To kick off the nice and cozy climate journey season, we thought it was time to take a bit highway journey. Nothing that was an excessive amount of of an extended haul, however had lovely surroundings, enjoyable issues to do with fascinating stops alongside the way in which, and loads of nice meals, wine, and craft beer. We selected a drive by way of Southeastern Pennsylvania with stops in Gettysburg, Lancaster, and Chadds Ford. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for a enjoyable roadtrip, romantic weekend, or household trip, there’s loads of superior issues to do in Southeast Pennsylvania!
Day 1: Gettysburg, PA
In the event you aren’t up in your American historical past, you might not understand that Gettysburg is without doubt one of the essential places within the United States in phrases of our nation’s historical past. It’s additionally not in Virginia, as three completely different folks thought after I advised them I used to be going there. Positioned in Adams County, Pennsylvania, Gettysburg is most nicely referred to as being the placement of the Civil Warfare’s bloodiest battle, referred to as the Battle of Gettysburg. It was a constructive turning level within the battle for the North, resulting in the Confederacy’s retreat to the South and finally the north victory. Gettysburg can also be the well-known spot the place President Lincoln gave his most shifting and well-known speech in 1863, the Gettysburg Tackle.
Whereas everybody who will get to Gettysburg ought to completely go to the Gettysburg Nationwide Army Park and Gettysburg Museum and Customer Heart, there’s additionally much more to see and do right here. On this cool little historic city, you’ll uncover a fantastic scenic countryside, farm stands, and markets, a unbelievable meals scene, boutiques, artwork galleries, in addition to loads of craft beer, cider, and native wine to style and luxuriate in. Try the place we stopped whereas on this nice little city.
The place To Eat And Drink In Gettysburg, PA
Springhouse Tavern within the Dobbins Home
89 Steinwehr Ave, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Dobbinhouse.com
If it’s a historic eating expertise you’re after, the Springhouse Tavern and Dobbins Home Tavern on the historic Dobbins home delivers. Inbuilt 1776, listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations, and Gettysburg’s oldest constructing, the Dobbins Home was initially constructed by an Irish Reverend named Alexander Dobbin who emigrated to America for a greater life. It actually has all of it: an extended and fascinating historical past, nice meals served by candlelight and employees sporting interval costume. You may’t get any extra of an immersive eating expertise. We loved a scrumptious informal Colonial model lunch served within the decrease degree of the house known as the Springhouse Tavern named for the three pure springs positioned there. Open every day for lunch and dinner, within the Springhouse Tavern, you’ll additionally discover darkish wooden, candlelight, fireplaces, yummy informal tavern fare, and a sizzling pecan pie to die for.
Don’t miss their French Onion Soup, which is without doubt one of the greatest I’ve ever had. The key: it’s made with prime rib. In the event you’re on the lookout for a extra upscale eating expertise, make a reservation to dine within the Dobbin Home Tavern, which opens at evening for dinner, and is positioned within the higher flooring of the house. You should definitely take a look at the tiny museum devoted to a small part of the home that was a part of the Underground Railroad. There’s additionally an inn for lodging and a present store with a concentrate on Irish items. An ideal expertise throughout, the Dobbins Home is to not be missed in Gettysburg.
Blue And Grey Bar And Grill
2 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
fb.com
A sizzling spot that pulls locals, school college students, and vacationers every day, The Blue And Grey Bar And Grill affords up nice bites, craft beer and wine in a enjoyable and relaxed environment. Plus, they’re open till 2 am day-after-day once you’re in want a late evening chunk. Positioned on Lincoln Heart within the coronary heart of downtown Gettysburg, the Blue And Grey Bar serves artistic pub meals, wings, salads, sandwiches and burgers the place most the whole lot on the menu has a Civil Warfare-themed title.
In the event you’re actually courageous (or perhaps a bit loopy) and up for a problem, order their Pickett’s Cost Burger Problem. For $25.00 you’re tasked with consuming their large 5.5-pound multi-stack monster burger with a number of patties, grilled cheese sandwiches, and a Philly cheesesteak. In the event you end this burger described on their menu as being “as giant because the Military Of The Potomac and Military of Northern Virginia mixed,” in underneath 20 minutes, you win the problem and it’s free. Though you may pay in different methods later within the day. I had some touring to do, so this wasn’t within the playing cards for me. Possibly subsequent time.
