All The Best Things To Do On A Travel And Learn Trip To Lancaster’s Amish Country And Hershey
Amish Country in Lancaster and Hershey, Pennsylvania offer so much to do on a family getaway! Travel and learn with us to this “sweet” and “simple” U.S. vacation destination.
Visiting big cities and beaches are often one of many family’s favorite things to do.
But, sometimes, our family wants a different vacation. A visit somewhere that’s a little more quaint and unique.
The south eastern part of Pennsylvania offers just such a family vacation destination.
Amish Country and Hershey, Pennsylvania is a fun weekend getaway that’ s a true “travel and learn” destination. Located 30-45 minutes apart, the two locales offer small-town experiences that are enriching… and fun.
Here are all the best things to do in Lancaster’s Amish Country and Hershey on a family trip.
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Best Things To Do In Lancaster’s Amish Country
Traveling and learning feels personal in small town environments. But few small towns have a culture with as much to teach as Amish country. That’s because the Amish value community, faithfulness to God and family, respect for others, forgiveness, and humility. And what lessons could be better than those?
Travel and learn how and why the Amish live without many modern conveniences.
LeArn about the Amish way of living
The clip-clop of horse drawn buggies. Broad brim black hat-wearing men in suspenders. Prayer bonnet clad ladies, often with a toddler on their hips or in their laps.
These will be some of the first things you notice in Lancaster County. It’s home to the oldest Amish settlement in the country.
But, there’s so much more to the Amish than their charming mode of travel or traditional dress. In a bustling world full of technology, there’s much to be learned about their dedication to a simpler life.
And one of the best things to in Lancaster is to do just that.
Several companies offer Amish attractions in Lancaster County. Visitors can go on tours, watch movies, and explore exhibits offering insight into Amish beliefs and way of life.
The Amish Experience offers a traditional one-room Amish schoolhouse and home tour, farmland tours, and a movie. The Amish Village offers similar tours, as well as the opportunity to buy Amish goods. Aaron and Jessica’s Amish Buggy Rides let you ditch the car and ride in true Amish style.
(TIP: If some of the tours are a bit too long for your kids, buggy rides can be “travel and learn” experiences too. Ask your buggy driver to tell you about Amish customs during your ride. At 45 minutes, the 1-room schoolhouse tour is also a perfect length to keep kids’ attention.)
Amish baked goods and other items are popular for good reason!
Eat Pennsylvania DUtch Style Cooking And Shop for Amish Goods
One of the hallmarks of the Amish culture is self-sufficiency. In fact, many Amish people start their own businesses. And a whopping 95% of those businesses are successfully and profitable. (Compared to the national average of only 50%.)
Buy an Amish product from one of those businesses and you’ll understand why. The Amish are known for well made furniture, toys, quilts, and baked goods.
From roadside stands to larger markets, you’ll find a plethora of Amish small businesses in Lancaster County.
Another one of the best things to do in Lancaster’s Amish Country is to taste the local food. You’ll find great restaurants serving traditional Pennsylvania Dutch style cooking here. Think hearty meals with meat, potatoes, vegetables and desserts, like pies.
(TIP: Katie’s Kitchen is one such restaurant that’s a local and tourist favorite. )
Sight and Sound brings Bible stories alive in the best ways.
See a show at Sight and Sound Theater
So many of our “travel and learn” trips are about history, culture, and science. But, the best lessons we’ve learned through travel are about our faith and beliefs.
Sight and Sound Theater located in Ronks, PA provides a truly inspirational place to learn about just that. Seeing a play here is one of the best things to do in the Lancaster area.
The Bible comes to life on stage at Sight and Sound through annual productions based on scripture.
As the name suggests, Sight and Sound is an immersive theater experience. In many productions, snow falls on the audience. Live animals grace the stage. And the action takes place on more than just the main stage.
Sight and Sound will continue to feature the story of Moses until October 7, 2023. The Miracle of Christmas will play during the 2023 Christmas season. The story of David will premier in 2024.
Shows play Tuesday, through Thursday at 11:00 and 3:00, Friday at 3:00 and 7:00, and Saturday at all three showtimes.
(TIP: Traffic can be heavy coming and leaving the theater and all roads are only 2 lanes. Opt to get in the right lane and go straight or turn right out of the parking lot for a faster exit. Then make a u-turn if needed to head in the direction you need to go.)
