We all need a Savior
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23
None of us can earn our way to God by being good enough. We all need mercy.
🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Mechanicsburg, Hershey & Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Walk a 900-plant lavender field in Mechanicsburg, then tour the State Capitol's 272-foot dome, Hershey Gardens' 3,000 roses and the Gettysburg battlefield.
6 places · updated October 17, 2026
✏️ Report outdated info
South-central Pennsylvania packs a lot between the Susquehanna River and South Mountain. Within You Farm in Mechanicsburg grows about 900 French and English lavender plants and runs an on-farm market where visitors can walk the field for about half an hour. Near Hershey, Lavender Brook Farm grows about 3,000 plants and steam-distills its harvest, but it isn't open for visits, so look for its goods online, at makers markets and in local shops.
From the farm, the Pennsylvania State Capitol is about 20 minutes east and Hershey Gardens a little farther, while the Cumberland Valley to the west offers the bubbling Children's Lake in Boiling Springs and the forests of South Mountain at Kings Gap and Pine Grove Furnace. Gettysburg, with its national military park and historic inns, is about 45 minutes south. Summer suits the lavender, and October brings corn mazes, pumpkins and mountain color.
The lavender farms
- Abraham's Battlefield LavenderLavender farm · Gettysburg
- Lavender Brook FarmLavender farm · Hummelstown
Early June through July (fresh-cut in June, harvest late June-July)
Not open to the public (zoning limits). Buy online, by phone, at Central Pennsylvania makers and farmers markets, or at select local shops.
- Within You FarmLavender farm · Mechanicsburg
Lavender field visits ($10, under 8 free, about 30 minutes) and a farm market during regular weekly hours; private events and photo sessions by arrangement.
Best time to visit
Within You Farm's field and market follow the seasons, and the farm offers text alerts at harvest time; contact them for current market hours. On summer Wednesday evenings it hosts vinyasa yoga in the lavender field, starting in late May. Strites' Orchard brings sunflowers, grapes, pumpkins and a corn maze in fall. Hershey Gardens holds Pumpkin Palooza on October 17, 18, 24 and 25, 2026. Pine Grove Furnace's visitor center adds weekend hours April through October, and Gettysburg National Military Park marks Dedication Day on November 19, 2026, the anniversary of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Pennsylvania State Capitol🌉 Landmark · Harrisburg · about 11 mi, 20 min drive
Guided tours of 30 to 45 minutes show the House and Senate chambers, stained glass, paintings and the 272-foot dome modeled on St. Peter's Basilica. Tours are capped at 40 people, and self-guided visits aren't allowed on weekends or holidays.
Weekdays; book a tour time online
- Hershey Gardens🌷 Garden · Hershey · about 26 mi, 35 min drive
A 23-acre garden with about 3,000 roses of 115 varieties and an indoor Butterfly Atrium.
Daily, 9 am to 5 pm
- Boiling Springs🏘️ Town · Boiling Springs · about 8 mi, 15 min drive
A historic village where Children's Lake bubbles from springs below, the Appalachian Trail passes through and anglers fly-fish the Yellow Breeches Creek; local artists show work at Village Artisans Gallery.
- Kings Gap Environmental Education Center🌲 Preserve · Carlisle · about 19 mi, 35 min drive
2,531 acres of South Mountain forest with more than 25 miles of trails; the Cameron-Masland Mansion at the top of a 3.5-mile paved road overlooks the Cumberland Valley.
Open daily, sunrise to sunset
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park🌳 State park · Gardners · about 23 mi, 40 min drive
A 696-acre park around a charcoal iron furnace community that worked for more than 130 years, with Laurel and Fuller lakes and a stretch of the Appalachian Trail.
Open daily, sunrise to sunset; visitor center weekdays year-round and weekends April to October
- Gifford Pinchot State Park🌳 State park · Lewisberry · about 12 mi, 25 min drive
A 2,338-acre park built around 340-acre Pinchot Lake, with boating, hiking, disc golf and a beach area near Quaker Race.
