Down the Same Road: Our Family's Pennsylvania Story

Some trips you take once and check off the list. Pennsylvania isn't one of those for us. Over the years, we've driven from North Carolina up to the Philadelphia suburbs more times than we can count. The real reason behind all those trips is family, and Malvern has become our home base every time we've visited. From there, we've ventured out again and again: into the city, into Amish country, out to Hershey, and everywhere in between. This is a look back at some of our favorite stops along the way.

Malvern: Our Home Base

Every one of these trips has started and ended in Malvern, out in the Philadelphia suburbs, where we stay with family. That's really the heart of why we keep making this drive so often. But once we're there, we can never resist venturing out to explore, and Malvern turns out to be a perfect launch point: close enough to downtown Philadelphia for an easy day trip, and close enough to Lancaster County and Hershey to make longer day trips out into the countryside just as easy.

The Amish Village and Lancaster County

Lancaster County is one of those places we keep coming back to, and the Amish Village has become a regular stop for us. It's a small but well-preserved farmstead where you can walk through an authentic Amish house, see the outbuildings, and get a real sense of how the community lives — without electricity lines, cars, or modern conveniences. On one of our earlier visits, we even took a horse-drawn carriage ride through the village and surrounding countryside, guided by an Amish driver, which gave us a completely different feel for the area than driving through in a car ever could.

On our most recent trip, instead of just visiting the Village itself, we took the time to explore some of the other Amish-run stores scattered around the surrounding countryside — small farm stands, bakeries, and family shops tucked along the back roads. There's something special about buying fresh farm vegetables, homemade jams, fresh baked goods, and handcrafted furniture directly from the families who make them. Along those same back roads, we've also come across some really good garden centers next to the Amish grocery stores — beautiful nurseries and greenhouses with healthy plants, flowers, and garden supplies at prices that are hard to beat.

Longwood Gardens at Christmas

One Christmas trip, we made a stop at Longwood Gardens, not far from Malvern, and it turned out to be one of the most magical stops of all our visits. The gardens go all out for the holidays, with elaborate light displays draped over trees, illuminated fountains, and greenhouses full of poinsettias and seasonal blooms. Walking through in the evening, with everything lit up against the winter night, felt like stepping into a completely different world — easily one of the most beautiful things we've seen on any of our Pennsylvania trips.

Philadelphia Downtown

Even with Malvern as our home base, we make it into downtown Philadelphia on nearly every trip, and it never gets old. We wander through historic streets past Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, through Rittenhouse Square, past LOVE Park with its fountains and the famous LOVE sign, and, on one holiday trip, through Philadelphia's Christmas Village, the German-style market that takes over the city each winter.

Going back even further, on one of our very first trips to Philadelphia — probably 15 years ago at this point — we took a ride on the Philadelphia Ducks, the amphibious tour vehicles that drove right through the city streets and then splashed into the Delaware River. Ride the Ducks actually stopped operating later, so it's not something you can do anymore, but it's a fun memory from way back, and a reminder of just how many different ways we've found to see this city over the years.

On one of my more recent trips, I stayed downtown for a night on my own to catch up with a friend, at a central DoubleTree by Hilton right in the heart of the city. Being able to walk out the door and be steps from everything made it easy to get out early the next morning for some photography, and the streets were empty — literally no one around. I watched crews washing down the sidewalks and getting the city ready for the day, before any of the usual crowds showed up. It's a side of Philadelphia most visitors never see, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable mornings of any of my trips.

No trip to Philadelphia feels complete without a stop at one of the city's iconic cheesesteak spots, like Pat's King of Steaks or Geno's Steaks in South Philly, facing off across the same intersection. It's a must-see slice of local culture, loud counters and all. One word of caution, though: if you're vegetarian, this isn't the place to look for a satisfying option — you're better off enjoying the atmosphere and finding your meal elsewhere.

Afternoon Tea at A Taste of Britain

On one of my most recent trips, we spent an afternoon on something a little different— a proper English tea at A Taste of Britain, a British shop and tearoom in the Philadelphia suburbs. Tiered trays of finger sandwiches and pastries, a good pot of tea, and a cozy, unhurried atmosphere made for a nice change of pace.

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

On our drive to Hershey, we stopped at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, right along the way. It's home to one of the largest collections of historic locomotives and railcars in the country, and walking among these massive engines up close — some over a century old — gives a real appreciation for how central the railroad was to building this part of the country. It made for a nice change of pace before continuing, and an easy stop for anyone making the same drive.

Hershey Park at Christmas

One of our trips was timed around the holidays, and we made the drive out to Hersheypark to see it decked out for Christmas. The park transforms completely this time of year, with lights strung through the trees, seasonal treats, and a festive atmosphere that's very different from a summer visit.

A highlight for us was the trolley ride through the park — a relaxed way to take in all the Christmas lights and decorations without spending the whole visit on your feet. It's a great option for families, especially with younger kids or when the weather is cold, and it gave us a nice overview of the park before we set off to explore on foot.

Worth the Trip

If you get a chance, visit this state — there's so much to do.