To kick off the nice and cozy climate journey season, we thought it was time to take slightly street 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 best way, and loads of nice meals, wine, and craft beer. We selected a drive by means of Southeastern Pennsylvania with stops in Gettysburg, Lancaster, and Chadds Ford. Whether or not you’re searching for a enjoyable roadtrip, romantic weekend, or household trip, there’s loads of superior issues to do in Southeast Pennsylvania!
Day 1: Gettysburg, PA
When you aren’t up in your American historical past, you could not notice that Gettysburg is among the necessary places within the United States in phrases of our nation’s historical past. It’s additionally not in Virginia, as three totally different folks thought after I advised them I used to be going there. Positioned in Adams County, Pennsylvania, Gettysburg is most nicely generally known as being the placement of the Civil Warfare’s bloodiest battle, generally known as the Battle of Gettysburg. It was a optimistic turning level within the conflict for the North, resulting in the Confederacy’s retreat to the South and in the end the north victory. Gettysburg can also be the well-known spot the place President Lincoln gave his most transferring and well-known speech in 1863, the Gettysburg Tackle.
Whereas everybody who will get to Gettysburg ought to completely go to the Gettysburg Nationwide Navy Park and Gettysburg Museum and Customer Middle, there’s additionally much more to see and do right here. On this cool little historic city, you’ll uncover an attractive scenic countryside, farm stands, and markets, a improbable meals scene, boutiques, artwork galleries, in addition to loads of craft beer, cider, and native wine to style and luxuriate in. Take a look at 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. In-built 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 fashion lunch served within the decrease degree of the house known as the Springhouse Tavern named for the three pure springs positioned there. Open each 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 among the greatest I’ve ever had. The key: it’s made with prime rib. When you’re searching for a extra upscale eating expertise, make a reservation to dine within the Dobbin Home Tavern, which opens at night time for dinner, and is positioned within the higher flooring of the house. Make sure to 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 deal with Irish items. An incredible expertise throughout, the Dobbins Home is to not be missed in Gettysburg.
Blue And Grey Bar And Grill
2 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
facebook.com
A sizzling spot that pulls locals, faculty college students, and vacationers each day, The Blue And Grey Bar And Grill gives up nice bites, craft beer and wine in a enjoyable and relaxed environment. Plus, they’re open till 2 am on daily basis once you’re in want a late night time chunk. Positioned on Lincoln Middle within the coronary heart of downtown Gettysburg, the Blue And Grey Bar serves inventive pub meals, wings, salads, sandwiches and burgers the place most every part on the menu has a Civil Warfare-themed title.
When you’re actually courageous (or perhaps slightly 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. When 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. Perhaps subsequent time.
Garryowen Irish Pub
126 Chambersburg St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
garryowenirishpub.net
For contemporary, genuine, and simply throughout tasty Irish fashion 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 lots of that are the proprietor’s circle of relatives recipes. Lots of the elements used within the dishes are even straight from the Emerald Isle. The meals right here tastes contemporary and genuine and there’s love put into the meals right here. We loved one other scrumptious French Onion Soup (it’s laborious to discover a menu in Gettysburg with out one), a contemporary Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese with Candied Walnuts and an improbable home made Reuben. For a fantastic Irish drink, Garryowen’s has over 100 Irish whiskeys, an incredible choice of Irish and native craft beers on faucet together with a global wine checklist. When you occur to be right here on a Sunday, you is perhaps handled to some Irish music to get pleasure from along with your nice Irish fare.
Adams County Vineyard Gettysburg Wine Store
25 Chambersburg St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
adamscountywinery.com
When strolling by means of downtown Gettysburg you don’t should stray too far for an incredible 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 submit Civil Warfare period barn, or simply cease into their wine store within the downtown space whereas performing some buying. Tastings are complementary and so they have bottles obtainable for buy so that you don’t should go dwelling empty-handed. Insurgent Pink is their hottest bottle that’s candy, fragrant, flavorful with plenty of Harmony Grape taste. We beloved 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, make sure to cease in and take a look at their frosty and scrumptious wine sorbet. It’s slightly cup of wine heaven.
Journey Tip: Adams County the place Gettysburg is positioned is dwelling to Pennsylvania’s largest fruit-growing area. Make sure to go to destinationgettysburg.com the get tips about which farms help you choose 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 fashion barns grew to become fashionable within the 1820’s and remained so till about 1920 once they fell out of trend.
Whereas the market choices weren’t in depth right here, they did have an incredible choice of distinctive and conventional jams, jellies, sauces, cheeses, snacks, and native produce. Additionally they have a couple of farm-style antiques right here and there. When you’re into cookbooks, there’s loads to select from with a deal with Pennsylvania and country-style recipes. We purchased some horseradish mustard, sizzling sauce, fig preserves, and beef jerky. The whole lot was scrumptious and we might 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: When you go to the barn, and have time to unwind, head throughout the road to the Thirsty Farmer Brew Works the place you may order a light-weight 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 Lodge. One other Gettysburg historic gem and positioned simply a few blocks from Gettysburg’s heart, 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 reworked it right into a luxurious inn whereas preserving the distinctive structure of the constructing. As a substitute of lecture rooms, you’ll now discover 18 tremendous comfy 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 means of Sunday.
