"There's a little green fountain On a little green mountain…read moreDon't you think we ought to stop?" (Johnny Cash) This fountain might have a little green in it, but it sure isn't little. It's in the shape of a 16-foot circle on the south-west corner of Penn Square, and its greenish tint is simply the result of a natural patina from the fountain's welded copper panels. As you make your way to the Central Market, you really can't miss it. Built in 1972, the fountain was designed to soften the constant traffic noise at the heart of Lancaster, just steps from Central Market. Water rises from the base and spills over the textured copper surfaces, creating a steady sound that helps muffle the busy intersection around it.

Abstract copper fountain, in the quadrant of Penn Square. Often illuminated at night in blue. The…read morewater never seems to freeze even in the depths of winter. If you look closely you can see Lady Liberty on top of the monument.

The man had TASTE. If you're into furnishings and stuff this is a must see! Tiger striped maple on…read morebalustrades on the stairs. The China, the art!

The tour of Wheatland starts at LancasterHistory; tickets include both the museum and a tour of the…read moreBuchanan home. The tour starts with a short video in the museum, which basically concludes that Buchanan's presidency was a failure. That's not wrong, but it's kind of funny to hear it said so bluntly. We visited Gettysburg the day after and learning about Buchanan does give some background on how we got into the war. The Wheatland estate is impressive - perhaps because it's not as popular it's been able to acquire many of the furnishing that were there when Buchanan was President. Our guide was fantastic. You can buy tickets in advance online, which is recommended if going during peak season as tours do sell out.

This was the final date night of the season and so I purchased tickets for this event. The ticket…read morewas just to utilize the garden so that you can bring your own picnic, lawn chairs and or blanket. They do offer a charcuterie board for $25. They state on their site tables are available as first come. I was able to get a table that seated 6! I was somewhat disappointed that for a date night event there were no bistro tables. The table I found was so filthy and the pavers were full of debris. Had I known it was gonna be so dirty I would have brought cleaning supply and swept the area! The ambiance wasn't romantic for this date night as a lady's birthday party celebration was going on a few feet from us. Though the site stated a live musical artist would be present, he was so far off we couldn't hear him. Due to the birthday party celebration it was difficult to hear when he came closer but thank goodness for my playlist on pandora! When I purchased the ticket for the date night it showed a fee of $10 which is what I paid. But when my date arrived, after myself, he was told I had only paid for one ticket. Am I so stupid to have not known that a date night ticket wasn't for a couple?? This was so confusing but thankfully we had a $10 to pay his date night ticket. Sincerely, I wouldn't purchase any tickets to come to another event here. My garden is small but nicer and definitely cleaner tables and walkways. We tried making the best of it and enjoyed the Greek smorgasbord I packed for us.

This venue has exquisite landscaping and gorgeous gardens. The House has a timeless elegance that…read moreis so unique. Our music group: Vivace Live String Quartet performed for their Music on the Lawn series and we enjoyed every minute of the atmosphere! Plus- their staff is a great team to work with: thoughtful, eager to help, and friendly. Can't wait to go back!

I wasn't even sure if I wanted to go here because previous pictures and videos made this museum…read morelook really small. I just happen to be in that direction and figure for 10 bucks. Why not. I stayed here from 12 to 3 PM and I feel like I didn't even get to taking everything that I wanted. It's nice and warm in there and the cold weather. There's so much information they even have a dedicated children's area where kids can come and dress up like little conductors build trans using magnet tiles and more.

Right across the street from the Strasburg Rail Road (literally just a crosswalk away), the…read moreRailroad Museum of PA is a must if you're in the area. We stopped by on a Saturday afternoon after a train ride, and wow... this place has more than 100 locomotives and railroad cars inside the building. Not mini replicas. Not models. REAL trains. The sheer size of them up close was mind-blowing! Some cars are open to explore, and even the ones you can't go inside are close enough to touch and grab great photos. Admission was only $10, and we spent a solid 2.5 hours wandering through--even as total non-train buffs. Train lovers could easily make a full day of it. Staff were friendly, and volunteers were spread throughout the museum to answer questions and share fun facts about the trains, which made the visit even better. Just inside the entrance is a well-stocked gift shop with tons of novelty items and unique finds--definitely worth a peek before you head out. Beyond the trains, there are interactive exhibits--Legos, a mini town with history lessons, and even dress-up spots for kids. It's very family-friendly, but smaller kids may lose steam (pun intended ) walking the long rows of cars. Overall? This was a fun, different, history-packed experience that was absolutely worth the ticket price. I don't know that I need to go back, but I'm really glad I went once!

