Road trip NJ to western MD via PA on I-78 (Bethlehem, Allentown, Harrisburg)

[caju]

Hi guys,

I'll be traveling from Central Jersey to Western Maryland in the middle of September, and I was wondering if there are any suggestions for places to visit on my 5-hour road trip.

It looks like I'll be mostly on I-78, passing through Bethlehem, Allentown and Harrisburg, down to Hagerstown. I'm not looking to get too far off the freeway though. Any suggestion on quick, cheap, original, must-see places?

Thanks!

[caju]

Ooh, began planning my trip in earnest. I'm leaving on a Friday morning and returning on a Monday, so it looks like both Deitsch Eck and Haag Hotel are out. I'll put Roadside America, Dietrich's and the Fogelsville Hotel on my list tho!

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Deitsch Eck Restaurant
RR 22, Lenhartsville, PA 19534

Fogelsville Hotel
7921 Main St, Fogelsville, PA 18051

[folprivate]

There is a pretty decent restaurant/bar called Hops Fogelsville Hotel that is within a 1/2 mile of the Rt 100 North exit off of Rt 78 at the western edge of the Lehigh Valley. Homemade pierogies and the burgers, particularly the FogelBurger, are pretty good. The wings are crisp. It is quick and cheap. While some of the food is atypical I am not sure it is unusual.

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Fogelsville Hotel
7921 Main St, Fogelsville, PA 18051

[brookquarry]

Roadside america in Shartlesville might fit the bill www.roadsideamericainc.com.
Quick, cheap and original- especially if you like kitsch. The dioramas and railroad layouts have
not changed since the owner died more than 50 years ago.
Also, on a more food related note dietrichs meats in Krumsville has an excellent selection of home cured sausages, wieners and meat products. One of my favorite Pennsyklvania dutch food vendors. 78 literally goes right by it. Get off at the Krumsville exit

[JohnnyKBar]

Definitely stop in at Dietrich's. Well worth the stop and right off at exit 40 on I-78. Not sure how cheap it'll be since so much of their stuff looks so good. I'd stop in more often, but I'm usually passing there just before they open at 7am.

[caju]

Thanks! Dietrich's looks like a good option. I looked at the web site... one thing I wasn't sure of though is -- are they only for groceries, or are they a restaurant too?

[brookquarry]

Groceries only. If you are looking for a Pennsylvania Dutch restaurant Deitsch Eck, in Lenhartsville (next exit west) is pretty good. Their lettuce with hot bacon dressing is especially good.

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Deitsch Eck Restaurant
RR 22, Lenhartsville, PA 19534

[jfr]

Roadside America is definitely an original. After seeing it for years, we were glad we stopped approximately four years ago. Deitsch Eck is a good recommendation, too. But, depending on your timing, if you are already in Shartlesville for Roadside America and don't want to backtrack to Lenhartsviille, you might consider Haag's Hotel for the PA Dutch family-style dinner (served all day). This place, too, is an original. Although not a CH-type recommendation, we were glad we stopped here after Roadside America. Roadside America and Haag's Hotel are what we still refer to as the true Shartlesville experience.

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Deitsch Eck Restaurant
RR 22, Lenhartsville, PA 19534

Haag's Hotel
3 N Main St, Shavertown, PA 18708

[caju]

Thanks for the feedback! I will report back on my experience.