And should you love antiques, artwork, and historic images then don’t be stunned if you end up wandering by means of the delightfully scented hallways of the Federal Pointe Inn, admiring their spectacular assortment. A health heart, 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 street journey was Lancaster, PA. Whereas Lancaster County is understood for its Dutch nation attraction, Amish farms, bakeries, meals markets, and total affect within the space, Lancaster’s downtown is to not be missed with nice eating places and buying. Lancaster can also be a city that loves its beer. And baked items. And cheeses. And farm contemporary something. So which means 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 the town at Penn Sq., Lancaster Central Market is a foodie’s dream come true and should go to if within the space. Thought of America’s oldest farmers’ market constructing, farmers have been promoting their contemporary meats, greens, fruits, and different merchandise on this very website because the 1730’s. Lots of the vendor’s there at the moment have been promoting their items “on market” because the early 1900’s by means of the generations of their households.
Moving into Central Market (because the locals name it), you’ll discover row after row of contemporary meats, dairy and produce (principally natural), proper from the native farms the place they’re grown. It’s as contemporary because it will get. There’s additionally chocolate and sweet distributors together with contemporary baked items to attempt like breads, pies, whoopie pies, cookies, desserts and scones. Love cheese? There’s loads of farm contemporary cheese to pattern and take dwelling. Don’t miss the Linden Dale Farms stand and get a pattern of their wealthy and creamy goat cheese.
When you’re touring by means of the realm, Lancaster Central Market is a good place to cease earlier than you make your approach dwelling to refill on some farm contemporary meals, a bouquet of contemporary 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 make sure to have loads of money readily available. Even should you neglect, there’s 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 right journey card. Click here to open an NB Checking account.
The place To Keep In Lancaster, PA
Lancaster Arts Lodge
300 Harrisburg Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603
www.lancasterartshotel.com
$$-$$$
When you want someplace to remain within the Lancaster space, we suggest the Lancaster Arts Lodge. Positioned within the northern a part of the town, there’s loads to like about this former 1800’s tobacco warehouse now turned hip fashionable lodge with uncovered brick partitions and reclaimed wooden flooring. The Lancaster Artwork Lodge gives supremely comfy 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 may head over to the YMCA throughout the road for which entry is complimentary along with your keep. However, it’s the celebration of native artwork discovered on show all through the lodge that offers this lodge it’s true attraction and persona. They even encourage friends to get inventive, by supplying each visitor room with a sketchpad and pencil. Go away your individual little masterpiece behind with the lodge and it’ll turn out to be one of many many artworks displayed on rotation all through the lodge. The situation on the Lancaster Arts Lodge is de facto handy and is inside strolling distance to quite a lot 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 Lodge
300 Harrisburg Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603
Johnjjeffries.com
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Whether or not you’re staying on the Lancaster Arts Lodge or not, make sure to go to its onsite restaurant, John J. Jeffries. The meals isn’t good right here. It’s nice. With a deal with seasonal and sustainable dishes made with native and natural elements, the cooks at John J. Jeffries efficiently pull off a menu of tempting dishes which are internationally impressed. Plus, what isn’t nice about supporting native farms? Thought of fine-dining, but completely unpretentious, John J. Jeffries commits to sourcing their elements inside a 25-mile radius of the lodge.
A few of the standout dishes we ordered have 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. When you go, choose to take a seat outdoors 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 Lodge 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 contemporary each day and are adorned, glazed and stuffed making for quite a lot of excellent donut creations. To me, these are the right donut. Tremendous mushy and yeasty, with a barely crispy edge to the chunk. I’d die for considered one of their glazed donuts this minute, however for now, we will drool collectively over their donut taste menu linked 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’m 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 gives 6 beneficiant samples for a completely affordable $12. Standouts for us have been their Double Chocolate Milk Stout (intense roasted malts, silky easy mouthfeel, delicate 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?” Would it not style like a peanut butter cup? It did, and it was scrumptious. Notes of chocolate and roasted peanuts, not too candy, however easy and balanced. Yum and yum. When you construct up an urge for food beer tasting, which everyone knows is difficult 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 and so they made the beer tasting expertise much more fulfilling. Plan forward earlier than you go and take a look at their each day joyful 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. When you style one thing you’re keen on, 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 must 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 Lodge is Meduseld Meadery. We went in simply trying to attempt some mead and left religious, die-hard followers. When you’ve by no means tried mead earlier than, it’s an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey with yeast, water and quite a lot of totally different elements like lemongrass, ginger, tart-cherries, hops and orange peels to create a vast 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, in addition to the best way it has stood the take a look at of time, is that it may be produced in quite a lot of kinds. Some are carbonated, just like glowing wine or beer, and a few are nonetheless and ideal for sipping like a fantastic whiskey or tequila. Meduseld Meadery expertly produces each kinds and in addition gives mead slushies and mead shakes (suppose flippantly 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 may stay out your wildest axe throwing fantasies. Sound scary? It’s truly tons of enjoyable. They also have a coach there that will help you along with your axe throwing approach. You recognize you need to attempt.
