Shopping at the Nest Antiques & More Store in Palmyra

Nest Antiques & More Store is located about 20 minutes outside of Harrisburg in Palmyra, Pennsylvania. It's open year-round Wednesday through Sunday. On the same property you'll find Farmstead Farmers Market, so you can visit both venues while you're there. 

Once inside the store you'll find that it's made up of smaller booths offering all kinds of items from local vendors. You'll find vintage and modern collectibles, jewelry, handmade soaps, furniture, handcrafted home decor & garden items, toys & games, older handbags and much more! All of the booths are kept neat and clean.

On the day we visited we were very impressed. We visit a lot of antique stores locally and when we travel. This one is very organized which was nice to see. Plus, the staff was friendly and happy to assist with any questions that we had.One thing to keep in mind as you shop...this is NOT a yard sale and for the most part the prices are non-negotiable and firm. Please don't go in there to haggle!

It took us about an hour to go up and down the aisles as we shopped. Once you're done shopping you pay for everything in one central location....no matter who's booth you were purchasing it from. The checkout process was quick and easy. Eclectic and antique shopping at its finest.

You can learn more about The Nest  Antiques & More Store by visiting the website online and by joining their page over on Facebook. You can call them at 717-469-4538 for more information.

Shopping at the Olde Factory Antiques and Crafts Store in Hummelstown

The Olde Factory Antiques and Crafts Store is located in Hummelstown, Pennyslvania. It's approximately a 5-8 minute drive from downtown Hershey and a 15-18 minute drive from downtown Harrisburg. You'll find it located at 139 S. Hanover Street. The shopping center is located inside an old 3-story factory that was built in 1898.

Within walking distance you'll find Rita's Italian Ice, Rubber Soul Brewing Co. and several businesses located on the Hummelstown square. FREE parking for patrons is available in the store's parking lot. A lot of areas of the store are handicap accessible with an elevator for convenience. 

Once you're inside you'll find 150+ local vendors spread out on the 3 floors. Each vendor has their own assigned booth and are responsible for setting their own prices. In most cases, the prices are non-negotiable. For the most part, the vendors keep their area neat, clean and organized. With that said, some of the booths are really over-crowded with merchandise, so you do need to be careful when exploring.

On the day that we visited to do some shopping we saw all kinds of different things. The majority of the items you'll see are used and/or refurbished. Antiques and collectibles. There are some items that are gently used and more modern. Then you have several sellers in there selling their handcrafted items like candles, quilts, aprons, ceramic coffee mugs, potpourri, wood crafts, jewelry, etc.  

Regarding the antiques and collectibles you'll find vintage pieces of furniture, lighting, toys, dolls, tools, baskets, linens, jewelry, pottery, books, garden & yard items, and so forth. There's something for everyone!

If you're buying large pieces of furniture it's your responsibility to get it transported to your vehicle on your own. The employees are not allowed to help you...but will provide you with a dolly if you need one. They have signs hanging up to alert you to their policy regarding furniture purchases. Please note...they don't offer layaway and items are non-returnable. 

You'll find several antique stores in the area but in our honest opinion, Olde Factory Antiques and Crafts Store in Hummelstown is the nicest one. They offer a much larger variety of items and for the most part...items are affordably priced. If you're going to be in the area...make sure you pay them a visit! Shop small businesses and shop locally!

The BEST Authentic Mexican Food in Harrisburg at Pete's on Derry Street

Looking for the best Mexican cuisine in Harrisburg? If so, you'll find it at Pete's Pizza & Authentic Mexican Restaurant at 4810 Derry Street in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This is a locally owned and operated restaurant. You can visit their website to see their menu, obtain hours of operation and to get driving directions.

If you're unfamiliar with the area...you'll find them not far from PetSmart, Home Depot and 3Bs Ice Cream on Derry Street. There's free off-street parking in their parking lot. You can enter the restaurant through the front or side doors. 

