We were there 2x before and loved the low key area and great food. Now looking at their website-they have attractions and outlet malls!!

I guess it's too much of a good thing-I'll bet the Amish hate it.

What do you think, are there any quiet areas left? Would like to stay around Bird-in-Hand area this Oct.

Yes it has, but this isn't a recent thing, it's been happening for years. Some Amish have left, I've heard. Generally speaking, the further away from Rt. 30, the better.

So, what are YOU going there for?

maryann I am not sure what you are talking about. I have been going to PA ductch country since I was about 5. Even in the 60's there was a chesso element of commercialism. It supports the community nothing wrong in that but it is not nothing knew.

I was born there and attended a two room schoolhouse with Amish kids for a while that's now a motorcycle shop, so to me, yes, it's become incredibly commercialized. But iff you explore the quiet corners (for example, rural Berks County where it nudges up against Lehigh County), you will find plenty of uncommercialized non-Amish (but many Mennonite) farms and villages.
The "real" PA Dutch country is still around, but smaller, and it takes more hunting to find it. Finally, remember that plenty of us *real* Pennsylvania Dutchies are NOT Amish. The PA Dutch country is also about the Moravians, etc.

I don't understand that Btike. I grew up in Southern New Jersey. I have always known the Medinite and Amish Communities to be all about business. My sister and a number of people in her community get all of their meet from the Amish, pets, they have huge puppy farms. I don't know where this idea that they are a cute rural community ever came from. I never saw this community as obscure and remote.

We were there the first time 23 yrs. ago and then 10 yrs. ago., stayed in the rt. 30 area and Kutztown- there were Mom & Pop hotels (some chains in Lancaster), stores were on the Main St. in town-no theme parks and no outlet malls.

We just love to drive around and enjoy the farmhouses-go to the roadside stands.

Sure there was always economy in the area-horse -selling ,farming, trade within the region. There was no lack of success-if there was no McDonalds or an outlet mall.

They have been living their lifestyle alot longer than we know.

So, we have mixed ideas on this subject-but like all good things - it gets ruined by popularity-just ask me-all my life in Florida, but that's another subject.

I was there last summer and enjoyed it very much. Yes, there is a lot of commercialism but it is easy to get away from. I thought the farms were beautiful.

In my opinion, the best way to enjoy the Lancaster countryside is to bike the back roads. You see a lot more at that pace.

I live just 15 miles south of Lancaster and, yes, the whole area is too, too cute. The Amish farmers are selling out and going, I don't know where. At the local tourist restaurants, the help are not Amish--they are hired and dressed to appear "quaint" by business folks from NJ. And, don't buy produce and pies, etc. from "so-called" Amish markets. Just drive along Rte 896 thru Georgetown and stop for your flowers or produce at little family stands outside the homes. There is a little box where you can put in your dollar or two for whatever you want. The corn can't better there or the fresh fruit. And the horses are just beautiful to talk to and look at.
I'd avoid those discount outlets--crowded, rude, and not such great bargains after all.

Bird-in-Hand is a nice area. Take route 340 (old phila pike) east all the way to Chester Co line. Take any road left (Leola, New Holland, Ephrata, Blue Blue, Honey Brook) or any road right (Ronks, Paradise, Strasburg, Gap) and you will be immersed in rural Lanc Co countryside. The fall is a beautiful time to visit. Even though I've moved away, I'll always consider Lanc Co my home and will always love the smell of manure!

Oops, should read Ephrata, Blue Ball, Honey Brook . . .