Garryowen Irish Pub
126 Chambersburg St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
garryowenirishpub.web
For recent, genuine, and simply throughout tasty Irish model pub meals at its most interesting, Garryowen Irish Pub is the place to go in Gettysburg. Known as the “The Go” by locals, Garryowen is Gettysburg’s solely Irish-owned Irish pub with a lot of that are the proprietor’s family recipes. Most of the components used within the dishes are even straight from the Emerald Isle. The meals right here tastes recent and genuine and there’s love put into the meals right here. We loved one other scrumptious French Onion Soup (it’s onerous to discover a menu in Gettysburg with out one), a recent Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese with Candied Walnuts and an implausible home made Reuben. For a effective Irish drink, Garryowen’s has over 100 Irish whiskeys, a terrific number of Irish and native craft beers on faucet together with a world wine checklist. In the event you occur to be right here on a Sunday, you could be handled to some Irish music to get pleasure from together with your nice Irish fare.
Adams County Vineyard Gettysburg Wine Store
25 Chambersburg St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
adamscountywinery.com
When strolling by way of downtown Gettysburg you don’t need to stray too far for a terrific glass of native wine. Adams County Vineyard, Gettysburg’s oldest vineyard, has been making its award-winning wines within the space since 1975 and grows its grapes on the South Mountains overlooking Gettysburg. You may choose to go to the vineyard on website and do a tasting of their publish Civil Warfare period barn, or simply cease into their wine store within the downtown space whereas doing a little purchasing. Tastings are complementary they usually have bottles accessible for buy so that you don’t need to go house empty-handed. Insurgent Purple is their hottest bottle that’s candy, fragrant, flavorful with a number of Harmony Grape taste. We cherished their whites too and ended up with a bottle of their Riesling which was bursting with honeysuckle, citrus and orange blossom. For a cool deal with, you’ll want to cease in and take a look at their frosty and scrumptious wine sorbet. It’s a bit cup of wine heaven.
Journey Tip: Adams County the place Gettysburg is positioned is house to Pennsylvania’s largest fruit-growing area. You should definitely go to destinationgettysburg.com the get tips about which farms let you decide your individual fruit like blueberries in the summertime and apples within the fall.
The place To Store For Recent Farm Items In Gettysburg, PA
The Historic Spherical Barn & Farm Market
298 Cashtown Rd, Biglerville, PA 17307
roundbarn.farm
For our final cease within the Gettysburg space, we headed to The Historic Spherical Barn & Farm Market. Positioned about 8 miles west of Gettysburg, lies this family-owned lovely historic farm and market that was inbuilt 1914. The attraction right here is seeing the distinctive spherical structure of this fantastically preserved white barn. These spherical model barns grew to become common within the 1820’s and remained so till about 1920 after they fell out of style.
Whereas the market choices weren’t in depth right here, they did have a terrific number of distinctive and conventional jams, jellies, sauces, cheeses, snacks, and native produce. In addition they have a number of farm-style antiques right here and there. In the event you’re into cookbooks, there’s quite a bit to select from with a concentrate on Pennsylvania and country-style recipes. We purchased some horseradish mustard, sizzling sauce, fig preserves, and beef jerky. Every part was scrumptious and we’d like to return within the fall for apple choosing season. Earlier than we left, we visited with their candy and pleasant goats and waved goodbye to their mules and horse within the distance.
💡 Tip: In the event you go to the barn, and have time to unwind, head throughout the road to the Thirsty Farmer Brew Works the place you possibly can order a lightweight chunk to eat and pattern their small-batch handcrafted ales, lagers, and ciders on a small household farm.
