Southeastern Pennsylvania

If you need to amuse little tykes on your trip to Lancaster County, Dutch Wonderland is a fabulous place. By visiting The web site of Dutchwonderland, you can discover everything this park has to offer. This website will tell you about other local attractions, giving you a great way to plan your visit to Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

Hot Air Balloons, Trains, and Automobiles!!

While visiting the 19th century, take a ride on the Strasburg Railroad. With railroad coming into existence in the 1800's, this is a great way to continue your 19th century experience. This is a nice and different way to take in the gorgeous countryside of Lancaster County. An especially good time of year to do this is in Autumn when colors of gold, crimson, and orange dot the landscape. If you would like to see the countryside blanketed in snow, the months of December, January, and February, may be your best bet. Just remember that weather is a very unpredictable thing. Try to plan ahead by checking the Lancaster County website for their local forecast. During the summer, Thomas the Tank Engineâ-¢ makes an appearance. If you have kids this is sure to be a fun adventure for them. The best way to find out when and what is going on at the Strasburg Station is to log onto the Strasburgrailroad site. Here you will find everything you need to plan your visit.

The late 19th and early 20th century comes to life with the introduction of the automobile. At Gast Automobile Showroom you can explore the many modes of transportation that have been engineered over the years. From the Tucker, to the hotrods of the 50's and 60's, to the cars of the future, you can see it all at Gast. Down the road from Gast is Sights and Sounds Illumination Theater, where you can take in a musical production. Again, it would be a good idea to check the Lancaster County website to find phone numbers or listings of times and events. Ordering tickets ahead of time may also make things easier. That way you are assured you will see and do everything you want to on your visit to Lancaster county.

If trains and cars don't meet your fancy, than perhaps a ride in a hot air balloon is what you need. Balloon Flights of Lancaster County offer a unique way to see the countryside. If your not afraid of heights and would like to add a unique touch to your vacation...see it from a different perspective. There are advantages to this. If you like to take pictures this is key and it will also help you avoid traffic and long lines. Visit them on the web at the Lancastercounty web site.

If you enjoy shopping, Lancaster County offers a big outlet center conveniently located to all the tourist hot spots. Also, Intercourse, PA has a lot of shops that you can visit while walking down the sidewalk of the main street in town.

Detouring from Lancaster and exiting the 19th century, you can go even further back in time. 1776 and the 18th century come to life on the streets of Historic Philadelphia. Talk with Ben Franklin as he walks the pavements of a time when our country was gaining its Independence. See for yourself the crack in the liberty bell (be sure to look beyond the big obvious crack). As you wind your way around historic Philadelphia don't forget to visit the Betsy Ross house. This is the house where she is said to have put needle in hand and sewn the very first American flag. After doing this, visit the hallowed ground of Independence Hall, where history was made and written. Visiting Historic Philadelphia is sure to give you a good understanding of what principles and freedoms were fought for and assured for us; the people.

Philadelphia has a lot to offer besides the history of our freedom. Visit www.philly.com to discover what Philadelphia has in store for you. There is art and culture to be found at the Philadelphia Art Museum, not to mention walking the same steps as Rocky did in his famous scene. If you like the "arts," visit The Avenue of the Arts at philly.com. This will give you a map of places that will satiate your appetite for the arts. While in Philadelphia, a must see is the zoo. Philadelphia is the home of America's very first zoo. Visiting the zoo gives you the opportunity to observe and learn about many different kinds of animals in their natural habitat. To find out hours of operation, prices, and events, log on to the Phillyzoo site, and remember it's .org and not .com!

