Butterflies and Blooms at Hershey Gardens

When you think of the quaint town of Hershey, chocolate and amusement park rides likely come to mind, but what you may not know is that Hershey is also home to a 23-acre botanical display garden which touts 3,500 rose bushes, 11 themed gardens, including a  Children's Garden, and the newest installation, The Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory, which features a Butterfly Atrium that is enjoyed by visitors year round.

The Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory at Hershey Gardens opened in July, 2016.

The idea, of course, sprang from the mind of no other than Milton S. Hershey himself, who, when approached to sponsor a national rosarium in Washington, D.C., decided instead to bring the idea home to his local community.

Hershey's intent to create a "nice garden of roses,' began simply enough, with 3.5 acres opening to the public in 1937. In typical Hershey fashion however, the project expanded exponentially over the years.

A fountain flows just beyond the Conservatory.

Hershey Gardens features an impressive display of 3,500 roses comprised of 175 different varieties.

One wonders if Hershey's employees might have placed bets on whether his humble ideas would always end up expanding into projects that would dwarf the initial plans.

Today the Gardens span 23-acres, with 3,500 roses of 175 varieties stealing the show. Eleven additional themed gardens add to the impressive and colorful array. Among them are an herb garden, a nut grove featuring dozens of trees, an ornamental grass garden, a Japanese Garden, a children's garden and  a perennial garden featuring flowers that bloom according to the season, from tulips and daffodils in the spring, to sunflowers and daisies in the summer, to chrysanthemums in the fall.

I felt like returning with a book; I wonder if that's permitted. 

A butterfly bench for visitors to rest in between touring.

A group of  bright, cheery sunflowers.

Daisies and coneflowers bloom in the summer.

The Butterfly Atrium

One of the newest and most popular features of the Hershey Gardens is the Butterfly Atrium where guests can marvel at hundreds of the winged creatures and watch them feed on the fruit provided at various stations around the room.

The Welcome Pavilion is one of the first things visitors will see upon entering the Hershey Gardens. This is the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory where the Butterfly Atrium is located.

The Butterfly Atrium features hundreds of tropical and North American butterflies.

Butterflies feast on ripe fruit.

The Butterfly Atrium is one of only 25 year-round tropical butterfly atriums in the United States and represents 200-300 species. It is kept at a constant temperature of approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 70 percent humidity.

The Children's Garden
Children of all ages enjoy the 1.5-acre educational children's garden, which opened to the public in 2003. Lolly Tai, author of The Magic of Children's Gardens, describes it as "an excellent educational resource providing opportunities for hands-on learning, self-discovery and fun with water features, hideaways, creatures, surprises and whimsical features."

The entrance to the Children's Garden.

Misters shaped like Hershey's Kisses keep children cool and encourage play.

Scavenger hunts make education fun.

A dancing pig sculpture and dance chimes elicit smiles in the Hugs and Kisses Garden

If you're in town to visit Hershey Park, the Gardens are located nearby, making it easy to add both destinations to your itinerary. These are but a few highlights you'll experience during your visit. You can view additional information on prices, hours of operation and more by clicking on this link. 

Visiting the Wooded Wonderland of Mount Gretna

Summer is a perfect time to visit tranquil Mt. Gretna. The small Lebanon County borough attracts vacationers seeking a quaint, quiet, wooded respite from crowded city life. Those who are familiar with the area might be just a tad jealous of the lucky individuals who regularly sprawl out on hammocks with the latest novel on the oversized porches which are part and parcel of the Mt. Gretna Experience. The good news is that you, too, can have that same experience. In the past, I wasn't quite sure that any of the cottages were for rent, but this year I made it a point to do some research and discovered quite a few available through Air B&B, or Penn Realty. I do suggest booking a few weeks, if not months, in advance, to reserve the cottage you want at a price you can afford.

Below are a few pictures of a place we rented during a recent summer visit. Penn Realty provided us with nearly everything we needed, from place settings, to paper products and more to ensure that our stay would be a comfortable one.

