Things to Do in Bird in Hand

Things to Do in Bird in Hand, Pennsylvania: Bird in Hand Hotels travel guide on the best things to do in Bird in Hand. Have a look below for more details on Bird in Hand Attractions, restaurants, nightlife, bars, clubs, events and shopping.

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Top things to do and Attractions in Bird in Hand, Pennsylvania:

Bird in Hand has a large Amish community and it’s an interesting view of the y ester-year America.

There are also numerous museums and many historic sites. There are some famous culinary delights too

Museums and historic sites

* Americana Museum of Bird-in-Hand
* Amish Country Homestead
* Old Village Store
* Bird-in-Hand Friends Meetinghouse

Churches

* Bird-in-Hand United Methodist
* Stumptown Mennonite
* Weavertown Amish Mennonite Church

While one of the favorite pastimes of our returning guests is to relax and enjoy the peaceful countryside, there is much more to see and do! Follow these links to plan your family’s next stay in Bird-in-Hand. Amish farmland tours, farmers markets, quilt shops, hot air balloons, scooters, Sight & Sound Theatres, HERSHEYPARK, Dutch Wonderland, Strasburg Rail Road and so much more. Can’t decide? Our knowledgeable staff is happy to help you plan your stay with us.

Water's Edge Golf - Bird in Hand Hotels

Water’s Edge Mini Golf

Test your golf skills amid cascading waterfalls, gently rolling streams, and serene ponds. Come to Waters Edge Mini-Golf, two beautifully landscaped, water-filled miniature golf courses located in Bird-in-Hand, PA. Waters Edge is a family fun destination that is both challenging and relaxing.

Putt for par as you stroll through gardens bursting with colorful plants, shrubbery and water, water everywhere. Then take a break in our spacious snack bar and arcade area, where friendly atmosphere and fast service make you feel right at home.

Situated in the heart of lovely Lancaster County, Waters Edge Miniature Golf has something for everyone. So come by and see for yourself. Grab a golf club. Take a walk. Have some fun.

There’s only one Waters Edge, and you’ll want to come back again and again.

Golf hours are Memorial Day-Labor Day: M-Th. 10-10; Fri & Sat 10-11; Sun 11-10. (Open April-October. Call for off season hours)
2 Challenging 18-Hole Mini Golf Courses
Beautiful Landscaping
Snack Bar & Arcade Area
Lighted/Night Play
Pond with Walking Path & Gazebo

Hot Air Ballooning - Bird in Hand Hotels

Balloon rides – DAILY!

A once in a lifetime experience. Relax and enjoy the exhilaration of floating effortlessly over Lancaster County’s pitcuresque Amish farmland. Wave from aloft to earth bound spectators, and farmers working in their fields. AM/PM rides available from the field directly across the street from the Bird-in-Hand Family Inn & Restaurant.

Be sure to add a balloon ride to your next visit and don’t forget that Balloon Rides Daily can work with groups and corporate events, too!

Call for flight reservations and rates.

MC, Visa, AMEX, and Discover accepted.

Phone: 800-763-5987
Email: info@ushotairballoon.com

Scooter rental? YEH!

Come experience Lancaster County’s Amish Country in a new way by riding the back roads on a scooter. Affordable rates as low as $50. Call 717-598-3191 or visit their website at http://www.countryroadscooters.com . You’ll pick up your scooter behind the Bird-in-Hand Family Inn & Restaurant!

Call (717) 598-3191 for hours.