Here's an example of some of their menu offerings:

Pizza
Wings
Wraps 
Stromboli
Calzone
Hamburders
Chicken Sandwichers
Fish Sandwiches
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Hot Subs
Cold Subs
French Fries
Bread Sticks
Chicken Fingers
Onion Rings
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Manicotti
Stuffed Shells
Fettuccine Alfredo
Eggplant Parmesan
Veal Parmesan
and more!

Now...let's talk about their authentic Mexican Cusine!!!

Chicken, Steak, Veggie or Shrimp Quesadillas 
Enchiladas
Tacos 
Fajitas
Burritos
Tostada Salads
Fajita Bowls
Steak Verde
Smothered Flatulas
Carnitas Platter
Taco Salads
and more!

They have a little kid's menu of chicken fingers, spaghetti and macaroni & cheese. If you enjoy desserts after your meal you'll find Cannoli, Funnel Cake Fries and other delicious goodies to choose from.

My wife enjoys ordering their Chicken Tacos which includes 3 tacos, refried beans and a side salad. I enjoy ordering their Steak Burritos that are served with a side of guacamole and sour cream. We've tried many different Mexican cuisine items from their menu and have never been disappointed!

Everything has always arrived onto our table quickly and beautifully presented. The portions are very generous in size (most of the time we take some home with us), along with hot foods being hot and cold foods being cold. If you have special requests...don't be afraid to ask them! 

Pete's Pizza and Authentic Mexican Cuisine is our favorite place to go when we want authentic Mexican food. There are several other establishments in the area that offer this type of cuisine but in our honest opinion...Pete's is the best! Not only do they have the best Mexican food but their prices are fantastic too!

Delicious Food from Arooga's Grille House and Sports Bar

Arooga's Grille House & Sports Bar has several locations in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area. We decided to go for a late lunch at Arooga's located on Linglestown Road during a Friday afternoon. We wanted to get there and dine before the weekend crowd. 

It had been several years since we last visited Arooga's so we were really looking forward to visiting. We were seated within 1 minute upon entering the building. We were placed in a section that had no other patrons. Nice! Our serve obtained our beverage order immediately and handed us some menus. She returned 5 minutes later to obtain our orders.

I ordered barbecue wings with french fries, my wife ordered a burger with sweet potato fries and we shared a LARGE soft pretzel with 3 dipping sauces as our appetizer. There's a lot to choose from on their menu...all kinds of different burgers, chicken wings, chicken wingers, steaks, soups and salads and their appetizer offerings are vast! 

We started with that massively sized soft pretzel that came with 3 different dips. Oh my gosh, you want to talk about delicious? Yes...it was the BEST soft pretzel that we've enjoyed in a very long time! The 3 cheese dipping sauces were the perfect addition to the appetizer. This soft pretzel fills you up before your meal even hits the table!

About 20 minutes after our appetizer arrived on the table came our meals. Everything was prepared exactly as we had requested. Wife has some allergies and they made her burger exactly the way she needed it to be made. Everything was piping hot and well presented. The portion sizes were a little larger than I expected...that's a good thing!

As we ate our meal our server stopped by several times to see if we needed anything else and to give us beverage refills. Not once did I have to chase her down for anything. She was very attentive to our dining needs. As a bonus, she was friendly, knowledgeable and talkative! 

The atmosphere on the afternoon that we visited was nice and quiet. That's why we went at 2:30 pm on a Friday afternoon. We were'nt looking for a noisy or busy dining experience. If you prefer quiet...go before the dinner crowd comes in. If you're looking to have some fun and be around a lot of people then you'll want to visit during the primetime hours and on weekends.

Our dining experience was fantastic! So much so, that we're already planning to return next month to try out some additional items that caught our eye on the menu. We're giving Arooga's a big two thumbs-up!!! A great place to visit for a casual dining experience.

