Shopping at the Rockvale Outlets in Lancaster

If you're looking for shopping deals and bargains you'll want to pay a visit to the Rockvale Outlets in Lancaster Pennsylvania. It's one of the largest outlet shopping malls that I've ever seen and it's all situated in the heart of Lancaster Amish Country!

You'll find a slew of great designer name brand stores along with some unique boutiques! Almost all of these stores offer their products and items at heavily discounted prices, in other words, you rarely pay full retail price in the majority of the shops!

You'll find:

Carter's
The Children's Place
Gymboree Outlet
VF Outlet
Janie & Jack Outlet
Alfred Dunner
Goldtoe
Casual Male XL
Puma
Loft Outlet
DressBarn
Pendleton
Orvis
QVC Outlet Store
Lane Bryant Outlet
G.H. Bass Factory Outlet
Pepperidge Farm Outlet
New Balance Factory Store
Outback Trading Company
+ MANY MORE!

On most days you'll find plenty of free parking, but be expected to do a lot of walking! This is an outdoor outlet mall, meaning that you walk outside from store to store. If you're looking for public restrooms, you'll find them at the end or in the middle of most of the different buildings and for public restrooms, we found them to be very clean and well-kept.

When I visit the Rockvale Outlets, I plan on doing a LOT of shopping. I like to travel down to Lancaster two to three times a year, especially right before the holiday season when I want to stock up and purchase my holiday gifts. Just be prepared, during the months of May through September, this area gets very jammed up with the tourist season.

If you're looking to grab a bite to eat while you're there...you'll find some nice dining options really close by and other's you'll have to drive a few miles to reach. You'll find fast food restaurants, casual dining facilities, fine dining restaurants, small cafes, buffets, etc. all nearby.  On the day that we visited, I was lucky enough to catch the Rockvale Outlets Trolley parked and snapped a quick photo of that.

In south central Pennsylvania, the Rockvale and Tanger Outlets in Lancaster County are the places to go if you want to do a lot of shopping and find great deals. I live up near Hershey and we have a small outlet mall there, but I much prefer traveling down to Lancaster and shopping there due to the variety and prices. Looking to stay overnight? Don't worry, you'll find hundreds of hotels, bed & breakfast inns, guest houses & more...all within walking distance or driving distance too!

Harrisburg City Skyline and Susquehanna River Bridges

Harrisburg is the capitol city of Pennsylvania. You'll find it located in Dauphin county, right along the banks of the mighty Susquehanna River. It's a city that is rich in culture, history, the arts and it's pretty diversified, at least in my opinion.

I've called this area home for the majority of my life and I'm always amazed at the things you can see and do around here. Over the past few decades, it's really grown into a nice tourist destination for travelers and a nice place to raise a family.

Today I wanted to share three photos that I have of the city of Harrisburg. The first photo shows the city's skyline...while looking over the Susquehanna River. On a great weather day, you can see for miles and certainly from the banks of the West Shore over to the East Shore of the river. When the river fog sets in on bad weather days...you're lucky if you can see 100 feet in front of you.

The second photo is featuring several of the bridges that takes travelers and residents from one side of the river to the other side. In other words, from the East Shore to the West Shore and vice versa. Some of these river bridges have been around for many decades and need some restoration & work. The photo below shows the Susquehanna River alongside Harrisburg. Photo was taken while going from the west shore to the east shore.

Harrisburg is unlike most major capitol cities that you find around the the United States. Our population is a lot lower than major cities, our crime rates are lower and I think overall...it's just a much more attractive city when you're passing through or visiting it. The residents who call Harrisburg home...take great pride in their city.

If you're not from this area, but plan on passing through or visiting, you can find hundreds of different posts right here on our Pennsylvania & Beyond Travel Blog to give you some ideas on places to stay, things to do and where to go to eat. While it may not be the best city in the world, it's where we call home and we wanted to share just a little taste of it with you.

Exploring Chincoteague Island for the First Time

Chincoteague Island sits along the Atlantic coast in northern Virginia and is one of the prettiest places you could ever visit in the entire state! Some of the island is untouched by human encroachment and other areas are set up for tourists and residents alike.

