Any Amish answers please?
 

We would like to go to an Amish area and spend a few days travelling around. Could anyone suggest where we should go? Would it be better to go to Pennsylvania or Indiana? Any advice, links, tips, accommodation recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

you might have a look at www.padutchcountry.com for starters... Lancaster County PA is home to the oldest settlement of Amish... good luck

Holmes County in Ohio has an extensive Amish community and lots of activities. See the link, http://www.amishofholmescountyohio.com/

Holmes County, Ohio is the center of the world's largest Amish and Mennonite population. Many people are surprised to learn that the Holmes County settlement is larger than the Lancaster, PA and Shipshewana, IN, settlements. With a population estimated at roughly 30,000 in Holmes, Wayne and Tuscarawas counties, the northeast Ohio Amish settlement ranks #1 in the world, followed by the Pennsylvania and Indiana groups.

http://www.amishsurvive.com/aboutamish.htm

If you decide to visit, let me know as I can recommend some restaurants and shops.

I've been to both areas.

The Lancaster area is over-run with stuff that not only has nothing to do with the Amish, but is completely antithetical to what they believe. You can drive by their farms, buy products from their homes (do NOT photograph them!!), and learn about them from their neighbors; but you'll have to get away from the overwhelming, crass commercialism of the main roads.

The Shipshewana, Indiana area is only less bad by comparison.

No matter what place you visit, please be aware that the Amish have spent centuries hoping to get away from "the English," and have about as much desire to speak about themselves to strangers as others have for speaking about their sexual dysfunctions. If you go, either enjoy the hucksters making money off the Amish name, observe the Amish from a respectful distance, or learn about them second-hand.

For the record, I love going to Lancaster, and it's a place I always take family visitors to. I've nothing against either place, but I want people to be aware of what they're going to experience.

I have not been to the Amish area in Ohio. I agree with Paul about Lancaster, PA. We enjoyed the Amish area in Indiana. In addition to a couple of museum & shops, we did something else that was very cool. We ate a group dinner in an Amish home! You are brought there by an agency arranged thru the local chamber of commerce. I highly recommend this!

When did the commercialization of the Lancaster, PA area begin to occur? I remember visiting as a child, and it was very low-key (well, except for the Lititz pretzel factory and the Hershey chocolate factory, but there was no theme park then)

Thanks Everyone for the information....we find it fascinating that in this 'day and time' people still live with their beliefs this way when living so close to the commercialism of our world. We would certainly not intrude. Thanks again.

If you go to PA, note that Lancaster is pronounced "LANK-ester" not "lan-CAST-er".

There is also a sizeable Amish community in Ohio - http://www.visitamishcountry.com/, http://www.ohioamishcountry.com/, http://www.oacountry.com/

We live close to Holmes County in Ohio and take frequent drives into that area. There are lots of B&B's to chose from, lots of good restaurants that serve those comfort foods we all love. Berlin is a great area, Millersburg, Sugar Creek, Trail, Walnut Creek are some of our favorites. What we enjoy the most is just driving the beautiful countryside with it's rolling hills and farmland. You might be interested in touring an Amish Farm: http://www.yodersamishhome.com/

ps http://www.dhgroup.com/en/sc/sc-carlisle-inn.php

The Carlisle Inn in Walmut Creek and Sugar Creek are really great properties. We have eaten at the adjoining restaurants.

I have been to the PA, IN and OH Amish Areas and I agree that Holmes County, Ohio is the best. We have gone back there many times over the years and still love it.

I was in Lancaster in September and yes some of what has been said is correct. I will just tell you what I thought. I live close to PA so I do not need to drive all the way to Ohio for a weekend getaway. Yes, within the Amish community there are those who are strict Amish and live by the book. Then you have the Amish who make crafts, sell produce and other food items etc. They also run horse and buggy tours which we did and I found it very enjoyable. There is a divide within the Amish community but I am just a tourist so it does not concern me. Lancaster, PA is a very nice place to visit and I would recommend it. I always say check out Fodors travel book for PA dutch country. It is my bible when I go on road trips.Enjoy.

Just one more note since I do not understand the harsh comments about Lancaster. If I was not clear, the Old Order Amish, the strict by the book Amish will not speak to you and that is right do not take a photo of them.It is not hard to pick them out they keep to themselves. I am sure you have common sense just use it. The Amish who have chosen ( this is a free country)to capitalize on the interest in the lifestyle will gladly speak with you, allow a photo and so on. Lancaster is just like the rest of the country it is very diverse. Read up about the Amish, and learn the differences for yourself. Pa and Ohio are very different. I just do not understand the harsh comments.

Wow,thanks again for all the information. Such varied opinions, beliefs, etc., (almost as fascinating as the Amish!). 'Unfortunately', this has made our decision on where to go 'even harder'! Thanks once again Fodorites.

Ozzies, depending on the time you have, one factor you might want to consider is where else you can go in the area. With Lancaster and its environs, you could get to either Gettysburg or Philadelphia easily; in fact, there are a number of Amish vendors at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, usually from Wednesday to Saturday. And, of course, there are a host of other reasons to include Philadelphia. :)

One more thing, most of the "hucksters" indeed are the very Amish themselves!!!! If you take a tour on a horse and buggy to see "how the Amish live" the man who took me WAS AMISH AND SECOND THEY STOPPED OFF AT AN AMISH HOME TO BUY BAKED GOODS FROM A YOUNG GIRL WHO WAS, YOU GUESSED RIGHT, AMISH!! I bought a necklace and it was made buy this older AMISH WOMAN. The ones most capitalizing on the Amish are Amish.
Perhaps in Ohio the Amish do not do these sorts of things perhaps it is much more Old Order.

