Hallam - York, PA

Before 1736, all parts of Pennsylvania west of the Susquehanna River, including present-day Hallam Borough and the surrounding Hellam Township, belonged to the Iroquois. In October 1736, the proprietors of Pennsylvania received deeds for the lands, including the borough and township. In 1739, Hellam Township was created and included most of what is now York, Adams and Cumberland counties.

Notable historic buildings take the place of museums or a local art scene in Hallam. The Martin Schultz House, a Germanic dwelling built around 1736, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. The Haines Shoe House was built in 1948 by Colonel Haines, a flamboyant "shoe wizard," as advertising. A pinkish stucco boot standing 25 feet tall and 48 feet long, the Haines Shoe House has a shoe mailbox and a boot-decorated fence surrounding the yard. Every window in the house is decorated with a stained-glass shoe.

Hallam may be small, but you can find plenty going on in nearby York. In fact, York has a wide range of cuisines, from Italian, Irish, and Latin American to Vietnamese.

Before leaving Hallam, be sure to stop at the Front Porch Tea Room, which is not your typical tea room. Enjoy a fresh cup of brewed aromatic tea as you return to another era, where ladies wore fashionable hats and civility was a way of life. Take time to browse through rooms filled with antiques, gifts, tea items, and handmade crafts.

Mi Caldero on George Street in York serves up homemade Latin American dishes at a great value. Be sure to try the carne frita, mofongo and empanadas, but leave room for the flan Jeff's Got Crabs & Seafood, on Prospect Road, might sound like a questionable establishment, but the food proves to be anything but. This food spot was voted in the top 5 for seafood and crabs in 2013 and again for best crabs in 2014. Although crabs are what Jeff's is famous for, it serves as much more than a crab shack. Enjoy the warm inviting atmosphere while your food is prepared to order. Nothing is freezer to fryer, and the restaurant uses the freshest ingredients possible. Save room for their homemade desserts, and remember to BYOB.

Granfalloons Tavern offers York's best happy hour Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., with rail drinks for a mere $1.50 as well as drafts and wine for just $3. A pool table and live music make this a fun spot any day of the week.

Driving is the best way to get around, with routes 30 and 462 easily accessible. Taxicab companies in the area offer call-ahead service, but Uber is not an option. Free public parking lots can be found in commercial and retail lots. The area is pedestrian and bike friendly, and Rabbit Transit bus lines run through the community.

Two Amtrak stations service the Hallam/York area: Mount Joy at Delta and Henry streets and the Elizabethtown station on Wilson Avenue. The stations offer free short-term parking, taxi service and public transit connections.

Emig Park began as a 7.5-acre area in 1973 and has expanded over time to more than 20 acres. This free public park is equipped with a basketball court, a sand volleyball court, a playground, two pavilions, restrooms and water fountains, and there is plenty of free parking. Visit the park in September for the annual Unplug N’ Explore Nature and Wellness Fair that encourages locals to unplug from technology and explore nature instead.

Venture 10 miles to Mount Wolf to let your dog frolic with other dogs in Canine Meadows. This off-leash dog area is also free to the public.

The cost of living in North York is about 8 percent lower than the Pennsylvania norm, with a one-bedroom apartment averaging about $805 per month. Riding the Rabbit Transit bus costs between $1 and $3, depending on your final destination, and taking Amtrak to Philadelphia costs $30 to $40. A beer at a local bar costs about $3, and gas prices in the area tend to stay about 20 cents higher than the national average.

While Hallam doesn't have a major shopping area within its borders, the Thrifty Goose on South Prospect Street sells gently used furniture, prim and antiques. The store's stock changes frequently, which means there's often a unique treasure to be found when you visit.

The York Galleria on Whiteford Road in York is where Hallam locals go for department stores, chain retail shops and specialty services. While you're in York, stop by Sunrise Soap Company on Beaver Street. The shop makes everything on site in a visitor-friendly kitchen, and it also sells lotions, shampoos, conditioners, lip balms and many other natural bath and beauty products.

Giant food stores service the area, and several farmers markets can be found in nearby towns. Central Market in York has been ranked thirteenth-best farmers market in the country, with nearly 80 vendors selling everything from produce and baked goods to doggy treats, apparel and beauty products. The Masonic Village Farm Market in Elizabethtown is open April through December, and you can pick your own apples in September and October.