Philly Staycations: Lancaster County, PA

While the economy is improving, people are still simplifying and reducing their budgets to make ends meet. Our family has not been able to afford a big (read: more than an overnight in the local area) vacation for the past several years. Luckily, we live in the Philadelphia area, and there are so many great destinations to visit for fun staycations within a 2-hour drive.


What can I say? You all should move to Philly!


I recently had a chance to do a local staycation in Lancaster, PA.  Having lived outside of Philadelphia my whole life, I've been to Lancaster lots of times.  I've never stayed over though!  And what surprised me most is that there is a ton to do in Lancaster.  I took Hubby and Chica for a one night stay and visited three area attractions.  We were kept busy all of Saturday, welcoming sleep when bedtime rolled around.


Thinking of trying to stay local this Summer? Or are you visiting Philadelphia and looking for a fun day trip?  Here's my quick recap of a very fun overnight in Lancaster:

The Accommodations

Doubletree by Hilton Resort 

I have never stayed in a Doubletree before, but after this experience I will certainly be going back.  Every guest is welcomed by a friendly staff and sent on to their rooms with freshly baked cookies.


YES.


Upon check-in, guests are given the most amazingly delicious cookies to enjoy while they make their way to their rooms.  Lovely.


Hotel rooms are spacious, comfortable and (most importantly) clean.  The resort has 2 restaurants on-site, and an easy drive to many more.  If you are getting away for a little fun and relaxation, the Doubletree Resort boasts both an indoor and outdoor pool.  Families can take advantage of the indoor Water Playground, which is perfect for young kids to enjoy.


I would highly recommend the Double Tree Resort in Lancaster to anyone looking for a quality place to stay in Lancaster, PA.  Want a quick peek at our room?  Check out my very impromptu video below:

The Attractions

Strasburg Railroad

I have memories of riding the train at Strasburg way back from when I was a little. So it was a joy taking Chica on the leisurely hour-long round trip through the Lancaster countryside.  There are different cars for the train, from a simple open-air car to the air-conditioned and luxurious President's Car. Regardless of your seat, everyone has a fantastic view.  The Strasburg Rail Road has special events throughout the year, including a chance to ride Thomas the Tank Engine! The Easter Bunny and Santa also make visits during their holiday seasons.  If you want to do a fun evening without the kids, the Strasburg Railroad offers a fun Wine and Cheese car as well as a Murder Mystery Dinner!


Some of the cars and certain events offer dining on the train.  If you are hungry before or after your trip, the Strasburg Railroad has you covered.  The recently opened Trackside Cafe offers a spectacular selection for all palates: pizza, quesadillas, and sandwiches, as well as whoopie pies and ice cream! We had a delightful lunch before our train ride, complete with dessert.  I had Shoo Fly Pie (a classic Pennsylvania Dutch dessert) for the first time in my life (spoiler alert: it is not made with ground up flies, despite what my dad used to tell me).


Even the most train-loving kids can get wiggly during the train ride. So when you plan your trip, make sure to download and print the fun Strasburg Railroad Scavenger Hunt I've created.  Challenge your kids to find every item, or see who can find all the items first!  Each and every item can be found during the train ride!

Choo Choo Barn

I was really not sure what I would think of the Choo Choo Barn when it was first placed on our agenda. But can I tell you I could have stayed there for hours?  I didn't realize I would find miniature tableaus so interesting, but there was SO much to see! The Choo Choo Barn is a gigantic (like, 1700 square feet - which rivals my house, people) model train layout.  The huge room is the setting for a circus (complete with a taco truck in the parking lot), a campground, various houses, a zoo, a rave in a cave (seriously) and even a mini Dutch Wonderland! I walked around the structure several times, gazing and trying to see every little detail.  To give guests a different perspective, the lights are dimmed and it becomes "night" every 10 minutes.  Every 5 minutes, there is a road accident, for which police and fire fighters are called for.  Very fun for little kids! And let's be honest. Adults too!

