We continue our list of Mid-Atlantic small towns to visit with Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a two-hour drive from the Anne Arundel region.
Lancaster is in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, where many Amish and Mennonite communities are centered. There’s a lot to discover in these truly distinct American cultural areas. Visitors can go on a buggy ride through the countryside, buy gifts at an Amish mud sale and explore Amish culture at the Amish Farm and House, which serves as both a working farm and a peek into the Amish lifestyle.
If you’re looking for something more exciting than easygoing farm life, visit Dutch Wonderland, a kid-friendly amusement park, or Barnyard Kingdom, a farm park with a corn maze, slides built into a hill, a petting farm and more. Lancaster is actually in a prime location for thrill seekers. Venture outside of town and you’ll find that attractions like Hersheypark are only a short drive away.
Want to make the kids’ vacation? Stay in themed rooms at the Cartoon Network Hotel, which is under 30 minutes from the Turkey Hill Experience, a fun place for the whole family to create their own ice cream flavors and taste unlimited ice cream samples.
There are also many museums to explore in Lancaster. The North Museum of Nature and Science offers fun educational experiences for all ages, including a planetarium and live animal exhibits. The National Watch and Clock Museum explores the history of timekeeping through a collection of timepieces from throughout history.
