A very popular senior tourist destination, they flock to Lancaster to enjoy the wonderful food, rural lifestyles, picturesque landscapes, Amish traditions and other attractions.

How To Get There: Lancaster is 160 miles from New York City, 100 miles from Washington DC and 80 miles from Philadelphia. It can be reached by many major highways, including U.S. Route 30 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Lancaster Attractions: The area is known for its 18th Century Pennsylvania Dutch origins and current tourist attractions, as well as the nearby Amish and Mennonite communities. Visitors enjoy buggy rides, working farm tours, family-style restaurants, handmade gifts, pretzels, homemade candy and dozens of other local delights. Restaurants: Many offer plentiful selections of fresh food at reasonable prices, including family-style eateries. That usually means large servings at tables for ten and never-ending fill-ups.

Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord . A favorites is the $45 complete buffet dinner, which includes fresh sausages, pot roast, German potato salad, apple fritters and shoo fly pie. www.bird-in-hand.com

Intercourse Village Restaurant: An authentic ethnic eatery, Amish and Mennonite staff serve in local costumes. It’s a favorite of local families who want good food at reasonable prices. On the menu are old-fashioned ham steak, chicken croquettes, baked sausage and delicious, homemade desserts. There’s also a daily all-you-can-eat special main entree.  www.amishcountryinns.com

Hotel Brunswick, Lancaster PA: Rates are from $75. Because Lancaster is such a popular tourist destination, there are scores of hotels, motels, campsites and other facilities. A genuine Colonial inn that has been in downtown Lancaster since 1776, the Brunswick is within walking distance of many restaurants, the Central Market, Fulton Opera House and shopping.  www.hotelbrunswick.com