavors of jams and pick the ones you like to buy. At the village, you can also get a horse and buggy ride through the Amish community. There are homemade crafts from the Amish people to purchase as well. You can spend hours just walking through the village and visiting each shop but they are all closely located to one another so too much walking is not required.
I only described some of the things to do. For a family getaway, the Pennsylvania Dutch Country is a great place to visit.
Recommended:
Yes
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roynyr
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Member: Roy
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Update 2/22/09 - I have written my 300th review!!
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