Amish Countryside of Lancaster County
Pinch Pond is surrounded by the bucolic fields and lovely Amish farms that define Lancaster County, with an old-fashioned charm and homespun warmth. Learn about the Amish lifestyle in Lancaster County by taking a buggy ride, touring an Amish home, schoolhouse, and barn, watching a experiential show about the Amish, browsing through antique Amish creations, shopping at a farmers’ market, and and filling yourself with good down-home country style cooking! Turn back the clock, slow down, and enjoy a weekend of the Amish lifestyle. These families, farmers and craftsmen follow a deeply religious, family-centered lifestyle that has maintained this tradition through a simple way of life that has not adopted the mainstream culture, yet has adapted in many necessary ways throughout the last 300 years. Don’t be surprised if you pass a few horses and buggies!
Hersheypark & Hershey’s Chocolate World Visitors Center
From roller coasters to museums, black bears to ballet, there’s something fun for everyone to do in Hershey! Learn the history of the town and the man behind the chocolate bar, Milton S. Hershey. Then, enjoy the thrilling rides and attractions at the park he built as a place for his workers to relax! This year-round world-class resort destination offers the best in entertainment and accommodations for families and guests of all ages. Enjoy a family-friendly amusement park, including 11 thrilling roller coasters, water attractions, live entertainment, games, unique shops, and special events during Halloween, Christmas, and Springtime. Then be sure to visit ZooAmerica, the North American Wildlife Park. First, get a taste of Hershey at Hershey’s Chocolate World. Start your visit on on the free Great American Chocolate Tour ride, complete with your own free Hershey’s product sample. Tours are offered daily, year round.
Park at Governor Dick
The Park at Governor Dick has been named for the late Clarence Schock, a well-known petroleum baron and philanthropist. The park is comprised of 1105 acres of woodland in Mount Gretna and is managed by the Clarence Schock Foundation and the Lebanon County Commissioners. The park is a favorite recreation site for hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling. The parks also includes a sixty-six foot circular observation tower, from which parts of Lebanon, Dauphin, York, Lancaster and Berk counties can be seen on a clear day.
Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire at Mount Hope Estate & Winery
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth I, invites you to live the excitement and adventure of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. Thirty-five acres of jousting knights and royal delights await as hundreds of colorfully-costumed characters breathe life into the mirth and merriment of an authentic recreation of a 16th century English Village, complete with dozens of authentic Tudor buildings. Musical performances, magic acts, fire-breathing, puppet shows, Shakespearean plays, comical mud beggars and live jousting are just a few of the entertainments that fill a schedule with over 90 shows daily, unfolding on 12 stages. Enjoy period foods, micro-brewed ales and a variety of wines from 23 Royal Kitchens and shop from scores of Renaissance merchants. If that is not enough, there is much more happening – year round – at the Mount Hope Estate & Winery!
Strasburg Rail Road
Strolling through the historic East Strasburg Station and the neighboring town of Strasburg, exploring the engines and rail cars up-close and riding beautifully restored trains are so much fun that you’ll almost forget that you’re immersed in a richly educational experience — learning about steam railroading, agriculture, Amish culture, and PA Dutch heritage. At the Strasburg Rail Road, your 45-minute train ride is only the beginning. Enjoy shops, dining spots, and seasonal rides for a day that is just train fun! The railroad is America’s oldest short-line railroad, where you will ride authentically restored passenger cars pulled by a huge, coal-burning steam locomotive. Choose your experience from First-Class, Open Air, Coach and more. The dining car offers lunch, dinner, and a one-of-a-kind experience on popular wine and cheese tours. Across the road is the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, where you can explore a world-class collection of more than 100 locomotives and rail cars on display, including the priceless Pennsylvania Railroad Historical Collection. And nearby is the National Toy Train Museum – another world-class collection.
