Christmas Shopping and a Show... the Perfect Combination!

Although outlet malls can be found throughout the United States, the outlets in Lancaster County continue to draw a very loyal crowd every year.  The 10 million annual visitors to Lancaster County come for a host of reasons... the fascinating Amish community, the best quilt shops in America, antiques, crafts, fantastic live theaters, wonderful restaurants and local delicacies, and so much more.  But December is definitely shopping month!  The outlet malls at Tanger and Rockvale Square seem to open earlier every year, and this season was no exception, with shops opening as early as 6 PM on Thanksgiving Day!  Holiday shopping is now in full swing, and the bargains and excitement will continue well past Christmas... because who doesn't love an after-holiday sale! 

There's still time to get all of your holiday gifts, and enjoy the many other reasons to visit beautiful Lancaster County before winter weather sets in.  Come enjoy the warm hospitality of the Apple Bin Inn bed & breakfast, and plan an exhilarating holiday show at Sight & Sound, American Music Theatre, Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, or the Fulton Theatre.  Each of these shopping and theater locations is within 10-15 minutes of our B&B, so you'll be just minutes from all the fun!  We'll have a cozy room ready for you, with a fluffy down comforter and family heirloom quilt for you to snuggle under!  See you soon!

Sight & Sound Theatre

Hershey Park Gets National Acclaim!

According to "FamilyFun" magazine's April 2013 edition, Hershey Park is among the Top 10 amusement parks in the United States!  As if you couldn't guess, various Disney parks accounted for 6 of the Top 10 spots... so if you don't count Disney, Hershey Park is in the Top 4!  Having been to this delightful park every year since we arrived in Lancaster County ten years ago, we can attest to it's high ranking.  A combination of heart-pounding rides, wonderful music shows, and a fantastic water park make for a great day of fun for children of all ages.

Hershey Park is less than 30 miles from Lancaster, so it's an easy drive from the Apple Bin Inn.  We're also within easy driving distance to other awesome attractions and activities like Gettysburg, Valley Forge, Longwood Gardens, and King of Prussia Mall.  So make your vacation plans soon to beautiful Lancaster County ~ one of America's most popular destinations ~ and do it all from the Apple Bin Inn.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

 

 

"Ham & Cheese Strata" ~ A Mother's Day Recipe!

Mother's Day is quickly approaching... and what better way to show your love to Mom than to cook something really special for her! We'd like to share one of our favorite breakfast recipes here at the Apple Bin Inn... our Ham & Cheese Strata.  It's a warm and cozy breakfast dish that's just perfect for Mom's special day. We hope your family enjoys it as much as ours!



Ingredients:

8 slices of white bread                                

1 lb baked ham, thinly sliced or shaved      

3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese       

6 eggs

2 cups milk    

½ tsp onion salt

½ tsp dry mustard

4 tbsp butter                                               

3 cups cornflakes

 

Night before:

• Cut the bread and ham into bite sized pieces.
• Break eggs into medium sized mixing bowl and whisk well. 
• Whisk in milk, onion salt, and mustard.
• Spray a 13 x 9” glass baking dish with Pam. 
• Scatter the pieces of bread evenly in the dish. 
• Scatter the ham pieces, then the cheese, evenly over the bread. 
• Pour the egg mixture over the bread/ham/cheese. 
• Cover with foil and refrigerate for 8 hours (overnight). 

In the morning:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 
• Crush the cornflakes into crumbs. 
• Melt butter, add it to crumbs, and mix well.  Sprinkle evenly over strata. 
• Bake, uncovered, until lightly browned on top and eggs are set (about 45 min.) 
• Let the strata rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting.
• Serves 6 to 10.  Enjoy!