Chincoteague Island has a gorgeous waterfront area where you can see fishing boats coming and going during the day and night. You'll find beautiful recreational boats that are worth millions of dollars where their owners take them out to play on the water or out for a day of fishing. I can see why millions of people flood to this area during their annual summer vacations.

On the island you'll find several hotels, motels, bed & breakfast inns, guest houses and camp grounds for your lodging accommodations. Some are relatively affordable and other's can cost you a pretty penny. You should do some research online before booking your reservations if you plan on staying overnight. One thing that you won't find on this island paradise is high-rise buildings, casinos or boardwalks, which is really nice.

Chincoteague is Virginia's only beach resort island. You'll find plenty of things to see and do while you're here. You can rent bicycles and go bike riding, walk the beach & waterfront, go fishing, boating, water skiing, jet skiing, sunbathe, play mini golf, kite flying, go shopping, crabbing, clamming and all kinds of other things. There are activities for adults, activities for kids and of course, most activities can be enjoyed by the entire family.

Assateague Island is the home of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and is a barrier island that lies east of Chincoteague. The entire island is a wildlife sanctuary and is protected from development. The entire length of the island is approximately 38 miles long. The northern portion of this beautiful island is in the state of Maryland with the southern portion being in the state of Virginia. Assateague is world-famous for the wild ponies and horses that roam free on the island and along the coastline.

The two islands are within driving distance of one another and when planning a visit to Chincoteague, I highly recommend that you hop on over to Assateague and check that out too! Plus, you'll find the famous Assateague Lighthouse here too! While these two items are similar in their beauty, they do have their own unique charm.

In my honest opinion, every traveler who loves the eastern seaboard should plan at least one trip in their lifetime to Chincoteague Island. It's one of the prettiest coastal destinations along the east coast and certainly in the entire state of Virginia. If you want to learn more about this place and the surrounding area, you can visit the Virginia section right here on our travel blog.

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6 of the World's Best Places to Do Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Stand up paddleboarding, also known as SUP, has taken the watersports world by storm. It has attracted a lot of people not just because of the workout you get from it but also because of the enjoyment of the sport. It is just like surfing but without the waves and like kayaking while standing up. Plus, it doesn’t feel like working out at all.

Paddleboarding is best done on calm and flat water, especially if you’re still learning the sport. But if you’ve already taken lessons and can manage paddleboarding by yourself, then just paddleboard your way towards these great places around the world.

Oahu, Hawaii. Hawaii is known for waves that are ideal for surfing. It’s also a place that is worth visiting if you’re into paddleboarding. There is a flat water area at Puaena Point at Hale’iwa Beach Park for those who are still learning the sport. The waves are also a lot calmer, especially during the summer time. You can do stand-up surfing as well as SUP yoga and it’s easy to get lessons and paddling gear.

California. When paddleboarding in California, go to Santa Cruz or at Lake Tahoe. The Santa Cruz wharf is great for beginners. You do have to expect to share the space with surfers, however. The harbor is also a good place to learn the sport. Lake Tahoe offers crystal clear waters and a breathtaking view of nature. You can paddleboard on the North Shore’s calm waters. Beginners can enjoy the flat water and light winds by paddling in the morning or early in the evening.

Bali, Indonesia. You don’t need to choose a season to travel to Bali since you can paddleboard all year-round. The Medewi and Balian beaches in the north offer calmer waters and are less crowded. There’s plenty to do while you’re here aside from paddleboarding. You can go hiking, climbing, trekking, and even diving. It’s a nature lover’s paradise.

The Turks and Caicos Islands. There’s nothing like the turquoise waters of these islands. The Turks and Caicos Islands have crystal clear waters with reefs that are teeming with life. Take advantage of the island’s trade winds and practice downwind paddling or flat-water paddling and head to the mangrove swamps. There are paddleboard tours being offered that allow you to tour the islands just by being on your paddleboard. Plus, paddle in the open shallow waters and enjoy watching the fish, sharks, and stingrays as you paddle along. Head to the clear and calm waters of Grace Bay or go to Big Blue Unlimited for a paddleboard tour.