The Amish Village

In all my years living in Pennsylvnia (i.e.: all of them), I have never been to the Amish Village.  The Amish Village is a must-visit for anyone who is a Pennsylvania resident, and a can't-miss for anyone visiting our awesome state!  Started by a woman from Texas, believe it or not, the Amish Village is a learning experience that really sheds light on the daily life of the Amish people.  The property holds a traditional Amish home, Amish store, Amish market and an Amish school house, as well as buggies, farm animals and a beautiful landscape.  During the tour, our tour guide shared many facts that I had never heard before about the Amish, including their history or origination to family life.  Saturdays from 10am-4pm, there is an actual Amish school teacher who you can hear from at the Amish school house on the back of the property.  On the day we visited, our school teacher fielded many questions and gave a great overview on her role as a special education teacher in the Amish community. Very enlightening!  We stopped in the Amish store, which is home to many souvenirs, including beautiful handmade quilts.  If you think you know everything about the Amish culture, see if your knowledge passes the test at The Amish Village next time you are in Lancaster!

~~~~~

I feel fortunate to have so many travel opportunities near by, and at a price that is easy on the wallet.  Even if you've been to Lancaster a thousand times, an overnight and new fun attractions can really make your visit brand new.  Looking for more to do?  There is mini-golf course in the area, as well as the shopping wonders that are Tanger and Rockvale Outlet Shopping, Dutch Wonderland, Hershey Park, restaurants and more. This is a great central location when planning a stay to Lancaster County!


Have you been to Lancaster, PA? Hoping to plan a visit this Summer? Share your story and leave a comment below!







Disclosure: I was provided lodging and entrance to the attractions. As always, all opinions are my own. Always trying to keep it real!

Steph Stays: Lancaster County, PA (COMING SOON!)

LANCASTER, PA

This weekend, I will be whisking Hubby and Little Chica away to Lancaster, PA. We'll be riding trains at the Strasburg Railroad and Choo Choo Barn, learning about the Amish Ways at the Amish Village, and enjoying a relaxing stay at Willow Valley Doubletree by Hilton.  


Y'all know I LOVE me some food, so know I'll be posting my meal pics for all to see! 


I want you to come along for the ride!


Ok, not literally.


Do you have any questions you'd like me to answer while I'm on my trip?  Is there something you'd like  to challenge me to do while I'm visiting (take a picture with a horse and buggy? Drink a milkshake? Report on the toiletries at the hotel? Grab a picture with the train conductor)? 


Leave a comment here or on the CSHM Facebook page, and I will take on your challenges!


Follow my adventures this Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10 on the Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom Facebook page. Since I like to keep it real, I will also be tweeting it up on Twitter (@donnareedsteph) using the hashtag #LancasterPAFun.


Join in the fun - and take copious notes so you can take your own Lancaster Staycation this summer!

   

 

Steph Stays: Peddler's Village and Buttonwood Grill

Peddler's Village

Lahaska, PA

Last weekend, Hubby and I had the awesome opportunity to do another stay at Peddler's Village.  It had been almost 2 years since our last visit (and review), and the amazing people up at Peddler's Village asked if we'd like to check out their newest culinary addition:  Buttonwood Grill.




We said, "Sure."


But really, we jumped up and down and squealed and high-fived, because we really like it up there.


In the last review, I did a comprehensive breakdown of the Food, Lodging and Dining. Given that foundation, I'll be focusing this review mainly on the new Buttonwood Grill, as well as a new perspective on our accommodations!

We arrived on a drizzly Saturday afternoon, which makes the Village look totally British (which I love).  After checking in, we drove around to our One Star Suite. As always, we were absolutely pleased to pieces with our room, which I'll share more about later in the post. Our reservations for Buttonwood Grill were at 7:00pm, so hubby and I relaxed in the room for a bit before going out to poke around the shops until dinner.  


I love relaxing and shopping. Not necessarily in that order.


Not before long, we were meeting with Stan and Hilary, two of our very good friends, for the meal. Buttonwood Grill is new to Peddler's Village and I was very impressed with the new twist that Buttonwood brings.  

Buttonwood Grill

First, Buttonwood Grill brings history.  Named after the original inn and tavern that resided on the exact location a century ago, Buttonwood Grill continues the commitment to the warm and friendly hospitality Bucks County has maintained for decades.


Second, Buttonwood Grill brings class.  Even though the restaurant exists in the same structure as it's predecessor, Sweet Lorraines, the inside is completely it's own.  The style is chic but inviting, with intimate lighting and tasteful design. The menu includes an impressive craft beer selection.  


