Have you ever wanted to see Amish country? Lancaster Pennsylvania and the surrounding area is a great place to experience the Amish culture, food, and way of life. After a weekend in Lancaster last year, we have put together a list of things to do in Amish Country PA for you.
Join us on one of our group trips to the area to experience it for yourself!
Disclaimer: We received some complimentary accommodation during our last visit to Lancaster, however, as usual, all opinions are our own.
Best time to Visit Amish Country PA
Spring and fall are the best times to visit Lancaster. The fall brings the harvest, local produce, farmer’s markets and a flurry of activity before the winter. Spring offers crisp days and a burst of life after the winter. Dutch Country PA offers a great variety of sightseeing, cultural experiences, and food options, no matter the weather.
Lancaster Amish Restaurants
Sadly, one of our favorite Lancaster restaurants, Good N’ Plenty, has shut down [December 2021]
Hershey Farm and Inn Restaurant
Get a taste of Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine and hospitality at Hershey Farm and Inn. This lush 23 acre property offers both a restaurant and lodging, and sits right next to the Sight & Sound Theater. This home from home is a perfect place to get a taste of the Amish culture.
You are able to order from a menu or feast on the grand smorgasbord; which our group preferred for breakfast and dinner. The variety is more than you can imagine.
Huckleberry’s Restaurant & Tavern at the Fulton Steamboat Inn
Celebrating the inventor of the steamboat, Robert Fulton, who was from Lancaster, the Fulton Steamboat Inn is such a fun place to dine and stay. This huge steamboat shaped restaurant and tavern offers nautical and Victorian themed rooms and dining. Take a ‘voyage’ in Victorian grandeur right here in Lancaster!
Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery
The Julius Sturgis Bakery was the first commercial bagel factory in the USA! You can take tours of this historic building and eat some of their delicious baked goods too, naturally. Opened in 1861, it is a delicious place to visit in Lititz, just near Lancaster.
Things to do in Amish Country : Our Favorite Amish Country Attractions
We keep coming back to Lancaster and the surrounding areas. From great food, entertainment, sightseeing, and covered bridges! Here are some of our favorite Amish country PA attractions:
Kitchen Kettle Village
Kitchen Kettle Village is a community of shops and lodging put together in a convenient walkable area. Vendors sell local produce, arts and crafts, and Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine; and you get a real taste of the amazing hospitality on offer in the area.
We especially enjoyed the live music during our visit. We perused many of the shops, made our own candles, and sampled a variety of foods including fresh baked pretzels, fudge and ice cream.
Sight and Sound Theater
With a 2,000 seat auditorium, a 300-ft stage that surrounds the audience on three sides, a cast of 50 actors, state of the art technology and live animals, Sight & Sound takes theater to a whole new level. Every show delivers a meaningful message in an astonishing way. Sight and Sound Theater is an amazing entertainment experience for the whole family where the Bible literally comes to life.
We were so impressed by the attention to detail, not only the finely stitched costumes but also the massive set. The original music is recorded by world-class orchestras and every lyric is sung live on stage. We watched the performance of Esther and will return this summer to see David. The show changes approximately every 6 months so you are able to return again and again for a new experience. We have enjoyed live performances on Broadway and in Las Vegas and Sight and Sound Theater is better than both in our opinion.
Amish Farm and House tours
Take a tour of an Amish Farmhouse, tour around the streets of a Pennsylvania Dutch community and see buggies and traditional properties firsthand.
As a homeschool family we really enjoyed the private tour of the Amish Farm and House. Everyone in our group learned so much and there was time at the end for questions. After the tour we were able to explore the property on our own. We visited the animals in the barn, toured the Amish schoolhouse and watched the local artisans at work on site. There are also narrated bus tours available.
NB: some activities are not available during the winter months.
Covered Bridges
You can’t visit the Lancaster area without paying a visit to one of the covered bridges in the area! There are many within striking distance of Lancaster, and an afternoon touring them is delightful. Some of our favorites are: Landis Mill Covered Bridge, Kurtz’s Mill Bridge over Mill Creek, Hunsecker’s Mill Covered Bridge over Conestoga River, Willows Covered Bridge, and the Lime Valley Covered Bridge (also known as Strasburg Bridge) that spans Pequea Creek.
Buggy Rides
Take a traditional buggy ride through the farms of Amish, Brethren and Mennonite families; with a local guide who explains the traditions along the way. See how the farms are worked with horses and no machinery, no cars, just the way it used to be.
Lil Country Store and Miniature Horse Farm
Your family will love this cute little store and miniature horse farm. The petting zoo has horses, alpacas and goats, and is free to visit. They also offer saddle and card rides with the miniature horses – which is perfect for the kids.
Other things to do in and around Lancaster if you have time
- Strasburg Scooters
- Miniature golf
- Bird-In-Hand village
- Turkey Hill Experience
- The Amish Village
- Wolf Sanctuary
- Choo Choo Barn
- Antique Mall
- Hot air balloons
- Ziplines
- Go N Bananas
- Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
- Tiny Town
- Old Windmill Farms
- Ghost Tours
- Fox Meadows Creamery
- Dutch Apple dinner theater
- North Museum
- American Music Theater
- Paintball
- Strasburg Railroad
The Best Places to Stay in Lancaster Amish Country
We enjoy staying at the Hershey Farm and Inn while visiting the area. There is a main lodge as well as a carriage house providing accommodations, both within walking distance of the restaurant, the barn and Sight and Sound Theater.
We enjoyed the walking trails each morning around the property to feed the animals. Payton’s favorite was the alpacas. The pond is the perfect place to unwind and watch the sunset in the afternoon before dinner. Speaking of dinner, the food at Hershey Farm and Inn is fabulous.
Another unique lodging experience in the area is the Red Caboose Motel and Restaurant located just outside of Strasburg. Instead of a room you actually sleep in your own train caboose. There are 38 cabooses, a baggage car and a mail car to choose from with configurations to fit your family’s needs. The Casey Jones’ Restaurant is on site providing dine in, carry out and room service.
Fulton Steamboat Inn is another unique and fun place to stay in the area.
Why you should visit Amish Country in Lancaster PA for a weekend (or more)
Lancaster and the surrounding areas are perfect for a family-friendly vacation. There is so much to see and do and the kids can experience a different way of life firsthand. The unique dining and lodging options provide a break from the traditional chain restaurants and hotels in the US. Not to mention that Hershey PA is only 30 minutes away. We plan to explore this area more on our next visit and discover all things chocolate!
Let us help you plan your trip to Amish Country,
with our full service Travel Agency!
Or join our Group Trips in our Luxury Mercedes Sprinter!
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It’d be nice to visit the place where Harrison Fords movie was made. Is it there or just props used in it?
Also events planned now to September eoy.