Visiting Pennsylvania?

[mom2-4]

Okay, I am your friend from FC,(please read the fine print) I just let you know that I am touring the U.S. and I would like you to be my tour guide for Pennsylvania!

I need to make an itinerary, I want to make good use of my time of course!

So, what I want to know is what will you show me in your area while I am visiting? Do you maybe live near the state capital? Is there a neat beach near you? A tour of a cool factory? Your sweet get-a-way place?

What type of food will I be eating?

What will be our mode of transportation while touring? Car, bus, train, taxi?

And I would also like to know what area you are in (north, south, east, west, central). And what I will need to pack, as far as clothing goes.

(okay, so this is fictional, I just thought it would be neat if everyone could let everyone else know what is cool in your area, just in case someone might want to visit)

[mom2-4]

I am in South Central PA. When you first arrive, you will be in awe of the rolling farm land, that in itself is a site to see!

If you happen to visit on a Saturday or Sunday in the spring or fall, you would have to attend 1 or two soccer games with me for my DDs. But, along the way in the spring you would get to see all the budding trees, the farmers working their soil for the coming summer crops, be sure to bring your nose clip, as I am told Lancaster County has a bad smell! In the fall you will get to see all the wonderful colorings of the trees in reds, golds, browns, yellows. And along the way, you will get to see me complain about the horse and buggy that is traveling on the road, that I have to wait to go around until there are no cars coming the other way. Provided that I can see in the other direction, due to the windy curvey roads here in PA.

For the actual touring, I would take you right here in my area first. After seeing the wonderful rolling green hills, of course several more horse and buggies, and mennonite bike riders, or roller blading. You would get to view a quaint one room school house, and a one room church.

In town of Ephrata, is historical itself. An actual building with faces built in with bricks, very interesting. There is an actual tour to take of the town with historical info, which I can't find the link right now.

If you are here on Friday I of course will have to take you to the ever popular "Green Dragon". A huge flea market type place, with lots of food both prepared, and meats to purchase to take home and cook yourself, plenty of produce, homemade root beer(yum). And various other items.

Than I would take you to see the wonderful Ephrata Cloister. You can read up on that at this link: http://www.fieldtrip.com/pa/77336600.htm

Than I would take you south of my town. Closer to Lancaster City. And we could tour Landis Valley Museum. Again here is a link to read about that: http://www.landisvalleymuseum.org/

I would drive you through Lancaster City, and of course drive past the County Prison. Why the prison? I find it humurous that it resembles a castle.

I would take you to good ole Philly to of course see the Liberty Bell. Of course we would have to spend an entire day in Philly just to see everything, including the Philly zoo.

I of course one day would have to take you to the sweetest place on earth...Hersheypark. That would most likely be a two day trip.

I could if you really wanted to take you up north to my parent's cabin, that is a four hour drive from where I live, and of course would be at least a three day trip. As we sit by the campfire, we could watch the deer, bear and other various wildlife cross behind the property.

Back home to relax in my backyard as we sit next to the creek, and feed the ducks and fish. I hope you will enjoy your stay in lovely PA!

What to pack, in spring and fall, pack both summer and winter clothing, in summer pack summer clothing, but be sure to bring a sweatshirt, in winter just bring your winter clothing!

What will we eat, mostly home cookin' scrapple or bacon with scrambled eggs for breakfast. Of course when we are in Philly, you will have to have a cheesesteak! And yes we have pizza shops, McD's, just in case you don't like the home cookin'.

We will exclusively travel by car. We will of course while visiting a farm hitch a ride on a horse and buggy just so you know what it is like!

Hope you enjoyed the mini tour of south central PA, I really hope someone will give a tour of other areas in PA!

[ajrsmom]

I don't live in Pa. any longer but I would glady go back to be your tour guide of Pittsburgh!

If you are on the southwestern end (Pittsburgh area), I would definitely take you to the Strip District (also http://www.neighborsinthestrip.com/) on a Sat. morning. Many different styles of food! I miss the Italian stores so much!!

Right down the rode you can ride the inclines:
Monongahela Incline & Duquesne Incline
A must if you've never done it before! You can start out at Station Square and ride the incline up to Mt. Washington. Walk over to the lookout area and you will see a spectacular view of the city!!

Speaking of Station Square, there's a lot to do there in that small area! You can take a boat ride, see a great dancing water show, take a horse and carriage ride, eat at wonderful restaurants and stay at hotels right there. It's a one stop shop!!

If you visit in the fall, tailgate in the parking lot of Heinz Field for a Steelers football game!! You haven't experienced anything until you've partied with some Steelers fans!!! If you can't make it into the parking lots, hit any of the local restaurants or bars...you will feel Steelers Pride!!!


If you like history and the arts, we can visit.....Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, and the world's largest homage to a single artist, the Andy Warhol Museum. Also: the Mattress Factory.

The kids (and adults!) will love the Carnegie Science Center—it even has a submarine you can explore!

History buffs will love the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center and the Fort Pitt Museum.

Even more!

If you like eclectic, wait'll you see South Side! The Beehive is the city's first and funkiest coffeehouse. You gotta walk and shop the stores on Carson Street. They tout themselvers as having more bars here per capita than almost any other place on Earth.

The nightlife in downtown is awesome! You can see shows, there's concerts and many, many bars with live entertainment. A walk down Carson St. in the early evening is entertainment in itself!


You can drive, fly, take a bus or train right into the city! If you get lost without me, simply ask someone how to get where you are going. If you can make it past the slang (), you will find some of the most friendly people you will ever meet.

In the summer you will need to pack shorts and cool shirts because it does get hot. Bring a light jacket for evening if you're going to be down by the rivers. Bring along an umbrella! You never know when it might rain.

The fall is beautiful!! The colors on the trees are wonderul. Bring pants and a light coat for the cooler weather.

It snows in Pittsburgh in the winter!! Dress in coats, hats, scarves..and warm shoes! Bring lots of warm clothes if you are not used to cold weather.

So, when are we taking our first tour?