The place To Keep In Gettysburg, PA
Federal Pointe Inn
75 Springs Ave, Gettysburg, PA 17325
FederalPointeInn.com
Whereas in Gettysburg we stayed at The Federal Pointe Inn, an award-winning boutique Ascend Resort. One other Gettysburg historic gem and positioned simply a few blocks from Gettysburg’s middle, The Federal Pointe Inn has its personal wealthy historical past. Initially inbuilt 1897 as Gettysburg’s first highschool, it was bought and renovated in 2012 by Peter and Elizabeth Monahan who remodeled it right into a luxurious inn whereas preserving the distinctive structure of the constructing. As an alternative of lecture rooms, you’ll now discover 18 tremendous snug and extremely spacious visitor rooms and suites. Many have grand four-poster beds, giant granite bogs with spa tubs and all include excessive ceilings match for a palace.
Whether or not you’re coming or going, complimentary espresso, tea, and lemon water are served all day within the foyer and freshly baked scones are set out at 4:00 for tea time. In order for you an informal chunk to eat or a glass of wine or craft beer with out stepping off-site, simply head to The Pointe Pub positioned within the backside degree of the lodge open Wednesday by way of Sunday.
And in the event you love antiques, artwork, and historic pictures then don’t be shocked if you end up wandering by way of the delightfully scented hallways of the Federal Pointe Inn, admiring their spectacular assortment. A health middle, free on-site parking, and WIFI all through the property are true conveniences right here and also you’ll discover the employees authentically pleasant and useful whether or not you want a dinner or exercise advice.
Day 2-3: Lancaster, PA
Subsequent cease on our highway journey was Lancaster, PA. Whereas Lancaster County is thought for its Dutch nation allure, Amish farms, bakeries, meals markets, and total affect within the space, Lancaster’s downtown is to not be missed with nice eating places and purchasing. Lancaster can also be a city that loves its beer. And baked items. And cheeses. And farm recent something. So meaning there’s loads of locations to indulge. Right here’s the place we ended up:
The place To Store In Lancaster, PA
Lancaster Central Market
23 N Market St, Lancaster, PA 17603
Centralmarketlancaster.com
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Positioned within the coronary heart of town at Penn Sq., Lancaster Central Market is a foodie’s dream come true and should go to if within the space. Thought-about America’s oldest farmers’ market constructing, farmers have been promoting their recent meats, greens, fruits, and different merchandise on this very website for the reason that 1730’s. Most of the vendor’s there at this time have been promoting their items “on market” for the reason that early 1900’s by way of the generations of their households.
Moving into Central Market (because the locals name it), you’ll discover row after row of recent meats, dairy and produce (principally natural), proper from the native farms the place they’re grown. It’s as recent because it will get. There’s additionally chocolate and sweet distributors together with recent baked items to strive like breads, pies, whoopie pies, cookies, muffins and scones. Love cheese? There’s loads of farm recent cheese to pattern and take house. Don’t miss the Linden Dale Farms stand and get a pattern of their wealthy and creamy goat cheese.
In the event you’re touring by way of the realm, Lancaster Central Market is a superb place to cease earlier than you make your method house to top off on some farm recent meals, a bouquet of recent farm flowers or nation items. Plan your go to accordingly as a result of it’s solely open 6 am-4pm Tuesdays and Fridays, and 6 am-2 pm Saturdays.
Highway Journey Cash Tip: Many stands on the Lancaster Central Market don’t take bank cards, so you’ll want to have loads of money readily available. Even in the event you overlook, there may be an ATM on website. Don’t you hate these ATM charges although? That’s why we love our Needham Checking Account debit card for touring. With the NB Checking Card, you’re by no means charged any ATM charges regardless of the place you withdraw cash out of. Even when touring internationally! It’s the proper journey card. Click on right here to open an NB Checking account.
The place To Keep In Lancaster, PA
Lancaster Arts Resort
300 Harrisburg Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603
www.lancasterartshotel.com
$$-$$$
In the event you want someplace to remain within the Lancaster space, we advocate the Lancaster Arts Resort. Positioned within the northern a part of town, there’s quite a bit to like about this former 1800’s tobacco warehouse now turned hip trendy lodge with uncovered brick partitions and reclaimed wooden flooring. The Lancaster Artwork Resort affords supremely snug and trendy lodging with loads of luxurious facilities. If you wish to keep match in your travels there’s a gymnasium in home or you possibly can head over to the YMCA throughout the road for which entry is complimentary together with your keep. However, it’s the celebration of native artwork discovered on show all through the lodge that provides this lodge it’s true allure and persona. They even encourage visitors to get artistic, by supplying each visitor room with a sketchpad and pencil. Depart your individual little masterpiece behind with the lodge and it’ll turn into one of many many artistic endeavors displayed on rotation all through the lodge. The placement on the Lancaster Arts Resort is actually handy and is inside strolling distance to a wide range of nice eating places and cafes, each informal and upscale together with Beilers Donuts and Meduseld Meadery.