Perth, Australia. Being surrounded by waters, there’s no doubt Australia is included in the best places to paddleboard. Get your gear ready and proceed to Perth, Australia. Swan River’s flat waters are a great spot for beginners. You can also enjoy the shores, gentle waves, and the relaxing paddle boarding experience of Cottesloe Beach.

Mexico. Mexico has great places for paddleboarding whether you’re on the Pacific Ocean side or on the Gulf of Mexico. Sayulita, Cancun, and Punta Mita are some examples. There’s a big community of paddleboarders in Sayulita and you could go and catch SUP retreats hosted by many SUP professionals. And of course, there’s no shortage of lessons, guides, and gear rentals in the area.

12+ Things to See and Do on the Boardwalk in Wildwood

The boardwalk in Wildwood New Jersey is loaded with a lot of family-friendly activities for you to enjoy. What's really nice is that they offer something for everyone. You can walk the entire length of the boardwalk and find all kinds of different things for you to see and do.

Here are 12+ Things to See and Do on the Boardwalk in Wildwood

1. No visit would be complete without a ride on the famous Sightseer Tram Car. For $3.00 per person, per way...you can take a ride from one end to the other end of the boardwalk and ride in comfort. Children love to ride the tram car and it will stop anywhere along the route that you want it to stop.

2. The Seaport Aquarium is a privately-owned and operated small aquarium. They have a few snakes, turtles, fish and other animals on display for you to see. This aquarium is very small in size and we found it to be extremely pricey for what it offered.

3. Grand Prix Sprint Karts are for those of you who need a little adrenaline in your lives. You can pay an admission fee and drive your own go kart around the race track. You can race others or leisurely go along at your own pace.

4. Every time we visit, we spend at least one day and even having fun on Morey's Piers! There are 3 piers that are jam-packed with amusement rides for the entire family to enjoy. You can pay per-ride or you can buy a day-pass...no admission fee to get in and walk around. In addition to the amusement park rides, Morey's has a really cool outdoor waterpark for you to enjoy too!

5. If you're visiting Wildwood during one of their sand sculpting festivals, we highly recommend that you check it out. We love seeing the beautiful and creative sand sculptures that the artists create. Some of them are amazing to see!

6. Up and down the boardwalk you'll find oodles of different arcades! If you enjoy video games, basketball, cranes, slot machines, air hockey, pinball, etc. You'll want to stop in one of the arcades for some fun. My husband enjoys the cranes and is always trying to win our grandchildren some plush animals.

7. If you enjoy coastal street art and wall art, I think you'll enjoy some of the various wall murals that you'll see painted on the sides of buildings that line the boardwalk. There is the famous Wyland Whaling Wall that draws thousands of visitors every year. In addition to Wyland, look for David Dunleavy's Sea Turtles wall mural too!

8. No visit to the Jersey Shore would be complete without a game of miniature golf! You'll find several places right on the boardwalk and a few other's that are located right off the boardwalk where you can play a round of mini golf. One of our favorite miniature golf courses is StarLux Mini Golf located towards the south end of the boardwalk...down by the convention center. This mini golf course offers 3 different courses for you to play and each one is a different theme!

The upper-deck course is in a Wildwood theme and gives you beautiful views of the beach & Atlantic Ocean as you play. The other two courses are located down below and one of them has a lot of "water features" while the other one has a "beach & sand" theme. Our favorite course is the one down below with all of the fun water features, although all three courses are great to play!!!

9. During the months of July and August you'll find FREE Friday night fireworks! To get the best views, you'll want to head to the southern end of the boardwalk (below 25th street) and bring your own chairs to sit on the beach.

10. There are several spots on the boards that you'll find various "props" set up where you can grab some family photos. We counted at least 4 of them during our last trip and always take advantage of them. One of our favorites is the wood boat up on the North Wildwood section of the boardwalk.

11. During the early morning hours you can take a nice bike ride up and down the boardwalk. You can bring along your own bikes or rent them by the hour. When bike riding, it's important to stay within the marked biking lanes and ONLY ride during the posted allowed hours.

12. Shopping, walking, eating and just plain having fun! You'll find hundreds of souvenir shops, gift stores, apparel stores, candy shops, ice cream parlors, pizza shops, carnival-style games and eateries that line the famous boardwalk.

