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

"The 39 Steps" at the Fulton Theatre was Hilarious!

The Fulton Theatre, a historic revitalized Vaudeville theater in downtown Lancaster, is one of our favorite places to be entertained.  It's not only gorgeously renovated in turn-of-the-century gilded plasterwork and ornate decorations, but it is also very intimate by comparison to most modern day venues, so you feel close to the actors no matter where you sit.  The Fulton is one of only a handful of historic theater companies in the U.S. that still produces its own shows (rather than simply hosting a touring company from another city).  They attract the best performers from New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and other notable theatrical centers, and the results are top-notch shows at a fraction of Broadway prices.  Over the past few years we've seen awesome performances of "Grease", "Music Man", "Les Miserables", "Fiddler on the Roof", and "Spamalot", to name just a few. 

On February 9th, as part of a PA Dutch Visitors Bureau mixer at the Fulton, we were privileged to see a "final preview" performance (the night before opening night) of "The 39 Steps".  It is a wonderful comedy, based on Alfred Hitchcock's classic 1935 suspense movie.  The plot and the comedy were non-stop, sometimes almost Monty Python-ish in their silliness.  The entire cast is comprised of just four actors, who play many parts in some hilariously inventive ways.  Some of the funniest scenes are when the actors repeatedly change from one character to another and back again, right before your eyes, and in the middle of a conversation!  You'll just have to see the show to fully appreciate how truly amazing these performers are.  Suffice it to say, this was one of the funniest, best acted comedies we've ever seen performed.  The simple yet perfect set decorations, lighting, music, and scene timing all added up to a delightful evening of laughter.  Oh and by the way, Mr. Hitchcock even makes a cameo appearance, just as he did in his films. 

The show runs until February 27th, so we hope you'll have a chance to visit Lancaster and see it.  Of course, while you're in town, why not spend a night or two at the Apple Bin Inn... just 10 minutes from the Fulton Theatre!

Lancaster's Live Theaters

As we enter December and continue to enjoy the holiday season, we are reminded of the marvelous assortment of live theater available in Lancaster County.  The variety of holiday shows this month includes "The Miracle of Christmas" at Sight & Sound's Millennium Theatre, and "The Voices of Christmas" at their Living Waters Theatre.

Millennium Theatre



Then there's the annual "Christmas Show" extravaganza at the American Music Theatre, along with Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" at the Theater of the Seventh Sister.  The historic Fulton Theatre has the classic musical "The Sound of Music".  And not to be outdone, Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre has brought back Irving Berlin's "White Christmas", while the Rainbow Dinner Theatre is offering a holiday comedy, "Pool's Paradise".  There's even an "Amish Family Christmas" at the Freedom Chapel Dinner Theatre.  

American Music Theatre



Fulton Theatre

A number of our B&B guests have seen several of these wonderful shows during their visit to Lancaster County, and have truly enjoyed being immersed in our seasonal live theaters.  Please take some time to click the show links above, and we think you'll be amazed at the wide variety of performances, not only during December but coming up in 2011 as well.  And of course we hope you'll come stay with us at the Apple Bin Inn as you explore the many treasures of Lancaster County!  Happy Holidays!!