A four-bedroom rental on Princeton.

The rear of the property.

The sprawling front porch.

Not quite unplugged, but tranquil nonetheless.

The spacious kitchen included everything to entertain.

The living room.

Roots in Chautauqua
It comes as a surprise to some that Mount Gretna was modeled after New York's Chautauqua, which was established in 1874 in New York State. The movement began as an outdoor educational experience for Sunday school teachers and grew in popularity until automobiles and movie theaters captured the public's attention.

When guests first visit Mt. Gretna, they'll see an imposing structure that seems a bit out of place in the little cottage community. The Hall of Philosophy, built in 1910, was inspired by Greek architecture and looms large as one enters the enclave. To this day, it serves as a center for learning where members of the community can gather together to hear lectures on religion, learn about arts and crafts, or take part in political discussions.

When we visited this summer, a group of ladies were enjoying a game of Mahjong on the front porch of the Hall of Philosophy.

Today there are only 19 remaining member communities of the Chautauqua Trail, which is based on the four pillars of Chautauqua: art, education, religion and recreation.

The Mount Gretna Historical Society
Visitors can learn more about the history of the area at the Mt. Gretna Historical Society located at 206 Pennsylvania Avenue. The two-story building contains relics of years past, including a deer from a carousel that once entertained guests who visited the area.

Historical society artifacts.

Woodland Shopping
No destination is complete, (at least in my opinion), without shopping opportunities. The Gretna Emporium, located in the heart of Mount Gretna along route 117, was once the Chautauqua's Literary and Scientific Circle building. Today guests can spend time browsing yard art and other items displayed on the front porch. Inside are a variety of books, toys and unique gift items.

Enjoying Time on the Water
Mount Gretna Lake and Beach is open every year from the last weekend in May through Labor Day. The family-owned entertainment hub is a favorite for those who enjoy frolicking on the water. Canoes, tubes and kayaks are all available for rent.
Teens, in particular, seem to enjoy lining up to take their turn on a huge swing that soars high into the sky and reaches out over the lake.
For those interested in making a day of it, a snack bar and shaded picnic grove are provided and a children's playground offers hours of fun for those who visit.

Mt. Gretna Lake & Beach

This is me in the front and Sue, otherwise known as Lucy and Ethel, when we started going off course. We made it back though.

Seeing a Show
Theater fans have not one, but two options in the Mt. Gretna area.  The Gretna Theatre, situated at the top of the hill at Carnegie and Pennsylvania Avenues, is known as one of the oldest summer theatres in the United States. Audiences have been entertained in this same location since 1927 by such notable figures as Charlton Heston, Bernadette Peters and Sally Struthers, to name just a few.

Mount Gretna Theatre sits up on a hill, not far from the Hall of Philosophy.

The interior of the Mount Gretna Theatre

The Timbers Restaurant and Dinner Theatre, located at 350 Timbers Road, is another venue that has been a favorite of theater fans for decades. Diners can choose from a buffet, or an ala carte meal before each performance. Owner Kathleen Roberts takes great care to hire top-notch talent, escorting her team to New York every February to audition first-class performers. She winnows down the field of talented actors to the very best and those who are talented enough to make the cut have the pleasure of performing at this beloved establishment. To see upcoming plays and times, visit their website here.

The Timbers has been a beloved family owned institution for decades.

Dining at Gretna
Guests can enjoy breakfast and lunch all year round at the homey Porch and Pantry, open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Morning favorites include grilled sticky buns, maple French toast coffee and pancakes that are big enough to satisfy even the largest appetites. During warmer weather guests can relax outside on the spacious front porch beneath the gentle breeze of ceiling fans.

Breakfast and lunch is available year round from Tuesday through Sunday at The Porch and Pantry.

Another dining option is the Mount Gretna Hideaway at 40 Boulevard Avenue. It's become a gathering place for locals and visitors alike and is known for it's casual atmosphere and its shaded outdoor deck. Menu items include burgers, salads, sandwiches and entrees ranging from pasta to steaks.

