Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Quaint Towns & Villages to Visit in Lancaster County

Sometimes, it is good to take a break from the hectic life of metropolitan area. If you love knick knacks and quaint villages, there are a few you can visit in Pennsylvania. You can enjoy charming streets lined with art galleries, antique shops, cozy cafes and local farmer’s market or you can enjoy the countryside to view its rustic scenery or take part in local community events. Instead of just staying in one town, you can always rent a charter bus to hop from one village to another, fuss-free.
If you love antiques, you have to visit Adamstown. Affectionately known as Antiques Capital, you can find antiques here all year round. Located just off Exit 286 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Adamstown is filled with thousands of antique shops and dealers, more than enough to satisfy your appetite for all things vintage. These shops carry anything from little historical postcards, to bigger things such as furniture and other quirky collectables from the past. There are also many local restaurants here to whet your appetite should you need a break from shopping. Or you could head over to Stoudt’s Brewery that produces local brews, or take part on one of the many beer festivals they have to offer.
Have you been to an Amish countryside? If not, you should head on to Intercourse, located at the junction of Routes 340 and 772 where locals, Amish farmers and craftsmen used to do business and socialize at in the past. Previously known as the Cross Keys, Intercourse is up to now still a place where locals, tourists and Amish farmers meet. By heading here, you can relive and understand how the Pennsylvania Dutch lived and learn about their culture. There are many homemade goods for sale here and you really should not miss their events, especially if you love food. A few of their popular festivals held are like the Rhubarb Festival, Berry Jam Festival 7 Sweets and Sours Festival and Holly Days.
For a spot of history and culture, you should visit Ephrata, a northeastern town where it is rich in religious history. Many of the Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish traditions are still practiced here and this place is also the home of America’s first communal religious society called the Ephrata Cloister. Here, you can also find the renowned spring water, which is now where the Mountain Springs Hampton Inn and Suites stand. In addition to history, you will enjoy a decent mix of both local shops and boutiques, local food, the largest farmer market in the country and a homey stay at its quaint lodgings. Don’t forget to also take a drive through the Northern Amish Countryside Trail from here.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Whitaker Center

Where do you think you can go where the whole family can have fun at the same time? With children of different age groups in the family, sometimes planning a family trip can be quite difficult – especially when everyone want to have their say where to go. Well, if you are having a problem planning your next family trip, may we suggest that you consider bringing your family to Whitaker Center located at 222 Market St, Harrisburg, PA – a place where there are 3 entertaining options in one destination?

Said to be an entertainment venue for visitors of all ages, the Whitaker Center is a place to go when you want a day of memorable fun with the family. In fact, it is also a place where couples would go on their first dates too. From a live concert or performance to watching a Hollywood blockbuster on a larger than life IMAX screen and interactive science exhibits, we dare say that this place would keep even the most hyper kid entertained at all times. And when you come here with your family in the Pennsylvania charter bus, you can have the peace of mind knowing that you don’t have to worry about finding a spot to park your car.

If this is your first trip to the Whitaker Center with your family in the charter bus, we would suggest that you give yourselves at least a few hours to spend at the center so that you get to enjoy to the fullest of what is being offered here. Touring the science center alone would probably take up at least an hour already – only if your kids do not stop to try their hands on the exhibits and just move along. However, we would think that it would be too irresistible for the kids to just walk by the interactive exhibits and not touching or playing with them. Usually, there would be one of the staff nearby who would step in and explain about the exhibit as well as showing the kids how the display works too. Currently, the Whitaker Center is showing a 3D movie – “Dinosaurs Alive” and they also have lined up some very good live shows like the “Farm to Talbot’s Table: Sam Talbot of Bravo’s Top Chef” and Bo Bice (remember American Idol? Yup, it’s that Bo Bice to be featured here). For more information on their live performances, you can always check their website for the latest updates.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Chocolate-y World of Fun

Chocolates in the morning, chocolates in the afternoon, chocolates in the night – any time is actually a good time for chocolates. Have you ever wondered what happens in a chocolate factory? Have you ever wished that you could peep into the chocolate factory and find out what they do with the chocolates that you are consuming? If yes, then why not charter a PA bus and head on over to the Hershey’s Chocolate World at 251 Park Boulevard, Hershey, PA for a day’s out total fun learning on how chocolates are made and we bet this would be the “sweetest” trip ever for you and your family!

From the moment that you and your family get down from the chartered PA bus, you almost can already smell the whiff of chocolates coming at your faces. Ok, so we exaggerated a bit right there, but as you walk through the lush park of the Hersheypark Place, your kids would probably already be squealing with delight knowing where they would be headed soon. This could be just the sweetest place to be and the happiest day of their lives so far!

For those who love chocolates, especially the ones made by Hershey, coming to the Hershey’s Chocolate World in the chartered PA bus would be the best trip ever. When you are on the grounds of Hershey’s Chocolate World, it would almost seem that you have just walked into chocolate heaven. Imagine – when you are here, every kind and piece of chocolate that has the Hershey trademark is found here; and you will even be able to find some of the other unique ones that are only found in this place and nowhere else! They are also very organized in their sections of chocolates – so if you have a particular preference of their brand, you can look for it and then the whole range of it is right there. Now, if this is not chocolate heaven for you, we do not know where else to tell you to find one!