Open daily, 8 am to sunset
- Gettysburg National Military Park🏛️ Historic site · Gettysburg · about 35 mi, 45 min drive
Start at the Museum and Visitor Center, then join a ranger program or walk the Soldiers' National Cemetery, where more than 6,000 U.S. soldiers and veterans are buried.
- Eisenhower National Historic Site🏛️ Historic site · Gettysburg · about 37 mi, 50 min drive
President Eisenhower's farm beside the battlefield, with ranger-led tours of the home and his backyard putting green and views of South Mountain.
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Strites' OrchardFarm stand · Harrisburg
A family farm market near Middletown with a bakery, fall corn maze, pumpkin and sunflower picking and grapes from the vine.
- The Brafferton InnInn or B&B · Gettysburg
Built in 1786 and called the oldest deeded house in downtown Gettysburg, now an inn with gourmet breakfasts on York Street.
- Brickhouse Inn Bed & BreakfastInn or B&B · Gettysburg
A Baltimore Street bed and breakfast in a Civil War era house and an 1898 Victorian, steps from the battlefield and downtown.
- Cashtown InnInn or B&B · Cashtown
A 1797 stagecoach inn that served as Confederate headquarters during the Gettysburg Campaign, with dinner Wednesday through Saturday.
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMWithin You Farm
Walk the lavender field for about 30 minutes and browse the market; contact the farm ahead to confirm market hours.
- 11:00 AMPennsylvania State Capitol · about 20 min drive
About 20 minutes east. Take a booked 30 to 45 minute guided tour under the dome (plan this day for a weekday).
- 12:15 PMStrites' Orchard · about 20 min drive
About 20 minutes. Lunch from the market's baked goods and local foods, and in fall walk the corn maze or pick pumpkins; about an hour.
- 1:30 PMHershey Gardens · about 20 min drive
About 20 minutes. See the rose garden and the Butterfly Atrium; allow an hour and a half.
- 3:45 PMBoiling Springs · about 40 min drive
About 40 minutes west. Walk around Children's Lake and the village; 45 minutes.
- 4:55 PMPine Grove Furnace State Park · about 25 min drive
About 25 minutes over South Mountain. Stretch your legs by Fuller Lake and the old furnace; 30 minutes.
- 6:00 PMHistoric Cashtown Inn · about 35 min drive
About 35 minutes south. Dinner at the 1797 inn (Wednesday to Saturday, 4 to 9 pm), then stay in Gettysburg for the battlefield in the morning.
Tips
- Lavender Brook Farm is not open for visits; buy its goods online or at central Pennsylvania makers markets instead.
- Book State Capitol tours online; each tour is limited to 40 people and self-guided visits aren't allowed on weekends or holidays.
- There is no cell service in the Kings Gap hollow, so download the park map before you drive up.
- Strites' Orchard has posted that there are no U-pick apples this season after an early spring freeze; check before planning an apple day.
- Within You Farm's field visit is $10 per person and free for children under 8; contact them to arrange your visit.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
Can I visit Lavender Brook Farm?
No. The farm says it is not open for visits, but it sells online, at makers markets and in some local shops.
How much does it cost to visit Within You Farm?
A visit to the lavender field and market is $10 per person, and children under 8 are free.
How long is a State Capitol tour?
Guided tours take about 30 to 45 minutes. Book online, as groups are limited to 40.
When is Hershey Gardens open?
Daily from 9 am to 5 pm, including the Butterfly Atrium.
How far is Gettysburg from Mechanicsburg?
About 35 miles, or roughly 45 minutes by car on US 15.
🪪 Collect a stamp at every stop
The free Lavender Passport keeps a stamp for each farm and stop you visit, in real life and in the Lavender Farm Simulator. At the farm, play Field Quest to collect plant varieties as you walk, climb the leaderboards and unlock sponsor rewards.
Open the Passport🏡 Own a farm, café or inn here?
Add your listing for free so travelers find you, or become a Featured sponsor to sit at the top of this guide, on the Passport map and in the event calendars.
Add your listing Get featured
