Iron Clad Adventures in the Lebanon Valley: A Three-Day Itinerary

Take a historic getaway to the Lebanon Valley with this three-day, two-night itinerary! From touring the historic Cornwall Iron Furnace to forging your own swords, these Ironclad Adventures feature one-of-a-kind experiences that cannot be found anywhere else!

Book a room with our Ironclad Adventures link and enjoy a specialty room discount at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Lebanon Valley as part of your visit!

Day 1: A Taste of the Lebanon Valley… Literally

Morning:

Shuey’s Pretzels
702 E. Lehman St., Lebanon, PA 17046
Since 1927, Shuey’s Pretzels have been hand-twisting and coal-roasting their hard pretzels right here in Lebanon! Believed to be the only pretzel bakery still coal roasting their pretzels, Shuey’s operations have changed little since their founding. Local Insight: Stop by on a Saturday morning for their soft pretzels, just be sure to get out early as they sell out fast!
Time: 10 – 30 mins
Hours: 9am to 3pm, Wednesday – Saturday.

Afternoon:

Seltzer’s Smokehouse Meats
209 N. Railroad St., Palmyra, PA 17078
Get an in-depth look at the centuries-old, hardwood smoking process used to create Seltzer’s iconic Lebanon Bologna in this expert-guided tour of Seltzer’s smokehouses. Walk through the live factory, learn the history of Seltzer’s, and get a free taste test at the end to uncover the difference of bologna made the old-fashioned way! Local Insight: While the tour is less than an hour, we recommend budgeting extra time for shopping at the outlet store!
Time: 30 – 45 mins
Hours: Tours run most Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays, see their website for available times.
Cost: Tickets are $15 plus tax. Advance registration is required. Close-toed shoes are also required.

Evening:

Tony’s Mining Company
211 Rexmont Rd., Lebanon, PA 17042
Continue your Ironclad Adventures at Tony’s Mining Company, where decades old classic meet modern sophistication. Touted as a hidden gem by locals, Tony’s was founded in 1974 by a second-generation miner who wanted to honor the region’s rich history within the iron industry while also serving delicious dishes. Today, Tony’s continues that legacy with locally sourced ingredients, a seasonal menu, and a dining room that features copper accents throughout. Local Insight: Tony’s serves complimentary cookies with your check!
Time: 1 – 2 hours
Hours: 5 to 9pm, Tuesday – Saturday.

Day 2: From the Furnace to the Forge

Morning:

Cornwall Iron Furnace
94 Rexmont Rd., Cornwall, PA 17016
Take a tour of the Cornwall Iron Furnace, the most complete charcoal cold-blast furnace in the western hemisphere! Operating from 1742 to 1883, this site was once a major supplier of arms during the Revolutionary War. During your guided tour, you’ll learn about the history of the furnace and the iron industry from an expert tour guide. Local Insight: Be sure to budget extra time to explore the gift shop where they sell many cast iron products.
Time: 1 – 2 hours
Hours: 9am to 4pm Friday & Saturday, 12 to 4pm Sunday. See their website for tour times.
Cost: Tours are $8 for adults, $4 for youth, $7 for seniors, and free for children 2 and under.

Afternoon:

The Drunken Smithy
2236 Lebanon Valley Mall, Lebanon, PA 17042
Now that you’re an expert on the history of the iron industry, it’s time to get forging on your own metal work! At the Drunken Smithy, enjoy a step-by-step workshop led by one of the blacksmiths where you can forge your very own knife, sword, jewelry, and much more! The Drunken Smithy also offers axe throwing and a mead hall with handcrafted meads and beers on tap. Local Insight: Drunken Smithy also has a shop dog named Honey Mead- need we say more?
Time: 1 – 7 hours (depending on the workshop)
Workshop Hours: Select times most Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. See their website for times and booking.
Axe-throwing & Mead Hall Hours: 12 to 8pm Tuesday – Thursday, 12 to 9pm Friday & Saturday, 12 to 5pm Sunday.
Cost: Axe throwing is $25 per person for one hour. Workshops vary widely in length and pricing depending on the project.

Evening:

Lebanon Valley Craft Brewery
840 N. 7th St., Lebanon, PA 17046
While a cold beer with a side of fries may not feel like a historic adventure, it is at Lebanon Valley Craft Brewery! Housed in an 1800s brewery building, this local brewing company was founded by a group of friends hoping to revitalize and honor the legacy of the former Lebanon Brewery. Today, LVCB offers a number of flagship and seasonal brews, as well as a carefully curated menu in a beautifully restored brewpub setting. Local Insight: The copper brew system at LVCB is one of only two of its kind in operation!
Time: 1 – 2 hours
Hours: 4 to 8pm Wednesday & Thursday, 4 to 9pm Friday, 9am to 9pm Saturday, 9am to 8pm Sunday.

Day 3: Tee Off on Your Last Day

Morning:

Ancestor Coffeehouse & Crêperie
119 Springwood Dr., Ste. 500, Lebanon, PA 17042
Fuel up for your round of 18 with handmade crêpes and freshly roasted coffee at Ancestor Coffeehouse & Crêperie. With everything from seasonal cold brews and specialty crêpes to classic breakfast sandwiches and a simple cup of joe, this coffeehouse provides a great start to any day! Local Insight: If you’re going for a true taste of the Lebanon Valley, try their “Lebanon County Crêpe” featuring Lebanon Bologna!
Time: 20 mins – 1 hour
Hours: 7am to 2pm Monday – Saturday, 9am – 2pm Sunday.

Afternoon:

Iron Valley Golf Club
201 Iron Valley Dr., Lebanon, PA 17042
Designed by the world-renowned architect P.B. Dye, Iron Valley Golf Club sits on the site of a former mine for the Cornwall Iron Furnace. While the course’s location offers historic significance, it also offers a stunning landscape with panoramic views and challenging elevation changes for a great test of golf. You’ll need your irons for this part of the adventure! Local Insight: The Miner’s Pub is a hidden gem. Be sure to stop by after your round for a delicious sit-down dinner or a take-out meal for your ride home!
Time: 3 – 5 hours
Hours: 11am to 8pm Monday – Saturday, 11am to 6pm Sunday.

Evening:

Ash Cigar & Whiskey Bar
115 Springwood Dr., Ste. 100, Lebanon, PA 17042
This local favorite offers an indoor-outdoor bar with seasonal cocktails and a premier cigar collection. Check out their state-of-the-art humidor with over 100 premium cigar brands, play some cornhole outside, and enjoy relaxing at the bar with Ash’s friendly and knowledgeable bartenders. Local Insight: Ask the bartenders at Ash for the best cigar & drink pairings!
Time: 1 – 3 hours
Hours: open 5 to 10pm Tuesday, 12 to 10pm Wednesday, Thursday, & Sunday, and 12pm to 12am Friday & Saturday.

Know Before You Go: This information is intended to be used as a guide only and is subject to change without notice. Be sure to check hours of operation, admission fees, and special event notices for each location.

Book Your Getaway!

Use the exclusive Ironclad Adventures link to book your stay at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Lebanon Valley today!
We may be the road less traveled, but sometimes that’s just what you’re looking for.

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