"Jonah" Is Coming To Sight & Sound's Millennium Theatre!

One of Lancaster County's most popular attractions is the world renowned "Sight & Sound" Millennium Theatre, located just 10 minutes from the Apple Bin Inn.  We like to call it "Bible Meets Broadway", as the stories of the Bible come alive with original musical scores, inspiring actors, amazing sets and special effects, and even live animals... all presented on a breathtaking 180-degree stage that puts the audience in the heart of the action.  This year's show promises to be one of their best ever, as the story of "Jonah" is brought to life.  It's sure to be an amazing experience, and it's only playing for one season!  Shows take place from March 10 through December 29, 2012.  Full details are available on the Sight & Sound website, including videos, photos, show times, and online ticket sales.  Shows are selling out fast, so don't delay! 

And while you're making your show plans, why not plan your stay at the Apple Bin Inn.  With 5 delightful guest rooms, including suites and a private cottage, plus delicious country breakfasts and the warmest hospitality, we promise to add lasting memories of your visit to beautiful Lancaster County.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

Making Christmas Cookies With Our Guests!

The holidays are such a special time for our family, and also for our B&B guests!  This week we had a wonderful family from Australia staying with us.  They had asked if there was some holiday tradition that they could share with us during their stay, and we thought that making our annual Christmas cookies would be the perfect fun activity for us all.  Jamie prepared a large batch of cookie dough the night before, so we were all set for some baking magic when the Kelly family arrived.  After Sarah, Emma, Austin, and Lizzie donned their aprons, everyone got their hands covered with flour, as we rolled out the dough and began using our myriad of cookie cutters.  Cookie sheets rotated into and out of the ovens, as the pile of baked cookies grew.  Next we moved into the dining room, where colored icing and sprinkles had been prepared for decorating.  The artistry of children is always an amazing sight, and this evening was no exception.  Their mom, Jo, even added her touch of whimsy to the festivities. Of course the best part came at the end, as cookies were gobbled up by everybody.  Finally, it was time for the Kellys to retire to the Braeburn Cottage, where we had a 4-foot Christmas tree waiting for them to decorate with some of our traditional family ornaments.  We hope that we gave this delightful family some lasting holiday memories of their time at the Apple Bin Inn... we'll certainly remember our time with them fondly.  Happy holidays to our family, friends, and guests, wherever in the world they may be!

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!

Landis Valley Harvest Days are Coming!

Landis Valley Museum will host its 52nd Annual Harvest Days Festival over Columbus Day weekend, October 8 & 9. If you don't yet know about Landis Valley, it's the country's largest Pennsylvania Dutch living history farm & village, interpreting PA German heritage from 1740 to 1940, including tours and traditional craft demonstrations. Their Harvest Days Festival celebrates traditional fall harvest events, and includes over 80 demonstrators who make the village come to life with activities to captivate every member of the family! And if you can't make it in October, don't worry... Landis Valley is a wonderful place to visit no matter when your travels bring you to Lancaster!  And to make your visit to Lancaster County complete, why not plan a stay at the Apple Bin Inn. We promise to make your trip to Pennsylvania Dutch Country unforgettable!

"Thomas the Tank Engine" Returns to Strasburg!

Thomas the Tank Engine is a character known to millions of kids around the world, through his syndicated TV series and videos narrated by Ringo Starr, George Carlin, and Alec Baldwin.  Each year he makes 3 appearances at the Strasburg Rail Road in Lancaster County, to the joy of children of all ages.  He and his fellow railroad cars and friends from the Island of Sodor will be here again from September 17th to the 25th.  If you and your children have a fascination with trains (and what kid doesn't!), then "A Day Out With Thomas" is a day not to be missed!  We'd love to have your family as our guests here at the Apple Bin Inn... just 10 minutes from the Strasburg Rail Road.  Give us a call... you'll be glad you did! 

 

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!