Philly Beer Fest Returns to Philadelphia on September 28th

Looking for something to do on Saturday, September 28th, 2024? If so, check out the Philly Beer Fest! Tickets are on sale now!!! You must be 21+ years of age or older to attend the event. Here's some information about it. 

The Philly Beer Fest is back after a successful first year at Philadelphia’s Historic 23rd Street Armory. The one of a kind event focused on celebrating Pennsylvania based beer companies and beyond will take place on National Drink Beer Day, Saturday, September 28th, 2024 with two sessions available to attend that day. 

Goers will have their pick of one of two curated sessions featuring pours from PA’s Pennsylvania's top breweries, while sharing some of the best beers, beverages, eats, and more, in the country.  Tickets, session details and additional information can be found at: www.phillybeerfest.com/buynow. Early access and general admission are now available for both sessions.

TIMES:

Session 1 Early Admission: 12pm-4pm

Session 1 General Admission: 1-4pm

 

Session 2 Early Admission: 5pm-9pm

Session 1 General Admission: 6pm-9pm

*Patrons are not permitted to attend both sessions*

Enjoy music, delicious food trucks and find your new favorite brew from an array of exhibitors including: Swedesboro Brewing Company, Down East Cider, Triple Bottom Brewing, Broad Street Brewing, Slack Tide, New Ridge Brewing Co, Von C Brewing Co, BKB, Urban Village Brewing Co, Revolution Bees, Bellefonte Brewery, 2Moods, Imprint Beer Co, Atomic Dog, Artillery, Spellbound Brewing, , Cape May Brewing Co, Aldus Brewing Co, Mudchen Brewing Co, Stateside Vodka and more.

Enjoy Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Tito's Diner in Harrisburg

Tito's Diner is a locally-owned restaurant located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner offering your classic diner-style foods. You'll find them located at 9 N. Progress Avenue, tucked into a little shopping plaza...across from Wendy's on Progress Ave. Phone # 717-540-0059.

You'll find that the diner is open 7 days a week and is rarely crowded. Upon entering you'll be greeted and seated. Diners can choose between a booth and a table. We were able to place our drink order immediately and given menu's to lookover. The atmosphere is low-key and on the quiet side. Just the way we like it.

On the menu you'll find your typical diner-style comfort foods. Here's a small sampling: hamburgers, steaks, meatloaf, pork chops, spaghetti & pasta dinners, hot & cold sandwiches, subs, wraps, salads and various appetizers. There's something for everyone, including the kids. On the breakfast menu you'll find all kinds of eggs, breakfast wraps, pancakes, waffles, french toast, etc. 

I opted to order a classic spaghetti and meatball dinner while my wife ordered chicken fingers and french fries. Our meal was delivered HOT onto the table 15-20 minutes later. Everything was prepared the way that we had requested. Portion sizes were generous and everything arranged on the plate in an appealing way.

We enjoyed everything that we had ordered and had food leftover to take home. (You can ask for take-out boxes for your leftovers). It was nice to sit down and enjoy a hot meal in a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. The food was good and the prices are totally affordable. We will defintely be dining there again soon.

Tito's Diner
9 N. Progress Ave.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
717-540-0059

While visiting franchise and chain restaurants is nice...we prefer to visit locally-owned mom and pop establishments. Often times the food is just as good, if not better than franchise establishments. Plus, they're not crowded, no long lines waiting to be seated and their prices are affordable, Especially important in today's economy.

A Fun-Filled Afternoon at the Jurassic Quest Dinosaur Experience

The Jurassic Quest Experience is the #1 Dinosaur Experience in North America. Recently, we had the opportunity to take our 2 grandchildren ages 8 and 15 to the experience for an afternoon filled with fun! You'll want to visit the Jurassic Quest website to find a location near you and to purchase your admission tickets online.

** Complimentary tickets received. Please let all of the images load. 

Here's a few things to know before you go:

* It's a cashless event. You'll need a debit/credit card to pay for purchases such as food and souvenirs which aren't included in your admission ticket.