The place To Eat And Drink In Lanscaster, PA
John J. Jeffries
Lancaster Arts Resort
300 Harrisburg Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603
Johnjjeffries.com
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Whether or not you’re staying on the Lancaster Arts Resort or not, you’ll want to go to its onsite restaurant, John J. Jeffries. The meals isn’t good right here. It’s nice. With a concentrate on seasonal and sustainable dishes made with native and natural components, the cooks at John J. Jeffries efficiently pull off a menu of tempting dishes which can be internationally impressed. Plus, what isn’t nice about supporting native farms? Thought-about fine-dining, but completely unpretentious, John J. Jeffries commits to sourcing their components inside a 25-mile radius of the lodge.
Among the standout dishes we ordered had been the Wild Caught Shrimp & Grits with lemon butter, seasonal greens, and chorizo sausage and the Lamb Kabob served with basmati rice, cucumber, tomato, and feta salad. We completed our meal with their model of a Tres Leches served with native strawberries and a caramel sauce that was out of this world. In the event you go, choose to sit down exterior on the patio like we did, if climate permits. John J. Jeffries serves dinner solely and opens at 4 pm.
Beiler’s Donuts
398 Harrisburg Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603
Beilersdoughnuts.com
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Positioned adjoining to the Lancaster Arts Resort Beiler’s Donuts is a famend donut store despatched from the pastry gods and most well-known for his or her location in Philadelphia’s well-known Studying Terminal Market. Utilizing a household recipe that was handed down for generations, Beiler’s makes their hand-rolled donuts recent every day and are adorned, glazed and stuffed making for a wide range of excellent donut creations. To me, these are the proper donut. Tremendous mushy and yeasty, with a barely crispy edge to the chunk. I’d die for one in all their glazed donuts this minute, however for now, we will drool collectively over their donut taste menu linked right here.
Lancaster Brewing Firm
302 N Plum St, Lancaster, PA 17602
Lancasterbrewing.com
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For some native craft beer and a chunk to eat, we headed to Lancaster Brewing Firm. At any time when I am going to a brewery for the primary time I all the time order a sampler for a good suggestion of what they’ve to supply. Lancaster Brewing affords 6 beneficiant samples for a completely affordable $12. Standouts for us had been their Double Chocolate Milk Stout (intense roasted malts, silky clean mouthfeel, refined sweetness, and velvety chocolate) and their Peanut Butter English Ale (wealthy caramel malts, a great deal of all pure peanut butter and Fuggles hops). For enjoyable, we thought “what if we mix these two?” Wouldn’t it style like a peanut butter cup? It did, and it was scrumptious. Notes of chocolate and roasted peanuts, not too candy, however clean and balanced. Yum and yum. In the event you construct up an urge for food beer tasting, which everyone knows is tough work, Lancaster Brewing Firm has a full eating menu with nice appetizer choices to enhance its brews. We ordered their satisfying and delish Home Smoked Pork Nachos they usually made the beer tasting expertise much more fulfilling. Plan forward earlier than you go and take a look at their every day pleased hour specials to avoid wasting money. In order for you an in-depth take a look at their craft beer making course of, name to e book a tour. In the event you style one thing you like, all beers can be found to buy for on the go.
Meduseld Meadery
252 Harrisburg Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603
meduseldmeadery.com
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After a day of exploring, generally you simply have to unwind. You recognize, nothing loopy, simply the same old stuff like ingesting some mead and throwing a few axes. No large deal. Positioned simply throughout the road from the Lancaster Arts Resort is Meduseld Meadery. We went in simply trying to strive some mead and left religious, die-hard followers. In the event you’ve by no means tried mead earlier than, it’s an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey with yeast, water and a wide range of completely different components like lemongrass, ginger, tart-cherries, hops and orange peels to create a limiteless quantity distinctive taste mixtures. Additionally known as honey wine, mead is the oldest fermented drink recognized to man. Fairly cool, proper? What’s distinctive about mead, apart from the way in which it has stood the take a look at of time, is that it may be produced in a wide range of types. Some are carbonated, much like glowing wine or beer, and a few are nonetheless and ideal for sipping like a effective whiskey or tequila. Meduseld Meadery expertly produces each types and in addition affords mead slushies and mead shakes (suppose evenly candy and creamy) for the win. Sure, they’re all superior.
