Activities for my family in town

They can go to the outlets in Lancaster & spend your money.

Just tell them that there is a Coach outlet there.

I highly recommend a tour of the Harley Davidson factory. However, I also recommend that you go on the tour, as well!

If they'd like to drive about an hour each way, they could also spend a day at Gettysburg.

They could also do an Amish tour if so inclined.

My wife and daughter are going to take the train and meet us in Harrisburg/Hershey for amusement park and spa time. 

I think they would enjoy a River Cruise. The one between Paris and Prague is very nice.

Reenactors and car hosts in period costumes ride a Civil War era passenger train on the historic Northern Central between New Freedom and Hanover Junction south of York. President Lincoln rode that route when he delivered his Gettysburg Address. The station where he changed trains to go to Gettysburg is now a museum. Riders can visit during runaround moves there. This train began to operate in June, 2013.

On I-83, take Exit 4 (Shrewsbury/Route 851). Turn right on E. Forrest Avenue. Go West about 6 miles, following Route 851 to New Freedom. When the street ends at a "T" intersection in New Freedom, turn left. The station is just ahead on the right. The 4-4-0  rolled out of [David] Kloke Locomotive Works, Elgin, IL, in May, 2013!

Go to www.steamintohistory.com for further information. Click on "Buy Tickets" in a red banner on the left. Go to a calendar for October and check daily schedules there.

I have found the staff to be courteous and friendly. If you contact them in advance, they may be able to accommodate your daughter, who is into acting.

I'll post photos. A new combine being built by the Reader Railroad is due to arrive in September.

Gettysburg, about an hour West of York, not only has a lot of historical attractions, but the town itself is gorgeous and full of small shops of all sorts.  It is a wonderful place to walk around and explore, even for people who aren't interested in the Civil War.

About an hour to the East is Lancaster with a number of outlet shopping centers, lots of Amish tourist attractions, and downtown Lancaster itself, which has lots of shops and is also a wonderful place to explore.  I particularly like the Lancaster Central Market (only open on Fri.  and Sat. during York meet).

According to the meet registration booklet, page 10, there are shuttle buses to a local mall on Thursday and Friday ($1 each way, exact change required), and a bus to a Lancaster Outlet Mall ($10 round trip, cash) on Friday.  I don't know the particulars beyond what the registration booklet says.

Andy

To set the record straight, it's about 40 minutes to Gettysburg, & about 35 minutes to Lancaster.

In addition to all cited above, Gettysburg has a number of different ice cream shops,

probably not appealing to someone in acting, including Kilwin's.  Last October, when

open shows had little of interest, in the fall leaf display I drove up the south bank of

the Susquehanna from Harrisburg to Montoursville ( to check out Bowser) and down

the north bank, and the leaves were beautiful.  But that demands a car and an interest

in driving tours, of which there are quite a few historical sites in a circle touring

range, and a chocolate candy factory in Lititz just north of Lancaster...not

to mention Hershey (if they still offer factory tours) up by Harrisburg (where there is also an amusement park).  Of possible women's interest is a pewter shop just down

the street from the FG on the route downtown, at the corner with Carlisle Rd., , and another is out in the country north of Lancaster. (In the past I have had visits to both demanded).  The blue and silver hall complex has a rack full of brochures of local

attractions to the right in its main entrance.  There is a visitor center just off U.S. 30

in Columbia on the Susquehanna between York and Lancaster that is full of brochures,

and I think one downtown in York....but haven't visited it.

The last time my family accompanied me to York, I went to the show on Thursday and Saturday. On Friday we all went on a tour of the Harley factory and to Gettysburg.

I'm with Eddie G. on this one.  Assuming they are not all that interested in doing "train stuff," the outlet malls in Lancaster would likely keep them very active for a day or more. You can have a friendly competition to see who can spend more:  You at York, or your spouse and daughter in Lancaster.  

With a lead foot and no traffic, this may be the case, but I drive both these legs 4-6 times a year, and it is closer to an hour each way.  The only times I have ever come close to the 40 min. / 35 min. times has been late at night when there was no traffic.

Andy

Yeah, I agree with Andy Hummell....there are a couple of traffic circles, long stretches

of lower speed limits, in the countryside as well as small towns,  the route to Gettysburg is generally an obstacle course, I'd love to see four-laned.   Lancaster run is better, but full of both slow trucks, some there to avoid the TP tolls,  and speeders, all to be dodged. 

Thanks for the tips guys! Allen and Marty raise good points! It would be thrilling but I'd be double teamed and easily outspent! Amusing point tho! You guys kill me sometimes. I was worried that they might not have anything to do. I can see now how wrong I was. Come to think of it we have spent some time in Lancaster and visiting Amish sites.

Mike Maurice

Yup, I have sat in traffic where it takes thirty minutes to get from West York to East York.

Lots of 'things to do' and 'factory tours' on York PA tourism site

http://www.yorkpa.org/index.asp?act=page&sct_id=7

Just a note here, on the Harley tour you have to be a at least 12 years old to go on the tour.

During my first York trip on a Friday, I left around 2:30 heading East. I didn't get out of York until 3:30, all because of traffic. It was my last time leaving York early. At 6 it is much easier!

That used to be a fun tour but I don't think they let you on the factory floor anymore. Has anyone gone within the last year or so?

I took my grandson 4 years ago, & they took you on the assembly line.

That used to be a fun tour but I don't think they let you on the factory floor anymore. Has anyone gone within the last year or so?

For the past three Yorks, most of the tour has been on the shop floor.

Here's the Harley tour info page.

I really have to do the Steel Toe Tour some time.

Andy