* Kids need to wear comfortable walking shoes along with socks! Socks are needed if they plan on getting in or on any of the inflatables such as the bounce house. No exceptions.

* Limit what you bring into the event. Handbags, diaper bags, strollers, etc. are allowed but limit them if you can. 

* It can get extremely crowded. Try to visit during non-peak hours. Lines can form at certain attractions inside the venue and you may have to wait. 

* Depending on the venue...it's handicap accessible. You'll want to check out the venue restrictions if that is an issue for you.

* It's a self-guided experience. 

The admission into the event was quick. We only had to wait in line for about 5 minutes. They will put a plastic bracelet around the wrist of small children to help identify them should they get separated from the parents. It's self-guided, so we really took our time going through the interactive exhibits.

You'll see many exhibits showing life-like dinosaurs. Each one has an information plaque giving you the name of the dinosaur along with fun-facts about it. Some include video screens with videos too. There are colorful lights and sounds to add to the experience. 

Our grandson participated in the Fossil exhibit and really enjoyed that. Kids were given paint brushes and instructed on how to brush the sand away to look for fossils and bones. This was his first experience doing something like that and really was enthralled with it. My recommendation would be to add some little things into the sand that the kids can actually dig up. 

We then moved onto the inflatable bounce houses. There are several to choose from depending on the age and size of the child. Got toddlers, no problem...they had a small one just for kids that age as well as larger ones for the bigger kids. They do keep the kids separated. All children need to be wearing socks to enter. It's a controlled environment with an employee letting the kids go in via small groups. They only get a few minutes before they have to come out.

There are a few ride-on dinosaur rides for the little ones. Our 2 grandchildren were too old for those, so they didn't get on. I would say they're for toddlers age 3 up to kids age 6 or so. Those also were the attractions with the longest "wait" lines to get one.

An interactive Dinosaur show is in the middle of the venue. Every 90 minutes or so...they have 2 employees put on a show...one is the announcer giving you fun facts and information about dinosaurs (along with music) and another one that is dressed up like a dino. Kids can actually pet and touch the dinosaur during and after the little show.

We spent 2 hours walking around and participating in the exhibits. Afterwards we headed to the concession stand to pick up some lunch. You'll find burgers, hot dogs, pizza, chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets, french fries, soft pretzels and various other things to eat and drink. Again, it's cashless, so you'll need to use a card. There are several tables that you can sit at to enjoy your lunch.

They have a small area set up where you can shop for souvenirs. They offer t-shirts, hoodies, dino slippers, monster trucks in a dino design, light-up bubble blowers and other things. Like all traveling shows....the items are a bit on the pricey side. Regardless, we did let our grandchildren each pick out a souvenir. Again, cashless, so you'll need to use your card.

Overall, the kids had a really great time. They learned a lot about different dinosaurs and both said they would like to go again. In total...we spent just under 3 hours while we were there. Not including the admission tickets...we spent a little over $100 on lunch, drinks and souvenirs. Just to give you an idea on how to budget. 

The Historic Elk County Courthouse in Ridgway

The hisotric Elk County Courthouse is located in Ridgway, Pennsylvania. You'll find it at the intersection of Main and Broad Streets. There's a historical marker on the property that gives you all of the past history and information regarding the courthouse. Here's some of that information.

In the early 1800s, ancient forests stretched unbroken across northwestern Pennsylvania. Jacob Ridgway of Philadelphia, one of the richest men in the United States, saw opportunity in the region's massive trees and clear-flowing rivers and purchased 100,000 acres of this land, newly deeded to the U.S. government by the Six Nations Indian tribes. In 1822, his land agent, James Gillis, founded Ridgway at the Montmorency Farm Site six and one-half miles from the present town site. Because Montmorency lacked adequate streams to operate mills and float goods to market, Gillis shifted the town of Ridgway to this river valley. 

