Traveling the Old Lincoln Highway thru Lancaster

Lincoln Highway, named for our 16th President, was the first automobile road to cross the US. And in Lancaster County, you can follow some of the old 1915 highway and enjoy many of the sights from long ago. You can occasionally see the original markers that say things such as "47 M to P, 15 to L" meaning  47 miles to Philadelphia and 15 miles to Lancaster. Although many of the old tourist courts are gone now, there are still some of the diners and shops that have been around for years.

On the east side of town some of the old restaurants are still in business. The Revere Tavern dates back to 1740. Dutch Haven was built in 1946 offering PA Dutch cooking and souvenirs. Today they are famous for their shoo-fly pies. Miller's Smorgasbord originally opened in 1929 for tourists traveling the Old Lincoln Highway. Although it has been renovated through the years, it still offers  traditional cooking  including "seven sweets and seven sours" with each meal!  And just down the road is Jennie's Diner, one of the original 1950's dining car style diners.

There are also a few of the old motels nestled among the modern strip of restaurants, shops and lodging establishments. And the 1960's amusement park, Dutch Wonderland.

On the west side of Lancaster there is still one of the old Tourist Courts still in business. An occasional diner will also pop up in the towns of Mountville and Columbia. In Columbia, the road crosses the river to York County. The original Lincoln Highway bridge was demolished in 1964, but you can still see the stone piers from the modern bridge. The old bridge was originally a wooden covered bridge burned down to halt the Confederate Army during the Civil War, but replaced with a steel structure in 1897. The problem with the bridge was that cars and trains had to share it, and it didn't always work out! 

There is so much history in Lancaster County. And as you drive down the old Lincoln Highway, you may catch a glimpse of what travelers saw almost 100 years ago!

Submitted by Lark and Michael McCarley, Innkeepers of the  Lovelace Manor Bed and Breakfast

Water Sports in Lancaster County PA

Now that the weather is staying warm, and summer is fast approaching, it’s time to start planning paddling trips, or leisurely waterside lounging. Lancaster County is located between the Susquehanna River, and the Schuylkill River, which allows for many recreational summertime activities. Choose one of the 38 Authentic Bed and Breakfasts as your home base, before deciding which of the following trips you’d like to take this summer!

If you have your own kayak, canoe, or boat, then head to the historic Conestoga River. It is a Class 1 scenic river that flows for 60 miles, before emptying in the Susquehanna River. For more information on launch sites and landmarks, visit the Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation.

If you’d like to rent a kayak or canoe, visit Shanks Mare in Wrightsville. They offer lessons, as well as rentals and even have evening paddles where you go out at dusk and then have dinner at The Rookery.

On the Schuylkill River, you can rent kayaks, tubes, canoes, and rafts at the Reading River Tribe. These trips include Class II rapids, and the company will shuttle you to your beginning point, so you can end at their location. Be sure to make a reservation before arriving!

For a traditional day at the pool, visit Adamstown Community Pool, or Lititz Springs Pool. And for something different, visit Mount Gretna Lake and Beach. The swim and recreation facility is open to the public for a daily fee. You will be entertained all day, and really feel like you’re at the beach! They have everything from diving boards and tube/kayak/canoe rentals to picnic sites and a snack bar. They even have a diving board, a swing over the water, and a sand volleyball court!

Your last option to spend some time on the water is in Harrisburg, PA. The Pride of the Susquehanna offers riverboat cruises during the day, and even a dinner cruise. Check their calendar for entertainment cruises, or book a private cruise for a special occasion! How will you spend your summer on the water?

Submitted by Amethyst Inn Bed and Breakfast

Amish Schoolhouses in Lancaster County

One of the many charming aspects of Lancaster County is it’s quaint, one-room schoolhouses. As you drive through the countryside you will see these structures dotting farmland throughout the county.

Several of these schools are historic and date back to the 1800’s, while others are relatively new. In fact, in recent years the Old Order Amish have been constructing approximately 5 one-room school buildings per year. This is due to the region’s growing Amish population and subsequent surging attendance at existing schools. The schoolhouses are typically taught by a young, unmarried woman. The children are instructed in basic skills such as: reading, writing, spelling, geography and practical math. The school does not have electricity or automatic running water.





Each one-room school serves an average of 30 students and is within walking distance of their homes. Most of the

children attend until 8^th grade and then go on to have a structured learning program supervised by their parents at home. Come visit Lancaster County and enjoy viewing these charming schoolhouses for yourself!

 Contributed by the Hurst House Bed and Breakfast located in Ephrata, PA.

Herr's Snack Food and Factory Tour

You are invited on a tour through Herr's Snack Food Factory located in Nottingham Pennsylvania, just a few minutes outside Lancaster County.  On the tour you will learn how James Herr in 1946 started this family business by buying a potato chip company in Willow Valley Pennsylvania.  Out growing that location the factory was relocated for expansion and still continues in the Herr family.  A very interesting story and history is presented in a large theater, followed by a tour that continues in groups viewing many of the processes of manufacturing various snack foods from cheese puffs to corn chips and everyone's favorite potato chips.  Enjoy a sample freshly made and still warm.   Thousands of people tour each week from Monday through Thursday.  You will need to call in advance to make a reservation. Contributed by Robert of the After Eight Bed and Breakfast, located near Paradise Pennsylvania.

