To kick off the nice and cozy climate journey season, we thought it was time to take a bit of highway journey. Nothing that was an excessive amount of of an extended haul, however had stunning 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 via 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 case you aren’t up in your American historical past, you might not notice that Gettysburg is among the essential areas within the United States in phrases of our nation’s historical past. It’s additionally not in Virginia, as three totally different individuals thought after I informed them I used to be going there. Situated 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 constructive turning level within the conflict for the North, resulting in the Confederacy’s retreat to the South and finally the north victory. Gettysburg can be the well-known spot the place President Lincoln gave his most transferring and well-known speech in 1863, the Gettysburg Handle.
Whereas everybody who will get to Gettysburg ought to completely go to the Gettysburg Nationwide Navy 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 phenomenal 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. 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. 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 workers sporting interval gown. 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 referred to 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 scorching pecan pie to die for.
Don’t miss their French Onion Soup, which is among the finest I’ve ever had. The key: it’s made with prime rib. In case 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. Make sure to try 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 amazing 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 scorching spot that pulls locals, school college students, and vacationers every day, The Blue And Grey Bar And Grill presents up nice bites, craft beer and wine in a enjoyable and relaxed ambiance. Plus, they’re open till 2 am each day whenever you’re in want a late evening chew. Situated on Lincoln Heart 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 thing on the menu has a Civil Warfare-themed title.
In case you’re actually courageous (or possibly a bit of loopy) and up for a problem, order their Pickett’s Cost Burger Problem. For $25.00 you’re tasked with consuming their big 5.5-pound multi-stack monster burger with a number of patties, grilled cheese sandwiches, and a Philly cheesesteak. In case 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.web
For recent, 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 a lot of that are the proprietor’s family recipes. Most of the elements 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 exhausting to discover a menu in Gettysburg with out one), a recent Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese with Candied Walnuts and an unbelievable selfmade Reuben. For a high quality Irish drink, Garryowen’s has over 100 Irish whiskeys, a terrific choice of Irish and native craft beers on faucet together with a world wine listing. In case you occur to be right here on a Sunday, you is likely to be handled to some Irish music to take pleasure in along with your nice Irish fare.
Adams County Vineyard Gettysburg Wine Store
25 Chambersburg St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
adamscountywinery.com
When strolling via 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 decide 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 performing some procuring. Tastings are complementary and so they have bottles out there 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 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, be sure you cease in and check out their frosty and scrumptious wine sorbet. It’s a bit of cup of wine heaven.
Journey Tip: Adams County the place Gettysburg is positioned is house to Pennsylvania’s largest fruit-growing area. Make sure to go to destinationgettysburg.com the get tips about which farms will let 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. Situated about 8 miles west of Gettysburg, lies this family-owned stunning historic farm and market that was in-built 1914. The attraction right here is seeing the distinctive spherical structure of this superbly preserved white barn. These spherical fashion barns grew to become common within the 1820’s and remained so till about 1920 after they fell out of trend.
Whereas the market choices weren’t intensive right here, they did have a terrific choice 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 case you’re into cookbooks, there’s lots to select from with a concentrate on Pennsylvania and country-style recipes. We purchased some horseradish mustard, scorching sauce, fig preserves, and beef jerky. The whole lot was scrumptious and we might like to return within the fall for apple selecting 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 case 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 lightweight chew 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 middle, The Federal Pointe Inn has its personal wealthy historical past. Initially in-built 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 loos 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 off-the-cuff chew 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 via Sunday.
And if you happen to love antiques, artwork, and historic images then don’t be stunned if you end up wandering via 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 workers authentically pleasant and useful whether or not you want a dinner or exercise suggestion.
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 general affect within the space, Lancaster’s downtown is to not be missed with nice eating places and procuring. Lancaster can be a city that loves its beer. And baked items. And cheeses. And farm recent 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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Situated 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-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 present have been promoting their items “on market” for the reason that early 1900’s via the generations of their households.