When Elk County was established in 1843, towns vied for the honor of becoming the county seat. Ridgway prevailed and, in 1845, constructed a wooden courthouse on this site. By 1879, Elk County had outgrown the wooden courthouse and sold it at public auction to Hugh McGeehan for $135. 

A few months later, the cornerstone of the new courthouse was laid with great ceremony. Town fathers placed within it a copper box containing period newspapers, coins, and a poem commemorating the day. In 1880, the courthouse was completed, built of native sandstone and brick and roofed with tin and slate. The original half-ton steel bell still hangs in the bell tower.

On the property you'll find various historical markers for Elk County and the Elk County Courthouse. The town clock is also located here. On the day that we visited the courthouse was undergoing major construction. They had the property roped off, so we couldn't get any closer than standing on the sidewalk. You'll need to park down one of the side streets and walk up to visit it.

I'm hoping that the next time we're in the area we can get close and walk through their gorgeous landscaped grounds. 

Elk County Historical Marker in Ridgway

Over the past 12 years we've been following the Pennsylvania Historical Marker Trail all through our great state and documenting them here on the blog. Millions of people walk or drive by these markers every year and never give them a second thought. They're a great source of historic information and we're trying to bring some much needed attention to them.

While on a road trip through the northern and western part of Pennsylvania we came across the ELK COUNTY historical marker. Here's what it says.

ELK COUNTY

Formed April 18, 1843 from parts of McKean, Clearfield and Jefferson counties. Named for the large elk herd that roamed the area. First State Game Lands established in Pennsylvania, in 1920, are here. The county seat, Ridgway, was settled in 1824. 

Location: You'll find this historical marker at the intersection of Main Street and Broad Street in Ridgway, Pennsylvania. The intersection can be very busy at times, so pull down a side street to park. Then walk up to the marker to photograph it for your waymarking records. You'll find 8 other historical markers nearby.

You can take a look at all of the historical markers we've documented on our travel blog by checking out that specific section as well as the ones on our Pinterest board.

Buy Local When Shopping at Farmstead Farmers Market in Palmyra

 

Farmstead Farmers Market is approximately a 20 minute drive from Harrisburg in Pennsylvania. It's a farmer's market that is open year-round on Fridays from 8am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 8am to 3pm. The market is comprised of two large buildings and sits right beside the Nest Antiques. You'll find the parking lot out back. 

The one building houses a variety of different locally-owned booths. You can shop for handmade soaps, lotions, jewelry, scarves, socks, pantry staples, gourmet coffee, fresh produce, peanut butter & nut butters, chocolate candy, seafood & fish, and all kinds of other items. It's always nice to shop for gifts that have been made by local artisans!

Building number two reminds me more of a food court, butchershop, gourmet coffee shop, a bakery and even a small winery has a wine tasting booth. You can find subs, Asian cuisine, bbq ribs & wings, sandwiches, soft pretzels, etc. along with various beverages to go along with them. We really like grabbing a quick lunch while we're there. 

One of my favorite booths to visit is Massers Produce. There are several farmer's markets in our area...but I find that Massers offers the best selection and at the best prices. We are home canners, so we can buy in bulk when shopping at Massers. Don't see something you need in a size that you need? Just ask them!!! 

Farmstead Farmers Market is great place to visit when you want to shop from local artisans and vendors. The people are friendly and we usually find exactly what we need. Shop local and support businesses in your community.

Dining at Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant in Harrisburg

Plaza Azteca opened for business at their Harrisburg location on June 1st, 2024. Residents in the area were excited to get an authentic Mexican cuisine restaurant in our area and weren't disappointed. The restaurant is located right off Progress Avenue in the old (but newly remodeled) Your Place Restaurant building. 

You'll find a lot of parking available (on the side and behind the restaurant). On the day that we visited we experienced no wait time. As soon as we walked into the building we were seated. You can choose to sit in a booth, at a table or at the bar. There's plenty of seating available. If you're dining with a larger group and during prime time hours, you will want to call ahead. 

