Pennsylvania Dutch Country
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Pennsylvania Dutch Country - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Central Market
Market/BazaarA must-see in Lancaster City is the Romanesque Central Market, constructed in 1889. The market began as open-air stalls in 1742. Here, local people shop for fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, fresh flowers, and baked goods such as sticky buns and shoofly pie. In recent years, Central Market (which has the distinction of being the oldest continuously-operating farmers' market in the country) has added some decidedly modern vendors. In addition to Lebanon bologna and chowchow, you can also count on picking up great third-wave coffee and fresh pressed green juice made from local crops.
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2. Ephrata Cloister
A former and singular monastic community, Ephrata Cloister was founded in 1732 by German immigrant Conrad Beissel. Originally set on 250 acres of Native American wilderness, Beissel and his believers built 30 structures, including a monastery and a printing press and named their community "Ephrata." The monastic society of brothers and sisters were celibate and lived an austere life of work, study, and prayer. In the 1940s, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania took over the property and has been running it as a museum, with 45-minute tours of three restored buildings, after which you can browse through several others, including the stable, printshop, and crafts shop. Self-guided cell-phone tours are also available.
632 W. Main St., Ephrata, Pennsylvania, 17522, USA717-733–6600Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10, Mar.-Dec. Mon.-Sat. 9-5, Sun. noon-5; Closed Mon. and Tue. in Jan. and Feb. -
3. Gettysburg National Military Park
There are few landmarks as touching as the Gettysburg National Military Park, where General Robert E. Lee and his Confederate troops encountered the Union forces of General George Meade. There are more than 1,300 markers and monuments honoring the casualties of the battle in the 6,000-acre park. More than 30 miles of marked roads lead through the park, highlighting key battle sites. In the first week of July, Civil War reenactors dress in period uniforms and costumes to commemorate the three-day battle. Self-guided tours as well as tour guides for hire are both available, as are tours on horseback.
1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 17325, USA717-334–1124Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Park roads Apr.–Oct., daily 6 am–10 pm; Nov.–Mar., daily 6 am–7 pm -
4. Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center
Visitor CenterIn 2008 the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center moved to a $103 million facility, which makes for an excellent starting point to understand the events leading up to the battle, its significance to the Civil War, and its impact on the town. The center includes a dozen interactive galleries, which feature a compelling mix of artifacts such as a wooden desk believed to have been used by General Robert E. Lee, paired with the latest in interactive video and audio displays. Each section takes its name from a phrase used in Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. It is also home to the 377-foot "Battle of Gettysburg" cyclorama painting from 1884, which has been completely restored including a 3-D foreground. The painting, a must-see in its colorful, life-like depiction of Pickett's Charge, along with a documentary film, "A New Birth of Freedom," are packaged together as a 45-minute ticketed experience. There is a restaurant and a bookstore on site. The Park Service also provides a free map with a 25-mile driving tour through the battlefield, walking-tour guides, and schedules of free ranger-conducted programs which range from walks and talks about the battle to the aftermath and the Civil War experience. Private, licensed guides may also be hired at the center. Value package information and online purchase specials are available on the Web site.
1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 17325, USA717-334–1124Sight Details
Rate Includes: $12.50 for museum, film, cyclorama; $8 for museum only; $65 for two-hour guided auto tour for one to six people -
5. Green Dragon Farmers Market and Auction
Market/BazaarFriday is bustling at the Green Dragon Farmers Market and Auction, one of the state's largest farmers' markets, occupying 30 acres. The 400 indoor and outdoor stands run by Amish and Mennonite farmers sell meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, flowers, and crafts. It's a traditional agricultural market with a country-carnival atmosphere. There's also a flea market, a household goods auction, and an evening auction of small animals.
955 N. State St., off Rte. 272, Ephrata, Pennsylvania, 17522, USA717-738–1117 -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Hans Herr House
A registered historic landmark, the Hans Herr House is the oldest surviving homestead in Lancaster County and the oldest original (and remaining) Mennonite meeting house in the Western Hemisphere. The subject of several paintings by Andrew Wyeth, it was the Colonial home of the Herr family, to whom the Wyeths were related. Today the house is owned by the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, which educates the public about the Mennonite religion. The 45-minute tour covers the grounds and the 1719 Mennonite meeting place. A separate 45-minute tour covers a reconstructed Native American longhouse.