If you're looking for additional things to see and do during your vacation to Wildwood in New Jersey, you'll find a ton of them right here in the New Jersey section of our blog. We're constantly updating our lists and you can check out our New Jersey Pinterest Board for great ideas too!

Grab a Bite to Eat at O'Rorke's Family Eatery

Visiting Gettysburg or the surrounding area? Looking for a great place to grab a bite to eat? If so, we highly recommend that you check out O'Rorke's Family Eatery located at 44 Steinwehr Avenue in Gettysburg Pennsylvania.

A few months ago we spend an entire weekend in Gettysburg and we dined one evening at O'rorke's and it was some of the best food that we had in a long time, certainly the best food on this particular trip! On top of enjoying delicious food, it was a nice laid-back & relaxing dining experience.

On their menu you'll find hot soups, sandwiches, steaks that are cooked to perfection, salads, pasta dishes, all kinds appetizers, etc. They truly serve something for everyone, including a few menu items for the kids! If you want to enjoy a cocktail with your meal, they offers those too!

When we visited, we didn't have to wait at all and were seated as soon as we arrived. The wait staff was very courteous and attended to all of our dining needs. Within 20 to 30 minutes, our food arrived on our table at the proper temperatures and our meals were beautifully presented. There was nothing that was sloppily prepared at all. Throughout our meal the wait staff would check on us to see if we needed anything else or to offer up our beverage refills. Very impressed!

On the day that we were there, we saw a few Civil War re-enactors enjoying a meal and chatting with restaurant visitors. It was fun to have the opportunity to ask these re-enactors some questions about the Civil War and obtain very accurate answers. Equally as fun...it was great to see them dressed up in their period clothing attire.

When the weather is nice outside, you can enjoy your food and beverage outside on their patio deck at tables with sun-shielding umbrellas. We chose to dine inside, since the temperatures were pretty warm on the day that we visited. Our entire dining experience from beginning to end was an excellent experience!

If you're heading to Gettysburg for a weekend getaway, vacation or just passing through, make sure you check out O'rorke's Family Eatery for an awesome dining experience.

The Famous Sightseer Tram Car in Wildwood

One of the most iconic and famous things you'll see on the Wildwoods Boardwalk is the world famous Sightseer Tram Car that runs from the north end to the south end of the boardwalk during the summer season. This season is basically from May through September. It does NOT operate on severe bad weather days (light rain & drizzle is okay).

The tram car costs $3.00 (as of the year 2016) to go each way. If you want to take a scenic round trip, you'll have to pay $6.00 per person. Seating is a free-for-all and you basically just find an open seat and sit down. When we ride it, I like to sit in the front, so that I can get unobstructed views of things I want to see. Plus, it makes for better picture-taking opportunities.

You can get on or off of the tram car at just about any location up and down the boardwalk. They do have a mini-office sitting on the boards on the north end and one on the south end. You can buy tickets there or you can pay & get on any where that it stops along the route.

One thing I noticed this past summer season is that some of the trams are decorated up in their Coca-Cola sponsorship theme and others still look like the classic yellow-version from years ago. I love all things about marketing and I think it's pretty cool that Coca-Cola has their marketing on several different things that you'll notice as you go up and down the boards. If you're looking for the "classic-look" you'll find those photos in a different post right here on our blog from a few years ago.

The tram cars are NOT the cleanest cars in the world, so you do want to check out your seat before sitting down. In addition, you'll want to keep the kids sitting with their arms & legs within the car. No standing up until it has completely stopped. You'll typically see two employees (one on the front driving it & one on the caboose - back end), so if you have any questions, they're pretty friendly & happy to answer to them.

If you've never taken a ride on it, it's a definite must-do (at least once) during your Jersey Shore trip. It's a great way to get from end to the other end and to take in all of the scenic sights along the way. It's a really nice option for those who can't do a lot of distance walking and for those who are handicap to get from one place to another.

Note: All photos in this travel feature are clickable. You can click on each one which will open it up in a new browser window & in a slideshow which will show them in an enlarged size, so that you can view all of those smaller details.

