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!

 

 

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 Shows are Awesome in Lancaster County!

With the holidays upon us, there's no better place to experience live holiday shows than Lancaster County!  Here's the lowdown on some of our favorite theaters:

"Sight & Sound" presents its annual production of "Miracle of Christmas" at the Millennium Theatre.  Shows continue through December 31st, on their amazing 180 degree stage.  Real camels, horses, and donkeys help the performers bring Bethlehem to life, in one of history's most important moments.  And if you arrive at the theater early, you can even interact with the cast members and animals!

The popular American Music Theatre presents its "Winter Wonderland" Christmas Show, with performances through Decvember 30th.  This original show, with its outdoor snowy theme, is sure to delight you with wonderful yuletide songs, dances, comedy, and a visit from Santa too!

The Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre's musical version of "Miracle on 34th Street" plays through December 23rd.  Come see and hear how a little old man with a white beard turns Macy's and Gimbel's into true Santa believers!

And if one dinner theater isn't enough for you, try the Rainbow Dinner Theatre's production of "Home for the Holidays".  This "all comedy... all the time" theater brings you a hilarious story about a young couple and their visiting parents, and how Christmas and Chanukah combine in one New York apartment.  Shows continue through December 30th.

When you're in Lancaster for the shows, be sure to stay a couple of nights at the Apple Bin Inn.  Our December rates in the main house are just $99 on weekdays and $129 on weekends, plus tax, with our scrumptious full country breakfasts included!  So give us a call, or visit our website for more information.

And don't forget, our Gift Certificates are perfect for family, friends, business associates, and clergy... and they never expire! 

October Means Halloween!

The second half of October brings one thing to everyone's mind... Halloween!  And Lancaster County boasts some fantastic activities for this all-American holiday.  Two of the best, and scariest, places to go are Jason's Woods and Field of Screams.  They each have multiple attractions that are sure to be hair-raising experiences for the bravest among you!  But don't worry... for the younger or less brave (like us!) there are many other wonderful Halloween activities in Lancaster County.  These include Dutch Wonderland's "Happy Hauntings", Red Rose Segway Tours "Ghosts and Graveyard Tour", and "Ghost Tours of Lancaster County".  So come stay with us at the Apple Bin Inn during your Halloween season... we promise to be a safe haven from the ghouls and goblins out there!

Annual "Snitz Fest" at the 1719 Hans Herr House in Willow Street

 

Come celebrate the very beginnings of colonial Lancaster County three centuries ago!  The 1719 Hans Herr House, right here in our little town of Willow Street, is the oldest home in Lancaster County, and one of the oldest Mennonite meeting houses in the western hemisphere.  On Saturday, October 1st they will hold their annual Pennsylvania German festival called "Snitz Fest" (snitz are dried apple slices used in baking pies and tarts).  This fun day features great food, costumed interpreters, hands-on activities and demonstrations of colonial-era arts, crafts and farm life, including threshing, quilting, loom weaving, heckling flax, churning butter, cooking over a fire, and making shingles, shoes, candles and corn husk dolls.  Enjoy a bit of local charm and history by stepping back in time in our little corner of Lancaster County!

  

Great Ethnic Restaurants Abound in Lancaster County!

Sure, Lancaster County is famous for wonderful "comfort food" restaurants like Good 'n Plenty, Plain & Fancy, and Shady Maple.  But many visitors aren't aware of the assortment of great ethnic restaurants in our beautiful corner of Pennsylvania. 

One of our favorites, and less than a mile from the Apple Bin Inn, is Wasabi Japanese Restaurant.  It's not a tepanyaki style (where they cook at your table and throw shrimp into their hats).  Rather it's a truly authentic Japanese eatery, with some of the best food this side of Tokyo (where I traveled about 30 times during my previous corporate life).  Their sushi bar is not large, but the selection and quality are excellent, and it's fun to watch the sushi chefs create their masterpieces.  Plus they've recently added some scrumptious Thai dishes to their menu.  So come give Wasabi a try.  You'll be very glad you did! 

And speaking of Thai food, another great place is Lemon Grass Thai Restaurant, right across the street from Rockvale Square outlets on Rt. 30.  Their delicious Thai cuisine, including many delightful vegetarian dishes, will keep you smiling all through dinner.

If Mexican food is your passion, then you should definitely plan a dinner at El Serrano.  Not only will you feel like you're in the heart of Mexico, but they also offer an array of Peruvian dishes that are quite unique.  There's also a fantastic tapas restaurant, called Culturas, on the property.  If you've never tried tapas (meaning "small plate"), then your taste buds are in for a real treat, as you and your friends sample a variety of mouth-watering Latin American foods!

If you have a taste for Indian cuisine, there's no better place than Taj Mahal.  Their authentic Indian fare, with unmistakable aromas and flavors, will awaken your senses and take you to the other side of the world.  And don't worry... even if you don't like your food too spicy, they will season each order to your individual taste.  We have frequent guests at the Apple Bin Inn who consider Taj Mahal a required stop during every visit to Lancaster County.

We'll introduce you to more of Lancaster's amazing variety of fine restaurants in upcoming blog posts, but for now... Let's eat!

AQS Quilters Party a Huge Success!

Our last blog post talked about the reception party that our B&B association (Authentic B&Bs of Lancaster County) was throwing for visiting quilters attending the American Quilter's Society show here in Lancaster last week, so we wanted to give you a quick update.  We had almost 300 quilters at the party, as well as about 25 of our local tourism partners who provided food, beer, crafts, music, and information about the many activities available throughout Lancaster County, to entice the quilters to return to our wonderful destination.  We also had a best-selling author, Kelly Long (who writes novels based on themes from quilt patterns), signing and giving away 200 copies of her latest book. Plus there were dozens of door prizes to remind visitors of the great time they had in Lancaster. 


