One Day Sale for Tickets to Menopause the Musical at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre

Kitchen Kettle Village- Family Fun, Shopping, Yummy Eats, and Peaceful Scenery

The shops

In the hunt for good stay-cation ideas, I learned about Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, PA.  Literally, 35 minutes from my home in West Bradford Township.  I had no idea such a super fun place was essentially in our backyard!

That is what we call “cookie art”

My family arrived at 10am and found parking no problem.  The girls immediately spotted the playground and pony rides, but we headed toward the shopping area first.  First stop, the famous Jam & Relish Kitchen.  There must have been close to 100 samples throughout the store, I was amazed!  We took a few bites of delicious pickles.  My middle daughter, who never likes pickles, ate about a dozen of their kosher dills!  We also sampled some dessert dips, my favorite was the “Cheesecake in a Jar”, it was scrumptious!  We headed toward the back of the store, the cookie section.  There, for $1 a cookie, the girls could decorate their own homemade gingerbread cookie- in honor of the Kitchen Kettle Village mascot.  Their creative juices were flowing and they reaped the reward when they eagerly gobbled up their tasty creations.  We then taste-tested even more jams, dips, salsas, and sauces.  We purchased a honey mustard grilling sauce and a raspberry preserve.  It was so hard to reign ourselves in and not buy the whole store!  When we walked out of this store it was as if magnets were drawing my husband in.  The smells lured us into the Smokehouse where he bought some locally-cured sausages, we all sampled cheese (the buffalo sauce cheese was awesome) and we bought some locally-made hard pretzels.


We then strolled the shops a bit more, greeted friendly pet dogs along the way, even took a picture with the Kitchen Kettle Village Gingerbread Man.  Then we were ready for our AAA Buggy Rides 35 minute tour of Intercourse.  We put our name on the list, which was about a 50 minute wait for our family of five, then went to the playground and pony rides just across the parking lot.  There was also, which was a pleasant surprise, a petting farm where the girls got to feed the chickens, goats, llamas, and donkey.  So the girls took 3 laps around the pen on the pony, played on the swings and wooden train, fed some fun animals, and then washed up and we went back over to the shops.  We killed some more time in the Pepper Lane Fudge and Sweets shop.  We came at the perfect time too, we got to watch the chocolate fudge be made!  It smelled heavenly.  I wish there was a such thing as smell-a-webpage because you would be in heaven sniffing this photo.  We sampled some cooled chocolate fudge and I honestly have been thinking about it ever since!

Can you smell it???

Full from our tasty tour of the shops, we climbed onto the buggy ride at 12:15p
m.  The comfortable benches and covered top along with the clickety-clack of the horses hooves provided for a very relaxing four-mile tour of the Amish country.  The girls enjoyed looking at the corn fields, watching the farm animals, and feeling the breeze in their hair.  My husband and I learned a lot from our driver, a Lancaster Amish man named Amos.  Did you know that church services are at members homes and only meet every other week?

The baby enjoyed spotting animals in the pastures

After the ride we went to The Kling House Restaurant for lunch.  The restaurant is the converted home of the Kling family.  I had a vegetarian sandwich that was delicious and my husband had a huge roast beef and bacon sandwich.  Both of us raved about the homemade chips too.  The girls enjoyed their lunches and looking at the old photos on the walls and family nick-nacks on the shelves.  It was the perfect scene for our traditional “I Spy” game while waiting for our food to arrive.  Though full, we couldn’t pass up the Lapp Valley Farms Ice Cream stand!  The price was so good and the helpings plenty!  We ordered the chocolate chip mint, strawberry, and chocolate marshmallow.  They were all equally amazing!  The waffle cones were fresh and incredible too!  It was the prefect finale to our day.  So, a nice Wet One wipe down for the ice cream coated girls and then back to the van we went.

My family can’t wait to return to Kitchen Kettle Village.  When I asked them their favorite part of the day, my oldest said the buggy ride, then changed to the pony ride, and my middle daughter said everything.  The baby, too young to talk, just kept saying “doggy”.  I think she was a fan of the patrons who brought their friendly leashed pups.  Ha!  Now that we know Kitchen Kettle is open year-round and has family-focused events all the time, we will most certainly return!

