Maybe because I grew up in Lancaster County, but my initial thought is that there are no must see things in Lancaster. I'm sure I'm wrong.

If you are into seeing the Amish you want to stick to the eastern and southeastern part of the county and stick to the back roads (just watch out for sudden right angle turns for no reason and regular batches of horse exhaust on the road). Bird In Hand and Intercourse have the best touristy stuff, but the traffic is beyond ridiculous. If you go there, find a place to park and walk everywhere.

The railroad museum in Strasburg is interesting if you are into that kind of thing. Again, a lot of traffic. Landis Valley Farm Museum is interesting if you are into that stuff.

You can't turn around and spit without hitting a motel or hotel, but they do get busy in the summer.

Is there anything specific you guys are into seeing?

 

Lancaster county is very nice but last weekend 7 of us on 5 bikes met there and rode to northwestern PA. Great riding and some of the nicest scenery in the US. We stayed in West Line PA which is in the Allegheny National Forrest. Ended up going to Niagra Falls Saturday, nice ride but for me it was like going to the Wildwood boardwalk. I need to learn a second language I guess. Great places to see in western PA.

 

Lancaster has definitely been developed quite a bit over the years. Along the route 30 corridor, there are tons of shopping outlets that just add to the congestion. School starts in about a month and I'm sure there will be plenty doing their shopping. Some people rave about the Shady Maple as a food stop. Been there once, but really wasn't impressed. As you get away from the city, there are some nice scenic views. Just watch out for the Amish buggies.

 

The trip from Woodstock to Bethel Woods is mostly highway and lots of Orthodox Jewish camp grounds. Much like the Amish areas of PA. Beautiful ride but not really any lodging. The ride between the 2 is close to an hour. There are nice Bed and Breakfasts in Woodstock. Woodstock is like a more artsy New Hope PA. When in Bethel Woods, you must go to the Woodstock museum. If you were into the music of the 60's,you will love it. There is also a concert ampitheater there.I saw the Allman Brothers when I went. Check their schedule and see if there is anybody you would like to see. There is plenty of parking at Bethel Woods too.

 

Thanks for the replies

We are looking to enjoy some nice riding... quiet, scenic country roads, state parks, that kind of thing.

 

Ok, well we never made it to Woodstock (eh, return trip for me anyway) total lack of anywhere to stay. Meh, we will do it as a day trip next year.

However, we are heading down to the general Lancaster area this weekend. What we are curious about is some back touring type roads. I'd just as soon avoid tourist traps and high traffic areas. Quiet roads, maybe some Amish farms...anyone who knows a few routes and can send them our way...I'd sure appreciate it!!

In fact any general info....places to stay (so many choices and so many different nearby towns) good eats...anything at all, well I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

If you go 81 south, take exit 104 and follow signs for 501. That's a nice hour ride to lancaster. South of lancaster and southern york county both have tons of back roads, but its hard to get lost because you're never too far from a main road. The PA ren faire is going on now, and you could spend all day there if you wanted to. There are multiple back roads to take to get there. Search for "river road" near Marietta, it goes for quite a way along the river.
Oh and in Lititz on 501 stop at "bull's head public house". Fantastic place for beer.
Since I'm from there, I don't have any suggestions for places to stay.
Any specific questions I can help more.

 

Xmigo gives good advice. Places to avoid are Route 30 east of Lancaster (at all costs), route 340, and the towns of Bird-In-Hand and Intercourse which are tourist choked. River road is beautiful, but twisty in places and road condition varies from great to "oh 'excrement'! without notice. Take it easy and it's worth the ride. Across the southern end of the county route 372 from Holtwood to Quarryville will give you some nice Amish scenery and anywhere along there if you venture off 372 is nice.

Bulls Head is a great English style pub in Lititz, a town recently voted "Coolest Small Town in America". There is also the Wilbur chocolate factory there. Get some Wilbur Buds and you'll throw away Hershey Kisses from then on.

When I get home tonight I'll try to add some more to this for you guys. It's a good county to ride.

 

Xmigo gives good advice. Places to avoid are Route 30 east of Lancaster (at all costs), route 340, and the towns of Bird-In-Hand and Intercourse which are tourist choked. River road is beautiful, but twisty in places and road condition varies from great to "oh 'excrement'! without notice. Take it easy and it's worth the ride. Across the southern end of the county route 372 from Holtwood to Quarryville will give you some nice Amish scenery and anywhere along there if you venture off 372 is nice.