Exciting Events in Lancaster County

Make your plans now to see some of the exciting events available in Lancaster County.

For those who read Beverly Lewis books, you'll enjoy the musical talent during "The Confession" Musical running through Nov. 30^th, 2012 at the Bird-in-Hand Family restaurant and Stage.  If possible, avoid seating in the last 5 rows as the performance is very hard to see due to the fact the chairs are all on the same level.  Most days only has one performance and usually sells out, as it is a small space, so make your plans now for this experience. 

By now you must have heard about "Jonah" at the Sight and Sound Theater.  What an amazing display for the eyes, wonderful musical talent for the ears and the whole story about Jonah and the Whale.  Don't forget to look up during the underwater scene, if you aren't in the balcony.  Jonah runs through Dec. 31, 2012 . 

"Country Classics" is the focus of the new show at the American Music Theater.  It runs through June 30th. They also have Johnny Mathis on May 19^th , Ray Price & gene Watson on May 20^th and Glen Campbell on May 21^st.  Check their web site for more of the Celebrity series.  AMT is an Authentic B&B Association's Passport partner, so ask your innkeeper about a discount coupon before you buy tickets.

Join the Rainbow Dinner Theater  until May 26^th for “The Dixie Swim Club”.  For you fellows, you'll find out what women talk about when they get together with college buddies. They reminisce about the "good old days" and catch up on what is happening now. If you can't make it here in May...well, from June 5-August 5 you get to enjoy "Things My Mother Taught Me.  This is a brand new comedy.  It is always a good laugh at the Rainbow Dinner Theater. They are also an Authentic B&B Association's Passport partner.

Irving Berlin's "Annie Get Your Gun" is onstage at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater through June 17th.  It will be hard not to sing along with “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better”. Another Authentic Passport partner.

"Miss Saigon" is coming to the Fulton Theater June 6 through July 8.  If you've never been to a production at the Fulton put it on your list of things to do while in Lancaster, PA.  It will blow you away.

If you are not into theater, check out the Role of Railroads in PA during the Civil War.  You'll find this tidbit of history at the Railroad Museum of PA in Strasburg.  Another Authentic Passport partner.

The 29^th Annual Demuth Garden Tour is June 9^th & 10^th.  What treasures you will discover in the creative urban gardens and unique home interiors of Lancaster residences as you stroll from house to house.  This is always a fun event.

The Authentic Bed &Breakfasts are waiting for your call.  Get you calendar out and plan your stay in Lancaster County.  There is so much to do and experience here. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Submitted by Ann Willets, Inkeeper of the King’s Cottage B&B

Masonic Village Farm Market

Ah, spring is definitely in the air.  I love this time of year.  There is something so special about seeing a robin or spring flowers blooming and knowing that warm weather and fresh Lancaster County fruits and vegetables are not far away.  Each year at this time I start thinking about getting out in my garden and starting to dig.  As an Innkeeper I find there is not enough time to have a large garden but I usually try to at least plant some lettuce, herbs that I like to cook with and definitely some tomatoes.  For all the other wonderful fruits and vegetables that I enjoy cooking I usually go to one of my favorite local farm markets, Masonic Village Farm Market in Elizabethtown. 

They always have a great selection of local produce, and when available some from a local organic gardener as well. 

They are open daily from April 1^st through December, Monday Through Saturday 8am to 5 pm, Sunday Noon to 4 pm (Sundays- June, July and August). They are also open January through March on Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm.   

Masonic Village Farm Market has been offering quality local produce since 1910, much of what they offer is grown at Masonic Village with the remainder from local Lancaster County farms.  Masonic Village Farm Market is also the 2^nd largest tree fruit producer in Lancaster County.  They grow wonderful apples, pears, cherries, plums and some of the best peaches around.  The Farm Market also bakes delicious pies daily for you to enjoy.  I enjoy their fruit butters as well, especially the apple butter.  They have a large selection including butters without sugar and spice.  And you can’t forget to take home some of their preserves, jellies, or jams, too.

So put Masonic Village Farm Market on your list for a great place to stop the next time you are in Lancaster County.

Submitted by Ann Royer, Innkeeper at Amanda GishHouse Bed and Breakfast Elizabethtown, PA

Middle Creek Wildlife

Every year at this time, thousands of bird-watchers flock to Middle Creek Wildlife

Management Area to view tens of thousands of migrating Snow Geese and Tundra Swans. These migratory waterfowl winter in the Chesapeake Bay region and migrate north in the spring to nesting grounds in in the arctic region of northern Canada. They tend to move through quickly in late fall, but on their return trip north they stop over at Middle Creek for several weeks in late February and early March. Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area is operated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and provides Habitat for a variety of waterfowl, songbirds, a nesting pair of Bald Eagles, and a host of other wildlife. 

This year there is estimated to be 65,000 Snow Geese and 2,400 Tundra Swans. The prime viewing area is at Willow Point, which is accessible by the short, paved Willow Point Trail. Geese can also be viewed along the driving tour route that is open starting on March 1. The Visitors Center at Middle Creek offers a great collection of mounted wildlife, a touch-n-feel bin and activities for kids, as well as other educational exhibits and song-bird viewing. An extensive network of hiking trails of various difficulty levels is available at Middle Creek and the surrounding game lands.