VISITOR TIPS:
*  The village shops open at different times throughout the year.  Over the summer, it’s 9am.  We arrived at 10:00am and found it very easy to park and walk around.  It started to get a lot more crowded about lunch time and when we left at 2:00pm.
*  The village is completely stroller friendly.  Bring whatever you need.  We had a sit n stand and I think that worked out well because it wasn’t too wide and was easy to maneuver.  The stores were stroller friendly as well, though it didn’t feel fair to other patrons to have the clunker in there so we tended to park it outside.
*  If you plan to do a buggy ride, book your tour when you first arrive at the village.
*  If you eat lunch at Kling House you get a coupon with the kids meals for a gingerbread cookie at Jam & Relish Kitchen, so save that activity for after lunch and it will be free.
*  If you live further and are in need of an overnight stay, there is really quaint lodging right there.  

Disclosure:  In exchange for an honest review, my family was given vouchers to experience some of the wonderful things Kitchen Kettle Village has to offer.  

Field Trip Friday: Donna from BellaPerfectionista.com Spends a Day Out with Thomas the Train.

This past Saturday, my family and I got up early, despite the fact that we got to bed really late on Friday night, for none other than a Day Out with Thomas.  You see, Thomas the Train is on his “Go, Go Thomas Tour 2013.”  Quite the reason for sleepy little ones to rub their eyes and get their sleepy little bums out of bed and get going as we yelled “all aboard”  to get into the car. 

When we got to the Strasburg Railroad in Lancaster (Route 741 East, Strasburg, PA) mid-morning and it was perfect weather for a train ride.  The kids were thrilled to see Thomas, himself and life-sized, ride by as we were getting our tickets, complete with moving eyes.  So cool!

We waited to jump on-board for our own ride upon Thomas.  When our time came shortly after, the kids giddily hopped aboard grabbing their window seats, but as I climbed aboard I was more enthralled with the beauty of the car we were in.  Nice plush velvety seats, chandeliers hung from the roof and pretty green glass lined up along the top of the train, below the roof.  So much nicer than that plastic/metal train we always ride into New York.  This was a ride with style! 

On the ride Thomas came over the speaker and spoke to the kids, as well as a narrator to give a brief story.  For the amount of children that were on the train you could hear a pin drop.  Every single one of them was intently listening and looking out at the window at the beautiful fields surrounding them.

After getting off the train, there is a 10-minute time slot to get in line and take a picture with Thomas.  If you are thinking, “Well then what?”  Think again.  There is plenty to do after the ride.  Kids can take a picture with Sir Tophamm Hat, ride a small hand-pedaled train on a track, play in a tent set up with dozens of train tables; get tons of free Thomas tattoos to go around and take a cranky car ride.  (Think watching an old railroad movie with two people cranking the lever on each side strolling down the track–it is work!.)

The tour is over for June, but don’t fret, in September they will be back the 14-22 and November 22-24 .  If you look on the link above you can even buy your tickets now.  It is a fun family day and I must say from a parent point-of-view; Thomas is a VERY useful engine.  He kept the kiddos entertained for the better part of the day.

About the Author:  Donna runs a fashion/lifestyle blog called Bella Perfectionista, as well as a communication company called BellaLu Communications.  You can check out her blog here and follow her on Facebook or @bellaperfection on Twitter.

Fun Adventure Friday ~ Strasburg Rail Road Santa’s Paradise Express AND a TICKET GIVEAWAY!

Mychal is just a girlie girl raising two crazy little boys in Chester County. To read more about her sometimes dirt covered life, stop by My Life In Mommyland.

Today’s adventure comes just in time for the holiday season. Santa’s Paradise Express, the Stasburg Rail Road and the ChooChoo Barn make the perfect holiday tradition. 

Climb aboard one of the magnificently restored cars and be transported back to a simpler world. Don’t worry about the cold, each car is heated by a coal stove, so they’re nice and toasty. 

As the monster steam engine pulls out of the station the fun begins. Incase the beautiful Lancaster County countryside wasn’t enough, carolers, horn players and Santa himself move throughout the cars for your enjoyment. Santa was the crowd favorite with our family. The boys lit up as soon as they saw him enter our car. 

Not only does the man in red stop to chat with each child and have his photo taken, he also gives every child a little treat. The boys got little lantern pencil sharpeners, that they thought were the coolest thing since sliced bread. Cameron even took his to school. 

The train ride is about 45 minutes long and it’s a blast from start to finish. 

