KennysMommy
Never knew LOVE like it before
Member since 3/10 2640 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Dutch Wonderland (& Lancaster, PA) Review (w/Pics)
We just got back from a great weekend in Lancaster, PA and I wanted to share all that we did and post a review! I can be a picky traveler, so I hope to give you a real honest opinionated review. We stayed this past weekend (Friday to Sunday) with DS who will be 2 in a few weeks.
The drive down only took about 3 hrs (no traffic and DH has somewhat of a lead foot). We stayed at the Best Western Eden Resorts. I think I was misled about its location. It is close to DW and the surrounding areas, but not THAT close. We had to take a 5-10 car ride on a highway to get there. There are LOTS of other hotels/motels on the strip right there. I think I would have preferred a location a bit closer. The hotel itself was very nice. We stayed in a 2-room King suite. Comfy bed, clean room…. Great! The only complaint is that they didn’t have a bathtub in the room. Had I known to ask for a tub, it would’ve been better. So, make sure to ask for that!!! We just showered with DS and it wasn’t a problem. At the hotel, they had an indoor and outdoor pool and sprinkler park, but we didn’t use either for two reasons: 1) it’s too cold for anything outdoors and 2) we had no time for the indoor one. For the price of the hotel ($225/night) we should’ve taken advantage of it. They also have a gym in the hotel, but we didn’t use that either. It’s our own fault…..
We started off on Friday with the Kitchen Kettle Village. It was very cute and had lots of stores. We didn’t bring a stroller which would have been VERY convenient if we had one. There were lots of little things for DS to try to touch and we spent more time chasing him, than enjoying ourselves in the village. We only spent about a ½ hour there because of it. You could definitely spend some time there. (Note: It’s not open on Sundays.)
Next we went to Cherry Crest Adventure Farm. This was THE BEST PLACE EVER!!!! We had soooo much fun there. I can’t even begin to tell you all the great family (and toddler friendly) activities they have. Between feeding the animals, holding baby chicks, playing on a HUGE bounce pillow, running through mini hay mazes, getting lost in a giant corn maze, and riding on wagons, we had TONS of fun!!!!! The best part of the whole thing is that the Strasburg Railroad runs right through the center of it! You can see here a pic of DS jumping on the pillow with other kids as the train passed by. It was awesome!
We were able to buy discounted tickets at the Farm for the RR and it was just a short 2 min. walk to the Cherry Crest Station. We were able to hop aboard the RR as it took us to the Strasburg Station and then back to the farm again. We didn’t get off at the Strasburg Station – it’s only a short distance from the Farm, so I would recommend going on your own to shop if you plan on going. Otherwise, you’re stuck there for an hour waiting for the next train. The train ride in total is about an hour. I would definitely save a full day for Cherry Crest Farms if you have the time and take an hour to ride on the Strasburg RR while there. They are NOT open on Sundays, so plan for that if you go on a weekend.
The walk over to the station:
After the Village, Farm, and Railroad, we stopped for dinner at Millers Smorgasbord. We heard a lot of great things about this place, so we checked it out. I might be spoiled by buffets at Vegas and some great local ones here, but I was NOT impressed. The food was okay, but not a huge selection. They had salads, a carving station, fried chicken, mac & cheese, Swedish Meatballs, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, and a few other things, but no seafood. I found the food to be greasy, bland or too salty, and not very appetizing. But like I said, I might be spoiled by buffets from the “big cities”. We did return the next morning for breakfast and I found it to be not much better. They make omelets to order, but they used canned stewed tomatoes in their omelets instead of fresh. It just wasn’t my cup of tea. I digress…..
After dinner, we went to the Hands on House Childrens’ Museum. This place is definitely a cross between LICM and Once Upon a Treetop. It was very fun and cute. They happened to be open until 8pm on Fridays so we got there about 6:30. We were the ONLY people there and had the entire place to ourselves. Everything as clean and in its place (leaving me to feel like we had to put everything back after DS tore through there!) It was really very cute and definitely “farm” oriented. They said it’s geared for 2-10 yr olds and I would agree with that.
The next day (Saturday) we went to Dutch Wonderland. It was definitely toddler/preschool age friendly. DS was an inch or two too short for a lot of rides, so I would recommend you holding off until DC is at least 36 inches tall. That would open up tons more rides for your DC to ride on. Despite him being on the short side, we had a great time there. The place is clean, very family friendly, and not too big. We didn’t have a stroller and didn’t need one. It was perfect for his little legs to walk around.
Something for you photog moms out there: There’s a little island that is very picturesque. I was able to take a few great pics there and DS had fun running over the many bridges that went over creeks. My favorite part was going on the Log Flume together. It was 55 degrees and we got SOAKED! (Note to self: don’t do that again!)
DS wound up having so much fun that he fell asleep BEFORE we made it to the parking lot.
After DW, we picked up lunch and headed back to the Strasburg RR to shop and a place called the Choo Choo Barn where they have LOTS of train stores to browse. We hit the jackpot at a Thomas and Friends store. I would definitely recommend you check it out if your DC loves trains! Next, we stopped by at the Red Caboose Motel where they offered Amish Buggy rides. There are lots of places where they have them, but this place was close to the Strasburg RR and the Choo Choo Barn, so it met our needs. It was a fun ride – about 30 min in total. On a side note: The Motel itself offers rooms in old train cars. I don’t know the type of rooms it offers, but it might be cute for some of you to look into. Just sayin’…..
Since most of Lancaster seemed to be closed on Sundays, we came home early just after breakfast. I would definitely keep that in mind and save DW for Sunday while doing all the other fun nearby attractions on Saturday. They offer special October specials at a discounted price and select weekends in November and December. So, it’s not too late to think about heading there before the winter!
Thanks for looking! I hope it helps someone else plan their trip!
ETA: We've gone 2 more times since this trip. We loved the Strasburg Rail Road Museum (across from the RR station) and inside they have a playroom with every kind of train table imaginable!
We also ate at a few other buffet places and found that Bird in Hand was the best of them all.
Since this first trip, we made use of the pool and it was very, very nice. In the summer they have outdoor pools and a sprinkler park too.
Lastly, we took an Amish house/farm tour and it was lots of fun. :D
Message edited 5/29/2013 7:53:16 PM.
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So don't feel bad at allll that you stayed at Eden! 
I love me a log flume!!!