The tour of the chocolate factory is full of sweetness fun – you get to begin the tour with a fun ride that will tell you all about the process of chocolate making, then you will given chocolates to taste and listen to them talk about the differences of the chocolates and last but not least, you also get the opportunity to try making your own chocolates and yes, you even receive a certificate at the end of the tour! So, if you are truly a Hershey fan, we suggest that you fill your bags with the chocolate goodies before you leave home in the PA chartered bus.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Smell the Flowers at Hershey Gardens

When life gets a little too stressed out for you, you may hear people saying to you “You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry. Don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.” And unless you have a beautiful garden right at the comfort of your own home, you may need to find flowers somewhere else to smell. Ok, we are kidding. But, we are serious if you want to charter one of our Pennsylvania buses to visit the Hershey Gardens for a day of just being among flowers and smelling them.

Originally a three and half acre of rose garden, Hershey Gardens was opened to the public in 1937 and then it expanded into an astounding twenty three acre of botanical garden in 1942. Pennsylvania charter bus passengers will find it a pleasure to spend a few hours at this stunningly beautiful garden adorned with many different types of flowers. It is now laden with themed gardens, seasonal displays with an awesome Butterfly House filled with colorful and vibrant butterflies.

From March 28 until November 3, the Hershey Gardens is open daily and on selected days in November and December 2013, while the Butterfly House is only open from May 24 right through to September 15, 2013. Bring along your little ones in our charter bus and let them roam freely in the Children’s Garden which is made up of thirty two themed gardens that will allow your kids to learn about the awe of nature and plants as well as teach them to value the beauty of flowers and nature.

In order to keep the Hershey Gardens beautiful and clean at all times and for the future generations, we always gently remind our charter bus passengers to adhere to the restrictions set by the management of the Hershey Gardens. Outside food and beverages are not allowed and smoking (even cigars) is totally prohibited. Inside the Gardens, they have vending machines for drinks as well as drinking fountains. Oh, and one of the no-no at the Gardens is not to pick the flowers – the flowers are to be admired, not picked. While you tour around the Gardens, you will also notice that the Gardens are also home to small wildlife animals such as the birds, rabbits, squirrels and such, so do refrain from trying to disturb their nests or resting places. Having said that, we hope that you will have a great time walking and stopping from time to time to just smell the flowers at the Hershey Gardens!

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Visiting Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is a great place to visit with a charter bus, coach bus, party bus, mini bus, passenger coach or school bus chartered from Charter Bus Pennsylvania. Travel through Pennsylvania with your charter bus in style and comfort as you visit some of Pennsylvania’s most popular charter bus tourist sites. Whether you love the outdoors or the city, Pennsylvania has something to offer every charter bus visitor.
Over a century ago, chocolate magnate William S. Hershey caused the construction of Hersheypark in the town that bears his name, Hershey, Pennsylvania. An ever popular destination with charter bus visitors with a sweet tooth, Hersheypark Park was a place where employees of the Hershey chocolate factory could go on their days off to take their minds off chocolate for a while. Today, Hersheypark has 11 thrilling roller coasters and over 65 rides and attractions including over 20 kiddie rides. The one price admission allows you into all public areas of the park, including the water rides. There are also restaurants, and shops where charter bus visitors can get Hershey’s chocolate and souvenirs.
If your charter bus group is into thrills and spills, and other types of extreme fun, head over in your charter bus to Dorney Park in Allentown. For avid charter bus thrill-seekers, Dorney Park offers rides like the gargantuan stomach-twisters Dominator and Mega-Coaster, whose sheer size will make it easy to find the park from anywhere in the Allentown region. If you prefer taking it easy, or want your enjoyment at a more sedate paces, Dorney Park offers swan boat rides on the lake, or coast past the scenery in a replica steam train ride. Children friendly rides are also available so that no one misses out on the fun. Charter bus visitors should also visit the Wildwater Kingdom, with 15 splashingly good rides, from the tame to the soul drenching.
For something a little different, tour Lancaster Amish Country in your charter bus. This agricultural corner of Pennsylvania is the home of the plain living Amish. Speaking Pennsylvania Dutch, these descendants of Dutch and German immigration over 200 years ago have preserved the old ways of their ancestors. Tour the one-story schoolhouses where generations of Amish children have received instruction in your charter bus, or saunter over the history of a two-hundred-year-old wood-covered bridge. Amish live very closely in harmony with the earth, and their practice of eschewing modern ways and conveniences such as electricity and motor vehicles means this area seems to be always quiet and peaceful. Handmade quilts and blankets, dyed with natural dyes and colors, are available for sale, as are the beautifully crafted Amish woodwork and furniture.
For a stylish and comfortable tour of Pennsylvania, give Charter Bus Pennsylvania a call to find out how they can help you plan your trip with a charter bus from their selection of charter vehicles, and take advantage of their friendly, personalized service.