A while ago I asked advice on trip to Amish country. My travel agent has given me some dates and flight destinations but would like your input again. End of May 2012 fly to Newark and then fly to Harrisburg. Arriving Harrisburg18.46. can anyone tell us what is best way to travel to Lancaster and if you would recommend Lancaster Arts Hotel or Lancater Marriott Hotel . As Lancaster seems hard to get to is this the best way. This is first definate enquiry we have made but want to know if you good folk think is sounds ok before we book anything. Many thanks in advance...Vi

there are many many Hotels, motels and B&B's to stay at in the Lancaster area. If you wait until you arrive you will be surprised at all the options that are available. Try and stay near Intercoarse Pa. Yes, that is the name of the quaint village with lots of shops to visit and only 3-4 miles west of Lancaster. Hope you have a good trip.

As long as your trip is before May 26-28th you should have no problem checking into hotels with no reservations. The weekend of May 26-28 is our Memorial Day weekend and that area may be very busy.

From the Harrisburg airport Lancaster is only about a 30 minute drive on Rte 283 if you are comfortable driving.

If you do come over I would love to give you a quilter's tour one day (or afternoon.)

Oh, I forgot to say that flying to Harrisburg is definitely to most convenient ariport to Lancaster.

I don't know the Lancaster Arts hotel, but the Marriot is in the downtown area...not very convenient. There are many, many hotels in the outlying area. One that I know is very nice is the Eden Resort. And there are many B & B's throughout the area.

Why don't you go to the Lancaster site:

www.co.lancaster.pa.us

They might be able to send you a travel guide. You can sign up to get e-mails from them. I think I get one monthly.

Here's another great website on the area:

http://www.800padutch.com/

I also hope that you plan to spend a bit of time in Harrisburg & Hershey. There are lots of fun things to do there!

I spent the nights in Ronks, Pa.....it was a good "middle point" for exploring Intercourse and Lancaster. Can't remember the name of the hotel.....but there were a lot of them in the area.

We stay around the Ronks area also. There is a nice motel in Bird in Hand. I wouldn't stay downtown Lancaster..to busy and it isn't handy.

Make sure you visit Strasburg - lots of amish AND a nice train ride .Also, landis valley farm.

Let us know closer to when you are coming, and we can have a meetup ;)

This is on my Quilters wish list too...someday. And I can add that May is a very good month to visit that part of the country - not too hot and not too muggy yet.

just got back from PA with my fellow quilting friends from out of state. we rented a house in Lancaster. I agree with the others, stay out of down town, and stay closer to intercourse, bird-in hand, etc. many quaint hotels, B&B's. you'll be happy you did. have a blast, I know we did!

There are many hotels in the lancaster area. Don't stay in downtown Lancaster. Try Bird in Hard or Intercourse, PA. If you do a google search of the area you will see that there is alot to do. I live about an hour away, maybe we can meet for lunch or shopping. Good luck planning your trip.

Maybe you will want to book something for the first night, but then definitely go out and just drive around. There is a little tourist information center that you can stop at and pick up some flyers of places to visit. It is a wonderful place to shop, eat and just enjoy the people and scenery. We have a travel trailer so I can't tell you much about the hotels or motels. Take the Straussburg train ride. We just did that this summer and it was relaxing and pretty. Every few miles there is a quilt shop, fabric outlet or general store. May can be warm, but not like the summer months. The farmers will be working in the fields and there will be lots to see.

My friend & I drove from Canada to Lancaster, PA last year in October. A beautiful 7 hr drive....we thoroughly enjoyed it. We stayed at the Eden Resort & it was perfect for us. Just wanted to share & also to say we are planning on returning Oct 2012! Yaaaaay, only one yr away! We're so excited...there was so much we didn't see.
Maureen

We just came back from the area yesterday. We go twice a year. We always stay in Shillington, it's pretty central to the places we like to go. We stay in the Best Western. They have a nice free continental breakfast. There is also a very nice diner that serves really good food next to the motel. Have fun wherever you decide to stay but for sure do some exploring.

Lancaster was my mother's home town, I still like to go and visit. There are lots of things to do and see there. The touristy stuff is all on the northeastern end of the area. Harrisburg is the closest airport. For things to do and see, you might want to check out PaDutchCountry.com as that is the tourist board website for that area. There are lots of B&B's and you might be able to hire a driver to take you around if you aren't comfortable driving.
May is a good time of year to go, as spring in central Pennsylvania is just lovely, lots of flowering trees and shrubs.

