Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Family Vacation

A trip to Pennsylvania Dutch Country is like a trip back in time, only with roller coasters and shopping malls thrown in. Many Amish live much the way they did 200 years ago, without electricity or cars. As the pockets of rolling farmland continue to disappear across the country, Lancaster County has become a special place that has been preserved. For those who crave a more fast-paced vacation, Hershey Park and Dutch Wonderland provide world-class amusement park experiences for kids of all ages.

Note: Many Amish believe that having their picture taken violates their religion. Many places will ask you to be respectful of this belief and refrain from taking pictures where Amish residents can be identified.

Summer is the busiest season in Lancaster County. The area's corn mazes open in July, when the maize is mature. Fall foliage season and Christmastime are also popular. The area's leaves begin their colorful display in September and hit their peak in October. Holiday decorations go up after Thanksgiving, harkening back to an old-fashioned Christmas.

Summer comes a bit later to this region -- June can be a chilly, but by July the weather is a warm 78 degrees. Winter is cold -- January's average temperature is 32 degrees. Evenings can be cool even in the warm-weather months, so bring light sweaters or jackets. Get more weather info.

The area is serviced by Lancaster Airport (LNS) and Harrisburg International Airport (MDT). Amtrak provides train service to Lancaster Station in downtown Lancaster, and Greyhound stops in the area. Taxi service is available from both airports and the train station.

While buggies and tractors abound on the roads, there's really only one way for visitors to get around: by car. Mass transit in this rural part of the country is tricky, but limited service is provided by the Red Rose Transit Authority.

Every venue has its own slate of events and festivals. Check the individual venue's website or contact the Lancaster County Visitors Information Center for dates and further information. All of these events are family-friendly, and many draw large crowds year after year.

• Lititz Fire and Ice Festival (Feb.)
• Mud Sales (Mar.)
• Lancaster Art Walk Festival (April)
• Quilters Heritage Celebration (April)
• Rhubarb Festival at Kitchen Kettle Village (May)
• Intercourse Heritage Days (June)
• Adamstown Antiques Extravaganza (June)
• Tomato Festival in Washington Boro (July)
• Cherry Crest Maze (July)
• Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire (Aug.-Oct.)
• Whoopie Pie Festival at Hershey Farms (Oct.)
• Fall foliage (Oct.)
• Dutch WinterWonderland (Dec.)

PADutchCountry.com is the official website for the region. Also, be sure to stop by the Visitor's Information Center in Lancaster, which has knowledgeable guides and hundreds of brochures.

Get your copy of the Lancaster County Official Map & Overnight Getaway Guide, which is full of coupons and information and is available at PADutchCountry.com.

• The oldest group of Old Order Amish -- more than 25,000 people -- make up more than half the population of Lancaster County.
• The first known residents of the county were American Indians (the Susquehannocks, later known as the Conestogas).
• Lancaster County is the home of the first U.S. pretzel factory, the Sturgis Pretzel House in Lititz, which opened in 1784.
• Hershey Park, a decidedly modern amusement park, turned 100 years old in 2007.