A Great Place for kids.
Lancaster County is a great place to take the kids.
A few weeks ago we spent an entire week at my parent’s house in Reading, PA. When my husband has business out of town and it is easier for him to fly out of the Philadelphia airport, we pack up the family and head to Reading. For those of you who don’t know where Reading is, it is located about an hour north west of Philadelphia and an hour south of Allentown, PA. It is a large city with a fast growing restaurant and micro-brew scene, but other than that not much to do with the kids. So we pack up the kids and head 30 minutes south to Lancaster County.
Yes, Lancaster is very well-known for Amish people, sprawling farmlands, and Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine, but it is also full of great restaurants, historic sites, and nice resorts. Not only are there a lot of great activities for adults, but there many places for the kids to have fun also. These are some of my favorite places to visit:
1. Dutch Wonderland – Dutch Wonderland has been around for 60 plus years and even though they have kept some of the same exhibits that I played with when I was a little kid, they have added so many rides for those aged 6 months to 6 years. They have interactive shows, a train ride through a gem mine, and my kids’ favorite: the good old fashion log flume. They have some of the best amusement park food that I have ever tasted, and it is easily located right off of Route 30. They also have their own campground, so if you want to pitch a tent or bring the RV, you can park there overnight.
2. Hands-On House Children’s Museum– The Hands-On House Children’s Museum is not same as the Please Touch Museum which is located in Philadelphia. This is a different museum where children can learn about bugs, making music with household items, face painting, and playing postman. They have their own little grocery store to teach children how to shop and then they can play check out with real machines that add up their order. They also have events throughout the week the kids can attend but it is best to check their schedule online.
3. Strasburg Railroad – This is more than just a train ride, this is an adventure! The station has activities for kids including hand pedaling their own train car, a kids train, or they can even operate an old pump car. They also have some fun stores where you can pick up some Thomas the Train toys are grab a bite to eat before your ride. So don’t worry if you just missed the train, there is plenty to do. You can also add admission to the Train Museum across the road to your train ticket. You will see the history of trains and some very old and interesting engines. Make sure to check their website for when Thomas the Train and his friends are there. This is a fun time but tickets sell out fast.
4. Toy Train Museum and Red Caboose Inn – The Toy Train Museum is very close to the Strasburg Railroad and houses hundreds of toy trains that were played with by many for hundreds of years. Some of the trains date back to the 1800’s and some are old time favorites with pictures of your favorite characters you used to watch on TV. They have a few working models which make the kids laugh and play as they wait for the trains to come out of the model sized mountain and whiz past the tiny town. Once you step out the toys of the Toy Train Museum you will see old train cars parked in a lot. If you take a closer look you will actually find out that it is the Red Caboose Motel, which has converted old train cars into hotel rooms. Each car is its own room equipped with bed and private bathroom. There is also a restaurant onsite with an amazing gift store of all things Lancaster county.
5. Kitchen Kettle Village – Kitchen Kettle Village is a great place for all generations as there are 40 shops and restaurants where you can purchase quality Lancaster county products and foods, and fun trinkets from all over the world. Want to try Pennsylvania Dutch relish, well head over to the The Jam and Relish Kitchen where you can taste all types of jams, relishes, and salsas – all homemade. Maybe the kids aren’t into shopping but the grandparents want to buy some more great finds, well take the kids on a horse-drawn carriage ride through Amish country and to see various farms. They can decorate a Gingerbread man to look like Yummie, the mascot for Kitchen Kettle Village, or get up close and personal with some farm animals at the barnyard.
There are so many things to do and see in Lancaster County Pennsylvania so the next time you are in the area it is worth a stop. Make sure to stock up on some Shoo-fly pie or whoopie pies.
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what surrounded it, it was about what it stood for: Freedom. In the front of the monument is a large stone dedicated to the memory of the heroes who gave their lives for the freedom of their people and their national independence for over a thousand years! That is right, a monument dedicated to those who fought in wars and battles a thousand years ago. A country that didn’t forget anyone and built a monument to remember everyone. It really is something amazing to be standing in this semi-circle of statutes and monuments that was built over a 100 years ago.
two parts, one side of the river is the Buda side and the other side is the Pest side. Matthias Church on the Buda side in the Buda Castle District. When you come upon the church you are expected to be in awe by it’s massive steeple and architecture, but what catches my eye every time is the multi-colored roof. This orange and yellow roofing stand out on top of the light gray, almost white façade. This church was where coronations of Kings, and burials of royalty took place, and when you walk into the church you can see why it was the chosen venue. Ceilings so high you think they touch the sky, and ornate stained glass windows, and a large amount of seating. 
you can get amazing pictures of the Hungarian Parliament building. Since you will be doing a lot of climbing stairs and walking, just down the way is a mascarpone shop that showcases amazing edible art and demonstrations on how to make some of their pieces. 
