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Topic: Advice for a First Time Visitor to PA
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Page 2 of 3 of 56 replies
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April 03, 2013 at
05:53:31 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: revjimk on April 03 2013 at 12:38:10 AM
I thought Hershey was a waste of time. For years I'd heard you could smell the chocolate on the outskirts of town, now factory has moved elsewhere, its just a "chocolate theme park".
EMMR Museum is terrific. I like to drive around the beautiful countryside & find lakes & rivers for swimming. Last summer after PA Speedweek I asked some locals & was jumping off a rope swing into Schuykill River in woods of NE Pennsylvania (not polluted Philly area). Three hours later I was a nervous wreck fighting traffic entering Holland Tunnel into NYC to go dancing. After watching the most ballsy drivers on earth for 3 days & loving it, aggressive pricks of NY/NJ area had me literally shaking like a leaf (4 lanes merging to one!)
But once in Manhattan, everyting cool, mon
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The hershey factory in central California closed up and moved, I think to Mexico. they wouldn't say. F hershey.
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April 03, 2013 at
07:21:06 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: Some Guy In Texas on April 02 2013 at 08:17:20 PM
I booked my vacation today... heading to the greatness of Central PA for 3 nights of 410s, URC vs 358s, ARDC midgets & USAC sprints doing the East Tour... The Grove, Lincoln & Susquehanna. Gonna hit the Eastern Motorsports Museum to see some cool stuff. My questions are simple: 1) What other cool stuff should I do while in the area during the day? 2) What places should I go eat at that I can't in Texas? 3) What race track food at those 3 places are "must-haves"? Thank you in advance for your suggestions.
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If you like snacks, try some Middleswarth potato chips ( barbecue especially). They are the bomb, can`t get em out here in Ohio. Tastycakes are damned good too. Yuengling beer too. Getting homesick typing this. The Grove used to have great fries....dont know if they still do. Have fun!
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April 03, 2013 at
08:29:07 PM
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I'm from Texas and was stationed in D.C. back in the 1990's. A buddy of mine was from York Springs, PA and we use to stay with his parents and go to the Grove. Always caught the National Open back then. I'll never forget all the crates filled with apples as it was harvest time during the Open. The wife always enjoyed the Amish country, I liked the crab cakes and Yuengling beer. Gettysburg is a must, and enjoyed the HD Factory in York. If you like museums, I thought the National Watch & Clock Museum in Lancaster was interesting. Hershey chocolate tour and park was ok, but I'm not much for amusement parks.There is always the capitol in Harrisburg as well. I miss going up there. Well, time to add a trip to the calendar so the kids can experience it all some day.
Jeff
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April 03, 2013 at
09:19:44 PM
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Some cool suggestions, THANK YOU! I'm flying into Harrisburg on Friday around lunchtime, picking up the rental car & heading to the hotel motel. Fries, pretzels, crab cakes, pit beef sammiches, yeah I'm gonna be happy. I've read Kevin Eckert go on & on about Yuengling beer for so long that I'll for sure arrange a meeting with it. Surprise no one mentioned any specific Amish "must visit" locations to pig out. Some I've seen on tv shows looked good. If I even enjoy scrapple I'm sure it will all be good. I was thinking Civil War Museum... glad to hear it mentioned. I plan on being a good guest & not ruffling feathers with a Sammy or WoO t-shirt. Ready to buy some local racing stuff to wear! Too bad I won't be watching Mr. Beef's car or a clean Al Hamilton machine. Have seen both in TX & Knoxville... classics.
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April 03, 2013 at
11:01:30 PM
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If you want some good PA Dutch style food while your here hit Shady Maple Smorgasbord. Definitely worth the trip. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, take your pick. They have scrapple and puddin'
As far as racetrack food, unless your at Port during the fair, Lincoln has better food. For a day trip you might want to visit Grandview Speedway.
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April 04, 2013 at
05:54:53 AM
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Reply to:
Posted By: Dassa on April 03 2013 at 04:04:14 PM
Same as TxOutlaw
We are also coming to the July races at Williams Grove, 1st
Time out of KC.
We get there early Friday morning thru BWI and also have a
car, We don't go home till Monday afternoon, Planning on doing both race nights
and catching a Washington Nationals game on Sunday afternoon. We too are looking
for ideas on eats (not necessarily track food) Where to stay, not cheap, but
not high dollar anyway, We do Hampton Inn's Comfort Suites, Holiday Inn express
etc mostly.
Ideas for must see stuff for fun is appreciated from the PA folks!
Thanks!
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I highly recommend parking in the backstretch lot off of Williams Grove Rd. I like to spend hot laps/time trials in the infield by turn 1 watch the racing near Beer Hill in turn 3. The stands at the end of the back stretch provide one of the more unique views of the cars coming right at you before the pitch them in the corner. Just be sure to bring goggles.
Dassa - The best places to eat at the Nats game are Ben's Chili Bowl and Shake Shack. The half smoke at Ben's Chili Bowl is awesome. There are some picnic tables by the upper deck Ben's that overlook LF that are neat to eat at. Also, there is a "Beer Pen" standing area in dead CF that is a neat place to wathc an inning or two.
TX Outlaw - You will like Annapolis - it's nothing like you see in Texas.