On the menu you'll find a lot of items to choose from. Fajitas, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and a lot more! Seriously, they offer a lot of different choices. There's a small section on the menu for children. We were dining before the dinner crowd so we chose our items from the lunch offerings. 

We ordered the chips and guacamole to snack on while waiting for our meals.The guacamole was made fresh at our table. Yes, that's right...at our table! They wheel a food cart to your table and the wait staff stood there and made the guacamole from scratch. Let me add, that guacamole was delicious. Some of the best we've ever had.

Our meals arrived fairly quickly to our table (within 25 minutes) and was piping hot. Everything was presented in a tasteful way. Portions were larger than we had expected. What we ordered was cooked and made to perfection. It was the best Mexican food that we've had in the Harrisburg area. I really feel it beats all other restaurants that we've tried. 

We shared an appetizer, each got a meal from the lunch menu, my wife had an ice tea while I enjoyed a margarita. Our bill, including the 20% tip...was just under $50.00, so definitely an affordable dining option. Finally, authentic Mexican cuisine in the Harrisburg area. We'll definitely be dining there again.

B-26 Plane Crash Blue Mountain Memorial in Brightbill Park

Heroes Grove is part of Brightbill Park in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It's one of many beautiful parks that you'll find in Dauphin County. Within Brightbill Park you'll find ball fields, tennis courts, walking trails, the Heroes Grove Amphitheater, and more!

What some people don't know is that Heroes Grove is home to the B-26 Plane Crash on Blue Mountain Memorial. You'll find it near the amphitheater and concession building. We never knew it was there until we attending a concert last summer. 

The memorial plaque gives you all kinds of information about the B-26 Plane Crash that occurred on April 22nd, 1951 along with the 2 heroes who died. They were stationed out of Ohio. The plaque includes information about each of the 2 servicemen along with the crash information. 

If you're a history or military buff....you'll want to check it out. We never knew this memorial was there or anything about the crash and we've lived in the area for 35+ years! Always nice to stumble upon something new. 

Guided Tours of the Historic Dills Tavern in Dillsburg

 The historic Dills Tavern is located in northern York County in the town of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. It's no longer operating as a tavern but you can visit the hisotric building and take a guided tour. You can find tour information HERE. Tours are offered by appointment April through November. 

On the property you'll find the 200+ year old stone building (the Tavern) and several out buildings. It was built in 1794 by John Dill, the grandson of Matthew Dill. You can read a little bit of the history on the website or look for the historical marker located on the site. 

Property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by The United States Department of the Interior. The property was acquired for the Dillsburg community by a gift from Charles T. and Lucille C. Vogelsong August 2nd, 2001 to preserve the historic building for future generations. It's managed by the Northern York County Historical and Preservation Society.

We visited the property and just walked around checking it out. We plan on returning this summer to take a guided tour. In the meantime, we wanted to share a few photographs that we took during our brief visit.

Thrilling High-Speed Racing at the Autobahn Indoor Speedway in Lemoyne

The Autobahn Indoor Speedway is located in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania. What it is it? Well, it's high-speed indoor kart racing with karts that can go 50 mph. You can race against friends, strangers, co-workers, family, etc. Attending during a public event or talk to them about hosting your next company event or family get-together.

Hours of Operation: Open 7 Days a Week. 

I visited Autobahn Indoor Speedway with several of my friends. NONE of us have ever participated in indoor racing. The staff was great at instructing us on everything we needed to do and how to remain safe while participating in a race. Knowledgeable and took their time answering our group's questions.

Our race was for 12 full laps with the winner crossing the finish line first. The time seemed to fly by and the race was a lot of fun. 

After the race is over they give you a print out on how every driver did during the race. Stats like who ran the fastest lap, your average lap time, the positions that we all finished in and how many points each driver earned. It was really cool to see it all printed out on paper. 

You can learn more about the Autobahn Indoor Speedway by visiting their official website online or by connecting with them on Facebook.