i'm planning a road trip through pennsylvania. i would like to stop and see things of interest, off the wall, a garden here and there and whatever else we can fit in.

i would be starting in philadelphia. some that i came up with are the crayola crayon factory; hershey; roadside america, and i also found something called tiny world in shippensburg. maybe also take in the herr's factory.

any suggestions - fun, strange, off the wall, a must-see before you die kind of thing?

thanks, i appreciate it.

maryanne/earthly

i think you can also take a tour of the justborn factory (where they make marshmallow peeps!) (near bethlehem, pa)...i've always wanted to do that!

this is a fun post...let us know what your final plans are.

If you visit Herr's in "beautiful downtown" Nottingham here are some ideas.

1. Check to see if Herr's requires a reservation.

2. Routes 272, 472, and 10 are our north/south roads here. Route 1 intersects each one just north of Oxford and Nottingham.

3. Just north of Route 1 on the western side of Route 10, you will see a blue sign for Neuchatel Chocolates. If you are here on a weekday, the factory store is open during the day. The Swiss Choclatier may even wait on you. Try the chocolate covered fruit by piece at the counter--my doctor said he is waiting for the chocolate covered strawberries. (I have to check on those myself since an Amish girl stopped by the house this week selling strawberries.) Its always best to have a pound or two of chocolate in the car on a trip.

4. Check the Strasburg area. From Herr's go north on 272, take a right onto 1 north (actually east), and exit on 472 north to Quarryville. At Quarryville, take a right and go until you hit 896 north. Keep on 896 north and it runs into Strasburg. I haven't stopped in Strasburg yet but it looks interesting. Check the railroad too.

5. If you make it to Strasburg and like outlets, go north on 896 and you will run into Rockvale just before Route 30.

6. If you like wine, we have several vineyards in this general area. I have several links but a search of Chester County vineyards may work.

If you like outdoor activities you can white water raft or use one of the many scenic bike or hiking trails. The county is beautiful!

First in north west PA in the Oil City Area is the "Tyred Wheels Museum". It is located off route 227 between Plumer and Pleasntville. The address in 164 Russell Corners Road. There will be signs. This

First in north west PA in the Oil City Area is the "Tyred Wheels Museum". It is located off route 227 between Plumer and Pleasntville. The address in 164 Russell Corners Road. There will be signs. This is a very friendly family owned museum that includes huge collections of many things. You will find antique cars, motorcycles, doll houses, tin toys, old radioes, pedal cars, there will be something of interest to everyone. They are only open afternoons on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from Memorial Day thru Labor Day.

The second place is a toy store for the kid in all of us. It is a business, not a museum, but worth a stop for anyone with kids or whose childhood is lingering. The building looks like a Stealth Bomber. Inside are toys for everyone. But no video games will be found here. Everything here allows a kid to be a kid, not a warrior in a video game. There is 'silly stuff' and educational stuff. The kites are awesome, and much will be found to get a kid out and moving. You will be encouraged to play with anything that strikes your fancy. I am not related to nor do I know the owners, but I want to see this business thrive for that kid in all of us. It is called "Playthings ETC." Located about 8 miles north of the Butler Route 422 and Route 8 interchange on Route 8.

Have fun exploring our wonderful Pennsylvania!

Sorry about that partial post above. There was a power blip as I was typing it and that is what happened. Weird!

Close to Longwood is Winterthur in Delaware.

Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia and the Tyler Arboretum in Media.

Greater Philadelphia Gardens

Renziehauser Park outside of Pittsburgh.

And then there is the QVC Studio Tour...

Lititz Pa, near Lancaster has a Wilbur Bud chocolate factory for anyone who remembers that name.
In Ephrata is a Cloisters which has tours.
Grandkids loved the Strasburg railroad.
What great things I am learning here, can't wait to go to the Mushroom Festival, thanks on that.

Enjoy and let us know all about your trip

i haven't started out yet, i'm in the planning stages. i'm trying to take a memorable trip through my our state, visiting a little bit of everything, jammed into about two weeks time. i also have to make sure it satisfies teenagers. i think they would be happy with just about anything and anywhere, but i really want to have a plan and then get a little sidetracked.

i've taken all of your suggestions and am looking into some i didn't know about and how could i ever forget hawk mountain. some places i have been to, but the girls have not.

i admit, i have no clue what the oil city is, but i'm off to do a google search.

i have gotten some wonderful ideas from all of you all rolled into one place. thank you all so much.

maryanne

By the way, I think the picture on this website is mis-identified. Looks like High Rocks (also worth visiting), not Ringing Rocks. Lotsa rocks around here, in case you hadn't guessed.

we have a pretty neat state, don't we?

There ARE a lot of neat things in this area. I'd love to find the Doan Cave (a Revolutionary War criminals' hideout) someday.

Also if you're heading west, don't forget to stop by parts of the Appalachian trail. About 8 years ago, a bunch of us camped out near Carlisle and the trail ran nearby.

Too bad the Mushroom Nuseum is no longer in Kennett Square, if you want strange.