Bulls Head is a great English style pub in Lititz, a town recently voted "Coolest Small Town in America". There is also the Wilbur chocolate factory there. Get some Wilbur Buds and you'll throw away Hershey Kisses from then on.

When I get home tonight I'll try to add some more to this for you guys. It's a good county to ride.

So far all good "intel" (I EAT in that part of PA 3 times a year) I also lead bike tours there,, when my friends from Canada are in town.

I like Yoder's Restaurant in New Holland near Rt 23 & Tower Rd.( in a shopping plaza.you can park you bike next to where they park their horses & Carriages (They DON'T like it when you call them "horse & buggys") LOL
also try, on the dreaded, Rt 30 Dienner's country Rest. next to Dutch Haven. both these places are Packed with Amish and thier familys ..the kids LOVE bikes and will wave to you and even come up and say hi and ask about your bikes but remember NO pictures PLEASE!
If you want to visit the O.C.C. of the Amish carriage / coach world go to 3007 Old Philadelphia Pike in Bird in Hand..it's the Weavertown Coach Shop ask for Isaac (he can be bribed with Pepperoni pizza) he will give you or a small group a private tour of the shop (where they make the Amish carriages & coaches & buck boards ,, even the spokes for the wheels they even have a paint booth) most all made by hand..If they are still in Business it's a great fun tour REMEBER NO PICTURES and don't forget the pizza for Isaac and the boys.. Tell them Officer Friendly sent you..

also this time of year is Harvesting time so LOTS of action on the back roads & farms..

Watch out for ROAD APPLES and groves in the pavement from the metal on the wheels along the right shoulder of the back roads & all Amish run business and work STOPS on Sunday...PM me and I will give you Isaac's last name more Intel..

 

Perfect. Thanks for the replies and we will check back for more info. I just may have to buy you guys a drink while we're there

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Pm sent

Ok....great stuff guys. Thank you. Quick question.... we are heading down friday night and staying in Harrisburg. We are getting a late start and that's a closer ride. My question is, should we find a place in Lancaster for Saturday night or just head back to Harrisburg. I don't trust maps so the distance and time (and traffic) are questionable to me.

Thanks again

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Realistically, Harrisburg to Lancaster is 40 minutes to an hour on Route 283 slab, which is not a particularly exciting ride, just average four lane stuff.

A nice alternative to come from Harrisburg is to take route 441 from Middletown, which runs down the east side of the Susquehanna River, past the 3-Mile Island nuclear plant, and down through Marietta and Columbia. It will take longer, but it's a nice ride. It eventually becomes River Road in Washington Boro. Route 23 is a nice 2 lane running from Marietta to Lancaster City.

The only state park in Lancaster County is Susquehannock, which I've never visited. The Strasburg Railroad and the Train Museum in Strasburg is pretty cool if you are into trains, and the Farm Museum in Landis Valley is interesting.

Strasburg Rail Road - Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Landis Valley Museum - Pennsylvania German Heritage - Lancaster County Tourism, PA

Officer Friendly gave you some great stuff, and he is very right about the no photos stuff. The Amish are great, but they are definitely a group born of a religious conviction first and foremost. The surprising thing for many people is to find out that they have a great (if not different) sense of humor and they value family, hard work, and privacy. They don't shun modern technology, but they accept or reject new things based primarily on how it will positively or negatively effect their community and culture. Amish buggies are gray. The black buggies are plain sect Mennonites and (I say this as a Mennonite myself though not plain at all) they are not as nice as the Amish generally speaking. An interesting note on the Amish is that while the success rate of all new small business is about 50% at best, the success rate for new Amish small businesses is over 90%. Not bad for a group who rarely goes past the 8th grade.

I apologize if my post is rambling aimlessly. I'm a recovering from several hours of violent sickness last night. I'm thinking food poisoning. My head is a bit foggy today. I hope you have a great time here. It sounds like you will have fantastic weather.

 

Wow, sorry to hear you weren't feeling well

You weren't rambling, in fact I like having some background on what I'm seeeing. I never knew there was a difference between black and gray carriages! (other than the obvious) I did know not to take pics but thank you both for the reminder

Right now I'm looking up some small motels. I was hoping for something off the beaten path where we can chill and watch the carriages go by....just gotta find one where travelers aren't complaining about bed bugs!!! *shiver*

 

Thanks again for everything guys. Sadly, life likes to throw boulders in our riding path sometimes, blocking our way. Trips off.

Thanks again for all the help. I'll hang on to the info. Maybe next year.

Stay safe. Be well.


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