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 Funds Journey in 2013, and about 8 miles north of Lancaster, a visit to Lititz makes an incredible place to spend a day or all the day. The massive draw to Lititz, in addition to its quaint historic downtown, is its vibrant meals and craft beer scene. Don’t neglect to walk over to the historic Lititz Spring Park to admire the surroundings and feed the pleasant geese. No journey to Lititz is full and not using 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 robust at the moment. You may guess that whereas we have 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 goals are product of. 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 unique historic manufacturing unit to a retail house throughout the road. The unique manufacturing unit is now being developed into luxurious condos, however you may nonetheless catch a glimpse of it from the surface. Whereas buying round their new house, 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 Foremost St, Lititz, PA 17543
juliussturgis.com
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It’s laborious to seek out somebody who doesn’t love a pretzel. And on Foremost Road in Lititz, we paid a go to to America’s first industrial pretzel bakery positioned in the identical historic dwelling bought by Julius Sturgis in 1861. An extension to the home was added to accommodate the Sturgis household pretzel bakery, however the unique a part of this stone dwelling dates again to 1784. Listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations, Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery. Most of their pretzel varieties are bagged laborious pretzels, however there’s additionally contemporary mushy pretzels for buy. When you have time to spend right here, undoubtedly take their pretzel making tour, the place you may tour the unique manufacturing unit, study the pretzel making course of and have a go at twisting your individual pretzel. No go to right here is full with out bringing dwelling a few of their scrumptious pretzel treats and pretzel swag from their entrance room bakery. Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery is open each day, however test their web site for tour instances and hours.
Day 5: Intercourse/Gordonville, PA
Driving east out of Lancaster is the place you’ll discover lots 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 stunned should 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 street, however nonetheless made time to make a cease in Intercourse, considered one of Lancaster County’s many quaint cities.
Kitchen Kettle Village
3529 Outdated Philadelphia Pike, Gordonville, PA 17529
kitchenkettle.com
We determined to cease at Kitchen Kettle Village because it was on our route dwelling. 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 retailers promoting nation goodies like cheeses, jerky jams, jellies, contemporary kettle corn, baked items, handmade pretzels and “Fixer Higher” nation dwelling and leather-based items in a small “village” overlooking the attractive Pennsylvania Dutch countryside. You may simply spend the higher a part of a day right here buying, consuming and folks watching. Form of touristy? Yeah. Form of enjoyable? Positively. For the complete Amish expertise, you may 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 retailers so you may relaxation up.
Waltz Vineyards Tasting Room At Kitchen Kettle
3529 Outdated Philadelphia Pike, Gordonville, PA 17529
waltzvineyards.com
As a substitute 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 era farm positioned between Lancaster and Lebanon, Pennsylvania, the place they produce over 100 tons of wine grapes a yr. Right here at their Kitchen Kettle tasting room, you are able to do a wine tasting, purchase glasses or full bottles, and calm down both inside their bar or outdoors on their patio. When you have time to take a seat and sip, make sure to order cheese to get pleasure from along 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 here 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 enjoyable right here for a bit earlier than a closing stroll by means of the village. You may also go to them at their winery in Manheim or further tasting room in Lititz.
💡 Highway Journey Tip: When touring on a street journey, bear in mind to carry a cooler bag or two in case you need to carry dwelling goodies that may have to be refrigerated. They’re particularly helpful should you’re touring in the summertime months for preserving meals and drinks chilly on the street. Go for freezer bricks or simply purchase ice-along the best way. Both approach, you’ll be joyful you made the hassle once you’re consuming all of your favourite journey eats at dwelling.
Day 5: Chadds Ford, PA
For our closing stretch of this street 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 dwelling to the Brandywine River Museum of Artwork, the Brandywine Battlefield Park, vintage retailers 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 considered one of Pennsylvania’s largest wineries within the state, producing greater than 30,000 circumstances of wine annually. With quite a lot of each candy, dry and seasonal alternatives Chadds Ford Vineyard is a good place to go should you’re within the space and trying to calm down get pleasure from some good Pennsylvania wine towards. They do tastings and excursions each day weekends, however the Saturday we visited we have been excited to go there for considered one of 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 quite a lot of tasty meals from a lineup of 10 or so native meals vehicles attempt every part 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 towards the backdrop of Chadds Ford Vineyard historic Seventeenth-century dairy barn.
💡 Tip: It’s greatest to carry money with you to Chadds Ford Vineyard. It makes for simple tipping and faster transactions paying on the wine bars, tasting tents or on the meals vehicles. There’s no ATM on website so it’s greatest to return with money earlier than you arrive.
