PRVCA Explore Magazine PRVCA Explore PA 2018 | Page 45

Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement
Park, Lancaster
This family fun park has a range of rides for adventurers
of all ages, including a water park and a monorail that
encircles the whole park. Daily shows, including story
time with Princess Brooke and a high-drive telling of the
Frog Prince, keep visitors entertained between rides. Info:
866.386.2839, www.dutchwonderland.com
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton
A research center and wildlife sanctuary created
specifically for the protection of birds of prey. Visitors can
learn about and observe raptors, ospreys, hawks, and
more. Info: 610.756.6961, www.hawkmountain.org
Hersheypark, Hershey
The country’s sweetest amusement park. More than 65
rides, including 11 roller-coasters, 9 water rides, and
20 kiddie rides. Weekly concerts and shows, as well as
games and other attractions like an “old time” photo shop.
Info: 800.HERSHEY, www.hersheypark.com
Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, Lititz
Visit America’s first commercial pretzel bakery, and learn
the secrets that make it so special. Tour the bakery,
watch bakers hand-twisting each pretzel, and get a
hands-on twisting lesson. Info: 717.626.4354,
www.juliussturgis.com
Land of Little Horses Farm Park, Gettysburg
Get up close and personal with miniature horses and other
animals. Daily events include arena performances and
educational “close encounters,” during which visitors can
interact with animals directly. Info: 717.334.7259,
www.landoflittlehorse.com
Roundtop Mountain Resort, Lewisberry
Skiing, snowboarding, and tubing on 100% manufactured
snow. Sixteen trails serviced by 10 lifts, plus a full resort,
equipment rental, and NASCAR racing. During the warmer
months, Roundtop offers paintball, ropes courses, and 18
zip lines. Info: 717.432.9631, www.skiroundtop.com
MUSEUMS
AACA Museum, Hershey
Created by the Antique Automobile Club of America as a
way to celebrate the important role that cars have played
in history of the United States, the AACA Museum contains
more than 100 cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles
from every era of America’s automotive history. Info:
717.566.7100, www.aacamuseum.org
Appalachian Trail Museum, Gardners
Located near the midway point of the famous hiking trail
from Maine to Georgia, this mountain documents the
history of the Trail and its hikers. Info: 717.486.8126,
www.atmuseum.org
Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and
Visitors Center, Gettysburg
Commemorates the crucial battle that was the turning
point in the American Civil War. Home to one of the
largest colletions of Civil War memorabilia in the country,
as well as a library and research center for scholars and
enthusiasts. Info: 717.334.1124 ex. 8023, www.nps.
gov/gett
Hands-on House Children’s Museum
of Lancaster, Lancaster
Interactive children’s museum for kids 2-10, featuring a
variety of self-directed exhibits, like a machine shop, a
farm, and the outdoor Mason’s Active Adventure Garden.
Classes and other organized events are also available.
Info: 717.569.KIDS, www.handsonhouse.org
44. | EXPLORE PA 2017
Indian Steps Museum, Airville
Celebrates the culture and history of Native Americans,
specifically the Algonquian, Susquehannock, and Shawnee
inhabitants who lived in the Susquehanna Valley in the 17th
and 18th centuries. Many artifacts in the collection date as
far back as 10,000 BCE. Info: 717.862.3948, www.
indiansteps.org
Lancaster Museum of Art, Lancaster
A collecti on of “the best art available,” the museum features
artworks in all media from both locally and internationally
known artists. Lectures, classes, and other programs also
available. Info: 717.394.3497, www.lmapa.org
National Civil War Museum, Harrisburg
The largest museum in the world dedicated exclusively
to the American Civil War, including more than 24,000
artifacts, manuscripts, documents, and photographs. Info:
717.260.1861, www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org
National Toy Train Museum, Strasburg
Designed to look like a Victorian Era California train
station, the museum includes examples of dozens of
different types of toy trains, many of which are interactive,
from 1800 to the present. Info: 717.687.8976,
www.nttmuseum.org
National Watch and Clock Museum, Columbia
The largest collection of horological items in North
America, containing more than 12,000 clocks, watches,
and other timepieces documenting the history of time and
timekeeping. Info: 717.684.8261, www.nawcc.org
North Museum of Natural History and
Science, Lancaster
Home of Central PA’s largest planetarium, as well as
permanent and rotating exhibits exploring topics from
dinosaurs to space travel. More than 300,000 unique
objects on display to teach visitors about biology,
anthropology, geology, paleontology, and astronomy. Info:
717.291.3941, www.northmuseum.org
Pennsylvania State Capitol, Harrisburg
With a dome inspired by Michelangelo’s design for St.
