Any Amish answers please?
Jan 10th, 2011, 10:19 PM
#1
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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.
Jan 11th, 2011, 06:23 AM
#2
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you might have a look at www.padutchcountry.com for starters... Lancaster County PA is home to the oldest settlement of Amish... good luck
Jan 11th, 2011, 07:27 AM
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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.
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.
Jan 11th, 2011, 07:29 AM
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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.
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.
Jan 11th, 2011, 07:35 AM
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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!
Jan 11th, 2011, 08:02 AM
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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)
Jan 11th, 2011, 11:54 AM
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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.
Jan 11th, 2011, 12:57 PM
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There is also a sizeable Amish community in Ohio - http://www.visitamishcountry.com/, http://www.ohioamishcountry.com/, http://www.oacountry.com/
Jan 11th, 2011, 01:15 PM
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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/
Jan 11th, 2011, 01:33 PM
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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.
The Carlisle Inn in Walmut Creek and Sugar Creek are really great properties. We have eaten at the adjoining restaurants.
Jan 12th, 2011, 01:29 AM
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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.
Jan 12th, 2011, 01:44 AM
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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.
Jan 12th, 2011, 02:18 AM
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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.
Jan 12th, 2011, 03:56 AM
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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. 
Jan 12th, 2011, 04:41 AM
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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.
Perhaps in Ohio the Amish do not do these sorts of things perhaps it is much more Old Order.
Jan 12th, 2011, 01:48 PM
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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.
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.
Jan 12th, 2011, 08:35 PM
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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!!
Jan 13th, 2011, 02:15 AM
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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/
