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York, Pennsylvania... Factory Tour Capital of the World
Escape on a fun, yet educational road trip, not toofar away..a visit to York County, Pennsylvania will be long remembered.
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We stayed at the award
winning Jackson House Bed and Breakfast, outside York in Railroad, PA. Located
on the Heritage Trail, the house dates back to 1859, and the owners, Jean and
George Becker treat you like family. With a well stocked fridge filled with
cold beverages, including soda, wine and beer, you feel right at home. The
delectable breakfast featured a myriad of items including homemade French
toast (the best I ever had), scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage roll, potatoes,
fresh fruit and more. Let's just say, you won't go hungry.
The four bedrooms
are each decorated in their own special way and the beds rock you to sleep, so
comfortable. Jackson House is perfect for a couples get-away, relax in the
beautiful gardens in the backyard then take a dip in the hot tub.
(Jacksonhousebandb.com)
After breakfast, head out for a day of factory tours. Martin's Potato Chip
Factory (martinschips.com), located in Thomasville, is the perfect place to
start. You will watch as potatoes are cleaned, peeled, cut and cooked,
right before your eyes, two types, Kettle and Country Style. The best part?
Taste them hot off the line! Martin's makes about 35,000 pounds a day and
tours are available Mondays and Tuesdays, please call in advance to arrange your
tour.
Next, head to Wolfgang Candy Company, voted one of the top 5 tastiest
tours by the Food Network. As soon as you enter the factory, the smell of
chocolate permeates the air. Bob Wolfgang lead our tour and told us his
grandparents started the company in 1921. We saw butter creams being coated in
delectable milk chocolate. Some of the newest products include chocolate covered
blueberries and raspberries. Some independent markets carry Wolfgang
Candies, but most are sold through fundraising programs (WolfgangCandy.com).
Stop for lunch in downtown York at The Harp and Fiddle. A cozy Irish pub
offers a wide selection of beers, wines and of course, Irish food. I enjoyed
the Corned Beef and Cabbage and the Shepherd's Pie at the next table looked
amazing! (theharpandfiddle.com)
After lunch, save room for dessert and head to Hope Acres Robotic Dairy
Farm, in Brogue, and sample their homemade ice cream. Raspberry was our favorite.
Take the factory tour and watch pampered cows that actually sleep on
waterbeds and have back scratchers! (hopeacres.com)
A visit to the Family Heirloom Weavers in Red Lion will give you a real
appreciation for the art of weaving. Personalized Jacquard Covers, runners,
carpets and reproductions of 19th century goods are created here. They have
also created costumes for many Hollywood movies including, Cold Mountain and
Gods and Generals. (familyheirloomweavers.com)
Time to return to the Jackson House, enjoy a late afternoon glass of wine
and get ready to head out for dinner at The Commonwealth Room, a 4-Diamond
restaurant at the Yorktowne Hotel. Executive Chef Mark Pawlowski, offers up a
first rate menu, including items such as Fresh Floridian Strawberry Grouper
with a Tropical Fruit Salsa, Oven Roasted Quail and Pan Seared Lamb Loin.
Begin your meal with the Tomato Bisque or the Yorktown House Salad served with
a Cabernet Sauvignon Vinaigrette. There is a fabulous wine menu with several
selected wines by the glass. (Yorktowne.com)
If you have an extra day, you don't want to miss the Wilton Armetale Tour in
Mount Joy. We were lucky enough to have a personal tour by John Wilton,
his family began Wilton in 1892. We watched the process of sand molds filled
with molten Armetale metal, then cooled and hand-finished. I own many Wilton
pieces and found this tour extremely informative. There is an on-premise
discounted store and tours should be scheduled in advance. (armetale.com)
Enjoy lunch before heading home at Bube's Brewery, the only in-tact
Pre-Prohibition brewery left in the United States, be sure to check out the
underground catacombs. (bubesbrewery.com)
If it is a nice day, you may choose to eat outdoors by the Susquehanna River
at John Wright Restaurant in Wrightsville. Inexpensive dining with a lovely
view. (jwright.com)
Visithttp://www.YorkPA.org for further information on
places to stay, tours and restaurants.