Kutztown Folk Festival Celebrates Pennsylvania Dutch Culture

Originating in 1950, the Kutztown Folk Festival is the oldest folklife festival in America. The festival began as a unique hands-on destination that let "outsiders" experience firsthand what it means to be part of a Pennsylvania Dutch family. Visitors from around the world travel to Kutztown, Pennsylvania to discover the traditions of one of only two ethnic groups that recreated their entire culture in America.

With activities and entertainment for the entire family, this nine-day festival, has everyone talking, including:

• USA Today, One of “America’s Top Celebrations”
• Washington Post, “One of the most unique festivals on the East Coast”
• National Geographic, “Great American Eating Experience”
• Destinations, “2016 Best of the Best” attraction and event

Popular Events and Activities:

• Traditional Pennsylvania Dutch foods including schnitz n knepp, corn pies, pork schnitzel, potato cakes, pepper cabbage, cinnamon buns and apple and peach dumplings
• Live Entertainment on 6 stages, including fiddlers, folk signers, country dancers, and the world-famous strolling Sauerkraut Band
• Over 200 nationally recognized juried folk artists and traditional American craftsmen
• America’s Largest Quilt Sale plus 2,500 locally handmade quilts on display and for sale
• Hex Sign Painting Demonstrations

New Events and Features for 2017:

• The 15-piece Shippensburg Blaskapelle German Brass Band, the largest band ever performing at the festival, playing rolling beer-drinking songs, traditional melodies, and lively polkas and waltzes on July 8th
• Tinsmith’s Shop, a workshop where festival visitors can view craftsman Ken Smith transforming raw sheet tin material into functional pieces such as mugs, coffee pots, lanterns, and more
• Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center and the Mennonite Heritage Center displaying and providing presentations and classes on the PA German art form known as Fraktur
• 20,000 pound 1910 Case Steam Traction Engine providing power to many Sonan Brothers antique agricultural pieces of equipment

This year's Kutztown Folk Festival will run from July 1st through July 9th, 2017 with the following hours:

• July 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 9th: 10 am to 6 pm
• July 1st, 2nd, 7th and 8th: 10 am to 8 pm

You can purchase tickets online or at the gate. Looking to save some cash? You'll find a printable $2.00 off admission coupon on their website. You'll find a FREE printable 2017 festival brochure on their website too!

About the Kutztown Folk Festival: The Kutztown Folk Festival is the oldest continuously operated folklife festival in America. The weeklong festival draws visitors from all over the world, entertaining families while providing insight and understanding of the traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch and their fascinating way of life. The Kutztown Folk Festival features a wide variety of Pennsylvania Dutch food; over 200 nationally recognized, juried folk artists and traditional American craftsmen; over 2,500 locally hand-made quilts on display and for sale; antiques and collectables; 5 stages of entertainment; music and dancing; and a wide range of children's activities.

6 Great Places to Stay in Gettysburg Pennsylvania

Planning a trip to Gettysburg Pennsylvania to tour the famous Gettysburg Battlefield or to visit Soldiers' National Cemetery? Gettysburg has a lot to offer visitors in regards to attractions, fine dining and a viable art scene. It's one of our favorite places to visit.

We are often asked through our blog for lodging & accommodation recommendations, so today we are going to share some with you.

6 Great Places to Stay in Gettysburg Pennsylvania

- Quality Inn is located on 380 Steinwehr Avenue and is close to all of the major attractions. Within walking distance you'll find the Lincoln Train Museum, the Gettysburg Heritage Center & Museum, the Diorama and Soldier's National Cemetery. Within a few minutes driving distance you'll find the Gettysburg Battlefield and other area attractions. You can read our personal review on the Quality Inn right here on the blog.

- Brafferton Inn is located in the downtown business district at 44 York Street. It's within walking distance of all of the downtown tourist attractions like the Wills House, the Gettysburg Train Station and others. It's also within walking distance to many of the area's fine restaurants, shopping boutiques, souvenir stores and more. It's a bed and breakfast inn.

- James Getty Hotel is located in the downtown business district at 27 Chambersburg Street and is within walking distance of all of the downtown tourist attractions, fine & casual dining establishments and you can walk around the Lincoln Square area to do your shopping. It's an elegant, downtown historic inn.