But wait, there’s more…

The Strasburg Rail Road also has a ton of fun to enjoy around the station. 

Your kids will love the Cranky Cars and the Cagney Train. Then warmup in the Tinsel Trolly and enjoy a few holiday stories in the Story Caboose. In addition to all the fun activities there are a few gift shops and the Trackside Cafe. 

When you’re finished at the rail road, chug on over to the ChooChoo Barn. 

I’ve seen a lot of train displays in my life but this one is by far the coolest. When you walk into the little gift shop you have no idea just what lies behind the curtain. 

It’s HUGE!!! I could have spent hours upon hours gawking at the train display. At 1700 square feet, the ChooChoo Barn is as big as my first house and it’s chockfull of things to look at. 

The train display, with 22 moving trains has actual animated people. I have NEVER seen that before at I have to say that seeing those little people hammer away on the roof of a barn was pretty neat. As you make your way through the display, don’t forget to keep an eye out for the 51 Santas, there’s even a Where’s Waldo Santa! The boys had a blast trying to find them all and got so excited with each new sighting. 

The lights dim from day to night and back again giving you a whole new perspective on the display. One of my favorite features was the house that caught fire. There’s actual smoke, firemen come to save the day and use real water to put out the (not so real) flames. 

The level of detail inside the ChooChoo Barn is nothing short of spectacular. 

When we finished our tour of the Strasburg Rail Road and the ChooChoo Barn, we got some delicious snacks at Uncle Leroy’s (next door to the ChooChoo Barn) and headed home. The boys raved about their trip and want to go back again before the end of the season. 

The Strasburg Rail Road has become a beloved holiday tradition for our family and we would highly recommend that you make it a tradition for your family as well. 

This was such a fun adventure that I’m thrilled to be able to share the experience with one lucky Philly Burb Moms family. That’s right folks, one lucky winner will win a four pack of tickets to ride Santa’s Paradise Express on December 16th at 3pm AND four tickets to check out the ChooChoo Barn before December 31st. 

{Giveaway} Local Staycations Review: The Choo Choo Barn

Welcome to the final installment of Chesco Mom Steph’s reivew of her recent Staycation in Lancaster, PA!  YOu’ve read about her stay at the wonderful Doubletree Resort in Lancaster, and read about her thrilling train ride on the Strasburg Railroad. Last week, Steph shared about all the insight she gained on Old Order Amish at The Amish Village.  This week, she’ll be sharing about her experience visiting the Choo Choo Barn!

{Choo Choo Barn}

Our Staycation in Lancaster never ceased to amaze me.  Living in the Philly area my entire life, I had made up my mind about Lancaster: it was rural, dated and boring.  I could not have been MORE WRONG.  The Double Tree Resort was contemporary and cozy.  The Strasburg Railroad was compelling and fun.  And The Amish Village was intriguing, education and engaging.  

So it does not surprise me that THe Choo Choo Barn was one of my favorite attractions of the entire trip!

Like The Amish Village, The Choo Choo Barn was a Lancaster exhibit that I had never before encountered. I read up online about the attractionand the description read that the Choo Choo Barn was a “1700 square foot train layout features over 150 hand-built animated figures and vehicles and 22 operating trains.”

To put it in perspective: Our HOUSE is 1700 square feet!

I could not have imagined just how much fun that could be!

To put it in perspective: Our HOUSE is 1700 square feet!

So we arrived shortly after leaving THe Strasburg Railroad, and were ushered in through the curtain to the Train Room.  There in front of us was an entire world of miniature tableaus.  As you walk around the room, you’ll find 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 had to walk around the structure several times for fear that I was missing something. I wanted to see every little detail.  Even after my fourth time around, I know I missed something!  

It was amazing to see the incredible minute details that were put into the scenes.  All of the little people do various things, engaging in different activities!  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 firefighters are called for.  

My daughter, who is almost 4, had fun trying to find all of the fun details, and my husband and I were equally mesmerised. Fun for the entire family, for sure! If Lancaster is on your list of destnations this Summer, add The Choo Choo Barn to the list!  

