Going this weekend with three kids (8,6&5)

Hi, we are going to PA this weekend and would like some suggestions for cheap family friendly activities. We have planned the strasburg railroad so far, which although not cheap, is something I thibnk we would all enjoy. We are not planning dutch wonderland or hershey park this trip. We would love to get to a farmers market. Thats all we really have planned, so we%26#39;d love some ideas. We are staying at the mountville mainstay (how far is this from strasburg?), which seemed to have decent reviews on tripadvisor. Any help or suggestions would be great. Thanks in advance.

Going this weekend with three kids (8,6%26amp;5)

I stayed in the Mountville Mainstay last year for a nearby two-day conference. Very nice two-BR rooms with small kitchenette. It is 18 miles from Strasburg. I wouldn%26#39;t even consider staying there if you plan on visiting the PA Dutch Country. There are plenty of nice places a lot closer. It%26#39;s a 30 minute drive towards the East for everything you will want to do. While in Strasburg (the railroad is only open on Saturdays in Oct.) you can visit the PA RR Museum, Choo Choo Barn (great model train village display), Model Train Museum and the Cherry Crest Farm %26amp; Corn Maize. Also, there%26#39;s great ice cream at the General Store at the intersection of Rts. 896 and 741. Over on Route 340 is the Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market. They sell lots of Amish-made goods, delicious foods, baked items, fruits, vegatables and meats. Down the road from BIH is the Village of Intercourse. Stop in and visit the stores in Kitchen Kettle and in the Crosskeys shoppes. Check out www.800PaDutch.com for more information and times. Remember...........Amish run stores and shops will be closed on Sundays. Plan your sightseeing trips accordingly.

Steve

Going this weekend with three kids (8,6%26amp;5)

Lititz, PA, a short trip up from Lancaster on Saturday has their annual Chocolate Walk from 10-4pm. They will have a number of chocolate makers plus their own Wilbur Buds factory (free samples) plus Sturgis Pretzels. Neat little town, go for it.

Oh gosh..you will love Strasburg Railroad!!! We just went on the weekend of Sept. 15th to see Thomas the Tank Engine...took my grandson for a train ride...went to the museum (which is only about 7 dollars to get in.) We loved the train stores too. The kid loved it!

There%26#39;s also Lancaster Central Market downtown. Fri 6-4 and Sat 6-2. It%26#39;s fun to just walk around and has cheap foods, snacks and gifts. The suggestion of Lititz is a great one too...very cute little town with a park and of course the Wilbur Chocolate factory. Just outside of town (on 501 North) is High Sports with batting cages, miniature golf, go-karts and a driving range. I%26#39;m not sure if they%26#39;ll still be open this late in the season though.

As for the Mountville Mainstay, it is fairly far from Strasburg and the rest of PA Dutch Country. Depending on traffic it could take anywhere from 20 mins to an hour to get to the east side of the county. There%26#39;s also not much to do in Mountville. Right next to the hotel there%26#39;s a mini golf course (which may be closed for the season), maybe 2 restaurants and a gas/convenience store. On the east side of Mountville on 462, there%26#39;s a small shopping center. I don%26#39;t know if your kids will go for Thai food, but there%26#39;s a fantastic restaurant in there called Sukhothai.

To get from Mountville to Strasburg, the easiest/fastest way: Get on Rt. 30 East and get off at 462/Lincoln Hwy. Make a right off the exit, then a left at the first light (Strasburg Pike or maybe Old Strasburg Pike). Take this road all the way to the end and make a left onto 741. Not only will you avoid the insane weekend traffic that starts about 1 mile east of the 462 exit, you%26#39;ll get to drive thru the cute town of Strasburg. Stop at the ice cream place on the way! Fantastic! Also, just before the RR, there%26#39;s an Isaac%26#39;s Deli on the right. They have great sandwiches and a fun kids menu at reasonable prices.

Have fun!!

There are some great suggestions on these posts

Thanks so much everyone. Unfortunately, we planned this trip late and I looked for hours on line for a hotel room to accomodate the 5 of us.....so Mountville it is. I really appreciate the traffice avoiding directions Corrindal. Thanks for the great advice on local places to stop. I am so excited to get away this weekend, I can hardly wait :-)

Hope this isn%26#39;t coming too late, but I would take scw%26#39;s advice on the Cherry Crest Farm. I think your kids would really enjoy the maze and it%26#39;s extremely close to Strasburg Railroad. If you get to the Bird in Hand Farmer%26#39;s Market, there are discount coupons for the maze in their brochure area. I think it%26#39;s $2 off each admission. The maze is like a huge scavenger hunt. It%26#39;s challenging, but fun. It%26#39;s a great family attraction that also has a pumpkin slide, bouncy area, farm animals, and small shops.

That%26#39;s OK, I%26#39;ll keep all the chocolate for myself. Go for the healthy stuff.

Ghost of wee Willy Wonka.

Was reading your post and the replies. prasiehisname from Va. is also planning a trip this week-end. Unfortunatly, this is the busiest week-end for the Lancaster area. But go to padutchcountry.com and check things to do and see. Also alot of lodging is listed.. Check my post, Where NOT To Stay in Lancaster.

Good luck. popc.

Sight %26amp; Sounds production of ';In The Beginning';!!!