vacation

Day 1
* Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery

Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery Description

What's better than being handed a big, squishy wad of dough and being taught how to twist it into a pretzel? That's what happens at the start of the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery tour. The tour explores the large space where Sturgis started the first pretzel bakery in the U.S. back in the late 1700s. The guides are animated and enthusiastic, and at only 20 minutes or so the tour's short enough to hold the interest of most kids. Children will get some giggles out of the see-saw-like device used to knead pretzel dough.

Toddlers & Pre-K: The pretzel dough is just like that other kind of dough that gets in your carpet. Ward off tantrums by warning kids that they don't get to keep it.
Just the Facts

Hours: Bakery Tours Mon.-Sat. 9:30a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed Sunday Bakery Store Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Sunday

Fees: Under $10

Planned Time: Less than 1 hour

* Abe's Buggy Rides
Abe's Buggy Rides Description

Abe's is a combination buggy ride provider, petting zoo, and miniature snack bar. Catering primarily to families, you can choose to ride in authentic Amish buggies of varying sizes for 20 to 75 minutes. Any ride longer than 20 minutes will take you under a covered bridge and past Amish farms and houses. Have your driver sign your feedback card upon your return and you'll get a homemade cookie or whoopee pie.

Toddlers & Pre-K: Animals, a buggy ride, and a big pond with koi fish. Need we say more?

Just the Facts
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fees: $10 - $20
Planned Time: 1 to 2 hours

* Hands-On House Children Museum

Hands-On House Children's Museum Description

"Don't touch that" are words you will not hear at the Hands-On House Children's Museum. While it's obviously big on hands-on, interactive elements, the museum also has a distinct Lancaster County flavor, with fun exhibits about machinery and farming. While the museum is on the small side, its interactive focus keeps kids happy and engaged.


Toddlers & Pre-K: Perfect place to let little ones run around safely.

Just the Facts
Hours: Vary by season.
Fees: Under $10
Planned Time: 1 to 2 hours

Day 2
* Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park

Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park Description

The excitement starts when you walk through the big castle façade into Dutch Wonderland. With about 30 rides, this meandering, shady park isn't overwhelmingly large, but there's plenty of fun for kids up to age 12. Mini-theaters throughout the park provide short, entertaining shows and skits that will excite kids and give parents a chance to sit for a bit. Kids will love the royal treatment -- you might even see the Dutch Wonderland Princess or Duke, who regularly appear at events and sometimes even wander the park doing meet-and-greets with children

Toddlers & Pre-K: A selection of gentle attractions ensure that little ones can get equal time on the rides.

Just the Facts
Hours: Park is closed January through April. Hours vary by month. For specifics, visit http://www.dutchwonderland.com/hours/index.html.
Fees: $20 - $30
Planned Time: Full day

* Plain and Fancy Restaurant and Farm
Plain and Fancy Restaurant and Farm Description

When you're given the choice between ordering the Amish Farm Feast or off the menu, go for the feast. You'll be seated at a table with people you don't know, but that makes it more fun to pass around the heaping platters of fried chicken, ham, turkey, buttered noodles, green beans, and so much more that will come your way. Save room for dessert -- your kids will love the apple and shoo-fly pies topped with ice cream and whipped cream.

Day 3
* Strasburg Rail Road
Strasburg Rail Road Description

It's almost impossible not to get excited when you hear the steam train's booming horn as it closes in on the station. Larger than life, the coal-fueled steam engine is lovingly restored. Children will delight in riding the rails to Paradise (Pennsylvania, that is) while listening to the conductor note points of interest, such as the Amish farms and the Red Caboose Motel (which features real train cars as sleeping rooms). At the end of the route, your kids will love shouting and cheering for the engineers who will hook up an engine to the "back" of the train and take it on its 20-minute ride to the station.

Toddlers & Pre-K: Windows can be opened, and are just the right height to climb up to (and through!). Remind little ones to keep their hands in the car.

Just the Facts
Hours: Changes frequently. Best to check the online calendar at www.strasburgrailroad.com.
Fees: $10 - $20
Recommended Time: 1 to 2 hours

* Cherry-Crest Adventure Farm

Cherry-Crest Adventure Farm Description

Get a good night's sleep before you visit Cherry-Crest Adventure Farm and its five-acre corn maze, the Amazing Maize Maze. With more than 2.5 miles of trails, the best-case scenario is that it's going to take you an hour to get through, although some have taken five hours. That's OK -- there's a snack shack and bathrooms inside the maze, plus a few places to sit and rest.

In addition to the maze, there are dozens more attractions on the farm, including a petting zoo, the Barnyard Jump bouncy "pillow," obstacle courses, hayrides, pumpkin tosses, the Lil' Farmers Playground, and a singing chicken show. The fudge shop and Home Cookin' Cafe keep everyone fueled for maximum play time. Or, bring a picnic and enjoy it under the tents in the Barnyard area.

Toddlers & Pre-K: There is a tiny version of the maze set up with hay bales. Forego the big maze and enjoy the other activities on the farm, including a stuffed animal workshop.

School-Age Kids: Run, run, run! When they get tired, you can always take the emergency exit out of the maze. Still, you may be surprised at the motivation of making it all the way through.
Just the Facts

Hours: Vary by month and day. Check the website at https://www.cherrycrestfarm.com/schedule.asp
Fees: $10 - $20
Recommended Time: 2 to 4 hours

* Amish Farm and House
Amish Farm and House Description

Yes, it's right off the highway behind Target, but don't pass by this delightful and authentic stop in Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Complete with a covered bridge and deeded by William Penn, the farm is almost exactly like it was in 1805, the year it was built. A one-room school house on the property gives a glimpse of how many Amish children are schooled to this day. Kids will love the super-cool 1805 Conestoga wagon, animals -- including horses, pigs, cows and goats -- and lots of space to run around.
Toddlers & Pre-K: There are goats to pet and a playground to be conquered. Life is good on the Amish Farm.

Just the Facts
Hours: Vary by season.
Fees: Under $10
Recommended Time: 2 to 4 hours