How to Enjoy Shopping in Lancaster, PA

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is a beautiful area rich in Amish traditions. You could easily spend a week here and still not see everything there is to see. From amusement parks, to working Amish Farms, to larger than life theaters, belly-busting buffets and glamorous places to stay, you can easily make a great vacation out of it. And the shopping can keep you busy for days. Not only are there quaint Amish shops filled with quality handcrafted items, there are almost 200 discount outlets to browse through between two popular outlet malls.

Instructions

1. Visit discount outlets for low prices on name-brand clothing and accessories. Go to Rockvale Square Outlets, which houses over 100 stores. Located on Route 30 East, the property also has a new Olive Garden and a Holiday Inn Express for your convenience. The hours of Operation are Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Holiday hours may vary. Discount coupons can be found on their website (see Resources below), and their phone number is [phone].

2. Visit a second set of outets on Route 30, just minutes down the road from Rockvale Square Outlets. Tanger is home to over 60 outlets with a variety of wares, but focuses on name-brand clothing such as Liz Clairborne and Nine West. You can reach them at [phone]. Discount coupons can be found on their website (see Resources below).

3. Shop at Kitchen Kettle Village. This Amish outdoor village is filled with many handmade items at over 40 shops. Their speciality is canned jams and jellies, and free samples are provided. Make an entire day of it and eat at their restaurant, which serves their special condiments. Then stay the night at their newly added quaint lodging. Check their website for annual events or call [phone] (see Resources below).

4. Meander through the Flower and Craft Warehouse filled with two large floors of crafts and home decor. There are large sections of scrapbooking material, yarn, seasonal items, household decorations and so much more, all at very reasonable prices. It's open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. Call [phone] for holiday hours.

5. Drive through the countryside looking for great places to stop and shop. Start on Route 30 in the town of Geets and head toward the Rockvale Outlets. You'll see quilt shops, country home decor, hex signs, homemade outdoor furniture and more, all handcrafted by the local Amish population. Route 896 is a popular road to travel down and find great shopping as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not visit the area on Sundays, as Amish stores will be closed for religious reasons.

Resources

• Rockvale Square Outlets
• Tanger Outlets
• Kitchen Kettle Village