How We Turned a Hershey Park Trip Into a Pennsylvania Mini-Adventure

We spent three full days at Hersheypark, and beyond the rides, there’s a lot to do.

We visited Hershey Gardens (the Butterfly Atrium is beautiful) and took time to make your own chocolate bar at Hershey’s Chocolate World, which is fun and interactive.

After three busy days, it was time for something completely different.

It was time to slow down in Amish Country.

Just about 40 minutes from Hershey is Lancaster County, home to one of the largest Amish communities in the United States. Horse-drawn buggies share the road with modern cars, while farm stands and laundry lines stretch across open fields. It’s a fascinating blend of traditional Amish life and the modern world around it.

Start at Central Market

We began the day at Lancaster Central Market, recognized as the oldest continuously operating public farmers’ market in the country (established in 1730).

More than half of the vendors are Amish.

You’ll find:
• Freshly baked goods
• Handmade crafts
• Homemade jams and preserves
• Local meats and cheeses

A note for visitors: The Amish generally prefer not to be photographed, which is why I don’t have interior pictures. We wanted to be respectful of their culture.

Take a Farm Tour. We booked a 90-minute tour with Amish Farm & House. It goes by quickly because you stop at small countryside stands where you can browse locally made goods, quilts, baked items, handcrafted furniture, and more. Prices were surprisingly reasonable for handmade items.

Another tour worth looking into is in Bird-in-Hand, which also offers guided experiences through Amish farmland.

Bonus Stop: Historic Crystal Cave

On our way home the next day, we stopped at Historic Crystal Cave in Kutztown, Pennsylvania.

If you’re driving back toward Massachusetts, it’s a manageable detour and a fun break from the car. The guided cave tour lasts about an hour and stays a cool 54 degrees year-round. Bring a sweatshirt.

It was the perfect ending to the trip.