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Best Things To Do In Hershey, PA
Milton Hershey’s influence on his namesake town can be felt far and wide. Streets have names like Cocoa Avenue and Bittersweet Drive. Chocolate is handed out at check-in at many of the hotels. And, many of the best things to do in Hershey center around the sweet treats that gave it its name
Milton Hershey’s personal touch is still evident today at Hotel Hershey.
Stay at one of the hotels named after the chocolate mogul
End your evening in one of the hotels in the area. The three hotels associated with Hershey itself are options which offer, among other things, early admission to Hershey Park. The Hotel Hershey is an award-winning historic resort offering a spa in a relaxed, elegant setting. The Hershey Lodge is a larger resort offering an indoor pool complex. And the Hersheypark Camping Resort offers cabin-style lodging on 55 acres.
(TIP: There are also lodging options not associated with Hershey. Still located close to everything, prices are often lower at these hotels. One of our favorites is the Courtyard Hershey Chocolate Avenue.)
Learn how one man’s dream built a candy empire… and a thriving community.
Plan a stop at the Hershey Story Museum
Start your visit at the Hershey Story Museum to learn just how the town of Hershey got its name. You’ll travel through Milton and Kitty Hershey’s lives. You’ll see their failures, triumphs, and commitment to building not just a business, but an entire community. And you’ll leave understanding their legacy may be a lot more than a great testing candy bar.
(TIP: Save room for some chocolate drinks at the small chocolate bar after your museum tour.)
Hershey is a “sweet” small town to visit.
Visit the town of Hershey
Next, a stroll through the town of Hershey is perfect after a visit to The Hershey Story Museum. The museum is located right in the small town, near restaurants and shops. The town is quaint and perfect for exploring.
(TIP: One of our favorite restaurants is First Watch. It serves breakfast and lunch in a charming corner building with healthy options. It’s a great break from the sweet treats.)
Travel and learn in the most delicious way.
Visit HersheY’s Chocolate World
Hershey’s Chocolate World is a great place to spend a few hours experiencing everything chocolate.
Board a candy-shaped car and ride through a tour of chocolate making. Create your own candy bar in a chocolate lab. Make your own 1-pound reese cup. Take a 75 minute trolley tour. Watch a 30-minute live theater show about the science and art of chocolate tasting. Or view a 4-D movie all about chocolate.
(TIP: Hershey’ Chocolate World can get massive crowds, especially at the beginning of the day if the park opens at 11:00. It also gets swarmed by crowds when rides are closed due to rain at the park. Consider going at the end of the day or when everyone is taking advantage of good weather for outdoor attractions.)
Candy themed coasters fill Hershey Park.
Ride the coasters at Hershey Park
If roller coasters are your jam, Hershey Park may be your favorite thing to do in the town of Hershey. With 15 coasters, it’s a park for thrill seekers and classic amusement park lovers. Names like the Sooperdooperlooper are clues to what you can find at the park. Kiddie rides are available too, but you’ll definitely want to be an extreme ride enthusiast to truly enjoy Hershey Park.
Your Hershey Park admission ticket also includes admission to ZooAmerica. The small, 11-acre zoo features over 200 animals and can be a fun addition to a park day.
(TIP: Limited operating hours prior to Memorial Day and after Labor Day ensure crowds are almost always large at Hershey Park. Expect to wait in long lines or purchase their Fast Pass option. While it can add a significant amount to your ticket, it may be worth avoiding the frustrating lines.)
Butterflies abound at the butterfly atrium in Hershey Gardens.
Visit the Hershey BOTANICAL Gardens
If time allows, a visit to Hershey Gardens is worth a stop. The highlight of this “best thing to do in Hershey” is the butterfly atrium. The atrium is home to hundreds of rare and more common butterflies. Always at a tropical temperature for its residents, it’s also a warm break in a chilly day,
Hershey Gardens also features 23 acres of flowers and foliage and a children’s garden.
(TIP: Many packages and room rates at the 3 Hershey hotels include a ticket to the Hershey Gardens and the Hershey Story Museum. Planning to do these attractions? You may want to comparison price other hotels by knowing if your tickets are included.)