favorite bridges are the Chain Bridge and the Liberty Bridge. The Chain Bridge is very close to the parliament building and gives easy access into the main cultural center of Budapest. This stone bridge was built in the early 1800’s and was the second bridge to be built over the Danube river. Stone lions guard over the passengers who come and go, and at night they light the bridge up beautifully so that you can get really good pictures of the bridge in the foreground and Castle Hill in the background. The Liberty Bridge acted as a toll bridge for some time and this can be seen by the houses that were built at both ends of the bridge. There are four Turuls statutes, one on each pillar of the bridge. If you don’t know what a Turul is that is ok, neither did I, they are falcon-like birds, prominent in ancient Hungarian mythology.
grand staircase fit for a king into an area where all the walls are gold! That is right, gold! It is absolutely breath-taking and unfortunately, my pictures won’t do it justice. Guided tours are the best way to get around this building as there are so many rooms, and some of them are very long with nothing in them. They are called waiting rooms, but I could fit two of my house into this long, wide room. I must say I was a bit surprised when we came upon the Holy Crown of Hungary. A beautiful crown with a slightly crooked cross on top. We had asked our guide if that was symbolic for something, and he told us no that someone has either dropped it or knocked slightly resulting in the cross tilting to one side. It surprised me that no one wanted to fix it but after 300 years of it being this way, I guess it is now a tradition. 
walk along the castle wall. My favorite part of the town is the oldest street in all England called Shambles. This street was even said to be mentioned in the 1086 book DomesDay, but to me it felt like I was walking down Diagon Alley, for all you Harry Potter fans. Crooked buildings, tight streets, crowds of people, and tiny stores make up this street and it is really something to see.
region of Scotland that contains a lot of hills, lochs, and mountains. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Great Britain, and on a clear day you can really enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area. We were there in October, typically the rainy season, but each day we had beautiful weather and clear skies, which gave us the most amazing pictures. Seeing Loch Ness was really something that I always wanted to do so standing next the Loch getting our picture taken seemed so surreal and exciting. Unfortunately Nessie 
decided not come out that day. Taking a boat ride on Loch Lomond was another highlight as the surrounding area is so lush and beautiful. When in Scotland, make sure not to miss out on seeing a Scottish Cow, pronounced Coo by the Scottish. Also keep an eye out for jewelry made out of 
Kensington Palace to see the Princess Diana collection. So many beautiful dresses to see but the building itself was a bit outdated and plain inside. While in London, you must take a walk in one of their many parks. You never know what type of art or activity you may come across, but on a beautiful, warm day there are plenty of activities to do. Grabbing a pint at a local pub is a must, and this was where I was introduced to Strongbow a “dry” cider produced in Great Britain. Having this on draft was a smooth as a lager and not sweet like a hard cider you would get in the states. Since we have been to London, you can now purchase Strongbow here in the states and it is now produced in several flavors. I have not had it since London, as I am afraid the formulation has changed to suit the American taste buds. 
lined up in a half circle, the beautiful country side, and of course, the Roman Baths. Seeing pictures of people in the early 1900’s in their bathing suits soaking in the baths hoping for some healing or enjoying the warmth of the water, is something that had me curious. The Roman bath building is quite large containing the main bath area, but there are also several springs that are equally fascinating. The water is so clear that it is hard to believe that it is unfiltered. I will warn you that there is a sulfur concentration in the water so there can be an unpleasant smell while 
you are there, especially in warmer weather. You can also taste the water from a special fountain found in the restaurant on site. I did not as I was told it tasted really bad, and was a darker color than they had expected. There are several archaeologists that have been digging and uncovering artifacts from hundreds of years ago. You can also view and even touch some of these pieces. 
Edinburgh but make sure to bring good walking shoes, as the Royal Mile is something to really see but hard on the feet. I really enjoyed walking through “Closes” which are alleyways that sometimes underground. Many people hang their clothes out to dry in these areas, and this is also where the saying “Heads Up” originated as they would throw their bed pan material out the window to the street below. My favorite tour was of Mary King’s Close which is an underground city that has been untouched since medieval times. Seeing how people lived at that time is sad but a good reminder of how much we have progressed in the world. Edinburgh Castle is a 
must and if you are there when the Military Tattoo is being held, I highly recommend seeing this show. Once you are done at the castle a stroll down the Royal Mile to get in some shopping and/or whiskey tasting is must. Once at the end, make sure to visit Holyrood Palace, home of the Queen of Scots! 
streets, shops, and actual relics that have been unearthed gives one an understanding of how people lived at that time, and it is so well preserved. Now each time I have visited, we have taken a 3 to 4 hour tour just of Pompeii. If you really want to see all of Pompeii, you really have to give yourself a good 8 hours or more. Most tours take you to the known sites, but Pompeii is quite large and you may want to find a tour that will take you to the lesser known areas. 
a tour. I was pleasantly surprised that most of the Catacomb was not underground and plenty of natural light was coming in. The paths were clearly defined and the layout of the bones was very well-preserved. Once we reached Rosalia and saw her in the small glass casket, it seemed surreal and one of the most mysterious things that I have ever seen. 
