Idiot’s Guides: RV Vacations

Located in southeastern Pennsylvania, this unique region celebrates many of the cultural characteristics of its early Pennsylvania Dutch settlers. It’s also home to America’s oldest Amish settlement. The result is a fascinating blend of history, food, and shopping that delights visitors.

Highlights

Eat at a traditional Dutch Country smorgasbord and sample a whoopie pie.

Take a trip on the Strasburg Rail Road, enjoying one of the many themed trips.

Tour an Amish farm, learning about Amish history and contemporary life in Pennsylvania.

Dutch Country comes to life in the fall, when you can find pumpkin patches and harvest celebrations around every corner.

340 Blackburn Road, Quarryville, PA 17566. jellystonepa.com; rangersmith@jellystonepa.com; 717-786-3458. April 16 to November 1. $44 to $110. Pools, waterslides, splash pad, mini-golf, inflatable jump pillow.

If you’re looking for a campground with a fast-paced activity schedule and great amenities, this is it. With large waterslides and a full splash pad, you could spend most of your vacation on the campground and simply dip your toes into the surrounding countryside.

When you need a break from all the action, explore the 100-acre (40.5ha) state park just next door. Check the campground schedule for themed weeks such as Christmas in July.

2249 Lincoln Highway E, Lancaster, PA 17602. oldmillstreamcampground.com; 717-299-2314. $35 to $65. Playground, game room, half basketball court, horseshoes.

This campground is located right next to Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park, which makes it an attractive choice for families with children. The convenient location and quiet, peaceful setting make it a great option for everyone else as well. Old Mill Stream runs right along the boundary, and pretty farmland dotted with grazing cows is on the other side.

Friendly customer service and immaculate bathrooms and facilities win rave reviews. Some sites can be tricky to navigate in big rigs, however.

The campground doesn’t have a pool, but you can easily enjoy the water park and water rides at nearby Dutch Wonderland. Don’t miss buying the cream cheese sticky buns from the Amish bakery wagon that pulls in on weekend mornings.

576 Yellow Hill Road, Narvon, PA 17555. lakeinwoodcampground.com; lakeinwood@suncommunities.com; 717-445-5525. May 21 to November 1. $44 to $70. Indoor and outdoor pools, hot tub, playgrounds, mini-golf, café, camp store.

With immaculate landscaping and spacious, private sites, Lake-in-Wood provides all the amenities of a resort.

The indoor and outdoor pool complex has an adult-only hot tub, kiddie pool, and splash pad. There’s also a swim-up bar for slushies and ice cream. Picnic tables and umbrellas make it easy to spend an entire day at the pool.

But there’s so much more: play mini-golf, rent paddleboats, sign up for free laser tag, and paint ceramics. Ride bikes through the campgrounds, or hunt for all the hidden gnomes in nooks and crannies throughout the area. Enjoy a delicious, affordable breakfast or lunch at the Gnome Café.

302 N. Plum Street, Lancaster, PA 17602. lancasterbrewing.com; 717-391-6258. Monday to Sunday 11 A.M. to 10 P.M. $11 to $30. American.

The Lancaster area had a thriving brewery culture before World War I, and Prohibition effectively wiped it out. Lancaster Brewing Company has revived the art and offers stouts, lagers, IPAs, and amber ales crafted with local ingredients.

You also can enjoy some great food while you sample the brews. Partnering with many family farms in Lancaster, this restaurant serves homemade sausages, local cheeses, and house-smoked meats. Be sure to try the hop buggy battered fish and chips.

Good ’n Plenty Restaurant

150 Eastbrook Road, Smoketown, PA 17576. goodnplenty.com; 717-394-7111. Monday to Saturday 11:30 A.M. to 8 P.M.; Sunday (seasonally) 11:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. $11 to $30. Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine.

If you want to enjoy the best this restaurant has to offer, skip the à la carte menu and embrace the family style buffet. Fried chicken, brown-butter noodles, sweet corn, and homemade mashed potatoes are favorites among the heaping dishes of food served on big platters to long, community-seated tables of guests. Offerings change throughout the week, so check the online menu or call to see what’s being served during your visit.

Save room for shoo fly pie and cracker pudding, or buy dessert to go from the on-site bakery, where you can find freshly made sticky buns, breads, whoopie pies, and more. Be sure to check out the gift shop, too.

23 N. Market Street, Lancaster, PA 17608. centralmarketlancaster.com; 717-735-6890. Tuesday and Friday 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. $6 to $25. Farmers’ market.

This is the country’s oldest farmers’ market, and it’s a pleasure to stroll through, sampling the cheeses, meats, and baked goods. You can purchase prepared sandwiches, shepherd’s pies, and pizzas to go, or you can pick up fresh, delicious ingredients to prepare your own feast back at your campsite.

ATTRACTIONS

Hersheypark

100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033. hersheypark.com; 800-437-7439. Hours vary by season. Regular admission (ages 9 to 54) $61.95; seniors $38.95; children 3 to 8 $38.95; 2 and under free. Combo tickets with Dutch Wonderland available.

This is one of the premier theme parks on the East Coast, with huge roller coasters, concerts, characters, and rides for kids of all sizes.

Admission to the water park is included in your ticket price, and many visitors recommend grabbing a locker for your suits and towels when you first arrive. Buy tickets online to save time.

B2395 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602. amishfarmandhouse.com; info@amishfarmandhouse.com; 717-394-6185. Sunday to Saturday 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. Adults $9.25; seniors $8.25; children $6.25; 4 and under free.

If you’re curious about Amish history and way of life, this is a wonderful place to learn about these fascinating people. You can take a guided tour of a 200-year-old Amish farmhouse and learn about Amish education, food, and dress customs. Tours run continuously throughout the day, and you don’t need reservations. There’s also an Amish schoolhouse and 15-acre (6ha) farm to explore. Pack a lunch to eat in the picnic area.

For an additional cost, the Amish Farm and House also offers 90-minute guided bus tours and dinner tours.

301 Gap Road, Ronks, PA 17572. strasburgrailroad.com; 866-725-9666. Schedule changes daily. Price changes according to event.

The regular excursions on the Strasburg Rail Road last for 45 minutes and wind through scenic Lancaster County farmland.

You can choose from different train cars, taking in the scenery in the open air, riding in a traditional coach, or going upscale in the First-Class Parlor or President’s Car. In the dining coach, you can purchase a ticket that includes lunch and a newly introduced Pinball Pendolino car. Special Wine and Cheese trains roll out of the station on many evenings.

This railroad offers many seasonal events and families love the Day Out With Thomas, which takes place every fall. Other popular events include the Great Train Robbery, Vintage Base Ball Day, and the Rolling Antique Auto Event.

ITINERARIES

If you have 1 week …

Take a tour of an Amish farmhouse, and roll through the countryside aboard the Strasburg Rail Road. Ride the coasters at Hersheypark. Shop for antiques, and eat at a smorgasbord.

If you have 2 weeks …

All the above, plus shop for fabulous fruits, vegetables, and prepared foods at the Lancaster Central Market. Take a tour of the Lancaster Brewing Company. Visit Dutch Wonderland. Take a walking tour of downtown with Lancaster County Historical Society. Squeeze in a little outlet shopping.

If you have 3 weeks …

All the above, plus explore the covered bridges. Or better yet, hop in a horse and buggy to experience a more traditional form of transportation in this region. Tap into the religious heritage here by enjoying a biblical show at Sight and Sound Theaters.