Montgomery County is the home to Valley Forge National Park. This is a historic location linked to the Revolutionary War. General George Washington and his troops sought refuge here, during their battle with the Redcoats. Further northeast, in Washington's Crossing, Bucks County, aptly named for obvious reasons, you will witness another historical spot. In fact, the re-enactment of Washington crossing the Delaware is done at the original site of the event in Washington's Crossing, Bucks County, northeast of Philadelphia. Continuing on this quest for freedom, Gettysburg is another must see on your visit to Pennsylvania. Although, not exactly part of the Southeastern tour, it is only a short distance and a beautiful scenic ride to Gettysburg, PA. Only about a half hour from Lancaster County are the bloodstained and hallowed fields of Gettysburg. This small, quiet town is host to one of the most honored and memorable of all battles. It is said that Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War and what cinched the freedom of the slaves. Here, the three day battle comes to life with the re-enactments of Pickett's Charge, Little Round Top, and Devil's Den, some of the most memorable and horrific points of the battle that took place here. This re-enactment takes place on July 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. You can visit www.Gettysburg.com for more information on sights, events, bed and breakfast's etc. Many different tours are available. If you would like to see things at your own pace, a CD or tape guided tour is offered. If you would like a more vivid picture, guided tours that offer "period dressed guides" are available, as well as a tape tour on a double decker bus. Any way you prefer, Gettysburg is sure to be a eye opening, memorable, and even tear jerking stop on your visit to Pennsylvania. Be sure to visit Lincoln Square, which is the historic sight of the Lincoln House, where Lincoln composed his Gettysburg Address, as well as the National Cemetery, where he gave the speech and were countless brave soldiers are buried.

Another spot centrally located to Lancaster County, that you can almost taste the chocolate is Hershey PA, " The Sweetest Place on Earth." Here you will find a fun filled day at Hershey Park.. With its roller coasters, amusements, and entertainment, not to mention all the chocolate you can eat, Hershey Park is sure to tantalize your taste buds and satiate your quest for adventure. At Hershey's Chocolate World, the story of Milton Hershey and the birth of the Hershey Bar, as well as other chocolate treats come to life. You will find out everything you need to know about this chocolate tycoon, as you ride through Chocolate World. Upon exiting, you will even get a complimentary chocolate to sample. Summertime is not the only fun time to be had at Hershey Park. Christmas time is a magical time too at Hershey Park with Candylane. During the holiday season, Hershey Park is adorned with thousands of twinkling lights and ornaments that bring the holidays to life. As you walk down Candylane, shops are open for you to get holiday presents, or a cup of hot chocolate. Santa is also there, as well as his reindeer. The kids are sure to love seeing that, as well as enjoying the handful of rides that are open. Whether you visit Hershey park in the summer or winter it is a magical, sweet place that is sure to entice and captivate its audience.

Another great spot north of Lancaster is Mt Hope Estate & Winery. Whether it's late summer, fall, or winter, there are a lot of fun and different events to experience while visiting here. During the last weeks in summer and into the last weekend in October you can be transported back to a time when Kings and Queens prevailed. The Renaissance Faire is a spectacular re-enactment of a century long forgotten, but unfolds before your very eyes. Knights in shining armor fighting for the attention of the Queen, court jesters, peasants, and noblemen walk the unpaved streets of a time long ago. The uniqueness of this experience is surely a keepsake for your memory album. Don't forget your camera.

During the holiday months, Mt. Hope becomes the home of two literary greats; Edgar Allan Poe and Charles Dickens. During October and November, the Edgar Allan Poe Evermore Festival takes place. Chills and thrills come to life with the re-enactment of Poe's scary plays and stories, with some being done by "Mr. Poe" himself. Different spine tingliers from Poe's collection are acted out in different rooms of the mansion. During the holiday season "A Charles Dickens Victorian Christmas" comes to life with the re-telling of Dicken's classic about a miserable, old miser who learns about love, friendship, and happiness through his own redemption. Both evenings wouldn't be complete without some wine sampling. You can visit Mt. Hope Estate & Winery and find out about it's events at the Parenfaire site.

When those blustery, winter months come and you want to play in the snow, visit the Pocono Mountains, north of Philadelphia, about a 2 ½ hour ride. There are ski lodges that offer downhill and cross country skiing, as well as other outdoor, winter activities. Although not directly a part of our Southeastern tour of Pennsylvania, this region offers a variety of seasonal opportunities, for both winter and summer.

Southeastern Pennsylvania offers a multitude of things to do. Whether you are vacationing in the winter, spring, summer, or fall, this region of Pennsylvania is the place to be. It is a place where history, centuries long forgotten, and fun come to life. Wherever you choose to visit don't forget your camera and have a safe trip!