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April 04, 2013 at
10:17:26 AM
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NYJJared mentioned standing in the infield of turn 1. I still remember my first trip to the Grove and standing in the infield in turn 1! I have a pic of Opperman going over the tunnel!
I tell everyone they should go into the infield at least one time, where allowed, and get as close to the track as safely possible. It is the only place you can really get a sense of the speed!
I have always told TV producers we need more shots from that position/view! (at all racetracks)
With the Groves long front straight away they really carry a lot of speed entering turn 1!
Enjoy your trip to the Grove!
Brad Doty
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April 04, 2013 at
10:54:39 AM
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turn 3 at william's grove is the grassy knoll of sprint car racing - he who enters / exits the fastest will be the car to beat - entry speeds measured by radar equal those of Eldora (mid 135 range)...what happens as they enter determines who is "the man"!
Lincoln 1845 ft/.35 mile T1=118MPH
Eldora 2287 ft/.43mile T3=135MPH
Port 2716 ft/.51 mile T3=TBD
Grove 2792 ft/.53 mile T3=135MPH
Selinsgrove 2847 ft/.54 mile T1=136MPH
"I didn't move to PA from El Paso in search of better
weather." Van May
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April 04, 2013 at
11:07:29 AM
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First time to Speedweeks, I made a point of getting Middleswarth chips at first convenience store... really good. Speaking of convenience stores, I was really impressed with custom computer order sandwiches at Sheetz chain. best convenience store food ever?
I was also hyped about watching from Beer Hill (even tho I don't drink, I appreciate enthusiastic fans)... but you can't see the whole track. So I climbed the stands....
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April 04, 2013 at
12:48:53 PM
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Find the VIP...draw a number...eat the cherries...sit back and enjoy!
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April 04, 2013 at
08:24:49 PM
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For a long time fan of the guy wheeling the 28d, 75, 40, 18 cars I gotta admit my day was made when I received advice on The Grove sight angles from none other than Mr. Brad Doty. I'm blown away to put it mildly! Thank you so much, Mr. Doty! For those of you not on Brad's twitter feed... you're missing the boat. Great stuff. Now if only I could still squeeze into my Coors Light Marks/Keppler #18 t-shirt I'd have my Grove attire picked out 2 months in advance lol.
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April 05, 2013 at
01:10:05 AM
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Reply to:
Posted By: Stan Donnit on April 03 2013 at 05:45:26 PM
I agree with tenter on a trip to Path Valley...By far, PA's best track...I also agree, if track food is a high priority, Port Royal has the best food...Lincoln has better racing, but Port has the best food...As far as a Philly Cheese Steak goes, cheese whiz on ground chuck is worst than a horse burger @ SSP... :p
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Philly cheesesteaks aren't made from ground chuck... where you from?
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April 05, 2013 at
06:42:00 AM
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Where am I from...?...Not a place that used faux cheese on c grade meats...#bleck
Opinions may vary...
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April 05, 2013 at
08:31:44 AM
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Don't miss the state of the art toilets at Lincoln.
Luna's Ford engine style that won 2 WoO titles and 3
Kings Royals before a weight rule against the best EVER
in their prime and now DOMINATES super dirt late model
racing is no longer allowed/wanted in a WoO sprint
car.... Was Luna a miracle worker?
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April 05, 2013 at
09:30:38 AM
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If you sit in the stands on BeerHill for warmups, I highly recommend eye protection and maybe even a small umbrella! :-)
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April 07, 2013 at
01:44:27 PM
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The Old Bay wings were back last night @ the Fabulous and, after nearly 3 years absence, so was The Flying Farmer, Fast Freddie Rahmer...! 
Opinions may vary...
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April 07, 2013 at
05:31:33 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: Stan Donnit on April 07 2013 at 01:44:27 PM
The Old Bay wings were back last night @ the Fabulous and, after nearly 3 years absence, so was The Flying Farmer, Fast Freddie Rahmer...!
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Based on your recommendation I tried the "sawdust wings" when I saw them on the menu. Not my cup of tea.
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April 07, 2013 at
06:06:45 PM
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This message was edited on
April 07, 2013 at
06:12:18 PM by cubicdollars
Make sure to race Scruffy Bobby Allen's sprint car rental go-carts Saturday afternoon at Speedway 94 before going to Lincoln. His shop is at the entrance of the drive way. It is an institution in itself. Stop by. I'm sure they will be getting ready for Lincoln. A very friendly lot. Sunday afternoon I would hit Chocolate World in Hershey before Susky. It's only a half hour away and it is free. A lot of other tourist stuff in Hershey as well. Tram tour from Chocolate World costs money but it is pretty neat. Museums also nearby.
They don't even know how to spell sprint car
much less chromoly...http://www.ycmco.com
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April 07, 2013 at
06:21:57 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: raybeard on April 07 2013 at 05:31:33 PM
Based on your recommendation I tried the "sawdust wings" when I saw them on the menu. Not my cup of tea.
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They go better with beer rather than the tea...I was flossing on the way home, pulled a spicy chunk from between the back bottom left molers, it was a slice of heaven...
Opinions may vary...
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April 07, 2013 at
06:52:38 PM
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Pa is on my bucket list but not looking good for it to ever happen so I envy you as I'm sure you will have a great time. I saw mention in an earlier post about Yuengling Beer, I tried some last year at the Kings Royal and I thought it was a real good beer.
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