- Colton Motel is located on 232 Steinwehr Avenue and is an older motel in the area...on the smaller side, but they do have a pool during the summer season. It's within walking distance of Soldiers' National Cemetery, Lincoln Train Museum, the Gettysburg Diorama, the Heritage Center & Museum and several decent restaurants are nearby. If you're on a budget, you might want to check them out.

- The Inn at Lincoln Square is located at 12 Lincoln Square in the downtown business district and within walking distance of all of the downtown tourist attractions and museums. You'll also find oodles of restaurants and cafes nearby, as well as souvenir and boutique style shopping.

Note: Since the time that this travel feature was written, we have now visited the Gateway Wyndham Hotel located in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. You can read our official lodging review and recommendations by visiting our Gateway Wyndham Gettysburg Hotel post. You'll find extensive information and numerous photographs of this gorgeous property! So far, this is our favorite place to stay while visiting Gettysburg!

Well, there you have it! 6 Great places to stay in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. We have a few more trips planned for Gettysburg later this year and I'll be compiling a new list once we've visited some of the area's other hotels, motels and bed & breakfast inns.

Things to See and Do in Middletown Pennsylvania

Middletown in Pennsylvania is located in Dauphin County, along the banks of the mighty Susquehanna River. The center of town sits about 12 miles south of Harrisburg and was incorporated as a borough in 1828. It's one of those smaller, old towns that is located 3 miles from Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant. Yes, that same nuclear plant you heard of back in the late 1970's that had a partial meltdown in one of it's reactors.

The town is home to Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) where flights come and go 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It's located 9 miles southeast of Harrisburg, the capitol of Pennsylvania. It's the main public airport in south central PA. It's been serving Pennsylvania residents and businesses for over 100 years. As you drive through the town, you'll most likely "spot" one of the Harrisburg International Airport's water towers.

The town is very diverse and has approximately 10,000 residents. As you drive through town you'll see some very old buildings & homes, Victorian mansions, large homesteads, family duplexes and several farms on the outskirts as you enter or leave the area. If you're like me and love looking at old barns, you'll find several in this area that are worth a look-see. We spotted this gorgeous barn at Lytle Farms.

As we were cruising through, we spotted several fast-food restaurants, a few neighborhood bars, sit-down casual restaurants, an old diner and several other establishments that offer food & beverages. You'll also see several shopping plazas, a few boutiques and other type's of stores. Some of the streets can be narrow due to parking on both sides.

If you're looking for a few things to see and do, you can try visiting Saturday's Market which is the largest indoor & outdoor flea market & farmer's market in Pennsylvania. It's open (indoors and outdoors) every Saturday (year-round) and on Sundays (outdoors) year-round. They have FREE parking and admission is free.

Middletown has an old-time roller skating rink called Doc's Family Fun Center where you can spend some time on the hardwoods rollerskating around. If you're looking for more exciting things to see and do, I would suggest you take the 15 minute drive into Hershey or Harrisburg where you'll find miniature golf courses, shopping malls, Hersheypark, Zoo America, museums, etc. Both Hershey & Harrisburg have a lot of fun activities for you to enjoy.

Looking for something to eat? A lot of the locals recommend heading to Angie's Diner (Restaurant) and Lounge located on Eisenhower Blvd. in Harrisburg, It's just a short car ride away. Angie's is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as cocktails & alcoholic beverages. Out of the two eateries we're featuring in this post today, Angie's is definitely the better one to go to.

If you have a hankering for a few beers & cocktails, the locals like to hangout at Guido McNeals. It's located at 9 East Main Street in Middletown. They have a few pool tables that seem to attract the younger crowd (college kids) in the area. It's a combination restaurant and bar. When we visited, we found their food to be edible, but not great. The only thing my husband really enjoyed was the ice cold beer. Frankly, there are a lot better places in the area you can visit, including fast-food restaurants. Sorry, we just weren't impressed with this place at all.

Middletown is nothing really special and it's definitely not the type of place you want to plan a vacation to. If your passing through or staying nearby, you can cruise on through and see if there is something there that interest's you.