Another perennial favorite is the popular Jigger Shop, which has been a fixture in the community for a century. For many families, it's a tradition to visit there at least once during the summer. Open daily from noon to 10 p.m., the casual eatery serves soups, salads, sandwiches and ice cream. If you're an out-of-towner interested in trying a regional specialty, you might want to give the LCB, otherwise known as the Lebanon County Banquet, a try. Made with grilled sweet bologna crafted at the nearby Seltzer's bologna plant from a recipe that has been handed down through generations, it is a unique menu item that you won't find just anywhere.

Guests enjoy ice cream on the deck of The Jigger Shop.

The Jigger shop is best known for its frozen concoctions with choices ranging from Baked Alaska, to Gretna's Frozen Hot Chocolate, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Apple Fritter Flambe and peach melba. One of the most popular items on the menu is the "Jigger," a specialty sundae that is made with French vanilla ice cream, a choice of chocolate or butterscotch topping, whipped marshmallow and a crunchy topping known as "jigger nuts."

One other notable eatery I must mention, located just outside Mt. Gretna, is The Divine Swine. My husband and I passed it by until this last visit. Little did we know what we were missing.  The stand alone building, located across the street from the Renaissance Faire , is a casual eatery that specializes in BBQ, offering everything from pulled pork sandwiches, to brisket, chicken and ribs and cajun sausage. We placed our orders at the front counter and took a seat at a cute, high-top table made from a beer keg sporting chicken feet.

Tables at The Divine Swine.

There we shared "The Divine," and indeed it was. The sampler, which was plenty for both of us,was piled high with pulled pork, brisket, and Cajun sausage and served with Texas toast and two sides--in our case mac and cheese and beans. We're still craving a repeat of that meal, but it's a bit out of the way. Perhaps next year.


Annual Home and Garden Tour

An example of some of the homes you'll see in Mt. Gretna

This home was on a tour stop a few years ago.

On the first Saturday in August, Gretna Music hosts the Tour of Homes and Gardens. Mt. Gretna Music brings chamber music, jazz and other musical genres to Central Pennsylvania and the organization has been going strong for decades now. The popular fundraiser gives guests a glimpse inside of about a dozen homes and several gardens. Ticket prices can be found on their website. The tour starts at the post office on Princeton Avenue and at the tent in front of the Mt. Gretna Playhouse.

The Annual Outdoor Art Show
Each year, on the third Saturday in August, art lovers visit from near and far for the Mt. Gretna Outdoor Art Show. The is year number 44 for the juried exhibition, which is comprised of hundreds of exhibitors who work in a variety of mediums. A Kids Art Show features children's art and activities for the up-and-coming little artist. A food tent, live music and strolling performers are all part of the experience that runs all weekend. To learn more, follow this link.

These are just a few suggestions on how to make the most of a trip to scenic Mount Gretna, a place where generations of families return year after year to socialize, embrace the serenity and soak in nature's beautiful surroundings.

A Day in Cape May

The Inn of Cape May, circa 1894 is located at Beach Avenue and Ocean Street in Cape May.

Cape May has the distinction of being one of the oldest seashore resorts in the country. The scenic area with the laid-back vibe is a perfect place to spend a few days.

Due to my schedule, staying overnight wasn't quite feasible this summer, so I had to be content to make the most of just a few hours. One-day trips to Cape May are common in the area where I live and I soon found a Lowees tour at a price that trumped their major competitor, so my friend and I booked a trip and fortunately the weather cooperated. On a sunny, early morning in mid-June we groggily boarded the bus and by lunchtime we were at our destination.

We may have been limited to a period of about eight hours, but we managed to squeeze in a lot during that time. We rode a trolly, learning tidbits about the area along the way, strolled around the town to admire Cape May's charming architecture, shopped and dined downtown, explored the Emlen Physick Estate, stuck our toes in the sand and poked our heads into a few places where we probably didn't belong.

