My DH and I are spending a few days up in Gettysburg in September. I've already told him I'd like to see the quilt museums in Lancaster and Intercourse. Where else would you suggest we go? I'll have some money to spend (hee hee) but not much and while I love to see finished quilts, I don't buy finished quilts. I'd much rather buy material and make them myself. Does that make sense?

You're going to have a blast! Along the way from Lancaster to Intercourse is a town called Bird in Hand. It is definitely worth a look. When you get to Intercourse, there is a big parking lot off the main street. If I remember correctly, it is behind the People's Place. Park in there and walk up and down the street. Don't miss the People's Place (museum upstairs and shop on 1st floor). Across the street is a good shop but I don't remember the name. Don't miss the quilt museum in downtown Lancaster (can't remember the name). In Lancaster there is a Mennonite museum that is good (not quilty stuff but really interesting). Don't miss the town of Letitz (not sure if that is spelled right) for the pretzel factory (not quilty but fun) and a few blocks away there is a chocolate factory (Wilbur chocolates I think is the name. Great chocolate!) Have a great time.

Cool suggestions! Thanks QuiltMania! This is the first trip DH and I are making without children since 1991. With DD off to college, we now have time for ourselves again.

The town spelling is Lititz. This is out my way. A big tourist attraction is www.vfoutletcenter.com in nearby Reading, PA. A fabulous quilt shop approx. half hours drive from there is The Summer House Needleworks in Oley. www.quiltart.com also September 17, 18 and 19 is the Oley Valley Community Fair - the "big event" of the year. Shady Maple is a popular smorgasbord eatery in Lancaster. Also a 10,000 sq. ft. Shady Maple Flea Market if you enjoy those things. I'm sure you'll find plenty to do!

Great! We are going to be there Sept 17-20. Now we've got to figure out how to get this all in and still give DH time at Gettysburg. (that is why we are going in the first place. 8) ) Maybe we can do Gettysburg for Thurs/Fri and my places on Saturday.... Hmmm will have to get my negotiating hat on. The chocolate place will help! LOL

I am orginally from that area and they have a fabulous quilt store that has everything but the kitchen sink. Gettysburg is a wonderful historial place to see just about anything colonial and civil war related. If you want to see quilt stuff you need to spend your time in Lancaster. There are lists of quilt shops that you can shop to you drop and still come back the next day to see more and it will cover everything from hand embroidery to handquilt to machine quilt supplies. If you cant find it there it doesnt exist. PM me for a great list of shops and phone numbers and addresses if you are interested. For those that want civil war quilt fabric the shop in Gettysburg has a great selection.

Zook's and Country Store are the shops in Bird In Hand, both worth the trip. Zook's has the lowest prices and the Country Store has lots of batiks usually a very low prices. They also have a lots of books, finished quilts, pottery, etc. as well as a little quilt museum on the 2nd floor.
May in Jersey

Jane - I've been to 'Needle n Thread' out towards Fairfield and Quilt Patch near Littlestown. Are there others?

no not really, lancaster is the place to go.

Of course it does. I have never bought a quilt. There have been a few that I thought were pretty, but I like making my own too.