Local Staycations: LANCASTER (coming soon)

LANCASTER, PA

We’ve done some great travel reviews here on the Philly Burb Mom sites, with many more to come!  Our most recent adventure was to Peddler’s Village, where Chesco Mom Steph had a great weekend away with her husband.

This weekend, Steph will be whisking her husband, Bill, and oldest daughter, Lucy off to Lancaster, PA. They’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.  And we know she likes yummy food, so check for pictures of her meals!

Do you have any questions you’d like Steph to answer on her trip?  Is there something you’d like her to challenge her to do while she’s 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 our Facebook page, and Steph will take on your challenges!

Follow their adventures this Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10 on the Chesco Moms Facebook page, and Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom Facebook page. Steph will also be tweeting it up on Twitter (@donnareedsteph) using the hashtag #LancasterPAFun.

Starting next week for the next 4 weeks, we’ll post Steph’s travel reviews of the hotel (week #1), Strasburg Railroad (week #2), the Amish Village (week #3) and The Choo Choo Barn (week #4).  SPOILER ALERT: There will be some great giveaways to go with these reviews so be sure to check in!

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

   

 








To see more of our Philly Burb Mom Travel Reviews….

Local Staycations: Peddler’s Village

Although the economy is rebounding, many families are still trying to find creative ways to have fun, travel and make memories together.  While some are able to pull everything together for a big getaway or grand vacation, most of us are staying local this Spring and Summer, finding new and exciting ways to explore the areas around us.


We’ve done travel reviews in the past, which you can find on the right side bar:

But over the next few months, we’ll be sharing our reviews on some of the best Staycations in the Philadelphia region.  Whether you visit for the day, stay over night, or make it a week getaway, there are tons of places in our area to make a great local vacation!


First up is Peddler’s Village. One of our contributors, Steph, went back to Peddler’s Village for an overnight with her husband, Bill.  They had a fantastic time trying out the newest Village restaurant, Buttonwood Grill.  


Check out her post to find out how Brisket Fries changed her life and why Steph thinks eating Apple Cobbler out of a mason jar topped with ice cream is the bee’s knees.  Also, watch her video on The Top 5 Reasons why she loves the accommodations at Peddler’s Village!

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Steph’s Peddler’s Village Review

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)…(Click here to continue reading)

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Here is the video on Peddler’s Village accommodations. Free wine?  Awesome toiletries?  Close to Philly?  Sounds good to us! 

Stay tuned for more Philly Area Staycation Reviews in the near future.  In the meantime – we want to know:

Have you been to Peddler’s Village? 

 Do you plan on visiting in the near future? 

Leave a comment and tell us all about YOUR visit!

Philly Burb Moms travel to DoubleTree at Willow Valley (Lancaster)

Our family of four, including two daughters (2 years old and 9 months old), was invited to visit the DoubleTree at Willow Valley to stay over night, try the many amenities and learn about a great contest you can participate in too(see details below)!

Upon our arrival at the DoubleTree, we were greeted with deliciously warm cookies! We later learned you can ask for a cookie at any time of day at the front desk… and we took advantage of that perk. We then checked into our room which already had a crib waiting for us. The room was clean and spacious and included a coffee maker and mini-refrigerator! Perfect for the home-made baby food we toted along and my secret to parenting… caffeine!

During our one-night stay we took advantage of some of the many hotel amenities. Friday evening, our 2-year old was entertained by the “craft cart”. There’s a craft room on-site for anyone to visit! Every day it’s open at different times, check the calendar upon arrival. The children made sand art and beaded necklaces and also colored. It was all multi-age appropriate and at a kid friendly station. I was able to watch and help her, while sipping a nice cold Pinot Grigio and wearing the baby on my back. Heaven!

After dinner, we took a stroll over to the duck pond where we sat on a bench and watched a mallard family. If you have a toddler, you can probably relate… no attention span for a family portrait, but stick an animal that waddles in front of them and viola, it’s mass-focus time! When we could finally peel her away from the adorable duck family, we went to the playground. It was so much fun!