First Stop - Downtown

The bus dropped us off at the Cape May Welcome Center located just a few blocks away from the Washington Street Mall. The sprawling outdoor center, which opened to the public in 1971, spans several blocks and features dozens of independent boutique shops offering everything from saltwater taffy, to art, accessories and apparel and is a popular meeting place that is open year round.

Convenient benches are provided for shoppers to take the occasional rest in between shopping.

Shoppers enjoy a stroll on a sunny June day.

Horse-drawn carriage carries tourists around the Washington Street Mall. 

We had to make a pit stop for expensive sunblock at Dellas 5 & 10. 
I'll bet they sell a lot of it. 

Restaurants are plentiful in Cape May, with about a dozen in the Washington Mall alone, from pizza shops, to casual eateries. Those seeking an elegant white-tablecloth experience may enjoy Tisha's Fine Dining, which ranks high on TripAdvisor for stellar service and dishes like Filet au Poivre, Thai Salmon and Seafood Risotto. We decided to take a more casual approach to lunch by dining al fresco at the Ugly Mug, where I thoroughly enjoyed a half pound of rock crab served with a tangy mustard sauce and a side of meaty chili. My friend gave her tuna salad bowl a thumbs up, as well.

My lifelong friend and I enjoyed our lunch at the Ugly Mug. Hi Jen!
 

After lunch, we decided to do a bit of shopping and I spotted several reasonably priced pieces at the Cape May Art Gallery.  I had to pass them by since I'm running out of wall space, but my friend ended up with a winter pastoral scene. Manager Karen Bianco was kind enough to hold her painting until we were ready to board the bus. I especially liked these two below.

No trip to the shore is complete without salt water taffy and you can purchase some at the candy shop located at 324 Washington Street Mall. Fralinger's salt water taffy, which dates back to 1885, is the legacy of an entrepreneur whose creative ingenuity sparked a successful business and a tradition that continues to this day. When glass blower and fish merchant Joseph Fralinger decided to leave Philadelphia to return to his native town of Atlantic City, he had a goal in mind. He would take a job as a bricklayer to earn enough money to start a concession stand on the boardwalk where he sold fruit, soda and lemonade until another door opened and he was offered a taffy stand on Applegate Pier. Fralinger decided to try to improve the recipe and tinkered with the ingredients, turning out his first batch of molasses taffy in 1885. The success inspired him to create 24 more flavors and a bulb went on in his head, thanks to his experience in the fish merchant business. He would pack the taffey in oyster boxes for tourists to take home as souvenirs. The idea was a hit and lasted all these years. Today few leave the shore without at least one of the little white boxes tucked under their arms.

Fralinger's sells a variety of merchandise to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Admiring the "Painted Ladies"

Cape May touts one of the largest existing collections of late 19th Century frame buildings in the country. A good way to get an overview of the plethora of beautiful Victorian structures is to take a one-hour, guided trolley tour. The tours, which are priced at $12 per person, run year round thanks to the  Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities, a non-profit that is committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors.

This is just one of the cute houses you'll see on the Trolly tour. The above is an example of "Gingerbread style" architecture.

Tickets for the Trolly Tour can be purchased at the Washington Mall Information Booth. To combine the historic tour with a one-hour tour of the Emlen Physick House costs an additional $10. Active military and veterans are offered a 20 percent discount.

A Tour of the Emlen Physick House

Despite knowing a little about architecture, I was surprised to hear a few terms with which I was unfamiliar while on the Cape May Tour. For example, the term "drunken architecture" refers to the use of a combination of styles. One example of drunken architecture can be seen at the Cape May Inn (the first picture in this blog post). Another is "Stick Architecture," a style used by architect Frank Furness for the Physick estate. Furness designed more than 600 buildings in the greater Philadelphia area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.The "Stick" style was considered avant-garde at the time and attracted its share of attention because it stood out from other Cape May styles, which generally ranged from Italianate, to Mansard and Gothic.

