Lancaster PA

[palpluto]

This is really late but.....
We are going to Lancaster tomorrow to the Hands on House. Any rec that are budget friendly that we should do with young kids (4 and 5) while we are there? Any fall things going on- a few yrs ago we stopped at a cool farm that had lots of decorated pumpkins (don't remember where)?
Thanks!

 

[QVCshopper]

We love the The Strasburg Country Store & Creamery which isn't too far away; we can't go to Lancaster without going there. And the Strasburg Rail Road is right around the corner.

And there's always the outlets...

We went to the Hands On House this spring. The kids really liked it. Have fun!

 

[Mrs. Charming]

There are many farms with hayrides, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, etc. I don't know the names offhand, but there are quite a few.

I don't know how budget friendly the Strasburg Railroad (on rte 741) is, but I heard it's really cute. There's a train museum, too.

There are also Amish "attractions" on Route 340/Phila Pike. You could take a horse and buggy tour!

Also if you're looking for relatively cheap eats, there's a Cici's Pizza right on rte 30 right near the Target. Can't beat a $5 pizza buffet! (Not really Amish or Lancaster-related, but half decent and filling, good for kids)

 

[micheleq]

A few friends & I are headed to Intercourse/Lancaster this weekend. A good website I found for all kinds of info. is:

www.padutchcountry.com

 

[ssawka]

Not sure what you are considering "budget friendly", but Dutch Wonderland is a great ammusement park for that age group. I just checked their website and they are having some kind of a farm festival this weekend.

http://www.dutchwonderland.com/events/details.php?event_id=2488&back=1

 

[andrews_dad]

If you have kids 10 years old and younger, Cherry Crest Adventure Farms is a DO NOT MISS. Seriously, great time. Google them, they have a great website. Not in Lancaster but a short drive from there, Lake Tobias Safari Adventure is great for the kids and not too expensive. For free there is Long's Park, a community park with a beautiful pond, tons of playground equipment, open fields, etc. They also have a free petting zoo (they do have a box for donations) at Long's Park with goats, pigs, llamas, mini-horses, sheep, etc.... but I think it is closed for the season now.

 

[Karenj2]

The Amazing Maize Maze in Strasburg!! It's got a petting zoo, and a little maze for the kiddos (they also have the HUGE maze for the big kids - and little ones as long as you have a stroller - it's a lot of walking). On some of the days they have workshops where you can make Amish dolls or a barn. It's at Cherry Crest Farm. (I'm trying to get my sister's kids out there before the maze is closed...)

 

[andrews_dad]

The Cherry Crest farm also has the Strasburg railroad run right through the middle of it, so every 20 min or so the kids will be wowed as the train goes by slowly and blowd the horn... the passengers wave. If you want to reide the train, you can get on at the farm (additional charge).

 

[TIAMOMMA]

Everyone beat me to it - when I saw "Lancaster" as the subject I knew where this was going and was going to suggest Cherry Crest Farm as well. Our family went with our in-laws family this past weekend and had an absolutely great time. We've been to the Hands-on House before, if you only have one day it's better spent at Cherry Crest. Have fun!

 

[momejay]

We always go to Kitchen Kettle Village. My little ones would get a cookie & decorate it. (about $5-$10) They love to sample the homemade jellies & relishes. (free) A man sits in courtyard playing banjo & kids can dance. (free) You can watch them make jelly & fudge. (free) They have a horse & buggy ride. (I think $5 for trip around the block) We eat at the Smoke house & next door they have soup & chicken nuggets for the kids. (a nice homemade lunch without breaking the bank) On a cool Fall day they sell warm cider. (goes good with the jelly) They sell homemade doll clothes for American Girl Doll & cheap souveniers. (penny candy) They have a picnic area with a wooden train for the kids to climb on/play in. I could spend at least half a day there.

My other suggestion is to go learn to make pretzels in Litiz. You tour their factory, make your own soft pretzel. It is fun, but don't go if the kids are cranky. There isn't really a quiet place to run to. You can sample the pretzels they make. As I remember, it wasn't very expensive & it was somewhat educational.