Dutch Country Roads
Keystone Country
From chow-chow
to chardonnay: An
agricultural drive along
Dutch Country Roads
Duration: Three days and three nights
With visions of Amish farmers and their teams of horses and tiny little roadside stands (complete with "honor box" for payment) offering farm-fresh produce and baked goods for sale to winding vineyards and orchards that let you pick fresh apples and pears right off the trees, Pennsylvania's Dutch Country Roads simply feature the best of agritourism no matter where you turn. Take a look at farming that uses top-line technology or another that still milks cows "the old fashioned way." Or just loosen that waistband and fill up sampling all of that harvest bounty. We guarantee you won't leave hungry!
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Central Market
Start your journey off right with a stop at downtown Lancaster’s famous Central Market. Situated on the same spot since 1730, the Market has the distinction of being the oldest publicly owned farmers’ market in the nation, and it’s easy to see why. Inside, you’ll find dozens of stands offering everything from meats and produce to freshly-canned jams and jellies to ethnic spices and delectable desserts. Save room though, because there’s plenty more tasting to be done.
Lancaster County
From there, head to the bucolic Lancaster countryside, where Amish buggies will soon outnumber cars on the road, and you’ll learn how the Lancaster County Amish still farm the land without the use of modern technology. Stop by Riehl’s Quilts and Crafts for a peek inside a working Amish dairy farm and samples of homemade Amish crafts, or sit down for lunch (or just some sampling) at Kitchen Kettle Village, where teams of Amish women still can thousands of jars of jams and jellies each day by hand. From there, get up close and personal with one of the area’s best crops as you discover the Amazing Maize Maze at Cherry Crest Farm, a five acre corn maze that’s sure to perplex even the most skilled maze explorer!
Eat Here
Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant and Smorgasbord:
No visit to Pennsylvania Dutch Country is complete without a stop at one of its famous smorgasbords, and at the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant and Smorgasbord, dine amongst the locals on homemade recipes of true Pennsylvania Dutch favorites, including chicken pot pie, brown butter noodles, and of course, shoofly pie.
Sleep Here
Verdant View Farm Bed and Breakfast:
One of the oldest farm B&Bs in the lower Susquehana Valley, Verdant View Farm is the perfect way to experience rural life on the farm. Learn how to hand milk a cow or bottle feed a calf before sitting down to a huge farm-fresh breakfast.
Turkey Hill Experience
Head west from Lancaster for a stop at the brand new Turkey Hill Experience (opening June 2011), which takes visitors behind the scenes at the Lancaster County farm that’s been producing some of the nation’s favorite ice cream, iced teas, and lemonade for years. Cross the Susquehanna River and head up the hill for a stop at Moon Dancer Winery, where a French country chateau overlooks the beautiful Susquehanna River, offering premium European Style dry wines as well as select Pennsylvania sweet wines.
York (Downtown)
Head to downtown York to learn about York County’s many contributions to agricultural and industrial progress with a visit to the Agricultural and Industrial Museum, where you can discover wagons, tractors, and other tools used by farmers in the county over the last three hundred years. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, stop for lunch at Central Market York, where tastes include everything from fresh salads to simply AMAZING fried chicken.
Perrydell Dairy Farm
After lunch, explore the modern day dairy farm process with a visit to Perrydell Dairy Farm, a family-owned dairy farm that bottles all its own milk. Take a self-guided tour to see cows being milked, calves being fed, or the bottling process at work. It all ends with a tasty cone of hand-dipped ice cream!
Eat Here
Blue Moon York:
Housed in a romantic Victorian home across from the old farmer's market, this warm, downtown bistro is a great spot for lunch or dinner. Natural, fresh food is the focus of their seasonal American cuisine.
Sleep Here
Donna's Governer's Inn Bed & Breakfast:
A Georgian style home built circa 1774, the Governor's Inn rests on 106 acres of farmland granted to Captain John Sharp in 1753 by William Penn. During Governor Leader's term (1955-1959) as Governor of Pennsylvania, this was his home for him and his family.
Gettysburg
Gettysburg may be known for the historic battlefields and haunted inns, but what many may not know is that the area's also one of the best for fresh fruit! Experience it for yourself with the new Gettysburg Wine and Fruit Trail, including wineries, nurseries, and exquisite farm markets. Stop by 3rd generation family farm and market Hollabaugh Bros. for fresh apples and pears, and stock up on all kinds of local produce and baked goods at the historic Round Barn and Farm Market in Biglerville.
Willow Pond Farm
In the afternoon, take a trip to Willow Pond Farm, where visitors can explore the world of herbs by visiting demonstration gardens featuring everything from culinary herbs to edible flowers and antique roses, or perhaps try their hand with herbs at any one of the farm's numerous growing and cooking classes.
Hauser Estate Winery and Adams County Winery
Finish the day by toasting your visit with a trip to Adams County's excellent wineries. Hauser Estate Winery offers daily tastings in a gorgeous 360 degree glass-enclosed tasting room with spectacular views of the forests and countryside below. Nearby, the Adams Country winery welcomes visitors with free tastings of award-winning wines in a 130 year old bank barn.
Eat Here
Hickory Bridge Farm:
This unique dining experience offers fine dining with a country flair. These farm-style dinners have become very popular and are served in an old barn furnished with many farm related antiques. Each table is decorated with old fashioned dinnerware and cloth linens. With a menu that changes each weekend, all farm dinners consist of typical American foods which were favored by the German settlers of this area and are family recipes made from scratch and featuring locally grown products.
Sleep Here
Quaker Valley Orchards and Guest House:
Located right in the middle of a beautiful apple orchard, this guest house has a private entrance, modern kitchen, private bathrooms, large living room and large bedrooms to sleep a family of six downstairs and up to ten for the entire house. Guests are welcome to wander through the orchards to explore the many crops of apples, pears, berries, nectarines and more grown throughout the year!