DH and I took his parents, his sister and our son to PA to see "The Miracle of Christmas" at Sight & Sound Theater. We stayed in a 5 br, 3.5 ba house for $200/night. It was a home away from home http://www.vrbo.com/186870. So, don't know how many are in your party, but thought you might like to see this option.

Eden Resort is a fabulous place to stay--so clean and comfortable. Only about 15 mins. (by car) from the area of where the "quilting fabric" is located. Be sure to stop at Zook's for fabric. Kitchen Kettle is a great place [no quilting fabric there but the greatest ice cream (Lapps) that you will ever put in your mouth.] Zooks is just a few steps away, as well as other places on the main street.

A great convenient Bed and Breakfast is the O'Flaherty's Dingledein House. Great breakfast and also helpful in giving directions for getting around in the area. Sauders is a huge place for fabric but is located out in the country. They have some great "buys" on fabric. Zooks is a "sister store."

I was in Lancaster last month. My quilt guild has a retreat there every fall. We stay in Ronks at the Amishview Inn. It's very nice and convenient to Intercourse and Bird-In-Hand. A little pricey if you just look at the room rates on line, but I'm sure there are discount rates through AAA, AARP, etc. Be sure to take the bus tour of the Amish country - it is well worth your time - so interesting and enjoyable. Ronks is close to Zooks, The Country Store, and not too far from Souders (may 10 miles). You will need a car though. Also recommend eating at least once at Jenny's Diner.

Oops--Souders is the correct spelling. There is also the Fulton Steamboat Hotel and just up the road is the Millennium Theater (1-800-377-1277). There were two theaters run by the same people (Sight and Sound closed recently). The play, "Jonah" will be showing starting in March 2012. It would be the greatest experience of your life. An eating experience is also at Shady Maple (out a ways, but oh so much food from which to choose).

Phone number for Eden Resort is 1-888-477-7754.

Sure would love to know when in May you are making your trip.

The Lancaster area is beautiful-lots to see. I was at a conference in Hershey in Sept a few years ago and we toured the area. The towns are so quaint and cute. The Hershey Lodge has yummy chocolate drinks!! Enjoy your trip.

Lancaster has so much to see...you have to try the Shoo fly pie...!! Go to the amish fabric store called Zooks.. they also own Sauders.. which is my fav. (if you want get the map from their store and it has directions there) Try the pretzels and the homemade kettle corn at Kitchen Kettle shopping area... yes lots of shopping and stores ... intercourse has the Country store and lots of touristy stuff..
Enjoy your trip and time here in USA!
Hugs
Quiltinmama

After you fly in rent a car. There is a nice clean, not fancy, reasonable price I have stayed at it's Smoketown Inn. Also there is a great fabric shop that sells Moda Fabric and it's in the bottom of a house. Then she has a garage filled with fat quarters, and backs. Sylvia Petersheim Quilts
2544 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, PA 17505-9796
(717) 392-6404. There are just a ton of shops. Another thing we like to do is go to Sight and Sound Theater. It is a christian run theater and does play from the Bible. Huge, fabulous ellabrate prodution. Next year is Jonah. All the shops close at 5, and not open on Sundays. Enjoy your trip. I love it there.

I am reading all your information with great interest. We will be driving that way in just about 1 month. Thank you ladies

I live an hour from Lancaster, and I have stayed at the Marriott that is connected to the Lancaster Convention Center. It is very nice. Make sure you get to Intercourse, they have great fabric shops. Zooks and The Old Country Store are two of my favorites. As a matter of fact I am headed up there today. Intercourse is about 30 minutes from the Marriott. Great outlet shopping also. Have a great time.

I always check trip advisor for reviews on hotels restraunts and attractions, plus...send for a travel guide for the area

http://www.padutchcountry.com/travel...avel-guide.asp

I live about an hour from Lancaster and we go camping there frequently and never get tired of it. I know you will have a great time in Lancaster no mater which of the wonderful suggestions you decide to do.

Wouldn't it be great if all of us close enough, could meet up for lunch and spend some time together and with our friend from across the big pond? The biggest problem would deciding where to go, as everybody has thier favorites they want to show off. But I think we could work that out.

Your probably overwhelmed with suggestions by now, but I'll add mine anyway. A nice place for lunch that we like more than the buffet at Shady Maple is Dienners in Ronks.

Great idea.

