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Amusement parks and miniature golf
Hersheypark.
Alright, I'll say it right up front, as an amusement park Hersheypark isn't our cup of tea; I've included it herein because it's so well known. But to be fair, many people love it and you might too. It isn't in Lancaster County, but at about thirty miles from downtown Lancaster it's the only one around. And with dozens and dozens of rides of all types, for people of all ages, it is by far the biggest. So why don't we like it? Several reasons: traffic getting in is terrible, even if you try to get there before it opens; it's supposed to be about 40 minutes from here, but add at least 30 minutes to that on a normal day. The second reason is that it is expensive; when you include all the costs (parking, admission fees, meals) it can easily cost $300 to $400 a day for a family of four. Note: You can save a little by getting discount tickets in advance at any of the local Giant supermarkets. Third, the crowds and lines inside are horrendous. And last, when we were there last summer there was trash everywhere; between the lines, cost, and trash our grand daughter asked if we could leave - after only two hours on the premises. If you go I sincerely hope your trip will be better.
Fortunately, there is another, smaller, amusement part in the area.
Dutch Wonderland
is just a few miles east of Lancaster city. It's easier to get to and somewhat less expensive; once again, look around for discount tickets or buy them online. The downside of Dutch Wonderland is that it's for smaller children; teenagers would much prefer the amusements and bigger thrill rides at Hersheypark. It has about thirty rides of various kinds, entertainment, and strolling characters - all of which are enough to keep younger kids happy. As a bonus, you get a free round of miniature golf at their course if you show your ticket stubs. There is also a campground on the property with a playground, free WiFi, and full RV hook-ups.
Speaking of miniature golf, there are several around including the one mentioned above. However, our favorite is
Village Greens Golf.
It's probably different from any miniature golf course you've seen or played. Actually, there are two courses: the shorter Orange course is played in about 45 minutes, and the Gold course takes about twice that long. Both are set among beautiful gardens and woods, which makes them a delight whether you score well or not. The July 2005 issue of Sports Illustrated magazine recognized it as one of their 25 Summer Essentials.
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