Things to do in central/eastern PA

I know there are a bunch of PA people on here, so I thought I'd ask the locals for advice.

I'm visiting a friend near Philly this weekend, and we are going to go on a long weekend tour around central and eastern PA.

We're considering on staying in Philly on Fri night, heading out to central PA on saturday, staying near Lewisberg on Sat night, then across to the Poconos for Sunday and Sunday night, then back to Philly area on Monday, then I leave to go back to MA.

Any suggestions of things to do around there? Places to eat? We're planning on stopping by the Yungeling brewery, Pocono raceway, hiking at Ricketts Glen, a winery or 2, but would love some suggestions from local GRMers.

Thanks!

This is interesting to me as well. I'll be in central PA over Labor day weekend and have been looking for things to do.

Yuengling brewery: have low expectations. While it is cool, it's in a rather dumpy town and the brewery itself is not any kind of modern wonder. Do have a Black & Tan for me while you're there.

Rickett's Glen is nice. Pocono Raceway is kind of like the Yuengling brewery. If you've never seen it I guess it's interesting.

The AACA has their museum just outside of Hershey. It's pretty nice and not expensive. If you go up route 15 north of Harrisburg towards Williamsport I've heard Reptiland is actually pretty cool. The Pocono area is nice but rather expensive. Too many NYers and NJites come over to vacation.

I would see as many historical sites in Philly as you can stand. The city itself is kind of dumpy, IMO, but there is some great history there.

The drive along the Delaware river can be really nice.

philly.. liberty bell, constitution hall etc. reading terminal market is a great place to see at lunchtime. There was a place in old city called fork that was pretty good. Maybe the moshulu, if you like eating on an old crusty ship. city hall is pretty cool. South street if you like dirty hippies and drunk folks.

umm.. eat at Pats steaks then eat at genos. Compare them yourself. Know how to order a steak. you say the size, 1/2 or whole, then the cheese(swiss, whiz, provolone, american) and then with if you want it with onions.

the italian market is pretty cool.. as well.

ddavid is silly the yuengling brewery is awesome. They got a cool stained glass roof and caves.

check out stoudts brewery as well. Millers smorgasbord in lancaster?

washington crossing park, bowmans tower.

I lived in Bucks county(just north of philly) for 20 years or so. Any more questions just ask.

http://www.simeonefoundation.org/

Check it out.

If you like trains you can go to the Amish Country and take a steam train ride on the Strasburg Railroad, or you can take a very scenic (diesel powered) ride out of Jim Thorpe (not far out of the way from the Yuengling Brewery.) Actually theres some cool stuff to see in Jim Thorpe too. In Allentown you can tour the Martin Guitar Factory. In Philly check out the Franklin Institute.

JThw8 wrote: http://www.simeonefoundation.org/ Check it out.

damnit.. lived there for like 20 years.. never heard of that.

ignorant wrote:

JThw8 wrote: http://www.simeonefoundation.org/ Check it out.

damnit.. lived there for like 20 years.. never heard of that.

Strangely enough my wife found it. Its new so dont feel too bad :)

I did the Yuengling brewery tour yesterday. The building itself is rather blah but the caves and stained glass is really cool. The crowds on Saturdays are really big and you get less beer (only one little cup). During the week seems to be the better time to take the tour=less people, more free beer and get to see the actual process. They actually have another location right down the road which has a higher output. I recommend trying the Porter at the end of the tour. The Lord Chesterfield Ale isn't on tap to try though. It hasn't been put in barrels for nearly 8 years now and is coming back in September.

Wowak wrote: ...Actually theres some cool stuff to see in Jim Thorpe too....

Ike thought so to

. Eisenhower recalled of Thorpe in a 1961 speech, "Here and there, there are some people who are supremely endowed. My memory goes back to Jim Thorpe.

The Pennsylvania Railroad museum is also pretty cool if your in Amish country, It's incredible how massive some of those trains are.

the wyeth house is really cool as well.

Had I seen this on Thursday or Friday I would have told you to go to the Duryea Hillclimb in Reading PA this past weekend

Yeah, Jim Thorpe is worth the trip. I did not take the train ride as I didn't have time.

It didn't sound like our guy was going to be in Lancaster county so I didn't sell Strasburg or any of the stuff there. If you are going to spend time here, then let me know.

I'm cautionary about the Yuengling brewery because people may expect something very different. While I think it's cool, it is rather rustic. If you're expecting the Budweiser tour, you're going to get culture shock. If you're a beerhead, though, it's definately worth doing.

I forgot to add this:

Lehigh Valley Velodrome. Tons of great racing takes place here and the admission is under 10 bucks per race. This Friday is the last race of the season:

http://www.lvvelo.org/

It is about 15-20 minutes outside of Allentown.

I'm in Lancaster and this is considered South Central PA - about 45 minutes west of Philly.

Don't think there is much to do in Lewisberry :) You could visit Baltimore, MD (about 45 mins south of Lancaster) and visit the water front. Lots of stores, bars, restaurants and museums.

Philly you could visit the steps where Rocky was filmed and visit the market which is near Front Street.

The Velodrome is about 1 hour north of Philly from memory in near Allentown.

I know I'm a little late to the party but I'll throw out another vote for Stoudt's. Great beer and the steaks are awesome (although a little on the pricey side, from what I recall). When in Philly I'm usually checking out the nightlife and The Eulogy is one of my favorite bars. Great atmosphere and awesome beer selection. That's about all I have right now...

Thanks for all the replies. I'm making up a map marking where everything is to see what we'll be able to do. Fortunately she and I enjoy the same sort of things, so that makes it easier, and most of the things you guys suggested were things I didn't know about yet.

ohh yeah.. Eulogy is freaking amazing. 4 or 5 page beer list, single spaced with small font size. And famous Belgium fries.. mmmmmmmMMMMMMMM

Of course if you are near York and can stop by and lend a helping hand on a Challenge car.

CivicSiRacer wrote: Don't think there is much to do in Lewisberry :)

...I agree. But I think he meant Lewisburg. There's Bucknell U (whoops, college isn't back yet I don't think...) and hey, the Federal Penitentiary!

Website Roadside America -

One of the Groves for some sprint car action, though I think we have better racing this side of the state. (Western PA, but my parents were in Williamsport for years so I spent some time around there)

All the colleges come back this coming weekend.

The Walnut Street Grill/Lancaster Brewing Company is a nice place for lunch/dinner, and their brewing operation is really cool looking. Definitely stop by Andy's shop in York if you get a chance, it will certainly be worth it!

HeavyDuty wrote: Website Roadside America -

I am so inordinately pleased that Roadside America still exists. Frankly, it's the first thing that popped into my head when I saw the thread title a few days ago, but it never even crossed my mind to see if it was still open.

If you have kids, there is a toy train museum around the corner from Strassburg near the Red Caboose Inn that they will pass out from hyper ventilation in.

That might just be our kids though, the train gene runs deep in our family.

Wowak wrote: If you like trains you can go to the Amish Country and take a steam train ride on the Strasburg Railroad, or you can take a very scenic (diesel powered) ride out of Jim Thorpe (not far out of the way from the Yuengling Brewery.) Actually theres some cool stuff to see in Jim Thorpe too. In Allentown you can tour the Martin Guitar Factory. In Philly check out the Franklin Institute.