43 Best Sights in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Pennsylvania

The seasonal Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, on the grounds of the Mount Hope Estate and Winery, transforms the winery into an extensive 16th-century English village ruled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I. The lively action includes street performers, human chess matches, jousting and fencing tournaments, knighthood ceremonies, street performances, craft demonstrations, battling pirates, jesters, medieval food, and Shakespearean plays performed on outdoor stages. Fun for all ages, but definitely more A Kid in King Arthur's Court than Game of Thrones.

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and the Railway Education Center, across the road from the Strasburg Rail Road, holds 75 pieces of train history, including 13 colossal engines built between 1888 and 1930; 12 railroad cars, including a Pullman sleeper; and memorabilia documenting the history of Pennsylvania railroading. The museum features a railroad town, a gift shop, and a learning center.

Set on 33 acres, the Historic Rock Ford Plantation is the restored homestead of General Edward Hand, a Revolutionary War commander, George Washington's confidant, and wealthy landowner. Period antiques and folk art are displayed in the 1794 Georgian-style mansion, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. In partnering with the African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania, Historic Rock Ford’s programs include the legacy and stories of the slaves who lived and worked on Hand’s farm and in the household.

The Shriver House was the home of George and Henrietta Shriver and their two children, and reveals what civilian life was like during the Civil War. After George joined the Union troops and his family fled to safety, the home was taken over by Confederate sharpshooters, two of whom were killed in the attic during the battle. Costumed guides give tours and share fascinating tales. A gift shop is on site.

Also known as Gettysburg National Cemetery, this is the final resting place for more than 3,500 Union soldiers who died on the battlefield. Dedicated by President Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address, the cemetery is where some 3,000 veterans of subsequent conflicts were also laid to rest.

The Strasburg Rail Road marks more than 175 years of history, and visitors can step back in time to travel the rails on a scenic 45-minute round-trip excursion through Amish farm country from Strasburg to Paradise on a rolling antique chartered in 1832 to carry milk, mail, and coal. Called America's oldest short line, the Strasburg run has wooden coaches pulled by an iron steam locomotive. Eat lunch in the dining car or buy a box lunch in the restaurant at the station and have a picnic at Groff's Grove along the line. Visit the Reading Car No. 10, a restored business car that carried the top brass of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad back in the early 1900s. Kids are crazy for the Thomas the Tank Engine shop and special events. Trains usually depart hourly. Dinner trains run April to December.

This family-owned property offers 40-minute tours through a 10-room circa-1805 house furnished in the Old Order Amish style. A map guides you to a waterwheel, lime kiln, as well as a traditional covered bridge. One of the older attractions in the area, it dates to 1955.

The Neuber family also offers bus tours that include a farm visit.

The Hershey Story, which replaced the Hershey Museum, is an highly interactive facility that tells all about the life and work of Milton S. Hershey, who founded the town bearing his name and just about everything in it. On display are a working Hershey Kisses wrapping machine and other memorabilia from the company's long history. A highlight is the Chocolate Lab, where you can take classes on grinding cocoa beans by hand, and tempering, molding, and dipping chocolate. The Pantry Cafe offers a range of light meals, snacks, desserts, and a sampler of hot chocolates from around the world.

Offering a first-hand lesson in the process of making ice cream, this new walk-through attraction in a former abandoned mill gives visitors the opportunity to milk a mechanical cow, climb aboard a vintage milk delivery truck, or even concoct a flavor, design its packaging, and shoot a commercial. . Grown-ups may find the facts and figures about dairy farming and the family-owned Turkey Hill company interesting, but mostly this one is for the kids. Reservations are required for the Taste Lab – the make-your-own portion of the Experience.

To say that Pennsylvania wineries don't enjoy the greatest reputation would be a gross understatement. Jan and Kimberly Waltz coined the slogan "the wines that will change your mind," and there's actually a good chance they will. They offer local cheese and chocolate in the tasting room, but the refreshing sauvignon blanc or jammy merlot stand on their own.

Wheatland was the home of James Buchanan, the only U.S. president from Pennsylvania, who served from 1857 to 1861. A National Historic Landmark, the restored 1828 Federal-style mansion and outbuildings display the 15th president's furniture just as it was during his lifetime. A one-hour tour includes a profile of the only bachelor to occupy the White House, a movie, and access to historical artifacts and the arboretum on the grounds. There are holiday candlelight tours with costumed guides.

While the Wilbur Factory has closed and is being sold, you can still get your sugar kicks at the Candy Americana Museum and Factory Candy Outlet, a small museum of candy-related memorabilia with a large retail store filled with brand-name chocolates made with Wilbur Chocolate and signature Wilbur Buds.

Located just a few blocks from the waterfront, Wright's Ferry Mansion was the residence of English Quaker Susanna Wright, a silkworm breeder and intellectual who counted Benjamin Franklin among her friends. The 1738 stone house showcases period furniture in the William & Mary and Queen Anne styles as well as an extensive collection of English needlework, textiles, ceramics, and glass, all predating 1750.