And didn’t I point out one thing about axe throwing? Inside Meduseld is an axe-throwing cage the place you possibly can stay out your wildest axe throwing fantasies. Sound scary? It’s truly tons of enjoyable. They actually have a coach there that can assist you together with your axe throwing approach. You recognize you need to strive.
Day 4: Lititz, PA
Lititz is a kind of nice little cities that can have you ever wanting to go to time and time once more. Voted America’s Coolest Small City by Price range Journey in 2013, and about 8 miles north of Lancaster, a visit to Lititz makes a terrific place to spend a day or your entire day. The large draw to Lititz, apart from its quaint historic downtown, is its vibrant meals and craft beer scene. Don’t overlook to walk over to the historic Lititz Spring Park to admire the surroundings and feed the pleasant geese. No journey to Lititz is full with out a go to to 2 of their most well-known historic food-centric institutions: Wilbur’s Chocolate and Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery. Each companies began within the 1800’s and are going sturdy at this time. You may wager that whereas we had been right here, we checked in.
Wilbur Chocolate
45 N S Broad St, Lititz, PA 17543
wilburbuds.com
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Wilbur Chocolate is the sort of place chocolate desires are made from. Initially based in 1865, Wilbur Chocolate is known for his or her signature chocolate Wilbur Buds which they debuted again in 1893. Comparable in form to a Hershey’s Kiss (which got here out later), however rounded on the underside in a form that resembles a flower bud, Wilbur’s is a Lititz establishment. The one disappointment right here is that they’ve moved out of their authentic historic manufacturing facility to a retail area throughout the road. The unique manufacturing facility is now being developed into luxurious condos, however you possibly can nonetheless catch a glimpse of it from the skin. Whereas purchasing round their new area, watch as chocolate treats are handmade earlier than your very eyes. There’s a small chocolate museum devoted to Wilbur’s scrumptious and spectacular historical past and loads of free chocolate samples to go round. Plan to go to Wilbur’s any day besides Sunday.
Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery
219 E Predominant St, Lititz, PA 17543
juliussturgis.com
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It’s onerous to seek out somebody who doesn’t love a pretzel. And on Predominant Road in Lititz, we paid a go to to America’s first industrial pretzel bakery positioned in the identical historic house bought by Julius Sturgis in 1861. An extension to the home was added to accommodate the Sturgis household pretzel bakery, however the authentic a part of this stone house dates again to 1784. Listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations, Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery. Most of their pretzel varieties are bagged onerous pretzels, however there’s additionally recent mushy pretzels for buy. When you have time to spend right here, undoubtedly take their pretzel making tour, the place you possibly can tour the unique manufacturing facility, be taught the pretzel making course of and have a go at twisting your individual pretzel. No go to right here is full with out bringing house a few of their scrumptious pretzel treats and pretzel swag from their entrance room bakery. Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery is open every day, however verify their web site for tour occasions and hours.
Day 5: Intercourse/Gordonville, PA
Driving east out of Lancaster is the place you’ll discover a lot of Lancaster’s Dutch nation sights like Dutch Wonderland, The Amish Farm And Home in addition to a number of smorgasbord eating places the place Dutch Nation and Amish delights are served up so far as the attention can see. Don’t be shocked in the event you see a horse and buggy or two go by, as that’s the Amish’s major supply of transportation. There are such a lot of nice locations to see and store right here, it deserves a few days of exploration all by itself. This was our final day on the highway, however nonetheless made time to make a cease in Intercourse, one in all Lancaster County’s many quaint cities.