1849 Hans Herr Dr., Willow Street, Pennsylvania, 17584, USA717-464–4438Sight Details
Rate Includes: $15, Closed Sun. and Nov.–Apr., Apr.–Nov., Mon.–Sat. 9–4 -
7. Hersheypark
Billed as the "Sweetest Place on Earth," Hersheypark offers more than 65 rides and attractions, a boardwalk with a lazy river and wave pool, a wildlife park called ZooAmerica with hundreds of animals, as well as tons of live-entertainment options. Founded in 1907 as a town park for chocolate factory workers, Hersheypark, set on more than 100 acres, is prized as one of America's cleanest and greenest theme parks. Among its historical rides are the Comet, a 1946-vintage wooden roller coaster, and a carousel built in 1919 that has 66 hand-carved wooden horses. "Chocolatetown" is the latest park expansion that includes Candymonium, its tallest and longest roller coaster to date, a virtual-reality experience, a Hershey merch flagship store, and a full-service restaurant.
View Tours and Activities100 W. Hersheypark Dr., Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, USA717-534–3900Sight Details
Rate Includes: One-day tickets $30.95, Closed Jan.–Mar. -
8. Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
This open-air museum showcases Pennsylvania German rural life and folk culture between 1750 and 1940. Founded by brothers Henry and George Landis on their homestead in the 1920s, the farm and village are now operated by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. You can visit more than 15 historical buildings, with costumed guides providing interesting bits of history. There are demonstrations of skills such as spinning and weaving, pottery making, and tinsmithing. Many of the crafts are for sale in the museum shop.
2451 Kissel Hill Rd., Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 17601, USA717-569–0401Sight Details
Rate Includes: $12, Closed Mon. and Tues. Jan.–mid-Mar. -
9. Aaron & Jessica's Buggy Rides
Tour–SightAaron & Jessica's Buggy Rides offers four tours of the Amish countryside, lasting between a half-hour and more than an hour, taking passengers through a covered bridge and into a variety of local sites in an authentic Amish carriage. The rides depart from Plain & Fancy Farm. You can also book a private buggy ride.
3121 Old Philadelphia Pike, Rte. 340, between Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse, Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, 17505, USA717-768–8828Sight Details
Rate Includes: From $10 -
10. Abe's Buggy Rides
Tour–SightAbe's Buggy Rides offer tours ranging from 2–7-mile spins down country roads in an Amish buggy with a real Amish driver, who provides a friendly chat about the customs of the Pennsylvania Dutch and the sights along the way.
2596 Old Philadelphia Pike, Rte. 340, Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, 17505, USA717-392–1794Sight Details
Rate Includes: From $15, Closed Dec.-Feb., closed Sun. -
11. Amish Country Homestead
At this designated Lancaster County heritage site, take a guided tour of a replica nine-room Old Order Amish house, and attached one-room schoolhouse. Located on the Plain & Fancy Farm property, you'll learn about Amish culture, clothing, and day-to-day life. The Super-Saver Tour Package ($47.95) includes a 90-minute mini-shuttle tour; a guided tour of the homestead; and a ticket to see the film Jacob's Choice.
3121 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, 17505, USA717-768–8400Sight Details
Rate Includes: $12.95 -
12. Amish Experience
Tour–SightAt Plain & Fancy Farm, the Amish Experience is a multimedia theatrical presentation about the history of the Amish, using multiple screens, three-dimensional sets, and special effects. In Jacob's Choice, the teenage main character struggles between traditional ways and the temptations of the modern world. A $43.95 package includes the show, the Amish Country Homestead, and Amish Country Tours, a bus tour of the farmlands, and a buggy ride.
3121 Old Philadelphia Pike, Rte. 340, between Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse, Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, 17505, USA717-768–8400Sight Details
$12.95 homestead; $12.95 show; $29.95 bus tour; $43.95 combo homestead, show, and bus tour Rate Includes: Closed Jan.-mid-Mar. -
13. Amish Village
This 12-acre historic homestead offers guided tours of an authentically furnished house and one-room schoolhouse. The property includes a barn, blacksmith shop, smokehouse market, and outdoor picnic grounds when the weather permits. Mini-shuttle-bus tours of the area are also available.