Peter’s Basilica, and other rooms that incoroporate other
Renaissance styles, the Capitol building is both the home
of the Commonwealth’s General Assembly and a National
Historic Landmark. Includes several educational exhibits.
Info: 800.TOUR.N.PA, www.pacapitol.com
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg
Celebrates the region’s railroad history with more
than 100 train cars dating from the 19th and 20th
centuries, a locomotive simulator, and model trains. Info:
717.687.8628, www.rrmuseumpa.org
State museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg
Dedicated to documenting every aspect of Pennsylvania’s
history, from ancient geological events to a recreation of a
Coca-Cola factory. Info: 717.787.4980,
www.statemuseum.pa.org
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts,
Harrisburg
A beautiful performance space, IMAX theater, and science
museum in one complex. Catch a concert from world-calss
perfromers, watch a documentary or the altest blockbluster
in IMAX, or get hands-on expderience with a variety of
scientific exhibits. Info: 717.214.ARTS, www.
whitakercenter.org
ATTRACTIONS
America’s Largest RV Show, Hershey
camping equipment, and thousands of accessories, plus
educational seminars, this is a can’t-miss event for RV and
camping enthusiasts (Industry days: Sep 8-9; Public days:
Sep 10-14). Info: 888.303.2887, www.largestrvshow.com
Fall Carlisle Collector Car Swap Meet
and Corral, Carlisle
Buy, sell, trade, or just observe classic cars and everything
automotive at one of the largest car swap meets in the
country (Oct). Info: 717.243.7855, www.carlisleevents.
com/events/fall-carlisle
Franklin County Fair, Chambersburg
Experience a traditional country fair, complete with parades
of 4-H raised livestock. Entertainment, games, and a gun
raffle are among the other highlights of this week-long fair
(Jul). Info: 717.597.8178, www.franklincountyfair.org
Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown
Celebrates the unique history of 19th century PA Dutch
settlers. Attendees can dance a cake-walk or wathc
reenactments of a hanging and a Mennonite wedding. Or
just browse the hundreds of handmade quilts and enjoy the
freshly baked bread and other family-style food (Jun 28-Jul 6).
Info: 888.674.6136, www.kutztownfestival.com
Little Buffalo Festival, Newport
The focus is on artistic expression and environmental
awareness. Peruse handmade crafts inspired by nature,
attend a tai chi workshop, or learn how to build a harp (Oct).
Info: 717.567.7023, www.littlebuffalofestival.com
Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show, Mount Gretna
Annual outdoor art festival benefiting the community of Mount
Gretna. In addition to the artwork of more than 250 artists
in all media, the show features live music, the community’s
famous food court, and a beautiful natural setting in the
woods (Aug). Info: 717.964.3270, www.mtgretnaarts.com
National Apple Harvest Festival, Biglerville
Commemorating 50 years in 2014, this festival celebrates
the annual apple harvest with all things apple, plus more
than 300 arts and crafts vendors, dozens of live entertainers,
antique car displays, and more (Oct). Info: 717.677.9413,
www.appleharvest.com
Pennsylvania Farm Show, Harrisburg
The largest indoor agricultural show in the country. Rodeos,
contests, and a bounty of locally grown food (Jan 4-11). Info:
717.787.5373, www.farmshow.state.pa.us
Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, Manheim
Transports visitors to 16th century England, where they can
socialize with pirates, jesters, and even Queen Elizabeth I
herself! A variety of live entertainment, including jousting,
juggling, and music, as well as period-appropriate food
and drink, make this event a truly immersive experience
(weekends, Aug-Oct). Info: 717.665.7021,
www.parenfaire.com
Perry County Community Fair, Newport
Traditional county fair, featuring contest, animals, games, live
entertainment, and rides. Participate in the annual chili cook-
off, attend the crowning of Miss Perry County Fair, or watch
the swine weigh-in (Aug 19-23). Info: 717.567.6779,
www.pecofair.org
York Fair, York
Older than the United States itself, the York Fair (founded in
1765) includes all the hallmarks of an old-fashioned country
fair, as well as unique attractions like helicopter rides, camel
rides, an animal birthing center, and strongman competitions
(Sep). Info: 717.848.2596, www.yorkfair.org
The name says it all! With more than 30 acres of RVs,
45. EXPLORE PA 2018