Day 1
Lititz to Hershey
67 milesBegin in Lititz, founded in 1756 by the Moravian Church, a German Christian sect. At Wilbur Chocolate (48 N. Broad St., (888) 294-5287), try free samples of Wilbur Buds, Wilbur's signature candies, as you listen to the candy-making machines upstairs and peruse shelves laden with chocolates and candy-related antiques. Organic hot dogs and flatbread pizzas are on the kid-friendly menu at Cafe Chocolate (40 E. Main St., 717-626-0123). The Moravian Mission Gift Shop (8 Church Square, 717-626-8515) at the Moravian Church is the best place to pick up a glass or pierced-tin Moravian 26-point star. Let your kids feed the ducks and romp in the playground in Lititz Springs Park (717-626-7960) or take Route 501 north to 322W, a left onto Long Lane and a left on Speedwell Forge Road to tour the Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania (465 Speedwell Forge Rd., 717-626-4617), a 22-acre wolf habitat offering hour-long guided tours (Saturday and Sunday at noon).
Take Route 501 South to Route 30 West to York (31 miles), the birthplace of the York Peppermint Pattie and home to Wolfgang Candy (50 E. Fourth Ave., 717-843-5536), a family-run business dating from 1921. Twice daily on weekdays you can watch sweets like the chocolate-covered pretzel, a classic local treat, as it's enrobed, decorated, boxed, and shrink-wrapped. On market days, visit the historic Central Market (34 W. Philadelphia St., 717-848-2243, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.); inside, you'll find homemade Pennsylvania German specialties and Anstine's Candy (1-800-CANDY-25), whose popular peppermint creams and peanut butter meltaways have been handmade since 1942. Stop by the York County Heritage Trust Headquarters (250 E. Market St., 717-848-1587) to inquire about touring its historic sites and to check out the gift shop's books and textiles. Order the calamari appetizer while deciding on entrées from the seasonally changing menu at The Left Bank (120 N. George St., 717-843-8010). After dinner, take Route 30 West to I-83 North to Route 322 East to Route 422 East to Hershey (36 miles) and check in at the Hotel Hershey (100 Hotel Rd., 1-800-HERSHEY), perched on a hilltop overlooking the town.
Next Page: Day 2: Hershey to Lebanon
