Pennsylvania

Wheat47 · Sep 5, 2018

Hello to Pa folks. Jon from Montana here.
We are pondering a trip to the Harrisburg area sometime in October.
I know the weather has been a bit unpleasant there this summer, so I'm hoping things have cleared
up by now. We would like to visit the Hershey theme park and factory, of course. (chocoholic here!!)
Also would like to go to Lancaster to visit the Amish (Wife wants a quilt!!) and perhaps Gettysburg.
I know there are many things to do around there. Maybe we can catch some fall colors, too.
I believe there are some scenic (steam?) trains in the Harrisburg area. Are there any shows about that time
or tractor type museums to see? We're open to most any suggestions.
We're going to fly in and rent a car. The primary goal is to visit a former German exchange student who
lives there now.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Often local people are better informed
than travel agents.
It seems there are many things to do in that area that are only 60-70 miles from Harrisburg,
and in this country, we drive that far for a good cup of coffee!
Thanks.
Jon K

RLA · Sep 5, 2018

If you like trains, better hit the Horse Shoe Curve in Altoona....

Drake Well in Titusville too!

KenL · Sep 5, 2018

I've been in New Holland Pa a couple times. Real nice people. Very Amish. Excellent food. Lotsa horses and buggies. Then, as long as you're there, you have to go to Blue Balls and Intercourse. They are not very far away.

RJKeith · Sep 5, 2018

The Strasburg RR in Lancaster County has several steam locomotives they pull excursions and some freight with over a 4 to 5 mile line. Google it for their web site or there are several video clips on youtube.

Keith True · Sep 5, 2018

I talked to some Model A guys on tour that went to the factory.The actual chocolate factory has been moved to Mexico.It is now what they call a fake factory you get to tour.One of the A guys had been there before,when they were still making chocolate there,he said the tour of the fake factory is much better.At the real factory there were a lot of places you couldn't go because of safety,health,(after all,they are a food producer)or visitors would just be in the way.So on the tour of the original plant he missed a lot of the process of production.He said the tour of the fake factory is very accurate and impressive.They had a list of places they were visiting,but most agreed that they would drive the 500 miles again just to tour that factory.

showcrop · Sep 5, 2018

World of Wheels museum which is 50% Mack trucks is not too far away in Allentown. Don't miss Gettysburg if you are at all into the Civil War, but read up on it some first. I will recommend the Lancaster Brewing Co. restaurant at 469 Eisenhower Blvd, Harrisburg. It is the hang out for the local police after work, (out of uniform), so you are safe.

Destroked 450 · Sep 5, 2018

We toured the Hershey 8 years ago, wife wouldn't let me get that 5 lb Hershey chocolate bar (sob).
We where at Gettysburg most of one day and didn't get to see everything.
I'd plan 2 days for Gettysburg.

farmerjohn · Sep 5, 2018

Also in Altoona is the Railroaders Memorial Museum, as the city was pretty much built by the Pennsylvania Railroad and had the largest shops in the country employing 15000 people.
RR museum

Traditional Farmer · Sep 5, 2018

Yinglings Tractor Salvage yard in Gettysburg must see(LOL).

farmerjohn · Sep 5, 2018

Also Sight and Sound theatre will give you a live show like you?ve never seen and will never forget.
Sight Sound theatre

larry@stinescorner · Sep 5, 2018

Cabela's is next to Hamburg Pa,Right of 78 highway.If we are in PA We are 15 miles or so East of Cabelas,,stop in and see us,,Crystal cave is in Kutztown,the Blue Rocks is in Lenhartsville,there is the WK&S steam railroad in Kempton,Leesport flea and farmers market in Leesport on WED.from 6 am till 7 at night,the Kutztown farmers market and antiques is Fri and Saturday,,Saturday is better for Antiques..I Think the Bloomsburg fair is in October,,but Im not sure when

Bob N.Y. · Sep 5, 2018

There is a large tractor museum on Rt. 30 in Kinzers, just east of Lancaster. Better check before you go to see when it will be open.

Bob N.Y. · Sep 5, 2018

Forgot to mention the name. It is Rough and Tumble Engineer's Society.

Wheat47 · Sep 5, 2018

Yes, I've heard of them.

CCer · Sep 5, 2018

Visit the AACA Auto Museum near Hershey. They have a WebSite.

formerly ny bill · Sep 5, 2018

if you are in New Holland, take a tour of the NH factory.

Wheat47 · Sep 5, 2018

Thanks, everyone for all the suggestions!!!
We were just going to do a week, but we may have to stay a month!!
I was wondering about the NH factory, too
More suggestion are welcome!!!

Traditional Farmer · Sep 6, 2018

If you are near the NH factory you need to check out John Beiler's Amish store off Groffdale Lane (maybe rd) that's off of Route 23 just South of the NH plant.

formerly ny bill · Sep 6, 2018

http://www.discoverlancaster.com/members/new%20holland%20haytools%20factory%20tour.asp
pretty interesting, watching a bunch of castings and stampings become a baler.

a few miles north on I81, Scranton, Pa has a coal mine tour and Steamtown, with steam train related stuff and tours.

pcsaw · Sep 6, 2018

Shady maple is a must stop to eat

Pete in MD · Sep 6, 2018

Traditional Farmer,

I went to Elias's and John's "Spring" sale at the end of February for many years. I'm guessing you did too. It was an "event" I looked forward to all year. Too bad it ended in 2006. I went to the new sale at the fire house the first year and haven't been back since.

Traditional Farmer · Sep 6, 2018

I rarely missed that sale for years,as you said it was quite an event 4th Thursday and Friday in February can remember some very cold days there but always had a great time and
bought some neat tractors and other stuff there.More to see there than about any show around.

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