 

Gettysburg Commemorates the 150th Anniversary of America's Greatest Battle

 

This summer marks the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, the pivotal battle of the Civil War. This turning point in our nation's greatest struggle took place July 1-3, 1863. Abraham Lincoln's immortal Gettysburg Address was delivered on November 19, 1863 to commemorate a portion of the battlefield as a national cemetary, to honor those who "gave the last full measure of devotion". The commemoration of the battle will involve many events in Gettysburg between June 28 and July 7, 2013, plus additional events November 17-24. To see a full list of events, click here for the official Gettysburg Commemoration website.  If you've never visited Gettysburg, you are in for an awe-inspiring experience... and if you've visited the battlefield before, this will be the perfect time to see it again in a whole new light.

So where will you stay?  Finding a room around Gettysburg during each year's July 4th anniversary weekend is always a challenge, but this year it will be almost impossible.  But don't worry... you can still experience the 150th Commemoration, and also enjoy the many sights and attractions around Pennsylvania Dutch Country... just plan your stay at the Apple Bin Inn, in the heart of Lancaster County!  We're located within an easy 75 minute drive from Gettysburg, and within minutes of all Lancaster County activities. We will be welcoming many Civil War buffs who are here for the Gettysburg festivities, and we even have a special section filled with Civil War books in our extensive library.   So come spend a few days at the Apple Bin Inn, and enjoy all that south central Pennsylvania has to offer!

Finally... "Noah" Returns to Lancaster County!

Okay, we're not talking about the REAL Noah... that would really bring the paparazzi to Lancaster!  We're talking about the live show at Sight & Sound's Millennium Theatre.  Since the last time "Noah" played in Lancaster, in 2004, they have produced many excellent shows, including the stories of Ruth, Daniel, Joseph, Adam & Eve, and Jonah.  But by most accounts, their production of "Noah" has been their best show ever, and we're really excited to have it back in town. 



If you've never been to the Millennium Theatre, the best way to describe it is "Bible Meets Broadway!"  Of course the acting and singing are wonderful, but what really steals the show are the set design and the animals.  Since the stage is 180 degrees wide and 40 feet tall, the audience truly feels immersed in the show... and when the ark is completed and filled with animals (both live and animatronic), it's quite literally a jaw-dropping experience.
 
The show runs from March 9th through November 2nd, with most dates having two or three shows. Many days and times are selling out fast, so make your plans to see "Noah" soon! 



And remember... the Apple Bin Inn is just minutes away from the theater, so why not add a stay at our delightful B&B when you come to beautiful Lancaster County!  We'll help make your visit to Pennsylvania Dutch Country truly memorable!  We look forward to seeing you soon!!

Holiday Shopping Begins!

It seems like holiday gift shopping starts a little earlier every year.  With Halloween upon us, and Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, Christmas and Chanukah shopping is in full swing in Lancaster County.  Along with local crafts, foods, antiques, and quilts, the two largest outlet areas certainly take center stage.  Tanger Outlets and Rockvale Square will be welcoming hundreds of thousands of shoppers during the next two months... and with good reason!  With over 100 stores at each of these outlet malls, the selection of quality merchandise is amazing, and the deals are even better!  And by staying at the Apple Bin Inn you'll be within 15 minutes of both!  So plan your shopping spree now... you and your loved ones will be glad you did!



  

Free Summer Concerts at Long's Park!

 

The 50th Anniversary of the Long's Park Summer Music Series will be a great season of free music on the lawn!  Covering 13 summer Sundays (plus an extra concert on July 4th), there will be an awesome variety of music at the Long's Park amphitheater... including rock, jazz, soul, blues, classical, Irish, folk, pop, and big band sounds.  The biggest night of all will be the annual appearance of the U.S. Army Band on July 1st, including amazing fireworks and a heart-pounding cannon brigade!  Whichever concert you choose, it's best to arrive early with your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets, and make a whole evening of it!  There'll also be lots of food vendors with delicious ice cream, BBQ, funnel cakes, and other assorted treats.  So click here for the full summer concert schedule, and then plan your visit with a stay at the Apple Bin Inn!  See you soon!!