My wife and I had a great time at the ROCK FORD Plantation and Barn Gallery tour. Lots of history…read morethere including the fact that George & Martha Washington were entertained on numerous occasions. The tour includes almost the entire house from the basement kitchen area to the second floor with many historical artifacts, furniture and writings. Many areas of the home and decor were painstakingly restored to original. Bryce, our docent was very informative, fun and very sociable encouraging questions of the family and the mansion. Since my wife and I were lucky enough to be the only guests for the time slot we enjoyed a private, longer than usual tour. Highly recommend a visit!

Rock Ford Plantation was the home built by General Edward Hand, a general in the U.S. Continental…read moreArmy. Gen. Hand was a close friend of George Washington and second president John Adams. The house features letters from both the first and second president. We went on a weekend when there was a Continental Army encampment and enjoyed the outdoor demonstrations and the gardens. The house itself is very enjoyable. However, I'm taking off a star because a very bossy large woman rudely announced at the top of her lungs that I was "Not allowed to take pictures all willy-nilly throughout the house." 1. She could have asked me more nicely and in a private manner. 2. No where in the house or on the porch or at the ticket table was I told not to take pictures. 3. A simple sign of "no pictures" on the back porch when you enter the house could have saved me embarrassment and saved the bossy large woman some hot air. A nice man in period dress apologized for the bossy large woman after she sailed away with her petticoats all aflutter. She soured the entire experience for me. Seriously. Post a sign "No Pictures Please". Don't needlessly embarrass your patrons. If you love history and avoid taking pictures inside the house, you will enjoy a trip to the Rock Ford Plantation.

Pennsylvania is beautiful. We watched dozens of YouTube videos of what to see, eat and experience…read more The scooters look really fun. There are about 32 covered bridges in Lancaster. The scooter tour is a great way to take this adventure. Single scooters are $69 - $85. The scoot coupes (for two) is $179. There are weight limits on the scooters. You can rent a motorcycle but it seems impractical to keep taking your helmet off and having to balance each time you stop (plus you need a motorcycle license). Everyone gets out of their scooter at each stop. The tour is about two hours. Goggles or eye protection would help. You could also get chilly, depending when you visit. October was gorgeous. If you can get in and out of a single scooter, I suggest that and using the money you saved for a meal or souvenir. Plan ahead. Tours fill up.

Dangerous!! Be aware!!! The scooters were outdated and broken so my partner fell from the scooter…read morewhen he just tried on in the parking lot. We didn't even go on the tour and left on the scene, because he broke his knees. Then one month later, we received this payment of $164.34 on the credit card on file, which we were NOT aware of at all, they charged our credit card without any authorization. We called them, the lady picked up the phone, said the charge due to the damage of the scooter??? Excuse us!! It's the scooter that damaged our trip and broke my partner's knees. We should have pursued further for the medical bills!!! Be aware and stay away from fraudulent people, they would just scam you and charge you for something not related to you!

The Soldiers & Sailors Monument is a reasonably standard Civil War monument. It's tall, made of…read morestone, and has several statues placed on or around it. The monument does have several features that make it stand out. 1. It's located directly across from the Lancaster County Convention Center, so it's easy to access. 2. It's located almost in the middle of the street with busy roads surrounding all sides but one. 3. It's been updated with more plaques and new information as more conflicts have occurred. Take a second to read the plaques when walking by, they provide interesting information about the conflicts.

This phallic salute to soldiers and sailors has a rich history dating back beyond its July 4, 1874…read moreerection. The 1744 Treaty of Lancaster between the British and Iroquois was signed at this very spot in the old Lancaster courthouse. On September 27, 1777 the Second Continental Congress met in that same building, which burned down just 6 years later. Originally designed as a tribute to Lancastrian Union soldiers killed during the American Civil War, the statue now also represents those who have served in subsequent American military conflicts. Basically, if you fight for our country, Lancaster will honor you with a giant stone penis on top of which a robed woman sporting a sword and crown of stars called the "Genius of Liberty" turns her back on the defeated confederacy. Oh yeah, and there's 4 little men at the shaft representing the branches of the armed forces. Totally overshadowed by the badass penis climbing lady. Take a look next time you're in town.