Did we mention that we’re giving away a Family 4-Park for admission to the Choo Choo Barn??  Make sure to fill out the form below for a chance to win

{GIVEAWAY} Local Staycations Review: The Amish Village

Part 3 of 4 sharing Chesco Mom Steph’s adventures in Lancaster County with her family!  Local Staycations are the way to go this summer: keeping it inexpensive, fun, and getting to know all the awesome local attractions the Philly region has to offer! Steph has already shared about her accommodations at the Doubletree Resort in Lancaster, as well as her fun afternoon riding the Strasburg Railroad.  This week, she shares about her first time ever at The Amish Village (a giveaway is involved – so be sure to read through the post and fill out the form at the end!)

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{The Amish Village}

Until I planned this Staycation, I had never heard of The Amish Village. As I’ve shared before, I am no stranger to Lancaster, having visit several times a year, every year, since birth.  I thought I had seen all the attractions, shopped all the shops. But boy was I mistaken!

Hubby, Chica and I arrived at the Amish Village in the late afternoon.  The white farmhouse stood in front of us. I noticed it sat on a nice expanse of land hosting other various buildings and animals. I was intrigued, to say the least, and wasn’t quite sure what The Amish Village had in store for us.

Well, let me tell you: PLENTY!

The next tour was starting in 10 minutes after we arrived, so Chica and I perused the gift shop where the tour would begin.  There were so many fun toys, trinkets, and beautiful handmade items. I was quite taken with a quilted trivet that was stuffed with aromatics (cinnamon, cloves, etc) that would smell good when something hot was placed on it.  It looked so homey, as do all quilted things. But I decided to hold off until after the tour.

A strapping young man arrived as our tour guide, and we were led into the next room, which would have been the main sitting/living area for the average Old Order Amish.  We sat on benches as we were regaled with the history of the Old Order Amish, and the present status of their presence in Lancaster. I was surprised to find that there are Amish communities all around the country, but that Lancaster, PA held the second largest!

Next we were taken to the kitchen, followed by the upstairs bedroom quarters, ending with the Summer Kitchen below the house. It was fascinating to hear all the facts about how the Amish live, the ways they have progressed (such as using liquid propane as a means of energy and lighting), and the commitment to family.  Once the tour was over, Hubby, Chica and I went to the stables to meet some of the animals (even the horse, Mr. Ed!). Here we met up with the current owner of The Amish Village, Shane Ackermann, who kindly walked us around and shared a bit more about how they got started.

The Amish Village has a real commitment to sharing the ways of Amish life, making a point to bridge the gap between The Old Order Amish and the rest of the community. I found the the small education I gained that weekend gave me a new perspective and respect for the Amish in Lancaster. The Amish Village employs several Amish workers to tend to various parts of the house and farm,  and on Saturdays from 10am-4pm, there is an actual Amish school teacher who shares about teaching 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!


This is a fun, entertaining and educational attraction that I believe every Pennsylvanian owes themselves a visit to. If you have out-of-town guests this Summer, The Amish Village would be a unique place to visit. They also provide tours to schools as well! Make sure this goes on your Lancaster Staycation list!

Think you’d like to visit The Amish Village this Summer with your family? We’re giving away a Family 4 pack of tickets!  Just fill out the form below to enter. Giveaway will run until next Thursday, July 12, at noon.

We’d also love to hear about YOUR Amish Village experiences – so leave a comment sharing about your visit below!

{GIVEAWAY} Local Staycations Review: Strasburg Railroad

Chesco Mom Steph continues sharing about her recent Staycation in Lancaster, PA. Last week we heard all about the Doubletree Resort in Lancaster (cookies upon check in and a water playground? Yes please!). This week, we are bringing you a review of the Strasburg Railroad, as well as a giveaway for a 4-pack of tickets to ride the train!  So keep reading!

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{The Strasburg Railroad}

I’ve lived in Chester County all my life, so trips to Lancaster are not new to me.  We took trips several times a year to the Outlets, the beautiful greenhouses for flowers, and the area attractions in Lancaster County.  I have vivid memories from our day visiting the Strasburg Railroad when I was 5 or 6 years old.  To a kid, being on a real train felt majestic. And the conductor was funny and friendly.  Although it was less than an hour’s ride, the farmland made me feel far away.  I had an amazing time, so many years ago, being on the train fora dy.

Fast forward 25 years, and I am taking my own daughter on her very first train ride on the Strasburg Railroad.  We picked a beautiful day to visit: blue skies, bright sun and warm.  We arrived with time to spare, so we grabbed a bite to eat at the new Trackside Cafe.   The menu was full of choices, including yummy Shoo Fly Pie and Whoopie Pies for dessert!

