We are probably going to be hosting anywhere from 1 to 4 high-school-age students from Europe next month and thought we’d take them on a trip outside our metro area (Washington DC). Hershey Park is something they’d enjoy I’m sure, but there are theme parks everywhere. What there aren’t, anywhere around here (or I’m sure where they’re from) are Pennsylvania Dutch. *
So if we spend a day in that part of the state, what might be worth seeing? Only places I’ve ever been - despite having grown up not that far away - are Dutch Wonderland (no, I don’t think so) and the Strasburg Railroad Museum.
yeah, yeah, I know - by definition, you wouldn’t see Pennsylvania Dutch in Europe… but I also doubt that there are too many Amish in either Spain or Italy.
Gettysburg is an obvious choice. It would combine well with a trip to Hershey, as the two towns are only about an hours’ drive apart.
An oddball choice might be to check out the Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair at the Mount Hope Estate and Winery (near Lebanon).
Lancaster County has turned into a hellacious tourist trap: too many busy roads, too much traffic. The Amish are leaving the area in droves. Although there’s a decent farmer’s market at Bird-in-Hand, you might consider skipping Lancaster County in favor of driving around the countryside of Lebanon and Berks counties if you want to see Amish farms. But remember that the Amish do NOT appreciate being treated as a tourist attraction, and don’t want to be photographed.
Thanks for the suggestions! and I knew that the Amish didn’t like being photographed… though it was hard to resist, that time I saw a man taking his horse and buggy through the bank’s drive-through lane :).
Years ago my family did a day trip where we stopped at every single attaction along 15 on our way to Hershey (from DC)
Gettysburg, as artimis says. There are some nice scenic views along the way if you go up route 15, and a covered bridge too, near Thurmont I think. I’ll let you google that.
The Lourdes grotto in Emmitsburg is interesting and right off the road.
Thanks - yeah, I’m very familiar with US 15, I could (and probably have :eek:) drive it in my sleep :). We’ve seen the statue at Emmitsburg from the road but oddly I’ve never visited the Mount Saint Mary’s campus despite having several older-generation family members graduate from there.
It’ll all depend on what the kids want to see. Gettysburg is definitely worth if if they’re into US history but may not hold much interest for 15 (+/-) year olds from Spain and Italy.
I’m glad I noodled around some - if we do want to visit anything in Amish country we’d need to that on the Saturday and Hersheypark on the Sunday.
I advise against Hershey Park or environs. We Americans are accustomed to the slight sour-milk tang of Hershey’s chocolate. A day in Hershey for us is a day bathed in the scent of childhood joy. For Europeans it’s like being forced to breathe sour milk all day; a true gag fest. One of the large water parks would be a far better choice.
Do the Pennsylvania Amish engage in the proliferation of puppy mills like the Ohio Amish? (serious question)
Not that you’d want to include that in your tour.
I suspect they do, but since the Amish aren’t going to let tourists onto their farms, it’s a moot question. They do run some restaurants and shops that cater to the tourist crowds, but Amish private life is private. “Amish tourism” consists of visiting those restaurants and shops, and watching the Amish going about their daily life in public places - not very exciting, really.
We’ve taken my two nephews (ages 8 and 5) to Roadside America a few times over the last few years, and they love it. But for high school students? No way.
Well, here in rural WI our local Amish hold occasional bake sales and consignment auctions. In our county there has been an annual consignment auction held every summer on an Amish farm (it moves around occasionally). They set up big tents, put out their church benches (and people bring chairs), and sell lunch and baked goods. An “English” auctioneer and his staff (same ones every year) do the selling, with help from the Amish men to move things around on the stage. Quilts, furniture, crafts, rugs, handmade toys, you name it. Mostly new stuff, some used, a few unfinished quilt tops for crafty types to finish. There’s a separate farm equipment auction out in the fields somewhere. They fire up the John Deere gas-powered ice cream maker, and the little kids run around playing. It’s a great time.
Unfortunately in recent years, the event has gotten bigger and more and more assholes show up. I feel that if I’m a guest on Amish property, I’m going to dress modestly and behave in a decorous manner, not show up in halter top and Daisy Dukes (or beer shirt and plumber’s crack), carry in a BYOB cooler and flip cig butts everywhere, and generally be loud and obnoxious. Seems like more and more people don’t pay attention to the ongoing auction and mess it up (“I thought I was bidding on THAT”) so they have to start over. The auctioneers are very clear in their announcing and fair in resolving any problems (and no, you can’t get dinged into buying a $3000 item by scratching your nose), but geez people, you gotta meet them halfway.
We try to ignore this, though, and manage to have a good time most years, and even pick up some fun items.