As In Olden Days,
Bird in Hand Offers A Lot!

Local legend suggests that the distinctive name of Bird in Hand came from the time when the Old Philadelphia Pk. was laid out. Two road surveyors discussed whether they should spend the night in the town or go to the city of Lancaster for the night. Deciding, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” they stayed at the village inn, thus giving the inn and the town this unique name.

Later the sign in front of the inn depicted a man with a bird in his hand and nearby two birds perched in a bush. The 1730’s Bird in Hand Inn served as a respite for weary travelers and the modern-day village still offers visitors a variety of welcoming services. Bird in Hand is home to numerous small shops, restaurants, hotels and some of the area’s better-known attractions.

Behind the restaurant is Waters Edge Mini Golf . Enjoy one of two 18-hole miniature golf courses, take a walk along the path around the pond, or stop by the clubhouse for a scoop of hand-dipped ice cream.

Next door to the restaurant and inn, shoppers can enjoy a visit to the Bird in Hand Farmers Market . The idea for the market began in 1975, when Christ and Dolly Lapp bought a parcel of land along Rt. 340, and it opened to the public in the spring of 1976. You’ll enjoy walking the aisles filled with fresh meats and vegetables, as well as crafts and gift items.

Across from the market, above the bakeshop, is Fishers Handmade Quilts . They have a large selection of quilts, crafts, and lots of wonderful gifts. Don’t miss the amazing assortment of merchandise for dog lovers.

A few steps away is the new Bird in Hand Village Antique Market, housed in a century-old barn, and filled with dealers offering all kinds of wonderful items for the treasure hunter in you. Next-door is the Old Village Store , one of the oldest operating hardware stores in the country, brimming with tools and odds and ends that are hard to find elsewhere.

A short stroll west and you’re at Ruthies Tee Company , with quality printed and embroidered shirts and apparel, as well as a delightful combination of plush animals and teddy bears, and lots of other surprises like great jewelry, handbags and accessories.

Across the street, just beside the post office, is E. Braun Farmtables & Furniture. Here you’ll find two floors of beautiful, rustic furniture; much of it made from barns and other old buildings, with beautiful finishes.

Just under the railroad bridge heading west is the Greystone Manor B & B, one of the area’s finest and most popular bed and breakfasts, with rooms and suites in a beautiful brick Victorian home right in the village.

A little further west by car, look for the quilts on the porch and you’ll find Sylvia Petersheim Quilts. The beautiful handmade quilts and a great variety of fabric, along with other locally made quilted items will bring wonderful color, warmth and decoration to any home.

For the traditional, all-you-can-eat dining experience, head south on Rt. 896 to the famous Good n Plenty Restaurant , known for fine Pennsylvania Dutch family-style dining. There’s “good food and plenty of it,” so you’ll never leave hungry! Don’t miss their yummy home made baked goods too!

In the countryside surrounding Bird in Hand are several other great places to visit by car. A short drive north on Beechdale Rd. to Gibbons Rd. takes you to the Bird in Hand Bake Shop . This down-home bakery has all kinds of local baked goodies – but that’s not all! They offer a petting zoo for your kids, and great shopping with locally made foods and crafts in addition to country style gifts. It’s a wonderful shop to unwind and relax.

Heading east less than a mile on Rt. 340, you’ll come to Weavertown Rd. A right turn and a few bends in the road brings you to Lapp’s Wooden Toys. At this Amish shop at the junction of Weavertown and Irishtown Rds., you’ll find delightful children’s kitchen play sets, 18” doll furniture, trucks, and other wooden toys made right there on the farm.

Continuing east on Rt. 340 is Plain & Fancy Farm Restaurant, the original family-style restaurant that fed the first tourists to Lancaster County in the 1950’s. With new a la carte menus, individual seating, and traditional family-style dining, this is the place to taste the legendary specialties that are part of our Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner, the property offers much more to see and do.

Also on the Plain and Fancy Farm, the Amish Country Homestead, Lancaster’s only Amish house designated a Heritage Site, offer visitors guided tours through the nine-room home, furnished as the Amish live today. Amish Country Tours provides bus tours along the scenic back roads of the Amish farmlands, giving insights into the lives of these unique people, with interesting stops along the way.

The acclaimed Amish Experience F/X Theater features five projection surfaces, a 3-dimensional set of imagery, and other high tech special effects. Visitors join an Amish boy for an emotional journey through the Amish story. It’s “400 years of history in 40 minutes of magic!”

Aaron and Jessica’s Buggy Rides is also located at Plain & Fancy Farm. They’ll take you through the scenic farmlands in authentic Amish carriages, and provide friendly conversation along the way.

Also on the property is one of Lancaster’s newest upscale lodgings, the Amish View Inn & Suites, with large rooms, fine furnishings, walking access to Amish Experience and Plain & Fancy, plus some truly spectacular views.

Just a hundred feet east of the Amish Experience is The Quilt & Fabric Shack. Besides beautiful quilts all hand stitched in the county, this Amish dry goods store carries 5,000 bolts of fabric, close outs, fat quarters, quillows, quilts and other craft items at great prices.

A little further east on Rt. 340 is the rustic red barn of the Mount Hope Wine Gallery, where they serve free samples and have a wide selection of their popular wines, made from Pennsylvania grapes and fruits.

So as you can see, as in olden days, the Bird in Hand area offers much that is of interest to the curious traveler, in addition to food and lodging at the end of the day.

Here are some additional attractions and accommodations in the Bird-in-Hand area I thought I should share with you since I first wrote this page:

• Bird-in-Hand Village Inn and Suites

  The Bird-in-Hand Village Inn and Suites offers you the comfort and privacy of 24 uniquely decorated Guest rooms and suites, in four preserved historical buildings, appointed with period furnishings.

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