An Adventure with Melissa Callahan of Wandering With Wildflowers
Connect, explore and learn about the natural world found in the Lebanon Valley. Start your day at Visit Lebanon Valley to meet Lebanon Lilly the cow and grab itineraries to get your adventure started. Head to the Clarence Schock Environmental Center and immerse yourself in native flora and fauna at the environmental center and in the great outdoors. After working up an appetite, you’ll find Bluebird Inn the perfect way to end your day.
Stop 1: Visit Lebanon Valley Welcome Center
Stop by and say hi at the Visit Lebanon Valley Welcome Center. As you walk in, the first thing you’ll notice is the udder-ly adorable cow, Lebanon Lilly. My daughter noticed her through the window before we even got inside… “I see Lilly! I see her!!” If your kids fall in love with Lilly, I know mine did, then you can purchase Lilly’s very own book, The Adventures of Lebanon Lilly follows Lilly as she visits iconic spots around the Lebanon Valley. Your kids will be sure to recognize a few from your own adventures. And don’t forget to check out the wide variety of brochures and guides.
Stop 2: Clarence Schock Memorial Park
Before heading out on a hike, I highly recommend stopping at the Clarence Schock Environmental Center. We ended up spending over an hour here. And my kids could have easily stayed longer. We observed different bird nests, created animal tracks with crayon rubbings, observed a real life honey bee hive in action, got up close with native (taxidermy) animals and so much more.
If the Environmental Center is closed or you don’t want to go inside, you can find a QR code to scan for a park map or take a paper copy. Now it’s time to pick your trail: The Tower Loop An “Easier” Bike Route “I Wanna See Some Boulders” “My Kids Want to Climb Some Rocks” “We’d Like to Hike 5 or 6 Miles” No matter what trail you pick, you’ll be sure to create lasting family memories out in the woods.
Stop 3: The Bluebird Inn
As Pennsylvania’s oldest continuously operating Inn serving food, the Blue Bird Inn has a historic charm. Whether you decide to sit outside on the newly renovated deck, the indoor/outdoor area (that’s where we sat on a rainy, humid day and it was perfect!) or inside, the atmosphere is unique and inviting.
I had a hard time deciding what to eat because everything on the menu sounded SO good! Working in partnership with local farms, the head chef strives to source fresh, local ingredients. You know the saying, “When in Lebanon Valley, get the Lebanon bologna”? Well, now you know. So when I saw Lebanon Cheesesteak on the menu, I had to get it. With sweet bologna, American cheese, honey mustard and balsamic onions on an Italian roll, it was an authentic taste of the Lebanon Valley. Yum!
Find Your Next Adventure!
Discover more trip inspiration for your visit to the Lebanon Valley on our plan your visit page. From ideas on date nights and family fun to outdoor field guides and shopping itineraries, we’ve got you covered!