Emlen Physick, Jr. came from a wealthy Philadelphia family. His grandfather, Dr. Philip Syng Physick, was considered the father of American surgery and invented numerous surgical procedures and medical instruments that are used today.

Emlen graduated from medical school, but preferred instead to live the life of a farmer. He also bought and sold real estate and was known for being a vocal presence at city council meetings.
A life-long bachelor, Emlen lived with his widowed mother Frances Ralston and his aunt Emilie Parmentier at the house, which was completed in 1879. Today the estate attracts approximately 30,000 visitors per year and is maintained by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities.

The Physick Estate--exterior.

Wealthy individuals of the era were fascinated with Moorish fretwork, a
common form of decoration.

Rooms in the Physick estate.

The Hallway of the Physick House

A Capidomonte vase from Italy.

Celery was a big deal back in the day--it even had its own serving dish.

Old coal stove for cooking

A Walk around Town
After we finished our tour, we took a walk around the area to snap a few more shots of the incredible buildings for which Cape May is known.

The Chalfonte Hotel, built in 1875, is an example of the Italianate Style.

This is Bill's Pancake House, which was a cocktail bar in the swinging '50s.

The cute little Cape May Library.

Below is an Episcopal Church

The impressive Congress Hall hotel loomed large in my mind during our trolley tour, particularly because I hadn't recalled seeing it on prior trips, so I made it a point to return on foot to check it out.  I learned later that the business celebrated its bicentennial in 2016 and has been recognized by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the top hotels in the Northeast. Although I wasn't a hotel guest, I managed to sneak in for a few shots.

Check-in area at Congress Hall.

The bar at Congress Hall.

Congress Hall celebrated its bicentennial in 2016.

Below an employee delivers "room service" to a beach guest.

Our last stop was to spend a few minutes walking the 2.1 mile stretch of beach before we concluded our visit with a meal and a cocktail at Fins Bar & Grille located at 142 Decatur Street. 

Cape May Beach 

We admired the huge saltwater aquarium at Fins before taking a seat outside on the comfortable porch and indulging in a carb-heavy, but oh-so-good dinner. I can't believe that I'm raving over flatbread, but it really was delicious. I ordered the four-cheese and my friend ordered "Fins Pie," made with jumbo lump crab, three types of cheese, arugula, avocado and lemon thyme aioli--delish!

Before we knew it, the time had come to re-board the bus. There is something to be said for having the luxury of staying overnight, but I am just glad that I had the opportunity to visit the area this summer and, of course, there is always next year. I also hear that the area is beautifully decorated during the Christmas season, so that is a possibility as well.

Activities for a Future Visit - Cape May Lighthouse and Birding

One of the things we missed during our visit due to lack of time was the Cape May Lighthouse, where guests can climb 199 steps to reach the top for a spectacular view of the area. The structure dates back to 1859 and is still working today. Since being restored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities in 1986, more than 2.5 million visitors have climbed to the top. That's a lot of huffing and puffing. I better start working out.

Birders, in particular, may be interested to learn that Cape May is one of the East Coast's premier birding areas, attracting approximately 428 species throughout the year, with some 50,000 hawks passing through annually. Tweet! Even National Geographic gives Cape May its due in this area, listing it as one of the World's Best Destinations for Birding. The Cape May Bird Observatory (CMBO), founded in 1976 by the New Jersey Audubon, plans plenty of birding events throughout the year, including free, one-hour morning walks led by a naturalist. Coming up in October is the annual fall festival held at the Inn of Cape May (October 18-21). Learn more about the festival and the many other events held by the CMBO by visiting their website here.

Additional Cape May events can be found by clicking here. This website does a good job of keeping everyone abreast of everything Cape May, from musical events, festivals, parades, tours and more.

These are just a few suggestions for making the most of your time in Cape May, a charming area, with plenty of history and an array of activities to appeal to a wide range of tastes.