Shartlesville, Pennsylvania: Roadside America Indoor Miniature Village (Gone)

This unique place was a part of our 7th grade field trip way back in 1972, along with a stop at Hershey Amusement park. After many years of yearning to go back, it finally happened in September 2007. It seems to have remained virtually unchanged after all these years. My wife and I were able to have a special closing ceremony -- the night show -- just for us, as we were the only people there first thing in the morning when it opened.

Great pit stop if on you're on the way to Hershey with kids asking "Are we there yet?!" My 10 and 6 yr. old loved it! I came here as kid in the '70s and always wanted to come back, which made this trip with my kids much more special. Give yourself a good 1/2 hr. to catch the "Night Scene." A picture by the big Amish Couple in the parking lot is obligatory!

Great example of innocent Americana.

Visible from Rt 78, it seems to be owned by the miniature village and is located between two (mostly) Amish-themed gift shops selling identical merchandise, from the distilfinks down to the bobblehead vultures. They are a seated couple, probably fiberglass; the woman leans toward the ground as if to pick something up, and the man wields a pitchfork.