NewsBreak Original

Few things beat fresh Lancaster County produce. Fresh summer corn, peaches, radishes, peas, strawberries, you name it. If there's anything better, it must be the Pennsylvania Dutch baked goods you find get at some of these local spots.

Shot & Bottle is an easygoing, modern restaurant right in the heart of Lancaster City. I recently visited, enjoying tasty comfort foods and fancy mocktails. Their meals reflect the heritage of the county (Dutch fritters anyone?) as well as making room for all things new. The Dutch fritters is a staple: You'll get hot sausage, ground beef and sauerkraut breaded and fried served with spicy brown mustard and tzatziki.

Covered bridges are not a rare sight in Central Pennsylvania, but one area stands out, home to over two dozen covered bridges and more than any other county in the state: Lancaster, PA.

Lancaster County - the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country - is well-known for its Amish population. Locally, the Amish are known for working hard and for placing faith and family first, all while living life in simple surroundings.

A Lancaster County amusement park is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and they've got plenty of fun lined up. Since 1963, Dutch Wonderland has been all about providing family fun for locals and tourists alike.

If you're visiting Pennsylvania Dutch Country, which centers mainly around Lancaster County, but also Reading, York, Allentown and Hershey, these are some of the places I recommend visiting to get a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Amish community.

If you have kids in elementary school, odds are they have off for a couple of days this winter. My kids had an early dismissal last week, and there are two days off coming up later in the month.

One of the more historic spots you'll find in Lancaster County is Strasburg, officially incorporated as a borough in 1816. It was a center for locally-oriented, small-scale industries such as blacksmithing, weaving, and clock-making.

It's nothing less than a local landmark, Dutch Haven Shoo-Fly Pie Bakery. Located on Lincoln Highway in Ronks, it's hard to miss the unique property along Route 30. According to their website, Dutch Haven is Route 30’s original Amish crafts store and the largest Amish souvenir store in Lancaster County. Since 1946, the spot has been famous for what's been named "America’s best Shoo-Fly Pie".

Trying new foods is always among the top highlights of any trip. If you find yourself in the Keystone state, here are some of the iconic foods worth testing out, and we'll start with what is perhaps the most popular one.

Rural Lancaster County is gorgeous during the winter season. If you're visiting around the holidays, it's the ideal time to experience what it is like to ride an Amish Buggy. There are a handful of options when it comes businesses offering rides these days, some of which are featured below:

As you enter, there are activities everywhere you look. For parents, it can feel a bit overwhelming at first sight. For kids, it's pure bliss. Corn Cob Acres is quickly becoming a fall tradition for families from across the county and states, and from taking a glance at license plates in the parking lot, it looks like people are traveling from out of state to experience this farm adventure, too.

If you find yourself without plans on a Saturday morning, Kissel Hill Fruit Farm Orchard & Market has some of the best BBQ chicken I've ever tasted. According to their website, part of what makes their BBQ so great is the secret recipe of the sauce they make. Somewhat sweet, but also with a kick to it. Ending for the season at the end of October, there are only a few weekends left of the year to explore this authentic meal, created by locals, at a fruit farm.

Pennsylvania Dutch Foods are often described as a regional fare where the dishes are praised for their use of local, seasonal produce, often with a combination of sweet and sour. Most of all, the meals are known for bringing comfort. Good for the soul, kind of foods.

Can you imagine more than 400 whoopie pies in one place?. Mark your calendars. The annual Whoopie Pie Festival in Lancaster is the place to be the second Saturday in September. The festival features more than 400 different flavors and is held at the Hershey Farm Restaurant & Inn, located in the heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country.