Shoofly pie, Ice cream & beer! Vol.9

Shoofly pie
Originally uploaded by B.B. Bellezza

While traveling the highways and by-ways of Lancaster county, searching the covered bridges. We encourage you to visit these local favorites.

Located along route 30 in Ronks, you'll find America's best shoofly pie. What trip to Amish country would be complete without this sweet treat. Since 1946 Dutch Haven has been dishing out this local favorite. If you have any doubts it's the best in America, they'll quickly put those to rest once you taste the free samples. Finding Dutch Haven is easy, just look for the big windmill. Walking out without a pie, that's about impossible.

If your sweet tooth is still craving, you can take a step back into time at the Strasburg Creamery. Resembling a Victorian era ice cream parlor,the creamery is a family favorite. Besides all the nostalgia, they dish out some of the best ice cream around. Whether your having an apple dumpling sundae, or the homemade E.T. special in a handmade waffle cone, no sweet tooth will leave unsatisfied. The creamery is located on 1 W. Main st. Strasburg, Pa.

After all those treats you may need something to wash it all down with. Located on Main street in Conestoga lies the Spring House Brewery. Basically a one man brewery with quite a following. Is there a better way to wash down shoofly pie and E.T. ice cream than with a Kerplunk chocolate stout? In the mood for something less sweet? Spring House offers the Seven Gates Pale Ale. The beer is named for a local urban legend.(see Outta the Way Vol. 2) At Spring House they're also brewing up a red ale, summer ale, a double IPA, and the more unique coffee stout. The hours of the brewery vary, though it is open most Saturday afternoons.

All of the places mentioned you will pass if you take the covered bridge driving tour provided in Volume 9 of Outta the Way.

The Choo Choo Barn Strasburg, Pennsylvania

The Choo Choo Barn, near the Strasburg Railroad, is a gem that the whole family can enjoy.

The Choo Choo barn is basically a miniature version of Lancaster County.

From the miniature Amish Farm: to Dutch Wonderland:

There are lots of animated scenes that start with the push of a button. Our favorite by far was the fire scene:

There is smoke coming out of the roof!

We watched this one a few times!

Another favorite was the miniature Dutch Haven:

Here's the real Dutch Haven. Kind of amazing isn't it?

By the way, if you never had Dutch Haven shoo fly pie, you really should try it! I didn't even like shoo fly pie until I tried their shoo fly pie. Seriously! Go to the actual Dutch Haven for the pie, though, I can't imagine a miniature pie would be very filling.

The Choo Choo Barn is located at 226 Gap Road, Strasburg, PA 17579

Admission Price is $6 for adults and $4 for kids, and worth every penny!