The next day, we went to breakfast in the hotel restaurant, Cafe 24 Hundred. It was a buffet with quite the variety; from fresh fruit to an omelet station, we were all stuffed until almost dinner! Unfortunately, it was raining on this day, so we didn’t get to take advantage of the 30-minute horse-drawn carriage ride or the playground/duck pond again as we had planned. So, we went to the indoor pool. The children’s section is rightfully named the indoor water playground. That’s just what it was! At 2 years old, our daughter wasn’t swimming yet, but loves splashing. This was perfect! It was 1-2 feet deep and had a frog slide and sprinklers in the water. There was also a fast tube water slide for slightly older children that fed into a little deeper section of the pool. In the next room was the traditional indoor pool, next to the exercise room, and arcade. A field day!

That afternoon we had planned on taking advantage of the bus tour the resort offers of Lancaster and the surrounding sites. But, the girls were just cranky and it was time to head back home. Next time!

So, if you’ve visited the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton in Lancaster, PA, you probably already have a fabulous story like I just told. We were only there one night, but I can imagine how great some family trips must be given good weather, some shopping (he he), and a nice long weekend getaway! I can also see why the hotel is proudly celebrating their one-year anniversary of becoming a DoubleTree Resort!

Everything that this resort prides itself on has to do with family. From the rooms that have at-home conveniences and comfy beds to the pools, golfing, shopping, swimming, or eating, if you’ve stayed here before, I’m sure you had a wonderful time. Whatever you were doing, you took pictures to capture the memories. (If you’re anything like me, they are printed and sitting in an envelope with other photos dating back to when your first child was born, all waiting to be scrapbooked with love and care.) Anyway, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton in Lancaster is looking for TWO families to represent their hotel (be photographed for postcards flyers, etc) and to win FREE stays at DoubleTree Resorts!

If you’ve visited the Resort since May 2010, search for those photos and email as many as you wish to Will@WillowVal.com by July 31, 2011. Include what that family fun meant to you! The winning photos will be selected on August 1, 2011 by DoubleTree Resort, Lancaster.

Contest photos will be posted on http://www.Flickr.com/photos/doubletreelancaster. The two winning families will win a two-night stay at DoubleTree Resort, Lancaster AND a second two-night getaway to DoubleTree Resort, Pittsburgh! And again, both families will be featured in the 2012 DoubleTree Resort, Lancaster ad campaign!

For more contest rules visit http://willowvalley.com/lancaster–pa–doubletree/contest–official–rules/

Don’t forget to tell them we sent you!

*Disclosure: This post was written by Philly Burb Mom Melissa Auvil. Melissa was offered a complimentary stay and meals at the DoubleTree at Willow Valley in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are her own.

Boot Up … ski areas across PA are open and have GREAT Discount Offers.

Boot Up … ski areas across PA are open (or are opening soon)! Click here for more information and be sure to check your fav ski area’s individual link for hours, etc.

How about skiing or boarding for FREE this winter? Well here’s your chance! Your Pennsylvania 4th & 5th Grade Snowpass booklet offers you the privilege of skiing and boarding 22 Pennsylvania Ski Resorts for FREE this winter. Click here for more information.

Several PA Ski Resorts are aslo offering a special “First Timer” Ski/Sbowboarding Discount. Click here for more information or to purchase your $35 ticket today!

You can also check out the Downingtown Area Recreation Consortium for lift ticket discounts to Bear Creek, Big Boulder, Jack Frost, Blue Mountain, Camelback, Elk Mountain, and Greek Peak (just right over the PA/NY border). The DARC office is located on Bell Tavern Road (right off ofRt. 30) and only accepts cash payment.

Shannon and I visited both Greek Peak and Bear Creek earlier this year and we loved both resorts. Click here to read our travel reviews of Bear Creek and Greek Peak.

Bear Creek Resort, Spa Week and a great Giveaway!

Last week, Sarah and I were given the opportunity to get away overnight with our good friend Kelly from The Centsible Life. We headed just about an hour north of our homes in Chester County to a place called Bear Creek Mountain Resort. I had never heard of this resort, but was eager to see what this destination was all about in Lehigh County.