The venue for our party was the Lancaster Quilt & Textile Museum, which is a gorgeous place for a reception... and we hope to return for next year's party!  So if you missed the Lancaster AQS Quilt Show this year, we hope you'll plan for next year's event (March 14-17, 2012).  And while you're at it, please add the Authentic B&B party to your agenda, and of course a stay at our Apple Bin Inn... we'd love to have you!

Hey wait a minute!... why wait until next year to visit our beautiful county?!  Just plan a trip for this spring or summer!  There are dozens of Amish quilt shops dotted around our area, plus tons of other things to do, see, taste, and buy!  So give the Apple Bin Inn a call (800-338-4296) and we'll see you soon!

"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!

New Year's Weekend will be a blast in Lancaster!

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, full of joy and laughter with your loved ones, and a few nice gifts too!  Well now it's time to make your plans for New Year's Eve, before there's any chance of those post-holiday doldrums setting in.  There are some great events going on in Lancaster over the New Year's holiday that we'd like to tell you about.  And of course it starts with a stay at the cozy Apple Bin Inn!  We've got some great rooms still available for the holiday weekend, which you can book by clicking here!  Now for some fun stuff...

 

The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra presents a New Year's Eve concert at the American Music Theatre, Friday, Dec 31st at 7:00 PM. The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra and full Symphony Chorus will perform a semi-staged performance of the delightful musical "My Fair Lady" along with the fully costumed Fulton Theatre cast in this once-in-a-lifetime concert. The Fulton production has been getting rave reviews, so this concert promises to be an amazing evening!

3...2...1...Lancaster!  Friday, December 31st starting at 5:00 PM.  Enjoy over 20 different entertainment and activity options at Clipper Magazine Stadium and the City YMCA. This family-friendly entertainment includes visual comedians, music, magicians, kids crafts, storytelling, caricaturist, fortune teller, plus ice skating at Clipper Magazine Stadium and much more! For those who can’t make it to midnight, an early fireworks display will be part of the festivities.  You can click here for all the details.

Segway Holiday Tours, available all weekend.  Click here for more details.  If you've never been on a Segway, you've just got to try it once to be hooked!  It's so easy to do, and they accommodate people of all shapes and sizes.  It's a unique and thrilling way to tour historic downtown Lancaster City.  And to broaden your smile even more, we have coupons worth $15 off your ride!

There are plenty of other great activities, shows, restaurants, and shopping in Lancaster County during the holidays, so come visit us!

We wish everyone a Happy, Healthy, Safe, and Prosperous 2011.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

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!!

Happy Thanksgiving, From Our Family To Yours!

One thing we've learned after almost 8 years in Lancaster County is that "family" is the core to most everything that happens here.  It's easy to spot this in family-run businesses, like B&Bs or the myriad of cottage industries operated by the Amish.  But it's also true of larger businesses throughout Pennsylvania Dutch Country.  Our son, Dylan, works summers at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, a wonderful agricultural amusement park that caters to children from 1 to 99.  It's owned by a local family who treats every employee like part of their extended family.  Coming from the corporate world ourselves, and living in numerous cities during our long engineering careers. we have really come to appreciate what we have here in Lancaster County. 

So that brings us to today's simple message... To wish each and every one of our friends, neighbors, family, B&B guests, and fellow innkeepers a Very Healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Pumpkin Pies and Apple Pies, baked today by Jamie and Dylan... Yum!

Ready for the Holidays!

As those of you who have visited Lancaster County in November and December already know, this is a great place to be for the holidays!  Shopping at the outlet malls, Tanger and Rockvale Square, is always fun, but "Black Friday" weekend is totally over the top.  Tanger's festivities start at midnight on Thanksgiving night and continue all weekend ~ with extra sales, deals, coupons, and more.  Rockvale has similar events, and together they make for a really cool overnight of holiday shopping.

Just a couple of miles from the Apple Bin Inn is a great candy and chocolate maker, Evans Candy, who is only open from October until Easter.  Since holidays are their prime time, they really do it up right.  Their chocolates are some of the best we've had, and they make hundreds of specialty candy items in every conceivable shape and size.  Our favorites include "mojeskas", which are homemade marshmallow and caramel dipped in chocolate... heavenly!

Of course the holidays aren't just about shopping.  So if you'd like to get in the Christmas mood in the most memory-evoking way, you definitely should visit the National Christmas Center.  This amazing museum's curator and historian, Jim Morrison, looks strikingly like that jolly old soul with the big white beard and the red suit.  And his museum is such an uplifting collection of Christmas history, nostalgia, storybook lands, international displays, toy railroad mountains, and just plain fun, that you'll leave with a renewed spirit, and a better understanding of how Christmas has touched the lives of families across the generations.  We won't spoil all the surprises by telling you everything... you'll just have to see this place for yourself.  And the best part is, they're open all year 'round! 

Well that's it for today.  We'll be adding much more about Lancaster County in the coming weeks and months, so please become a "follower" of our blog, and we'll talk again soon :-)  

Welcome to the Apple Bin Inn's new blog!

To what we hope will be a growing number of followers, we wish you a fond welcome to our newest endeavor at Internet communication!  We've often thought about writing a blog about Lancaster County, the home of our Apple Bin Inn B&B, but never seemed to find the time.  But as we read many of the wonderful blogs being written about our little corner of Pennsylvania, we realized that we had a lot to add to the conversation...

 

We plan to post entries at least twice a month about things to do, places to eat, and sights to see, so feel free to add your comments about topics you'd like to know more about in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.  We sincerely hope you'll become followers of our blog, "InnSights into Lancaster County"!

We also hope you'll visit our website, and come stay with us when your travels bring you to Amish Country in Lancaster County.  Have a Happy Holiday Season!