As noon rolled around, we boarded the train and set off on an hour-long adventure down the tracks.  Set in the beautiful countryside of Lancaster County, the trip to Paradise, PA was leisurely and relaxing.  There is plenty to see out the windows, leaving lots of room for chatting.  Barns, meadows, farm animals, picnic areas, corn mazes – so many sights! When we arrived at our turnaround point, we were excited to see how the train got turned around. With a quick bump and a whistle, we were on our way back to the station. 

I hope my children remember their first train rides with the same fondness that I do!

My daughter, being just shy of 4 years old, was enchanted from the moment she set eyes on the train.  Being just a short trip from the Philadelphia area, Strasburg Railroad is a fantastic family activity for kids (and adults!) of all ages!  There are fun family-friendly events all year round, including A Day Out With Thomas.  At Christmas, you can ride with Santa, while at Easter you can meet the Easter Bunny! Adults can go sans kids for Murder Mystery Dinners and classy Wine and Cheese events.  

Without a doubt, the Strasburg Railroad should be on your “Summer Bucket List” for 2012!

Planning on going with kids? Download and print out the Strasburg Railroad Scavenger Hunt that Chesco Mom Steph put together for our readers! (Click to enlarge, and right click to download/print!)

Source: moderndaydonnareed.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Think you’d like to visit Strasburg Railroad this summer? We’re giving away a Family 4 pack of tickets so you can ride the train yourself!  Just fill out the form below to enter. Giveaway will run until next Thursday, July 5 at noon.


We’d also love to hear about YOUR Strasburg Railroad memories – so leave a comment sharing your experience below!

Disclosure: Steph was provided tickets to ride the train.  All opinions are her own.

Local Staycations Review: Doubletree Resort of Lancaster, PA

Sometimes the best things in life are those simple things we overlook.  When it comes tov vacations, we often seek big adventures or tropical paradises to visit.  Living in the Philadelphia area, we have so many great and local Staycation opportunities! You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy some fun time with your family.  A fun vacation may be just a short trip down the road.  We have some great Staycation reviews lined up for you this Summer (isn’t that so nice? We’re doing all the research for you!), and we’re starting with Lancaster County, PA!

Chesco Mom Steph had a great chance to do a Staycation in Lancaster in mid-June.  Her stay was FANTASTIC, and she can’t wait to share it with you. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing her reviews of the local attractions: The Strasburg Railroad, The Choo Choo Barn and The Amish Village. Each review will also have a coordinating GIVEAWAY for admission tickets to these attractions, so be sure to check back!

What is a Staycation, though, without STAYING OVER?  We’ve got you covered.  Chesco Mom Steph and her family stayed at the wonderful Doubletree Resort in Lancaster.  Here’s her review of the accomodations and her Top 5 Reasons to Come Stay at the Doubletree Resort in Lancaster!

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I’ve always found it to be a treat to stay at a hotel.  There are no home responsibilities to take away from your pleasure, no work to burden you.  Someone else will make your bed and clean your bathroom. And there are usually super fun attractions to keep things exciting.

I’ve never stayed at a Doubletree Resort before, but our experience at the Doubletree Resort in Lancaster makes me want to plan a return visit!  The entrance lobby is classy and welcoming, and our room was exquisite (see the video at the end of this post for an impromptu tour).  I figured the best way to share with you why I enjoyed our stay at the Doubletree so much is to give you a Top 5 List.  So here’s my list, in no particular order:

Top 5 Reasons

To Stay at the Doubletree Resort

Cookies at Check-in

If you know me at all, you know I have a sweet tooth. So when we arrived in the lobby of the Doubletree, I immediately smelled beautiful baked things. I thought maybe it was all in my head, and brushed the thought aside.  But once we checked in at the front desk and got our room key, we were sent off with CHOCOLATE CHIP WALNUT COOKIES.  Free cookies. Freshly baked cookies. One for each of us. Gooey melt in your mouth best cookies I’d ever had.  Apparently, this is something all Doubletree Resorts do. Which I find amazing. Because if I had to choose between a Doubletree and a different hotel of the same caliber? I’d totally choose a Doubletree simply for the free cookies.

I tip my hat to you, Doubletree. Well done.

