stimps

I'm staying in Lancaster for a week for my nephew's wedding. I need somewhere reasonably priced, central (no car) and with some sort of cooking facilities. I have food intolerances and find it easier to prepare food myself. Can anyone suggest some accommodation-under $150 a night? Thanks, Stimps

doug_stallings

There are a lot of mid-priced chain hotels in Lancaster, so I don't think finding accommodations for under $150 will be that hard. I stayed at a Fairfield Inn last time I was there, and it was just fine. However, I just don't know how you're going to survive for a week without any kind of transportation. I think there's a hotel in downtown Lancaster, but I can't remember the name. In-room cooking facilities will be a problem. This is a strange situation, and I just don't have much to offer, unfortunately. Hopefully, someone can help more.

starrs

The Homewood Suites by Hilton has a full kitchen.
Not sure it's "central" enough. Why no car?

starrs

The Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham have effiency kitchens.
3.5 miles from downtown

Do you want to be "central" to downtown or to where the wedding and other guests will be staying?

bachslunch

There is indeed city bus service in Lancaster PA via Red Rose Transit:

Home page:

http://www.redrosetransit.com/index.php

Composite bus route map:

http://www.redrosetransit.com/_files...a_city_map.pdf

and a check of their website suggests that all routes radiate out in all directions from downtown Lancaster, mainly originating somewhere within a square marked out by Chestnut, Queen, Orange, and Duke Streets. If you wish to be car-less here, I'd suggest checking the city bus website for reference and staying somewhere right downtown to take fullest advantage. Note well that not all of this area is well served by bus, but one could do worse here.

Also note well that cab service in Lancaster is terrible, as unreliable as I've ever experienced anywhere. Showing up long past when wanted or not showing up at all is apparently not unusual for the city's taxis.

stimps

Thanks for the advice. Carless because I am from Sydney and can't/won't drive on the right side of the road.Is getting to Gettysburg going to be possible by bus. I'd really like to go.
I need to be right in town near the bus service basically. thanks for tips.much appreciated

starrs

Check out this website, and maybe order a travel guide from them.

http://www.padutchcountry.com/index.asp

Here are the downtown hotels. It doesn't look like they offer kitchen/cooking access -

http://www.downtownlancaster.com/acc...t-a-glance.cfm

Here are some local tours -
http://www.padutchcountry.com/activi...ster-tours.asp

Here's a list of some things to do in the area -
http://www.hersheyconewago.com/things-to-do.aspx


Info about transportation -
http://www.downtownlancaster.com/transportation.cfm

Not sure how you'd get to Gettysburg, but if you call/write them they may have some suggestions.

It's a BEAUTIFUL part of the country.

stimps

Thank you Starrs. That's very helpful info.Much appreciated

bachslunch

A quick check online suggests there is no possible way to get to Gettysburg via public transportation. It looks like Gray Line Tours does an all-day guided excursion to this town, but from Washington, DC.

stimps

Thanks for looking bachslunch. However shall
I fill in my time!!

bachslunch

Some suggestions for filling in your time if you don't opt for Gettysburg (and you are car-less) include:

-a visit to the Central Market (fun), Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum (excellent of its kind), and Heritage Center Museum (okay), all in downtown Lancaster. Plus the architecture downtown is lovely, well worth an extended gawk and stroll.

-some attractions can be experienced by taking a city bus not far outside of downtown Lancaster, including the Amish Farm and House (arguably as close to experiencing the lifestyle of these people as you'll get) and Wheatland (the home of 15th president James Buchanan). Other attractions may or may not be reached this way as well (Ephrata Cloister, Hans Herr House, etc.) -- you'll have to research this.

-day trip to Harrisburg, which is reachable by train and perhaps by bus. The state capitol is stunning, one of the best in the US. There's also a state history museum close by, and a Civil War Museum can be reached via an easy cab ride.

-you can always go to Philadelphia by train from Lancaster. Plenty to do there.