.JPG)
As a lifelong resident of South Central Pennsylvania, I am very fortunate to live within an hour’s drive of three All-American vacation spots – Gettysburg, Hershey and Lancaster. The scenic beauty that exists virtually within my “backyard” defines this special place that people worldwide know about and dream of visiting. Luckily for me, it’s a matter of jumping in the car and traveling 30 miles down the road in almost any direction.
To my south lie the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg. America wouldn’t be the nation she is today had the events that took place exactly 150 years ago never occurred. For me, while climbing the rocks of Devil’s Den, a favorite spot of mine since I was little, or looking out over the grassy fields of Pickett’s Charge, I can’t help but wonder what was going through the minds of the soldiers, some of them as young as me, hearts pounding as they prepared to do battle. A visit to the brand new Seminary Ridge Museum brings the battlefield experience to life with an interactive exhibit about the first day of the Battle and how the wounded were cared for right there on the battlefield. And no visit to Gettysburg is complete for me without a meal at the Dobbin House, Gettysburg’s oldest and most historic building. The cozy, candlelit room with servers in period costume gives a glimpse of what life was like over 200 years ago. Their Spit Roasted Chicken rocks!
To my north is Hershey, Chocolatetown USA. Driving into Hershey, my family and I compete for who gets the first whiff of chocolate and who sees the top of Hersheypark’s Kissing Tower first! The “Sweetest Place on Earth” is a kid’s dream come true. Chocolate and rollers coasters all packed into 110 acres of fun. The iconic Hershey Kiss-shaped street lights – alternating between silver wrappers and pure milk chocolate – that line Cocoa and Chocolate Avenues are really cool. But my favorite view has to be from the top of Great Bear…front row… hands up….at night!
And lastly, to the east is peaceful Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Dutch Country. It’s home to the oldest Amish settlement in the United State and truly a unique place. Learning about the Amish culture and way of living is so fascinating. For an insider perspective, take a horse and buggy ride and stop at a real working Amish farm. This will usually lead to sampling homemade lemonade and freshly baked cookies served by the family that lives there. This brings me to food. Ahhhh the food! No visit to Lancaster County is complete without sampling some of the most wonderful foods that are unique to this area. Home to whoopie pies, shoo-fly pies, sticky buns, pretzels and amazingingly rich and creamy ice cream staying on a low carb, low cal diet here is a challenge. Not to mention smorgasbords! You definitely won’t go away hungry. In the fall, picking pumpkins and eating apple cider donuts always kicks off the harvest season in our house. If you’re like me and you like to get “hands on” there is so much to try. Twist your own pretzel, milk a cow, or try your hand at quilting.
So plan to visit the heart of America, this special place I’m lucky enough to call home. You’ll be glad you did!
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “The Heart of America Lies in the Heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Take care!
Thanks for finally talking about >Family Travel Insurance <Loved it!
Family volunteering opportunities are a great way to give back with your teenager at your side.
May I simply say what a comfort to discover someone that actually knows what they’re discussing over the internet.
Wow, this list is amazing! I’ve always wanted to experience Mardi Gras beyond New Orleans. Thanks for sharing these incredible locations. Can’t wait to start planning my next adventure!
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content for yourself?
I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome weblog!
excellent post, very informative. I’m wondering wwhy the other experts oof this secto do not notice this. You should proceed your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers’ baee already!
Hello.This post was extremely remarkable, especially because I was browsing for thoughts on this issue last couple of days.
You completed several good points there. I did a search on the matter and found mainly folks will agree with your blog.
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for
T Thomas Group offers bespoke travel planning.Luxury Travel Specialist that specializes in customized itineraries, luxury cruises, small group tours, solo travel and all aspects of LGBTQ+ travel. We ensure a seamless and luxurious travel experience, designed exclusively for you.
Thank you, I have just been searching for info approximately this subject for a while and yours is the best I have found out so far. However, what concerning the bottom line?
Are you certain in regards to the supply?
Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
Please let me know. Thanks
Very interesting subject, thanks for posting. blog
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
Great post and straight to the point.
Interesting post. I’m glad I came across this page. I’m going to bookmark it so I can read any future posts.
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been conducting a little research on this. And he in fact ordered me lunch because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to talk about this subject here on your website.
Hi! Im originally from Cambiaso and
I do mission trips to the village every year. I have read your article and I am so grateful for what you have done with my people. I would love to connect with you.
Wow, this article really resonated with me! Traveling in Europe with family can be such an incredible adventure, but it definitely comes with its own set of challenges. From navigating unfamiliar streets to finding activities that everyone enjoys, it’s a whirlwind of excitement and sometimes chaos. But hey, isn’t that what makes the best memories? Thanks for sharing your experiences and tips, they’re super helpful for planning our own European family escapade! ???
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people in this
particular topic, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Greetings! I’ve been following your website for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give
you a shout out from Atascocita Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the great work!
Your writing has a way of making even the mundane sound interesting. Kudos!
They are very very similar to the key facet all of us keep hidden from the world, the part of us that dares to dream impossible issues, where all our hopes and fantasies are born.
This article is impressive for me as mine east coast of usa
Howdy! This blog post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this
article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching
about this. I will send this article to him.
Fairly certain he’ll have a very good read. Many thanks for sharing!
Absolutely love this list of Mardi Gras celebrations outside New Orleans! Each destination seems to offer its own unique blend of culture, music, and vibrant festivities. While I’m tempted to explore them all, I can’t help but dream of experiencing the colorful chaos of Mardi Gras in Goa, India. Exploring India’s rich cultural tapestry during this festive season would undoubtedly be an unforgettable adventure. Thanks for inspiring wanderlust with these fantastic recommendations!
Thanks verfy interesting blog!
I was able to find good info from your blog posts.
“MyFamilyTravels provides a wonderful platform for families to share their travel experiences and glean inspiration for their own adventures. The diverse array of destinations and insightful tips make it a valuable resource for planning memorable trips. Kudos to the team for fostering a community that celebrates the joys of family travel!”
Your site is great and I plan on exploring it even more in the future. It is well written, comprehensive in it’s suggestions, It was a great article, thanks for sharing!
nice
There is certainly a lot to learn about this subject.
I really like all the points you made.
Nice Blog, Thanks for sharing this informative blog. We provide a Nepal Tour Package from Musafircab.
Yes. This is exactly what you should know to have a comfortable and cost-effective trip.
bookmarked!!, I love your site!