e you some amazing views of the sea. The town center is filled with small alleys leading you to amazing store fronts, and seems to be decorated with the most amazing flower displays. There are three things that are a must when you go to Sorrento. First you must consider purchasing some wood art. This is where the artists use wood to make various scenes of Sorrento and is beautiful and quite unique. Anything with lemons! Limoncello is hugely popular in Sorrento and a good place to purchase some really amazing versions of it. They also have various candies with lemon, which are amazing and not too sour. Gelato! When in Italy, gelato is a must! This is one of the foods that I must try in every Italian city I visit, and Sorrento didn’t disappoint with their gelato. There is one store right down from the main square that resides in a building 
right in the middle of two streets. You can enter from either street and the walls are filled with famous people who have stopped into their store, and when we tried their gelato, I can see why! 
original arch that the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France is modeled after. We walked around this ancient Roman civilization for 3 hours seeing mostly city buildings and some homes. The most impressive part of the forum was when we reached Circus Maximus, where they used to race the chariots. Looking at this massive site and picturing chariots racing around while people cheered on their favorites, was very impressive to me. We did visit the Colessum, but I was unimpressed at the size after seeing Circus Maximus. 
you know that they are open this time of year too? Yes, that is right. You can ride a rollercoaster in 30 degree weather while taking in the holiday light display. Amusement parks set up a holiday light display in the park where you can stroll around the park and just take in the lights. These light displays are as good, if not better, than some of the light displays that you drive or walk through. There ar
e lights in trees, bushes, floating above you, Christmas trees that are 3 stories tall, and interactive displays. And of course all of the characters in the park are dressed in their holiday outfits. Some parks even have a musical lights extravaganza several times throughout the night, where the lights are synced with music. If you have never seen a musical lights extravaganza it is really fun to watch and they never disappoint.
rk is different, but they may also open a few select rides. Some parks will only open their children rides but others will have some of your favorite rollercoasters open. Riding your favorite rollercoaster in 30 degree weather is a new experience that you may only want to do once that night, but at least you can say that you did it. Since the parks only open a select amount of rides, the lines for these rides can become very long, especially later in the night. Getting to the park as soon as it opens is always a good idea. You still have some daylight and you can get on all the rides quickly. Later in the night when the park starts to get crowded you can enjoy the light displays. I would recommend checking out the amusement park’s website to see which rides are open before you go. 
While you are checking the website, make sure to see if you can get discount pricing online. Some parks have advanced ticket sales online where you can get an extra discount when you purchase online. Tickets at the booth aren’t typically too expensive. Tickets are usually a third of the price of a regular park ticket during normal season. This isn’t a bad deal for all you are getting. Most parks open around dusk, so this isn’t an all-day activity. They also don’t stay open too late as it can get really cold outside. You get a few hours to see several amazing light displays and get on rides, so this is why it is important to get there before the lines get too long. You want to enjoy everything.
have a temporary holiday exhibit. One of our local museums here in Pittsburgh brings in several towering Colorado Spruce trees and decorates them with hand decorated ornaments. This has become quite a tradition as they have been doing this since 1957, and it always gathers a large crowd. Our local conservatory has a train exhibit set up and this year’s theme is Fairy Tales. Not only do the kids get to enjoy the train set but some of their storybook favorites are around too. 
action showcasing all things Coca Cola called the World of Coca Cola. They have everything to see from old Coca Cola vending machines, to the various looks of the Coca Cola products, and a secret vault containing information on how Coca Cola came about. They do a good job of crowd control as they have a short 10 minute presentation welcoming you and then you enter into a movie theater where they show a short movie about how Coca Cola brings the world together. Once you are through these two areas you are then free to roam the various exhibits. There is even an area where you can get your picture taken with Bear, the Coca Cola mascot. 
scientist trying to figure out the secret formula of Coca Cola while being transported all over the world. I have been to 4D movies before but this was the first time where the seats actually moved. I don’t recommend this for someone with back or neck problems, but the kids found it fun. They also liked the taste station. This is an area that is broken up into continents where you can taste the various Coca Cola products available in certain countries. Greece had a pineapple flavor soda that was quite refreshing but my favorite sod
a was from Tanzania called Stoney Ginger Beer. It was very light and left a nice after taste of ginger in your mouth. It also did not have a lot of sugar so I didn’t get that sugary build up on the back of my tongue like I do when I drink ginger ale. It was a lot of fun going around to see how different continents like certain flavors. South American countries really like a sweeter fruit based drink while African countries like more ginger and lighter flavors. Something to definitely look forward to when you visit there!
Inside they have several more dinosaurs in the main atrium and in an exhibit, which the kids absolutely loved. With our CityPASS® voucher we were given access to an IMAX movie, so our oldest decided they wanted to see the polar bears movie. 
