Where to Go, What to Know

Writer Carol McCabe recently traveled to Lancaster, Pa. Here is her reporter's notebook.

DRIVE TIME

About 2 1/2 hours

COST

$100-$150 Lodging

GETTING THERE

From the Beltway, take Interstate 95 north to I-83 north to U.S. 30 east.

Or take the train: Amtrak from Washington to Philadelphia, changing to a Keystone train from Philadelphia to Lancaster. Round-trip coach fare is about $150.

WHERE TO STAY

A new option in the city is the 63-room Lancaster Arts Hotel (300 Harrisburg Ave., 717-299-3000, http://www.lancasterartshotel.com). Housed in a onetime tobacco warehouse, the nonsmoking hotel is sleek and contemporary, with its own art gallery. Rooms run from $179 (queen bed) to $369 (two-room Presidential Suite) per night. Many chain lodgings are located along Route 30. A large room at the Country Inn and Suites (2260 Lincoln Highway E. [Route 30], 717-299-4460, http://www.countryinns.com) recently cost $108.90 including taxes.

WHERE TO EAT

Lapp's Family Restaurant (2270 Lincoln Highway E., 717-394-1606) offers "Good Food, Nice People" with cheery servers and the likes of chicken pie and roast pork, apple dumplings and shoofly pie. Meal prices range from $9.49 to $13.59.