Kitchen Kettle Village
3529 Previous Philadelphia Pike, Gordonville, PA 17529
kitchenkettle.com
We determined to cease at Kitchen Kettle Village because it was on our route house. What began as a jam-making enterprise over 60 years in the past, is now a small village of over 40 nation eating places and outlets promoting nation goodies like cheeses, jerky jams, jellies, recent kettle corn, baked items, handmade pretzels and “Fixer Higher” nation house and leather-based items in a small “village” overlooking the gorgeous Pennsylvania Dutch countryside. You may simply spend the higher a part of a day right here purchasing, consuming and folks watching. Form of touristy? Yeah. Form of enjoyable? Undoubtedly. For the total Amish expertise, you possibly can even get a trip in a horse-drawn buggy, which is simply hanging out within the car parking zone ready to whisk away their subsequent passengers. For an prolonged keep, there’s even an Inn right here with rooms positioned over the outlets so you possibly can relaxation up.
Waltz Vineyards Tasting Room At Kitchen Kettle
3529 Previous Philadelphia Pike, Gordonville, PA 17529
waltzvineyards.com
As an alternative of hopping on a buggy, we ended up on the Waltz Vineyards tasting room positioned within the Kitchen Kettle Village. The Waltz Vineyards wine is property grown on a sixth technology farm positioned between Lancaster and Lebanon, Pennsylvania, the place they produce over 100 tons of wine grapes a 12 months. Right here at their Kitchen Kettle tasting room, you are able to do a wine tasting, purchase glasses or full bottles, and loosen up both inside their bar or exterior on their patio. When you have time to sit down and sip, you’ll want to order cheese to get pleasure from together with your wine. We had our tasting with Amish Butter Cheese that was unbelievably creamy and scrumptious. Tastings are $10 for five wines or $2 per 1 ounce tasting. The wines listed below are on the dryer aspect, so if that’s what you like you’ll love what Waltz has to supply. I discovered their whites particularly refreshing. We actually loved stress-free right here for a bit earlier than a last stroll by way of the village. You too can go to them at their winery in Manheim or further tasting room in Lititz.
💡 Highway Journey Tip: When touring on a highway journey, keep in mind to convey a cooler bag or two in case you need to convey house goodies which may have to be refrigerated. They’re particularly helpful in the event you’re touring in the summertime months for preserving meals and drinks chilly on the highway. Go for freezer bricks or simply purchase ice-along the way in which. Both method, you’ll be pleased you made the trouble once you’re consuming all of your favourite journey eats at house.
Day 5: Chadds Ford, PA
For our last stretch of this highway journey, we headed to Chadds Ford positioned in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. What’s there to do in Chadds Ford? Chadds Ford is a quaint historic little city that’s house to the Brandywine River Museum of Artwork, the Brandywine Battlefield Park, vintage outlets and two wineries. After we heard a couple of “Meals Truck Throwdown” at Chadds Ford Vineyard we all know we needed to see what that was about.
Chadds Ford Vineyard
632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, PA 19317
chaddsford.com
Chadds Ford Vineyard, positioned within the Brandywine Valley in Chadds Ford is one in all Pennsylvania’s largest wineries within the state, producing greater than 30,000 instances of wine annually. With a wide range of each candy, dry and seasonal alternatives Chadds Ford Vineyard is a superb place to go in the event you’re within the space and trying to loosen up get pleasure from some good Pennsylvania wine in opposition to. They do tastings and excursions every day weekends, however the Saturday we visited we had been excited to go there for one in all their Meals Truck festivals. Not solely are there wine tastings and bars the place you should buy, glasses and bottles of wine, sangria, wine mojitos and wine slushies, all whereas having fun with a wide range of tasty meals from a lineup of 10 or so native meals vans strive the whole lot from killer BBQ, oyster po’boys, souvlaki, spanakopita, and genuine Polish pierogis. For dessert, there was even a cupcake truck and a gelato truck. It was a good time of meals and wine loved with stay music in opposition to the backdrop of Chadds Ford Vineyard historic Seventeenth-century dairy barn.
💡 Tip: It’s greatest to convey money with you to Chadds Ford Vineyard. It makes for straightforward tipping and faster transactions paying on the wine bars, tasting tents or on the meals vans. There’s no ATM on website so it’s greatest to return with money earlier than you arrive.