Getting 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 attempt like breads, pies, whoopie pies, cookies, desserts 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 case you’re touring via the world, Lancaster Central Market is a good place to cease earlier than you make your approach house to fill up 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 be sure you have loads of money available. Even if you happen to 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 irrespective of the place you withdraw cash out of. Even when touring internationally! It’s the right journey card. Click on right 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
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In case you want someplace to remain within the Lancaster space, we suggest the Lancaster Arts Lodge. Situated within the northern a part of the town, there’s lots to like about this former 1800’s tobacco warehouse now turned hip trendy lodge with uncovered brick partitions and reclaimed wooden floors. The Lancaster Artwork Lodge presents supremely snug and trendy lodging with loads of luxurious facilities. If you wish to keep match in your travels there’s a health club 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 provides this lodge it’s true allure and character. They even encourage visitors 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 into one of many many artworks displayed on rotation all through the lodge. The situation on the Lancaster Arts Lodge is basically 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, be sure you 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 elements, 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 elements inside a 25-mile radius of the lodge.
A few of 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 case you go, decide to take a seat 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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Situated 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 recent every day and are adorned, glazed and stuffed making for quite a lot of excellent donut creations. To me, these are the right donut. Tremendous gentle and yeasty, with a barely crispy edge to the chew. I’d die for one in all their glazed donuts this minute, however for now, we are able to 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 chew to eat, we headed to Lancaster Brewing Firm. Every time 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 presents 6 beneficiant samples for a completely cheap $12. Standouts for us had been their Double Chocolate Milk Stout (intense roasted malts, silky clean 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 clean and balanced. Yum and yum. In case 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 and so they made the beer tasting expertise much more pleasing. Plan forward earlier than you go and take a look at their every day completely happy 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 ebook a tour. In case 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 must unwind. You understand, nothing loopy, simply the standard stuff like consuming some mead and throwing a few axes. No massive deal. Situated 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. In case 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 an infinite quantity distinctive taste combos. Additionally known as honey wine, mead is the oldest fermented drink identified to man. Fairly cool, proper? What’s distinctive about mead, in addition to the way in which it has stood the take a look at of time, is that it may be produced in quite a lot of types. Some are carbonated, much like glowing wine or beer, and a few are nonetheless and excellent for sipping like a high quality whiskey or tequila. Meduseld Meadery expertly produces each types and likewise presents mead slushies and mead shakes (assume 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 dwell out your wildest axe throwing fantasies. Sound scary? It’s truly tons of enjoyable. They also have a coach there that can assist you along with your axe throwing approach. You understand you need to attempt.
Day 4: Lititz, PA
Lititz is a kind of nice little cities that may 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, in addition to 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 no 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 present. You may guess 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 form of place chocolate desires are made from. Initially based in 1865, Wilbur Chocolate is legendary 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 area 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 skin. Whereas procuring 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 Essential St, Lititz, PA 17543
juliussturgis.com
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It’s exhausting to search out somebody who doesn’t love a pretzel. And on Essential Avenue 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 unique 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 exhausting pretzels, however there’s additionally recent gentle pretzels for buy. When you’ve got 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 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 examine 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 points of interest 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 if you happen to see a horse and buggy or two go by, as that’s the Amish’s main 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 retailers 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 attractive Pennsylvania Dutch countryside. You may simply spend the higher a part of a day right here procuring, consuming and folks watching. Form of touristy? Yeah. Form of enjoyable? Undoubtedly. For the complete Amish expertise, you may even get a experience 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 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’ve got time to take a seat and sip, be sure you order cheese to take pleasure in 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 facet, 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 remaining stroll via the village. You may also go to them at their winery in Manheim or extra tasting room in Lititz.
💡 Highway Journey Tip: When touring on a highway journey, keep in mind to carry a cooler bag or two in case you need to carry house goodies which may have to be refrigerated. They’re particularly helpful if you happen to’re touring in the summertime months for maintaining meals and drinks chilly on the highway. Go for freezer bricks or simply purchase ice-along the way in which. Both approach, you’ll be completely happy you made the trouble whenever you’re consuming all of your favourite journey eats at house.
Day 5: Chadds Ford, PA
For our remaining 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 retailers and two wineries. After we heard a few “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 every year. With quite a lot of each candy, dry and seasonal choices Chadds Ford Vineyard is a good place to go if you happen to’re within the space and trying to loosen up take pleasure in some good Pennsylvania wine towards. 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 quite a lot of tasty meals from a lineup of 10 or so native meals vehicles attempt every thing 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 dwell music towards the backdrop of Chadds Ford Vineyard historic Seventeenth-century dairy barn.
💡 Tip: It’s finest 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 finest to come back with money earlier than you arrive.