Accomodations
I’ve shared on my personal blog about navigating through reviews to find a good hotel (ie: nice accomodations that you don’t have to take a loan out for), only to be left severely disappointed once we arrive for our stay. My husband and I have really seen it all in terms of hotel accomodations: bad smells from being located over a hot deli, dirty bed linens, no elevators to the upstairs floors, etc.  So we are always a bit nervous and wary when we arrive for hotel stays.

Doubletree Resort in Lancaster did not disappoint! A beautiful lobby welcomed us, and a short elevator ride took us to our floor.  Upon opening the door, we knew we’d have a cozy overnight. 2 plush beds with fluffy comforters and pillows greeted us.  The room was clean, and well-appointed with a flat-screen TV and mini-fridge/coffee station.  There was a desk I could do some social media work work at while my husband and daughter played, as well as a comfy arm chair.  The bathroom seemed to have recently been renovated, with contemporary tiling and a nice large counter space to accommodate our small family. Every room has a nice view of the Lancaster countryside, which is a nice perk when you open the curtains to the large window.  

Indoor Water Playground
As the mother of two small girls (one of which stayed at home to enjoy a weekend with her grandparents), I appreciate any attraction that is family-friendly.  So when I was first doing my research on the Lancaster Doubletree, it was nice to see they had both and indoor AND outdoor pool.  Upon further investigation, I found that they also offer an indoor water playground for younger kids!

This playground is perfect for families with kids in elementary school or younger.  There is a fun loopy slide for the older and more adventurous kids, as well as a small slide and climbing area for toddlers and preschoolers.  The water in most of the area is shallow, and for the little ones, there is a gradual walk in to the water (think of a small hill leading to the ocean). My daughter is almost 4, and could not get enough of the play area. The area is closed in, so it’s easier to keep an eye on your kiddos. It also serves to separate the other guests without kids so they are not disturbed while using the indoor pool.

Overall it is a WIN for everyone!

Customer Service
I still laugh when I watch Home Alone 2, when Kevin (once again) finds himself separated from his family. In the second movie, he is in New York City, and decides to take up residence at the Trump Plaza.  The conceirge at the Plaza is clearly stuck up and condescending, only wanting to cater to the most VIP of guests.

Not so at the Doubletree Resort in Lancaster.  The staff was warm and friendly, even joking around with my preschooler.  They made check-in and check-out easy, and did not make us feel silly for any questions we needed to ask.  

At one point, I realized I forgot a few toiletries. We went down to the front desk, and the staff quickly took care of our needs, no questions asked.  There is something inviting about a hotel when the staff members are happy, welcoming and accomodating.

Area Attractions

There is plenty to do in the surrounding Lancaster area, some of which we’ll share with you over the next few weeks.  Aside from the 3 great attractions we’ll be reviewing in the weeks to come, the Doubletree Resort in Lancaster is close to mini-golf, the renowned 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!



And, as promised, here is a quick (and very impromptu!) view of the GREAT room:

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There you have it!  With 5 Reasons to Stay, the only thing left to do is start planning your Lancaster Staycation today!  The Doubletree Resort of Lancaster even has some great Summer Getaway Packages.  Check back next week for our first Lancaster Staycation Attraction Review and Giveaway: The Strasburg Railroad! (You might just win tickets for your family!)

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….

Day Out With Thomas: Leader of the Track Tour 2011 rolls into The Strasburg Railroad, June 18th-26th

Pulling out of the station for its 16th consecutive ride on the rails, the Day Out With Thomas: Leader of the Track Tour 2011 will visit more than 45 cities in the United States and lucky us, the tour is making a stop along The Strasburg Railroad in nearby Lancaster County(Strasburg Rail Road is located on Route 741 east of Strasburg).

Day Out With Thomas is the only place for families to take a ride with a 15-ton replica of everybody’s favorite No. 1 engine, Thomas the Tank Engine, and enjoy Thomas-themed activities at the Imagination Station, including stamps, meet & greet with meet Sir Topham Hatt™ – the Controller of the Railway, temporary tattoos and hands-on arts and crafts.

Each year the tour grows, traveling to new destinations, adding new activities and welcoming new visitors. If you have a Thomas fan in your house this is a must see event! Limited tickets are available and range in price from $14-$25 per person.

To purchase tickets please click here.

Strasburg Rail Road is one of Lancaster County’s most popular tourist attractions – and recognized as one of America’s most significant examples of early 20th century railroading.