Shopping? We’ve got the best in Bird in Hand:

Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord – Our own PA Dutch Restaurant.
Bird-in-Hand Bakery – Our own PA Dutch Baked Goods baked fresh daily.
Bird-in-Hand Candle & Gifts – Locally made items including soy candles, clocks and music.
Bird-in-Hand Farmers’ Market – Over 30 local standholders.
Bird-in-Hand Village Antique Market – Hundreds of antiques and collectibles on display by quality dealers.
E. Braun Farmtables – Farm tables and barnwood furniture.
Fishers Handmade Quilts – 200 quilts, wall hangings, pillows and more.
Log Cabin Quilts – 200 quilts in stock. Also fabric patterns, crafts, wall hangings and quillows.
Lost in the Country Rustics – Reclaimed pine, oak and chestnut barn wood furniture. Custom Amish made.
The Old Village Store -Unique and nostalgic inventory.
Peddlers Cottage – Primitive and country home accents, as well as reproduction furniture.
Ruthie’s Tee Company – Tee shirts, teddy bears, gifts and more.
Water’s Edge Mini Golf- 2 18 hole miniature golf courses

Nearby attractions – in Lancaster PA:

DutchWonderland – family amusement park.
Hersheypark – family amusement park.
Strasburg Railroad – 45 minute ride through scenic Amish farmland.
The Amish Experience Theatre – dramatic tale of “Jacob’s Choice.”
Sesame Place – family theme park.
Longwood Gardens – world’s premier horticultural display.
Gettysburg Battlefield Tours – walking, bicycle and bus tours.
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania – a world-class museum of railroad history.
Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire – come early, stay late.
Landis Valley Museum – preserving Pennsylvania German heritage and culture
National Christmas Center – dedicated to the history, tradition and magical wonderment of Christmas.
National Watch and Clock Museum – the largest and most comprehensive horological
collection in North America.
Amazing Maize Maze – maze designed in a corn field of five acres.
Quest for Freedom Underground Railroad Heritage Trail – Listen to the story of Bird-in-Hand abolitionists Daniel & Hannah Gibbons.
PA Dutch Welcome Center – learn more about Lancaster County.

Exercise and Recreation:

An extensive list of amenities are available to our Guests including, a picnic pavilion, complimentary 2-hour farmland tours, a petting zoo, playground, outdoor pools, a hot tub, tennis & basketball courts, a game room, a fitness room and a pond & walking trail. Details for each activity are provided below.

Picnic Pavilion
The Smucker Family and Staff are happy to provide a pavilion for our Guests. The pavilion is located beside our pond and the Waters Edge Miniature Golf Course. It measures 28’ x 20’ and holds up to 5 picnic tables providing seating for up to 30-40 Guests. Use of the pavilion is complimentary for our Guests, however, advance reservations are required. Electric and water are both available in the pavilion (some charges may apply).

Complimentary 2-Hour Amish Farmland Tour
Experience the back roads and people of Lancaster County in our climate-controlled tour bus. As we wind our way through the scenic farmlands, we’ll make several stops including a visit to an Amish-owned quilt shop. Learn about the 18th century lifestyle of our Amish neighbors from our experienced Tour Guides. Our two-hour bus tour is the highlight of many of our Guests stay at all of our properties. (Our complimentary tour is a $21.95 value per person). Our Tour Guides will tell you the history of the Amish and Mennonites in this area, the difference between Amish and Mennonites, as well as the traditions of Amish schools, churches, marriages, funerals, dress and transportation. Space is limited. Reservations are accepted at the Front Desk/Office upon your arrival. You must have a ticket to board the bus. Tours are offered Monday through Saturday (no Sunday tours). These tours are available only to Guests of Amish Country Motel, Bird-in-Hand Family Inn, Mill Stream Country Inn, Travelers Rest Motel, Bird-in-Hand Village Inn & Suites and Country Acres Campground.

Petting Zoo
Children of all ages will enjoy getting up close and personal with a variety of farm animals at Bird-in-Hand’s petting zoo. Located on the grounds of Bird-in-Hand Family Inn & Restaurant, the petting zoo features a variety of farm animals. Feed for the animals is available for purchase. The petting zoo is operated by Nate Kauffman from Orchard Ridge Miniature Pets.

Playground
Children can climb, slide and swing on our playground equipment, located on the grounds of Bird-in-Hand Family Inn & Restaurant. Or�just set them free on the acres of lawn for old-fashioned fun!

