Dutch Pennsylvania
 

I am interested in visiting an Amish community in Dutch Pennsylvania. I want to stay for 2 or 3 days, does anyone know of a good area to visit?

Lancaster, PA is "Amish Country." It's in south central, PA. York, Quakertown and New Hope are also nice. Enjoy! <BR>

Kevin, i particularly like Blue Ball, Bird in Hand and Intercourse BUT they were very, very busy during the summer months.

Do a search for Lancaster County. This would include the previous mentioned towns with Lancaster at the hub. There is an historic farmers market in Lancaster. Is definitely crowded in the summer. Get in touch with the Lancaster County visitors bureau and find out how to arrange to have dinner with an Amish family, usually a farm family. This needs to be arranged in advance and you will pay for your meal. Much better than just going the tourist route.

My ancestors go back to many of the different PA Dutch groups, particularly the Moravians. (the group that founded Bethlehem PA, but are not one of the "plain" people like the Amish and Old Order Mennonites) It's wonderful for you to want to learn more about the people and the area they live in. However you should be aware that "visiting" a community is a little bit more complicated. <BR> <BR>The Amish believe everyone needs to do an honest day's work. That rarely means stopping their chores to show tourists around. It's not just as easy as going to a town or meeting place and expecting to strike up a conversation with the Amish. In 2 or 3 days you really won't have much of an opportunity to get that close to them. <BR> <BR>Wanting to know more though is admirable and there are some things to do in your time that will help to understand. By all means make a trip to the Mennonite Herritage Museum. The Hans Herr House is another place. Get up early, real early, and go to one of the markets where you will see many of the Amish doing business with each other. Although the central market in the center of Lancaster is very busy, and there are other markets, one of my favorites is the one out of the way in a rural part of Mannheim. Ask for directions, twice, or you'll get lost out there. Right next to the market is a farm auction and if that's active, a very nice place to see real PA Dutchman as they are. <BR> <BR>Don't miss the other sights around Lancaster. I'm partial to Lititz as one of my ancestors was an early founder of that Moravian town, with the General Sutter Inn and the Sturgis Pretzel factory. Bird-in-hand and Intercourse are also good places to go, although some things are very touristy there. Don't miss the Strassburg Railroad. <BR> <BR>

Frogtown Acres B&B in Paradise, Pa is a great place to stay. We've been there several time and going back again soon. The Innkeepers are terrific and area centrally located to see just about everything you want to.

I remember when I was a student at Kutztown University not far from the PA Dutch towns like Lancaster, Bird in Hand, Intercourse, Lititz, etc. It was charming to be driving on the main highway, Route 222, while sharing the road with the Amish who don't drive cars, but horse-drawn buggies. And the cooking---mmm,mmm good! I can still taste the shoo fly pies, ham salads, and apple dumplings. You'll have a great time, but don't expect to "mingle" too much with the people except when patronizing their businesses. Also, many of them strongly dislike having their photographs taken, so always ask first, and don't be upset if they say no.