I'll also speak in favor of Pennsylvania Amish country. Lancaster is a pleasant city with very attractive architecture (a walking tour is possible) and some nice attractions, some of which I have experienced (Central Market, Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum, Amish Farm and House) and some of which I haven't (Wheatleigh, plus some attractions outside of Lancaster such as Ephrata Cloister, Hans Herr House, and such). Eating at a PA Dutch style eatery can also be enjoyable (I went to Good and Plenty, which was much enjoyed). You're also not far from Hershey, Harrisburg, and Gettysburg, all worthwhile places to experience to varying degrees.

There are to be sure a significant number of strip malls and some attractions which sound a bit cheesier (Dutch Wonderland, for one) that can be found here. And I've seen the gripes from folks on this board who just hate the whole area and unilaterally dismiss it. Having experienced (and enjoyed) a respectable amount of what this area has to offer, I'm not one to say "stay away." The good is well worth experiencing, and the bad can be minimized with some research.

More good information; thankyou. We will be based in New York before going on up to Boston....., from there to the Maritimes, so I think we will take the advice from 'Karend2'and 'bachslunch', catch an Amtrak train to Lancaster for a few days, hire a car and try and see some of the 'less commercialised' Amish people/ventures. As you may have realised, we're from Australia, so don't have too much time to meander around, UNFORTUNATELY!!! Thankyou all so much, we only wish we could stay for six months in your country!!

One Lancaster site that I like a lot but don't see mentioned too often is the Landis Valley Museum; it's a "living history" open air museum of Pennsylvania German history. (The Pennsylvania "Dutch" are of German descent, not Netherlandish.) It doesn't look like much when you arrive, but there are over 100 acres with many historic buildings and a heritage seed project ongoing. There are different parts opened at different times, so you might want to check out the website: http://www.landisvalleymuseum.org/

I hope your visit to the United States is a pleasant one. For some reason I think you will have a great time. Visit one of the websites like PA dutch country. You will be able to get an idea of what you want to spend time doing in Lancaster.It depends on what your interests are. Enjoy.

topping for goomer

Gee, the preponderance of opinion is to go to Lancaster, so it looks like Holmes County is safe for another year or two!

Sigh of relief!

I happen to live in a suburb of Lancaster...it's interesting to read the comments....and yes, commercialism is alive and well here....especially along Rt 30 in the Dutch Wonderland area. You can get away from it however by just driving through the countryside. If you decide to visit Lancaster, I hope you enjoy your stay.

Has anyone suggested trying Arthur/Arcola IL? These two communities are close to one another. One is the "touristy" sales area. It has many small shops like a music store, a sewing store, etc. You will see Amish buggies and Plain folks around some. The other community is where many of the Amish live. You don't see much activity and they keep to themselves there. You can spend about half a day there and then go to the shopping nearby. You can also visit Rockome Gardens. The information and products of the Amish are shown here.

Hi, I live in Lancaster County PA. If you are coming to my county to visit the Amish, you are going to want to visit the real working Amish farm. Have something to eat at the Good n Plenty restaurant. Be sure to try the Shu-fly pie. Stop in Paradise, Blue Ball, Intercourse and Bird in Hand. And there is a place down rt 896 going into Strasburg that sells home-made Amish quilts. While you are down in Strasburg, take a ride on the old train. You can have dinner on it, and the experience is one you'll remember. Also in Lancaster, you'll find the many outlets that attract so many out of state people each year. Lots of bargains on quality name brand items. Be sure to keep an eye out for the many buggies. You'll know there's one ahead if you get in a line of slow moving traffic. And for gosh sakes, don't act like a tourist and try taking photos of the Amish. lol You get a fist shaken at you. :) Come to Lancaster, and enjoy your stay. Plenty of Hotels to choose from. And DON'T forget to get west of Lancaster far enough to see our beautiful Susquehanna River. It's just on the Lancaster border. It is a mile across in some areas. Then too, if you make it this far west, Go across the river into Wrightsville, a quaint little town. Go the 9 blocks to the third light and make a left, then go another mile and turn right, (first right)up the hill then left into Sam Lewis park. From the top of the hill there you can see the whole Susquehanna valley. Simply breath taking views. Really worth the time. Hope this helps.

BTW... "Dutch Wonderland" as was mentioned above, is a theme park that has nothing to do with the Amish really. It's great fun though if you have little ones. Nothing "cheesy" about it. If you like Hotels, there is The Host, Host Corral, Host Lounge, Marriot, and more, If you want a B&B, there are a lot of those as well. Just research B&B's in Lancaster County PA. Anything else you'd like to see, let me know. But Hershey is just about half hours drive from here, maybe 40 minutes. Chocolate World, Hershey Park and the Hershey Zoo. We also have a Casino! Harrisburg hasa river boat and something almost always going on out on the island. If you come over the 4th of July, Gettysburg has the battle re-enactment. Really something to see. I could go on and on. lol :)

ok ok I know lol But just a quick one. You can take the train into New York from Lancaster Station and go check out ground zero, take the Ferry ride out around the Statue of Liberty and much more. You need a month when you visit this area. :) And while you are at it, take me along back with you!

More votes for seeing the Ephrata Cloister and Landis Farm museum if you go to the Lancaster area. It is a very pretty area to drive around.

FANTASTIC lodging in Lancaster (The heart of Amish country). Check out www.pennsvalleyfarm.com. My wife and I just spent 4 days there and if you like old (Circa 1826) this is the place for you. Bob & Donna