Outdoor Pools
The outdoor pool at Bird-in-Hand Family Inn has a zero grade entrance which means you can walk right into the pool without any steps. It’s great for seniors, handicapped persons and children. In addition, Mill Stream County Inn, Amish Country Motel and Country Acres Campground all feature outdoor pools.

Indoor Pools/Hot Tub
Bird-in-Hand Family Inn offers 2 Indoor Pools and a large 16-person hot tub.

Tennis & Basketball Courts
Located on the grounds of Bird-in-Hand Family Inn & Restaurant, the lighted tennis/volleyball and basketball courts are available for Guests of any Bird-in-Hand affiliated company.

Game Room
A room with several arcade games is located at Bird-in-Hand Family Inn beside the indoor pools.

Fitness Room
A Fitness Room is located at Bird-in-Hand Family Inn beside the indoor pools and game room. Exercise equipment includes two treadmills and an elliptical machine.

Pond & Walking Trail
Located on the grounds of Bird-in-Hand Family Inn & Restaurant, a beautiful pond with a 1/4 mile walking trail is a favorite for many of our Guests and neighbors. Walking maps for up to 3 miles also available.

History of Bird in Hand:

The area’s first inhabitants were Native American Shawnee and the Susquehannock.

The earliest settlers of what was to become Bird-in-Hand were Quakers and Swiss Mennonites. James Smith was the first of the Quakers known to have settled in the area, arriving by the year 1715. William and Dorothy McNabb were pioneer landowners and the owners of the original Bird-in-Hand Hotel. The Quakers built a meetinghouse and two-story academy, which stands today, next to the present day Bird-in-Hand fire company.

Bird in Hand - American History - Hotels

The community was founded in 1734. The legend of the naming of Bird-in-Hand concerns the time when the Old Philadelphia Pike was surveyed between Lancaster and Philadelphia. According to legend two road surveyors discussed whether they should stay at their present location or go on to the town of Lancaster. One of them supposedly said, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” and so they stayed. By 1734, road surveyors were making McNabb’s hotel their headquarters rather than returning to Lancaster every day. The sign in front of the inn is known to have once “portrayed a man with a bird in his hand and a bush nearby, in which two birds were perched,” and was known as the Bird-in-Hand Inn. Variations of this sign appear throughout the town today.

In 1834 construction began on the 86-mile Pennsylvania Railroad line between Philadelphia and Columbia. Bird-in-Hand, featuring tanneries, feed mills, coal and lumber yards, was the most important stop on the Lancaster to Coatesville section.

In 1836 the village post office was established as the Enterprise Post Office, as the village was then officially called, until the name officially changed to Bird-in-Hand in 1873.

The town remained relatively unknown until a musical called Plain and Fancy opened in New York in 1955. The play was set in the village of Bird-in-Hand and is often credited as a catalyst for the boom in Pennsylvania Dutch Country tourism in the mid-twentieth century. The Plain & Fancy Restaurant opened in 1960, and is the oldest “family-style restaurant” in the area.

In 1968 the Smucker family opened a small 30-room motel called the Bird-in-Hand Motor Inn, with an adjacent coffee shop, in hopes of capitalizing on the growing tourist trade in the area. The coffee shop was turned into a larger 145 seat restaurant in 1970 and renamed the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant. A larger, additional building with an indoor swimming pool was built in the early 1980s and the motel changed its name to the Bird-in-Hand Family Inn. In the 1990s a buffet was added to the restaurant. In 2005 the restaurant was expanded further and a larger adult’s and children’s buffet were added and the name was changed to the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant and Smorgasbord. The Smucker family has been running this business now for three generations.

In 1976 the Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market opened adjacent to the Bird-in-Hand Motor Inn.

The town is perhaps most notable for being the site of the Prohibition Party convention in the year 2000.

Places to Eat in Bird in Hand:

On top of the typical Fast Food places such as McDonalds and Wendy’s you’ll also find the famous Shoofly Pie store in Bird in Hand – here is a video of the store and it’s history:

Amish Family in Bird in Hand:

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