This served to really win over Hubby and Stan.


Our party of four was seated at a long wooden booth on the far end of the restaurant.  Our server, Jennifer, was one of my favorite aspects of Buttonwood.  She was attentive, friendly and very knowledgeable about the menu.  I thought maybe she was giving us special attention, but throughout the meal I noticed she was giving 5-star treatment to all of her tables.  Every question we had about food or beer, Jennifer had an answer.  She knew about the food, the beer, even places we might visit after our meal.


I was pretty hungry when we arrived, and the dinner menu did not help the matter.  Somehow, I was expecting the run-of-the-mill pub fare.  I was not prepared for some of the awesome selections Buttonwood had to offer.  Our party decided on Brisket Fries and Crabby 3 Cheese N' Artichoke Dip to start.  


My word.  


Brisket Fries are the best thing to ever happen to this girl.  A layer of french fries, topped with tender shredded brisket, along with chopped pickles and creamy horseradish sauce.  I could have eaten it all night long.  I don't do seafood, but Hubby and friends enjoyed the Crab dip.  They appreciated the full plate, and the flavor and texture were spot on.


In a timely fashion, our main meals came out, piping hot.  Hilary ordered a caesar salad, while Stan went with the Ale Battered Shrimp N' Chips.  Stan said his dish was "light and crispy," and he enjoyed the remoulade sauce that came on the side.  Hubby ordered the NY Strip Spice Dirt Dusted Steak.  I believe there was coffee involved in the rub, which made for really flavorful bites.  


I am not much of a burger girl, but since the Buttonwood prides itself on being a burger and beer place (despite the fact it is so much more), I decided to order one of the burgers.  The Southern Bacon N' Onion burger was out of this world.  I loved the moist beef, the hint of horseradish, and the presentation. 

Now THAT is a burger

We ended our meal with dessert.  The four of us split the tiramisu and the apple crumble.  On par with everything else we experienced, dessert was fantastic. My favorite part? The straight-from-the-oven crumble was served in a cute mason jar, topped with ice cream. Fun! With full bellies, we bid our dining companions goodbye as we headed back to our room for the night.  

Our Dessert "menu"

After a great night of sleep, Hubby and I leisurely woke up, got ready, and perused the Village.  One thing I do hope changes in the future are the shopping hours.  On Sundays, shops do not open until 11am, which leaves early morning wakers a pocket of time to kill before shopping.  Not a big deal, though.  A minor detail, which hubby and I resolved by going to a tasty brunch at the Cock n' Bull.  If you like buffets, the brunch at Cock n' Bull can't be beat!

Accommodations

I don't get to stay in hotels very often. In the 5 years we've been married, Hubby and I have only gone away a small handful of times.  And most of those times, we were pretty dissatisfied with our hotel accommodations (you read more about said bad trips here).  We always tried to make an educated decision on the rooms we booked: we Googled, we researched, we read reviews. And despite feeling confident at booking, several times we were quite disappointed.



I've maintained that there is no bad room to be had at Peddler's Village. In my last review, I shared a pretty thorough run-down of our room. But I've found it's hard for me to trust written reviews.  So this time around, I thought I'd do my best to give you a more personal perspective on why I love the accommodations at Peddler's Village:








With great food and great accommodations only a short drive from Philly, Peddler's Village continues to be a wonderful getaway destination.  As many of us are still feeling the pinch of the current economy, Staycations are really a perfect alternative to big vacations.  If you are planning to stay local this summer, make sure Peddler's Village is on your list.  There is plenty to do for the whole family (or a Couples Retreat or a Girls Weekend Away!).  


Peddler's Village is also celebrating their 50th Anniversary.  Special events and celebrations are scheduled throughout the year, so check the calendar. And to be kept up to date on events, promotions and receive exclusive offers, sign up for the Loyal Customer Club.


I can't wait until our next visit to Bucks County.  In the meantime, I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have about Peddler's Village.  I'd also love to hear about YOUR Peddler's Village experience! 

Have you visited Peddler's Village? 

Are you planning to go in the near future? 

Leave a comment and share about your visit!


To see more pics of our stay, check out the album on the CSHM Facebook page!








You can find Peddler's Village on Facebook and Twitter




Disclosure: I was provided lodging and food by Peddler's Village.  As always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. I like to keep it real - so I tell it like it is!