Lancaster, Pennsylvania

PA Tourism
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
By Joel Cliff
Dec 18, 2008, 21:28 PST

History, affordability, and proximity make Lancaster, Pennsylvania an Inaugural draw

Horse and buggy is the preferred method of travel for the Amish community, who do not drive motorized vehicles.
Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitor Bureau / Coy Butler

As folks from across the country and around the world plan their journey to the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. for the swearing-in of President-elect Barack Obama in Washington, D.C., on January 20th, many are considering the historic and rolling landscape of Lancaster County, PA – little more than 100 miles from D.C. – as an affordable yet convenient place to stay or visit during their trip.

And the news that Senator Obama will kick off the inaugural celebration with events in Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore on January 17th only makes a stay or visit in Lancaster that much more central and inviting.

In celebrating “A New Birth of Freedom,” the 2009 Inaugural theme echoes the strains of freedom that have coursed through the towns and countryside of Lancaster County for centuries, from the religious freedom enjoyed by our Amish community and the 18th century residents of the Ephrata Cloister, to the political freedom encompassed in our Revolutionary War and Civil War heritage, to the human freedom safeguarded by our role in the Underground Railroad.

“Lancaster’s significant contribution to the American story is one of the prime reasons people are drawn here, and the momentous occasion of Senator Obama’s Presidential inauguration is further magnifying that draw,” said Chris Barrett, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau. “When you combine this heritage with our affordable lodging that’s some of the closest to the D.C. area still available, travelers can get a once-in-a-lifetime experience at a reasonable price.”

While staying in or visiting Lancaster County during their Inaugural trip, folks can tour President James Buchanan’s Wheatland, the home of the man who preceded Lincoln in the White House and struggled to calm a divided nation on the brink of civil war; discover our “network to freedom” at the Christiana Underground Railroad Center and through Bethel AME Church’s production of “Living the Experience”; and explore the Landis Valley Museum & Village to learn about the local origins of the Conestoga Wagon and the Pennsylvania Long Rifle, which proved instrumental in pushing America’s frontier westward.

Lancaster County is a wonderful blend of urban style and rural splendor, and the PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau is dedicated to promoting its many rich cultures, from the Amish to the arts. Travelers can take in our vibrant downtown city life – featuring galleries, great dining, specialty shops, and live music – or explore some of the surrounding towns and villages to get a sampling of the heritage, food, craftsmanship, and hands-on activities for which Lancaster is famous. Visit us today at http://www.discoverlancasterpa.com/.