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Outdoors

We are surrounded with beautiful and varied scenery including rolling hills and cultivated farmland. A short walk from the Country Hearth in several directions will lead you to the edge of a field. Just over a mile east is the New Holland Park which hosts live entertainment throughout the summer including a craft show in June, an Independence Day celebration in July, an antique car show and a BBQ competition, as well as music most Wednesdays and weekends.

The list below isn’t exhaustive, but hopefully is inspirational.

Parks and Preserves

Groff Memorial Park

121 East Conestoga Street, New Holland, PA; 2 minute drive or 11 minute walk

An easy walk from the Country Hearth. Groff Memorial Park has a gazebo, some benches, and a small water feature. Coming soon, a connected butterfly park.
Groff Memorial Park

Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve

835 Gault Road, East Earl, PA; 12 minute drive

Fully wooded, easy and moderate loop trails with a scenic overlook.
Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve

Roland Memorial Park

221 North 11th Street, Akron, PA; 17 minute drive

This 70-acre park has fields, trails, pavilions, a skating pond, and a disc-golf course (PDF).
Roland Memorial Park

Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve

857 Green Hill Road South, Conestoga, PA; 45 minute drive

Mini Golf

Lost Treasure Mini Golf

2521 Lincoln Highway East, Ronks, PA; 20 minute drive

Lost Treasure Mini Golf

Boulders Mini Golf

312 Primrose Lane, Mountville, PA; 27 minute drive

Boulders Mini Golf

The Golf Zone Family Fun Center

1839 Horseshoe Pike, Honey Brook, PA; 24 minute drive

The Golf Zone has mini golf, go karts, a driving range, and more.
Hole 13 might land you in the water if you use too much force. The course has many subtle slants and bumps, requiring patience and precision to achieve par. The course is compactly laid out, meaning you're never far from the main building.

Water's Edge Mini Golf

230 North Ronks Road, Bird in Hand, PA; 14 minute drive

Spring color surrounds a waterfall near hole 9 of the Nature Course at Water's Edge Mini Golf.
Hole 10 features a log with a cut-out. Ducks wander across the green of Hole 1 near the pond. Trees provide shade to most of the Nature Course.

Village Greens Miniature Golf

1444 Village Road, Strasburg, PA; 23 minute drive

The fourteenth hole on the Gold course goes under a waterfall.
The first hole on the Orange course features a moving golfer statue. Fall gently off the cliff on the eighteenth hole of the Gold course. Will you take the steep, narrow path or the wider, more round-a-bout path on the Gold course's fifteenth hole.

The Shack Restaurant & Mini Golf

662 South Oak Street, Manheim, PA; 32 minute drive

Many holes at The Shack offer choices. Choose carefully!
For those looking for a lesser (or faster) challenge, you can go for the red cup at several holes. Don't bounce too high when falling off the cliff. The course at The Shack claims that it's one of the most challenging in Eastern Pennsylvania, and it lives up to that claim.

Tours / Rides

Green Mountain Cyclery Bicycle Rentals

285 South Reading Road, Ephrata, PA; 17 minute drive

Strasburg Scooter Rental

2705 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, PA; 14 minute drive

Guided scooter tours of Amish country. They also have tours that start in Strasburg (about 8 minutes farther).

U.S. Hot Air Balloon Rides

2727 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, PA; 14 minute drive

Strasburg Railroad

301 Gap Road, Ronks, PA; 22 minute drive

OK, so a train ride isn’t exactly outdoors, but if you take a ride in one of their open-air cars you’ll get the best of both worlds!
The Strasburg Railroad features a 45 minute ride through the countryside.
The passenger car interior feels like stepping into the past. Informational signs dot the platform while you wait to board. Seats are reversable, which is great for the return trip.

AAA Buggy Rides

3529 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse, PA; 10 minute drive

Starts at the Kitchen Kettle Village

Aaron & Jessica's Buggy Rides

3121 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, PA; 15 minute drive

Starts at the Plain & Fancy Farm

Ed's Buggy Rides

253 Hartman Bridge Road, Ronks, PA; 22 minute drive

Starts across the road from the Sight & Sound Theatre.

Amish Experience at Plain & Fancy Farm

3121 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, PA; 15 minute drive

Tours, shows, and exhibits, plus every Friday meals in an Amish home.

Old Order Amish Tours

63 Eastbrook Road (Route 896), North Ronks, PA; 20 minute drive

Other Outdoor Experiences

Foxchase Golf Club

300 Stevens Road, Stevens, PA; 18 minute drive

Maple Grove Raceway

30 Stauffer Park Lane, Mohnton, PA; 22 minute drive

Shank's Mare Outfitters

2092 Long Level Road, Wrightsville, PA; 43 minute drive

Kayaking and paddle-boarding on the Susquehanna River. They recommend calling ahead for availability of equipment (and guides, if desired): 717-252-1616.

Hershey Park

100 Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA; 50 minute drive

Amusement park and chocolate factory.