We were in Ireland last year!!! Love love love your country! We were in the southern part of the country because our son was there for his study abroad. I was disappointed we didn't have enough time to head north. Maybe next time!

We live about 45 minutes from Lancaster and took a drive around and visited shops last month. Soooo much fun! Bring an extra suitcase! If we lived closer, we would put you up and give you breakfast and send you out for the day!

Can't advise you on lodgings. The Harrisburg airport is close to that area. In fact, a couple of the shops we visited were close to the airport. From the Philadelphia airport, it's about an hour and a half drive to Lancaster, traffic permitting of course.

Have a fabulous trip!

We flew into Philadelphia and then drove a good distance to Lancaster - but the ride was scenic and very nice. We stayed in a smaller Country Inn hotel which was very nice and allowed for day trips to Strasburg, Intercourse, Hershey, etc. We traveled to the Amish country to attend the The Day Out With Thomas The Tank Engine in Strasburg and although over ten years ago, it was one of the best vacations we had. On our way back home, we had time to visit the Liberty Bell and the U.S. Mint before boarding our plane for home. Great restaurants in Lancaster too. Have a wonderful trip.

Just came back from Lancaster and would not stay downtown at all. we stayed at the econolodge at that was at the end of the strip. Just make sure you bring extra luggage for bringing home fabric like we will be doing. Lots of wonderful places to see.

Ohhhh, I want to go to that area one day!!!!!!!!!!!
Can't get away that far right now but it's on my Bucket List. Hopefully, it won't be too far in the future. Probably spring or fall would be the prettiest!

I live about 40 miles from Lancaster...8 miles from Harrisburg. I go to Lancaster regularly for quilting supplies, fabric and fun. I usually go to a quilting retreat there twice a year also. This is the link where we have our quilting retreat. I would stay here instead of in a hotel for a better taste of the local area and history. the hospitality of the owners is wonderful: http://www.whiteoakbnb.com/

You will definitely need a car to explore. Lots of rural areas and places you won't want to miss. Please feel free to PM if you have more questions and I will try to help. I will be in Lancaster in the next week or two and I would be glad to gather some brochures and info for you and send them to you, if you wish.

I am sending you a picture of a famous fabric store (not the norm, mind you)...just something you need to see. All we do is shake are heads! You are going to love Lancaster!

Everyone is right. Do not stay in downtown Lancaster. Intercourse would be a great place to stay. There are lots of B&B's in the general area. Many quilt shops on the back roads so be sure to rent a car and just go and have fun

We were in Lancaster Co., in 1999. We found a motel in the little town of Intercourse called Harvest Drive Family Motel and Restaurant. It was located on a slight rise overlooking the farmlands of the Amish. Outside the rooms was a deck where they had placed chairs and tables where you could watch the sun go down and as it got dark watch the Amish go about their nightly duties tending to their livestock. There were no electrical lights, only karosene lamps that moved about their property. It was quite a seen to behold. I wish I could go with you, maybe one of these days we will make it back there in our motor home.

Be sure and hit Intercourse, it has one of the top quilt shops in the United States. It is fabulous. Edie

A few years ago, along with sis-in-law and her husband, my husband and I took a 3 week trip with our campers. Visited battle grounds and various historial sites. We camped a few days in Lancaster County. Would love to go back and spend more time. Out of the huge back window in our camper was a field. We watched an Amish woman and her two sons harvesting their hay. She was driving as team of four horses while the boys threw the bales on the wagon. Fascinating area.

Are there real auctions there where you can get Amish quilt tops??? Or is that just an advertising ploy? Seems I read something about a firehouse that has the auction? Does anyone know when they are or anything about them?

[quote=vburr]I live about 40 miles from Lancaster...8 miles from Harrisburg. I go to Lancaster regularly for quilting supplies, fabric and fun. I usually go to a quilting retreat there twice a year also. This is the link where we have our quilting retreat. I would stay here instead of in a hotel for a better taste of the local area and history. the hospitality of the owners is wonderful: http://www.whiteoakbnb.com/

You will definitely need a car to explore. Lots of rural areas and places you won't want to miss. Please feel free to PM if you have more questions and I will try to help. I will be in Lancaster in the next week or two and I would be glad to gather some brochures and info for you and send them to you, if you wish.

I am sending you a picture of a famous fabric store (not the norm, mind you)

Which fabric store is this picture from? I'll be there next month and would like to see it.
Thanks