Planes, Trains, Automobiles.... and Chocolate! (day 2 updated 6/1) About This Page:

[Politzania]

Destination:
Hershey, Pennsylvania. Driving from central Indiana & making a stop at the Air Force Museum in Dayton to see the Disney Military Art Exhibit on Wednesday, and staying in Triadelphia WV Wed night.

Will probably visit Chocolate World and take the Town Trolley Tour when we arrive on Thursday, then spend all day Friday at HersheyPark & ZooAmerica.

Saturday we'll make a quick visit to the Strasburg Railroad before heading home, with a stop in Cambridge OH Sat night.

Dates: May 17 - May 21 - planning a day & a half of travel each way. (12 hrs 1 way according to Google maps)

Adventurers:
* DH - mid 30's. He visited the area in Feb 2005 on business & is looking forward to going back
* Me - mid 30's -- never travelled to this part of the country and who can pass up Chocolate World? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/facelick.gif[/img]

Resort/Hotel: Couldn't quite swing the Hershey Hotel or Lodge, so Holiday Inn Express will do nicely. Previous stays will get us one night free!

Celebration: Slightly-belated 13th wedding anniversary & general R&R

Any suggestions for other places to see/things to do in the area?

[crystalloubear]

A nice place to stop and eat near Strasburg is Miller's Smorgasboard for some good old fashioned PA Dutch cooking.
If you like outlet shopping, you have to pass Rockvale Square to get to Strasburg.
If you have little engineers in the family, there is a lovely train store on the right just before getting to Strasburg RR (don't remember the name - maybe the Choo Choo something or other).
The new Reese's ride won't quite be open in time for your trip, but there are still plenty of cool things at Hershey. If you like coasters, Stormrunner is not to be missed. Roller soaker is pretty neat too - but you will be wet. Make time to go up in Kissing tower (even though it seems dull the view up there is [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] ).
At chocolate world, don't miss the 3d movie.
As for food, I don't know why but chocolate milk tastes better in Hershey than anywhere else in the world. Other things not to miss Triple Chocolate fudge cake explosion - don't remember where I had this but it was in the park, pierogies, reese's brownies. I cold just skip the meals and hit all the desserts and fried stuff [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/facelick.gif[/img]

[jimmymac]

Hershey is a very cool park

[RobDVC]

You've got all the major stops highlighted. The Pennsylvania Railroad Museum is right across the street from the Strasburg Railroad. As Crystal mentioned, there is a outlet center near Strasburg. (Rockvale Square). There is also an outlet center very close to Hersheypark.

[Politzania]

We're actually staying in Lancaster (the hotel we wanted to stay at in Harrisburg was booked by the time I made ressies) & I'm sure we'll spend a little time (and $$) at the Rockvale Outlets!

We're not big roller coaster fans, but if the weather cooperates, I may have to try the Roller Soaker! Not sure if we'll have time to do the Railroad Museum, tho.

We may try the smorgasbord & I'm sure we'll eat our way thru the park on Friday... what are the chances of getting a good Philly Cheese Steak in the area? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Colexis Mom]

Have a great time [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] I hope the weather cooperates [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[crystalloubear]

Don't know if this would interest you but I just got an email from Kitchen Kettle Village with a special event for while you are there. Rhubard Festival web page From where the Rockvale Outlets are - Kitchen Kettle is probably a 15 - 20 minute drive thru some farm land. Its a quiant little shopping village. Some nice amish crafted things.

[Eeyoresmom]

If you miss Millers, Hershey Farms has a pretty good buffet, too. Or Good N Plenty is a very filling, very good family style restaurant.

There's a Tanger Outlet center about a mile or two before Rockville, so be ready to shop!

[WEDway Guy]

Politzania,
You timing is impeccable. My sister and family are driving out from the Madison, WI area to Hershey in mid-June. We plan to meet up with them for a few days at the park and such. I'm already taking notes on the suggestions listed so far. I've only heard good things about that whole area so I'm looking forward to it. I only wish that we could have stayed at the Hershey Hotel or Lodge too. I was rather surprised by the room rates.

Are you planning to do a trip report?

I sure wish I could have been there for the Rhubarb Festival. Rhubarb pie is one of my favorites!

[Politzania]

WEDway Guy - I do plan on making a trip report & may even be able to do an installment or two live, as we're staying at Holiday Inn Expresses. We've made a couple of contingency plans if the weather turns foul on Friday:

* Crayola Factory Tour in Easton 85.70 mi from Lancaster
http://www.crayola.com/factory/ 9:30a-3:00p $9.50/person admission - includes National Canal Museum

* The Candy Americana Museum Lititz, PA 9.2 mi (about 19 mins from Lancaster
Open 10am to 5pm Mon-Sat - free admission 1-888-294-5287

* http://www.intercoursepretzelfactory.com/ Intercouse PA - 10.7 mi 717-768-3432 Tours from 9a-3p.

Any other rainy-day suggestions are welcome!

[crystalloubear]

[ QUOTE ]


* Crayola Factory Tour in Easton 85.70 mi from Lancaster
http://www.crayola.com/factory/ 9:30a-3:00p $9.50/person admission - includes National Canal Museum



[/ QUOTE ]
I live in Easton and while the Crayola factory is ok - I wouldn't venture this far east to have a rainy day activity. I think it would be a waste of your time unless you have a child with you that is a huge art fan - maybe it might be worthwhile. It is not a real factory but one machine setup that shows how a crayon is made. They have all kinds of stuff there but it is geared mostly towards kids ages 5 - 9.
I was very dissapointed with the Intercourse Pretzel Factory tour. They basically took you into a medium size kitchen - pointed at this that, twirled a couple pretzels and then invited you to buy stuff from their store.

Are you adults traveling alone or do you have kids with you? That would give me a place to start for rainy day activity suggestions.

[Politzania]

re you adults traveling alone or do you have kids with you? That would give me a place to start for rainy day activity suggestions.

Just 2 adults - tho we do have ulterior motives for visiting the pretzel factory. I'm not sure the Crayola factory would be worth the drive either, after having visited the website.

[crystalloubear]

Two Cousins (small local chain) or Antonio's on College Avenue is where my friend that lived in Lancaster said had good cheese steaks.
Don't know what your motives are for the pretzel factory but honestly I have seen better pretzel tour on the food channel.

[disneyfan2183]

I love Lancaster and Hershey, we go all the time. Definitely check out Kitchen Kettle Village, it's a cute little village with a ton of stores. All the stores are mom-and-pop owned and sell unique gifts and home-made foods [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]

[KrisLuvsDisney]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Have a wonderful trip. You don't have long now!