Antiquing in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

As you would imagine in a county that still gives nods to the simple life, quality antique searching is a plentiful treasure hunt in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Rise with the sun—and the local farmers—to hit one of the many antique shops that dot the landscape alongside the horse and buggies that are still used as a main mode of transportation. To get in on some good ole Amish action, throw out your bid in an antique auction where everything from primitive guns to furniture to quilts are offered up to the highest bidder.

Photo Credit: Antique cars, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (www.discoverlancasterpa.com)

Escape to Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Wiped out from struggles with material matters, many city-dwellers and suburbanites these days have begun to dream about getting back to a simpler, more sustainable, more Earth-friendly way of life. But in rural areas, entire communities have been living that way for generations. Among the most iconic is Lancaster County, nicknamed Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Though the county seat of Lancaster is a sizeable town, the outlying areas are Amish country and farmland, where visitors come to experience a simpler lifestyle...and where things move at the speed of a horse's leisurely trot.

If you really want to experience country living, you can't start with a city morning...so make your home base one of the many working farm B&Bs such as Olde Fogie Farm B&B or Verdant View Farm B&B. The first night, the absence of any big city noise (no cars, no sirens, no loud music from next door) might throw you off a little bit, but after a full day of farm life, you'll start getting used to this new environment. Mornings start bright and early, helping out with farm chores before tucking into a hearty breakfast.

Pittsburgh: Insider Secrets, From Funky to Fine Art

When people think of glamor, fine food, or fashion, you can be damn sure they don't generally connect the dots to Pittsburgh. Indeed, this city is pretty low-profile unless you're discussing the steel industry or you're in a room full of Steelers fans during an NFL game. But it's got more of a cultural scene than you realize... just check our insider picks for proof.

The Carnegie Museum of Art has been innovative in its acquisitions since Andrew Carnegie founded it. In the beginning, at Carnegie’s behest, it focused on acquiring the “Old Masters of tomorrow” instead of the tried-and-“name” painters. Now fast-forward to 2001, when it purchased some 80,000 photographs from African-American society photographer Charles “Teeny” Harris. Its Hall of Architecture is one of the only surviving collections of architectural plaster casts—stand in the hall and be surrounded by history in miniature. L.A. would love to have the Warhol Museum, but instead this pop-culture landmark is in Andy Warhol’s childhood stomping ground, North Shore Pittsburgh. Backed by the Carnegie Institute, this is a wonderful collection of Warhol’s works plus homages to him, and works inspired by him.

Classic Americana: Gettysburg National Military Park

Site of the Civil War's greatest battle, in July 1863, Gettysburg National Military Park is where Abraham Lincoln delivered his immortal address. The park, which encompasses nearly 6,000 acres, contains over 1,400 monuments, markers, and memorials hidden across its wide expanse. A new multi-million-dollar museum and visitor center, which opened in April 2008, orients visitors to the park and Gettysburg, with historical exhibits and a massive museum collection of Civil War and Gettysburg artifacts, plus the fully restored Gettysburg Cyclorama. Gettysburg lies about 55 miles west of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and about 60 miles northwest of Baltimore, Maryland.

Photo credit: Gettysburg National Military Park, Pennsylvania (Photodisc/Getty)

Top 3 Cheap East Coast Escapes

These historic cities each have a reputation for being pricey, but they all offer plenty of free and low-cost fun. Here's our guide to some of the top money-saving attractions in each:

Boston
Don’t bother renting a car. Boston’s public transportation system is excellent, and you can buy a seven-day unlimited pass for $15 to the city's extensive "T" subway and transit system. Admission to the historic Paul Revere house is just $3.50, while a tour of Red Sox home Fenway Park is $12. With plenty of mom-and-pop eateries and small ethnic restaurants to choose from, cheap eats aren’t hard to find.

Philadelphia Day Trips: Discover the Rural Delights of Milford, Pennsylvania

With a population of 1,292 and only one traffic light, the quaint but eclectic town of Milford, Pennsylvania, has a disproportionate number of cool things to do. Tour idyllic Victorian homes, enjoy homemade ice cream to a blues or jazz performance, go on an art gallery crawl, or check out the American flag on which Lincoln rested his head when he was shot. Or, just admire the fall foliage.

Photo credit: Milford, Pennsylvania's fall colors (Woodstock)

Pennsylvania, Philadelphia: Culinary Capital

Pennsylvania's capital city of Philadelphia has roots stretching back to the inception of the United States, but among the overlooked Philadelphia factoids is the city's diverse culinary tradition. In the 2005 Zagat Restaurant Guide, the city had more high-scoring restaurants than any other city in the country. Philadelphia is also home to distinctive dishes including cheesesteaks, hoagies, strombolis, and world-famous cream cheese.

Photo credit: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Corbis)