I was soooooooo excited to check out the annual Whoopie Pie Festival! Who doesn't like these moist…read morecakes, with a nice creamy icing in between?! Held on the grounds of the Hershey Farm Restaurant & Inn, this festival offers cute events such as a Whoopie Pie Treasure Hunt (hundreds of them are all hidden on the grounds in brightly-colored foil); a Whoopie Pie Race (you just grab a pie and run AHAHAHA); watch a Whoopie PIe Long Launch (whoever hits the target/gets close enough, wins!); play Whoopie PIe Checkers (if you're a checker master, you can go through the Tournament Rounds); participate in a Whoopie Yell Off (in your loudest voice, giving a shout-out for some Whoopie Pie love); watch/participate in an Amateur Whoopie Pie Eating Contest (watching who can eat dozen the quickest?); watch the participating chefs make the largest Whoopie Pie ever, and even get the opportunity to decorate your own Whoopie Pie :P There are also local artisans and craftsmen in which you can check out their items to purchase, for yourself or as gifts. If you're hungry, you can grab a meal at the Hershey Farm restaurant, or just stuff yourself silly with the variety of Whoopie Pie flavors they have available :D The variety of flavors they had for these pies were quic amazing - when you walk up to the main tent, you are given a plastic bag. There long aisles of compartmentalized wooden crates with labels of the flavors (such as Lemon Poppy Orange Cream Cheese, Oreos, Rocky Road, Death by Chocolate, Confetti with Strawberry, Banana with Orange Cream Cheese, etc.). I was a little disappointed that the pies have been refrigerated, and even though they were saran-wrapped, they were dripping with water, making them a little soggy T____T Once you fill your bag to your heart's content, you pay at the cashiers by the exit area. The place was definitely packed to the brim, and moving around was a little tight. Parking on the Farm was not allowed and needed to be done at nearby establishments (such as the outlet store); from there, a free shuttle (school bus) came every so often for a pick-up (this was another adventure, as so many violations were violated - the driver forced about 4 people per seat, trying to get as many people in the bus as possible :O We actually walked back from the festival, as the traffic was horrendous, in addition to some of the construction that was going on. An interesting festival to check out when you're in the Lancaster County area! :D +annual Whoopie Pie Festival :D +parking at nearby establishments +free shuttle offered

Choo Choo Barn surpassed my expectations. This small world is a must see if you are in the state…read more The town is so detailed and immersive that it could easily hold your attention for a hour. There was running water, fish, and night/day lighting cycles. It is perfect for all ages. We went in a group of 6 20-something adults and it did not disappoint. There are also interactive components where you press buttons and certain elements move. All of these worked for me. You just have to look for a second to spot the moving action. The ticket was $13 which I would surely pay again to see something like this. It is also connected to a model train store and ice cream shop so you can expect to spend a whole afternoon at this stop.

We visited the Choo Choo Barn after passing it so many times and wondering how it would be for kids…read morefive and under. Right outside, there's a cute train photo op and a water mining activity, which looked fun. My kids were a little too small to fully enjoy the mining setup due to height and visibility, but the bags were reasonably priced around $10-$12. Inside, the ticketing process was smooth and included a souvenir ticket, which was a nice touch. The main attraction is behind a curtain--a large, detailed train display set up in a one-way loop. You can walk through it at your own pace and even go around multiple times. The display itself is impressive, with lots of moving parts and scenes like a circus, a trampoline performer, and even real fish incorporated into the setup. My kids enjoyed spotting the trains and little details, though the experience wasn't very interactive. They made it through once and took their time looping back, but the entire visit lasted about 15 minutes. This feels like a better fit for kids who are really into trains or who enjoy more visual experiences rather than hands-on play. My kids didn't stay as engaged as I expected. Parking is shared with nearby businesses, so availability may vary. We were able to find a close spot, but the lot in front is limited. Also worth noting the bathrooms are not located within the main train display area. Overall, it's a cute experience and I'm glad we checked it out. It may not be a repeat visit for us, but it's worth seeing at least once, especially for train-loving families.