When we arrived on Friday evening, we were at first struck by the beauty of the surrounding area, as well as the gorgeousness of the resort buildings nestled into the mountainside. The resort is impressive with ski lodge details in every aspect of their decor from large lobby fireplaces to wood carved chairs and warm, inviting paint colors. We were invited to stay in one of the loft suites at the resort, and it was clearly one of the nicest hotel spaces I’ve ever stayed in. It was so clean, cozy, comfy and very spacious!

That night we got to enjoy some of the dinner dishes at the The Grille and loved their vast menu and yummy food. I had a plate of Ribs (quite a diversion for me) that were DELICIOUS! Sarah and Kelly enjoyed their meals also and we were able to relax and unwind without having to cut up meals for our kids, referee our kids’ fights, or navigate a kids menu…. so wonderful!

The next morning, we went down to the Spa at Bear Creek for some much-needed treatments! We were thrilled to be given a preview of the Spa Week services that Bear Creek will be offering starting Monday October 11th for JUST $50 each (read more below)!

Since I’ve recently been dealing with tension headaches that turn into migraines, I was especially looking forward to my massage appointment. I wanted all of that stress to be massaged right out of my neck and shoulders! I was not disappointed… I felt like a new woman walking out of that room.

I followed that up with a facial. I have to be honest here and tell you that I don’t generally like getting facials. I know that they are necessary occasionally, but it’s not something I enjoy. The facial at Bear Creek was fantastic, and I actually liked it and was so relaxed. They have these wonderful facial products that they use there and the scent is so light, but so relaxing that I just loved the experience. And, let’s not forget to mention how great my skin looked and felt afterwards!

Bear Creek is on the MUST VISIT list. It is a perfect overnight or weekend destination with plenty of activities in both the winter and summer seasons. I can’t believe this high-end resort is located so conveniently to the Philadelphia ‘burbs and am already planning a return visit with my husband!

The Spa at Bear Creek is participating in Spa Week next week, and the Spa Week services that we previews there were superior. If you can’t make it to Bear Creek, there are over 800 spas participating in this week-long event from October 11 – 17th and MANY in the Philadelphia and surrounding areas. Go to www.spaweek.com to find a location close to you that is offering several spa services for just $50! That’s a value that you just can’t beat! Book now!

For additional information, you can also find Spa Week on Facebook: www.facebook.com/spaweek and Spa Week on Twitter: www.twitter.com/spaweek

*Disclosure: I received complimentary overnight accommodations, 2 meals and spa treatments in order to facilitate this review.

Chesco Moms… On the Road Again…

Shannon and I have been traveling a lot this summer on our quest for family fun in less than four hours (by car). We have been to the Golden Inn in Avalon, NJ, The Hope Lake Lodge and Cascades Water park in the Finger Lakes, The Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos, New York City a few times, several amusement parks and trips to the shore.

We have also taken a few other vacations this year too.. Shannon went to Disney World with her family in February, I went to Scottsdale to visit the AMAZING Thermador Test Kitchen and last fall Shannon and I went to Asheville, NC where I fell in love with Biltmore House. Not this year, I know, but any chance I get to talk about the unbelievable and beautiful Vanderbilt Mansion… I do! It is my very, very happy place! I could spend a week or two there – someday I will.

Click here to read the most recent “Philly Burb Mom Been There.. Done That.. Travel Reviews”

So this week, I am going to Washington, DC with my mom and sister to celebrate my sisters Birthday. We are all big history geeks and we plan on doing all the tourista things that we can fit into our three day stay. We are taking a moon-light monument tour via double decker bus, going to spend a few days touring monuments, historic homes, and walking the halls of the The Smithsonian (which has free admission – did you know that? I didn’t until the other day)

Shannon is road tripping to Lancaster County to tour Cherry Crest Farm, The Strasburg Railroad, The Choo-Choo Barn and The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

Come back next week and hear what we both had to say about our fun road trips!

Do you Tweet? Follow along on our road trips this week at @phillyburbmom and @philaburbanmom

Chesco Mom Travel Reviews