Experience Amish living in Pennsylvania Dutch Country
My girls and I took a fun mother-daughter trip to the Washington, D.C., area to visit two of my dearest lifelong friends who had also served as bridesmaids at my wedding 18 years ago. Since we had visited the popular D.C. sites on a previous trip, my former maid of honor suggested that we turn our attention on taking a day trip away from the busy city.
And what better way to enjoy a short weekend jaunt from the nation’s capital than embarking on a two-hour excursion to Lancaster County to experience and explore how the Pennsylvania Amish live today. As we meandered through the back roads and rolling hills dotted with cultivated farms, covered bridges and picturesque towns with quaint names like Bird-In-Hand and Paradise, we were transformed through time.
This is where 18th-century living meets the modern world. Shopping malls are replaced by produce stands, and strip centers fade into ro lling green hills of lush crops.
We found ourselves right in the middle of one of the best places in the country to see a community of people known for their religiously focused culture, plain dress and lack of modern conveniences. They are the Lancaster County Amish.
History, culture
This gorgeous Amish Country, also known as Pennsylvania Dutch Country, includes 7,100 square miles located in Lancaster County. Movie fans might remember this region was made famous by the 1985 film “Witness,” starring Harrison Ford. The Amish, Mennonites and Brethren of the Dutch Country represent more than 75,000 of Lancaster County’s 500,000 residents. It’s a small group that continues to live a gentle life centered on family cohesiveness and religious worship.
As we wound our way through the scenic countryside on this spring afternoon, we saw firsthand how life shifts from the speed of the freeway to the clip-clop of horses’ hooves on paved roads as Amish villagers make their way incarriages through town.
The unique towns in the county offered all sorts of family-fun activities including amusement parks, buggy rides, interactive farms, train attractions, pretzel and chocolate factories, local sports and so much more.
Whether you’re a firsttime traveler or a frequent visitor to the region, you’re sure to find something new and unexpected when you arrive. Here are our three top picks for Amish experiences and Eateries in Lancaster County:
1. Learn About Amish Life:
The Amish Village199 Hartman Bridge RoadRonks, PA 17572
A trip to The Amish Village tops our list when visiting the heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. It’s a great first stop to get grounded in what you’re seeing and offers an excellent overview of the Amish community before you start exploring the area.
The Amish Village is an authentic look at today’s Amish lifestyle. Located on 12 scenic acres, the village lets visitors tour an authentic property including a one-room schoolhouse, barn with farm animals, blacksmith shop, smokehouse market and more.
Your local tour guide will explain the history of the Lancaster Amish and some of their religious traditions. They also offer a variety of experiences for every budget and interest level.
If you have more time, you might want to check out one of their guided bus tours. It allows visitors to travel off the beaten path, past working Amish farms and along country roads. Each bus tour includes at least one stop at a local Amish business.
2. Enjoy authentic Amish cooking
Katie’s Kitchen200 Hartmon Bridge RoadRonks, PA 17572
After touring The Amish Village, we worked up an appetite. And fortunately for us, one of the area’s most popular restaurants was just down the road.
Katie’s Kitchen, an Amish owned and operated family restaurant, features authentic Amish cuisine. These included many Pennsylvania Dutch favorites like oven-roasted chicken, beef and noodles or the quintessential dish known as “Amish casserole” with chicken and celery-based stuffing.
Business was brisk, and they really get busy during the summer months. Be sure to check out their website or call ahead to make sure they’re open, because the restaurant is typicallyclosed a few times a week in observance of religious days.
3. Try some shoofly pie
Bird-In-Hand Bakery and Cafe2715 Old Philadelphia PikeBird-in-Hand, PA 17505
Of course, after eating a hearty Amish meal, we decided it was time for dessert — Amish style.
We traveled to the next town over to visit the BirdIn-Hand Bakery and Cafe. They’re known for their freshly baked breads, buns and rolls, and most famously for their wet bottom shoofly pies and artesian homemade ice cream. Other famous delicacies include their oversize apple dumplings, whoopee pies, fresh pumpkin pie made from their homegrown pumpkins, moist red velvet cake and much more.
We also enjoyed browsing through the Bird-InHand’s country store, stocked with a full variety of locally made arts and crafts. After grabbing our treats, we sat out on the picnic tables while other guests strolled the grounds, which included a petting zoo and playground.
These incredible experiences and eateries were splendid ways to samplelocalculture andcooking in the Amish countryside. My daughters and former bridesmaids agreed, that when asked if we wanted to return to the Pennsylvania Dutch Country — we’d definitely say, “I do,” all over again.