Activities in Mechanicsburg, PA?

[Jeni]

We'll be staying at the Courtyard Mechanicsburg/West Harrisburg towards the end of the month, as a base for visiting Hershey. Our plan is to visit Hershey until about 2pm each day, return to the hotel for our 2.5 year old's afternoon nap. We are not planning to drive back to Hershey in the evenings....so,
any dining and activity ideas in the local area for late afternoon/evening activities with a toddler? TIA-

Jeni

[hopetotimeshare]

We are going to Hershey also and I am searching for accommodations on the outskirts of Hershey. Are these two towns close to Hershey? I know nothing about the area and could really use some help picking a location.

I found the hotels in Hershey expensive. It doesn't matter if we are a little out of the way, I just don't know which towns we should be looking at. We are doing 2 days in Hershey and 4 in Bushkill for my daughters dance competition.

[Jeni]

We chose this hotel b/c it is reasonably close to Hershey- 19 miles door to door. We planned to stay closer, but it was double the Marriott points due to blackout periods, so we opted to stay here, for the regular amount (not double) the points.

[Beverley]

We just stayed at this hotel last month. It is in excellent condition ... granite counters in bathroom, new, built I think last year. The only draw back is that it is by itself and just about 150 feet from the highway. (has a big fence ... safety is not an issue ...). This location made a front room noisey from cars/ trucks all night. Request a room off the back of the hotel and you will have a quieter stay. Very nice employees, helpful/ cheerful.

An excellent restaurant we went to was Theo's. I forgot how to get there, but someone at the front desk should be able to look it up for you.

Beverley

[BargainTraveller]

I live in Mechanicsburg and work 2 minutes away from the Courtyard.

Brand new hotel.

Here are a few suggestions...

The Pizza Grille has great food at a good price.
Crab cakes, seafood soup and crème Brule are my favorites.
Located on Gettysburg Pike just 10 minutes away.

El Rodeo on Carlisle Pike has super Mexican food.
The Hawaiian Fajitas are great.
Several locations on Carlisle Pike.
The service is best at the location at Hampden Plaza.

Outback, Carabbas and Longhorn are all on Carlisle Pike as well.

There is also a new Bass Store on your way back from Hershey.

For clothes shopping there is a Gabe's.
The equivalent of a bargain basement of a TJ Maxx.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you have.

Have a great time!

tom

[hopetotimeshare]

Hey that's where we are staying! I got a sweet deal on Priceline So glad to hear the positive reviews!

The guy at the hotel asked if we had bought tix for Hershey yet and when I told him we had not, he said good because they could tell us where to get cheap tix. I have coupons for $8 off and AAA also has them. Does anyone have any tips on purchasing tix?

[maggie mae]

Originally Posted by hopetotimeshare

We are going to Hershey also and I am searching for accommodations on the outskirts of Hershey. Are these two towns close to Hershey? I know nothing about the area and could really use some help picking a location.

I found the hotels in Hershey expensive. It doesn't matter if we are a little out of the way, I just don't know which towns we should be looking at. We are doing 2 days in Hershey and 4 in Bushkill for my daughters dance competition.

Have you considered staying in the Lancaster area? Not too far from Hershey down route 283 as I recall and there is a lot to see and do especially if you have any interest in seeing the Amish way of life.

[davesdog]

Originally Posted by hopetotimeshare

The guy at the hotel asked if we had bought tix for Hershey yet and when I told him we had not, he said good because they could tell us where to get cheap tix. I have coupons for $8 off and AAA also has them. Does anyone have any tips on purchasing tix?

http://www.giantfoodstores.com/share...07/index2.html

Giant grocery stores, located all over eastern PA, offer $11 off.

[hopetotimeshare]

Originally Posted by davesdog

http://www.giantfoodstores.com/share...07/index2.html

Giant grocery stores, located all over eastern PA, offer $11 off.

Wow, good deal! I will wait then. I expect that they will have some cool stuff going on for Hershey's 100th Anniversary?

Originally Posted by maggie mae

Have you considered staying in the Lancaster area? Not too far from Hershey down route 283 as I recall and there is a lot to see and do especially if you have any interest in seeing the Amish way of life.

As for Lancaster, I would LOVE to see that area. I didn't realize how close it was to Hershey. I am very interested in learning more about the Amish, the kids would be very intrigued I think! I am going to sit down and make up our itinerary, we don't have a lot of time there but I would like to make the most of it!

[MULTIZ321]

HopetoTimeshare,

Here a link to the PA Dutch Country Welcome Center with lots of good info

Also, The Amish Village is about 40 miles Southeast of Hershey


Have a good trip

Richard

[Jeni]

MULTIZ321-

That's a good idea re: Lancaster. We go twice a year, but I forgot how close it is to Hershey and Harrisburg. We'll spend an evening out there to have dinner and let our son run around and visit the animals at Hershey Farms. Thanks!

Jeni