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Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's online News, Opinion, Arts and Entertainment information archive, serving the PA Capital Region. |
 Slip Away to York,
PAA Wonderful Escape Just Down The Road By Anne Surniak |
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Places to Eat Anza’s Pizza Blue Moon Café Graffiti’s Coffee Bar Queensgate Shopping Center San Carlo’s Restaurant & The Hop Places to Shop Antiques on Shrewsbury Square Pfalzgraff Factory Store West Manchester Mall Places to See Harley-Davidson, Inc Naylor Wine Cellars, Inc Northern Central Railway The Watch & Clock Museum Places To Stay: Bed & Breakfasts An Artist’s Garden Bed & Breakfast Emig Mansion The Garden House Bed & Breakfast |
Did you ever notice how one day you wake up and it’s Halloween and the next time you realize what the date is, it’s two days before Thanksgiving? Between preparing for the holidays and the end of the year crunch in the workplace, November is often a busy and stressful month. You want to get away for the day, need to get away, but don’t think you’ve got the time? York is the perfect solution. It’s just about an hour away, and there are tons of interesting things to do. The trip we have planned for you includes an afternoon of sightseeing or shopping, or both, and a wonderfully elegant evening aboard the Liberty Limited Dinner Train. Dress for the dinner excursion is elegant casual; however, no high-heels are aloud, so wear something that is both nice and comfortable. Unless you’re a really early riser, eat light or skip breakfast and head to York (I-83 South) at 11 a.m. Don’t worry, you won’t be starving all day, in fact, the first stop in this historic city is The York Central Market House. This beautiful four-story brick building is located in the heart of the city, and can be reach by taking North George Street (exit 10). Make a right at the traffic signal onto South George Street, and another right on to Philadelphia Street, the building is about two blocks up. The market is opened Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 6 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., and one of it’s most popular attractions is its restaurants and lunch counter, featuring a range of cuisine, from Pennsylvania Dutch to ethnic deli foods. Plan to stay for awhile, you’ll want to check out the local craftspeople that offer handmade collectibles, gift items and artwork. While you’re in the area, it’d be wise to stop in and see Wolfgang Candies and their factory Das Sweeten Haus. Follow North George Street south and take a left onto Fourth Street. Call first if you’d like to join a factory tour, otherwise plan to spend some time going through their candy shop and watching some of their candies being made. Wolfgang Candies is a great place to get a little holiday shopping done, and if you’ve never experienced the pleasure of one of their chocolate covered pretzels, please, buy a box, you won’t regret it! One absolutely can’t go to York without seeing the Harley-Davidson Antique Motorcycle Museum. This is your next stop in York, and can be reached by following I-83 south to the Arsenal Exit and following that east one-mile. Here unfolds the history of Harley-Davidson, which began in a shed in 1903 with the simple idea of motorizing bicycles, then later went to war, became the symbol of American individualism and ended up as "king of the road." There are more than 40 motorcycles, dating back to 1906, including everything from military and police bikes, to dirt bikes and mopeds. Tours of the museum are offered at 10 and 11 a.m., and 1 and 2 p.m. The tour is free. Next stop in York is just a couple miles down the road. The Christmas Tree Hill in the Mansion will give you plenty of ideas for gifts and decorations for the upcoming holidays. The mansion is a must see during this time of year to put you in the holiday spirit! All three levels carry the sights, scents, and sounds of the season. To get there, go east on Arsenal Road and take the Mr. Zion exit, turn left at the bottom of the exit, and left at the first stop. If this doesn’t fill the rest of your afternoon, why not stop at Shrewsbury? This town is right before New Freedom, and filled with antique shops and an antique center.
All Aboard the Liberty Limited! Now it’s time to really relax. Prepare yourself for a peaceful ride, great entertainment, and a first class meal. Directions are simple: take I-83, Exit 1, follow PA Route 851 west to New Freedom; turn left on Penn Street and the track is up one block. In the 1970’s, there was Cat Stevens "Peace Train" and O’Jays "Love Train" followed by Gladys Knight and The Pip "Midnight Train (To Georgia)," but now in the late 90’s your have a golden opportunity to get on board the last throwback to the glory days of railroad travel in New Freedom, just miles from York. The Northern Central Railway is the second oldest operating rail line in the United States dating back to 1828 and opened just weeks after the B & O Railway. This was the main passenger line from Baltimore, north to Harrisburg and west to Chicago. President Lincoln traveled along these same rails to confer with his field commanders in Harrisburg. Later, he rode the Northern Central to Gettysburg, delivering a 2-1/2 minute address during the dedication of that battle’s cemetery, and his body made one final journey along the tracks en route to New York City, and to its final resting place in Springfield, Illinois. My wife, Jana, and I celebrated our 20th wedding Anniversary with this delightful 3-1/2 hour train ride. We had traveled via Amtrak in sleeper cars numerous times when we lived in Miami, and believe me there is no more romantic way to travel. For a really romantic night, and a more complete get a way, couples could plan to spend the night at one of the many bed and breakfasts that York County has to offer. The train ride is more than just fun, it’s nostalgic. Look at it as a complete romantic get a way, and if you are as lucky as we were, opt for one of the private cars. There are eight such compartments on board the Liberty, and ours made the day special. We were offered all of the champaign we could drink for $20, and the meal was out of this world! We dined on Chicken Cordon Bleu and mahi mahi with new red potatoes and sautéed vegetables. The table was laid with linen and fine China and a round, crusty loaf of bread with a seafood dip that was to die for. Most of the trains feature special themes such as, Murder on the Limited, where guests participate in a "Whodunit" type of mystery; Comedy on the rails features an on board troupe of comics. Before you leave for a relaxing day in York, ensure yourself a seat on the Liberty by making reservations. Call 800-94-TRAIN, for reservations. Tickets for Friday and Saturdays run between $39 and $49, depending on the entertainment. |
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