5 Reasons Meeting Profs Love Eastern Pennsylvania

The scenic Pocono Mountains is home to over 150 lakes and a variety of historic towns. The entire mountain range spans six counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania, all of which offer exciting, adventurous activities year-round.

As the home of the famous Philly Cheesesteak, it’s almost a given that visitors have “Try one!” on their Philadelphia bucket list. These sandwiches, with variations, follow the same classic formula: a baked long roll stuffed with chopped or sliced griddle-fried beef, covered in melted cheese and fried onions. Is your mouth watering yet?

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If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll be pleased to know that Pennsylvania is home to Hershey Chocolate Factory. Treat your group to a tour of the factory, or even a create-your-own-candy-bar activity. They even offer rooms for private events and meetings with (literally) sweet customizable add-ons.

Gettysburg National Military Park, about a two-hour drive from Philadelphia, was once the site of one of the most violent battles of the Civil War. It’s now preserved and managed by the National Park Service and offers guided tours, exhibits, ranger programs and numerous must-visit landmarks.

Just an hour outside of Pennsylvania is one of the world’s premier horticultural display gardens, Longwood Gardens. Over 9,000 species and varieties of plants cover over 1,000 acres of gardens and displays. It holds a variety of events throughout the year and offers tours led by expert guides.

Lancaster Country

Lancaster County is home to Pennsylvania’s Dutch Country and one of the oldest Amish communities in the U.S. The city of Lancaster is technically older than the country itself, having been founded in 1729. Did you know that Lancaster hosted the second Continental Congress on Sept. 27, 1777? The city was even the U.S. capital for one day.

The county features some of the most sought-after hiking and biking trails in the state. There’s also a wide selection of museums, such as the National Watch & Clock Museum and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

Step back in time with a visit to Stoudtburg Village, an Adamstown neighborhood that emulates a modern-day European village complete with steep-pitched red roofs, wrought iron balconies and red-topped and pebbled walking-only streets. It was designed by Edward Stoudt, the founder of Stoudt’s Country Kitchen, and his wife, Carol, in 1996 to look like Edward’s ancestral village of Rothenburg Germany. They sought to create a community where homeowners could be both residents and merchants. It’s the perfect place to find antiques, handcrafted goods and collectibles

In the heart of Lancaster City, you can visit America’s oldest farmers market at Lancaster Central Market, where farmers have been selling their goods since the 1730s. Indulge in fresh bread and desserts, artisan cheeses and a selection of handmade crafts. It’s open year-round on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It was even recently listed as one of the world’s 10 Best Fresh Markets by CNN Go.

Looking for more unique ways to explore Lancaster County? Aaron & Jessica’s Buggy Rides is an Amish-owned and -operated company that offers a selection of tours, each of which travels through non-commercial, working Amish farms and communities.

Groups looking to book a buggy ride can choose from a selection of tours, including their regular four-mile ride that takes visitors through a classic covered tunnel and includes a visit to a farm where guests can get off the buggy and explore the barn, learn about the farming equipment and meet the cows, chickens, goats and horses. Other tours include the Country & Cookie Tour along country roads to see horse-plowed land and purchase cookies and other snacks from local vendors, served directly in the carriage.

Tours can even be tailored to your group with special themes if you request one. If you’re planning a meeting for health-care providers, they offer a tour centered on Amish health-care practices. They have a variety of buggy sizes to fit groups of different sizes; if you’re planning for more than 15 guests, the company will make sure to accommodate all the space you’ll need for a private tour.

Lancaster County is perfect for a peaceful getaway from day-to-day life, but it’s certainly not dull. The area is full of a variety of activities for every interest, whether attendees are adamant about learning the history of their meeting destination or hoping to spend downtime going shopping or taking a leisurely bike ride to explore the area. Along with a rich Amish culture and scenic farmland, the area has its own balance of energizing cities, outstanding dining experiences and contemporary art. Lancaster County is a vibrant community with many locally owned businesses that are thrilled to offer visitors welcoming warmth and an enriching experience in their unique destination.

History All Around

What’s a Pennsylvania meeting without taking some time to acknowledge the state’s integral role in the country’s beginnings? There’s history everywhere, from the heart of the city of Philadelphia to numerous small towns and preserved historic sites.

Valley Forge, less than a one-hour drive outside Philadelphia, served as one of eight winter encampments for the main body of the continental army headed by George Washington during the winter of 1777-1778. It was here that the continental army evolved from a ragtag group of disparate colonial militias into a cohesive fighting force. Thousands of these soldiers built their own huts to offer respite from the cold weather, and by June 1778, it was one of the largest cities in the colonies at that time—the population consisted of free and enslaved African American soldiers and civilians, Indigenous people, officers, enlisted soldiers, European immigrants and families.

The site is now preserved as a national historic park, with 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands and monuments. Visitors can enjoy adventure activities such as hiking and horseback riding. For those interested in learning more about the area’s history, the Encampment Tour route is a 10-mile driving loop with nine major stops where they can explore some of the site’s major monuments, statues and locations of historical importance. Audio tour kits and a cell phone guide make this tour easy to do without a tour guide. Trolley tours are also available.

Philadelphia is a historic hub in itself. Independence Hall, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the location where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the United States Constitution was debated and eventually adopted. It is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Visitors can take 15-20-minute tours, ticketed March through December. In January and February, tours operate every 20-30 minutes on a first-come, first-served basis, excluding holiday weekends, when tickets are required.

The Liberty Bell is right across the courtyard from Independence Hall. Its inscription, “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof,” has inspired abolitionists, women’s suffrage advocates and others throughout the country’s history. Its distinctive crack is a sought-after photo-op, and, free to visit year-round, it’s perfect for a quick visit during meeting downtime.