199 Hartman Bridge Rd., Ronks, Pennsylvania, 17572, USA717-687–8511Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10 house and village only; $23 Backroads bus tour; $29 combo bus, house, and grounds tour, Mon.-Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-6 -
14. Choo-Choo Barn, Traintown, USA
Other AttractionWhat started as a family hobby in 1945 with a single train chugging around the Groff family Christmas tree is now the Choo-Choo Barn, Traintown, USA. This 1,700-square-foot display of Lancaster County in miniature has 20 trains, mainly in O-gauge, with 150 animated scenes, including an authentic Amish barn raising, a huge three-ring circus with animals and acrobats, and a blazing house fire with fire engines rushing to the disaster. Periodically, the overhead lights dim and the scene turns to night, with streetlights and locomotive headlights glowing in the darkness.
226 Gap Rd, Rte. 741 E, near Fairview Rd., Strasburg, Pennsylvania, 17579, USA717-687–7911Sight Details
Rate Includes: $7.50, Closed Jan.–Feb. -
15. Columbia Market House
Market/BazaarBuilt in 1869, the Columbia Market House is one of the oldest farmers' market sites in the state. The basement was once used as a dungeon; from the outside, you can still see the ground-level windows through which prisoners were shoved down a chute into the darkness, and guided tours are available by appointment.
308 Locust St., off Rte. 441, Columbia, Pennsylvania, 17512, USA717-449–4731 -
16. David Wills House
The David Wills House is where Abraham Lincoln stayed and completed his Gettysburg Address on November 18, 1863. The restored building features seven galleries, including the bedroom where Lincoln slept and worked on the final versions of his speech, as well as the office of Wills, a prominent lawyer who helped direct the city's cleanup after the battle and was a leading force behind the creation of the national cemetery.
8 Lincoln Sq., Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 17325, USA717-334–2499Sight Details
Rate Includes: $7, Closed Jan.--mid-Feb.; Tues. in Mar., Apr., Sept., and Oct.; weekdays in Nov. and Dec., March-Apr., Sep.-Oct. Wed.-Mon. 10-4; May-Aug. daily 10-5; Nov.-Dec., last two weekends of Feb. Sat.-Sun. 10-4 -
17. Demuth Museum
This museum includes the restored 18th-century home, studio, and garden of Charles Demuth (1883–1935), one of America's first modernist artists, who lived in the city of Lancaster for most of his short life. A watercolorist, Demuth found inspiration in the geometric shapes of machines and modern technology, as well as the flowers in his mother's garden. Several of his works are on display. The gallery also features a changing exhibit of regional and national artists. The complex includes the former oldest operating tobacco shop in the country, which dates to 1770.
120 E. King St., Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 17602, USA717-299–9940Sight Details
Rate Includes: Donation requested, Closed Mon., Feb.–Dec., Tues.–Sat. 10–4, Sun. 1–4 -
18. Dutch Wonderland
A self-proclaimed "Kingdom for Kids," this 44-acre amusement park features rides and activities suited for families with younger children. Most rides, such as the roller coaster, merry-go-round, and giant slide, are quite tame. The adjacent water park (no separate admission), Duke's Lagoon, is open weekends, Memorial Day through Labor Day. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, the park is open for its "Dutch Winter Wonderland," with holiday-themed rides and a light show.
2249 Lincoln Highway East (U.S. 30), Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 17602, USA866-386–2839Sight Details
Rate Includes: $35.99 (purchased online), Hrs can vary; call ahead or check the website -
19. Eisenhower National Historic Site
The country-estate residence of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who bought it in 1950, he and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower used it as a weekend retreat and a meeting place for world leaders. From 1961 until the president's death in 1969, it was the couple's full-time residence. The brick-and-stone farmhouse is preserved in 1950s style. The farm adjoins the battlefield and is administered by the National Park Service, which sells daily ticketed tours by way of shuttle bus on a first-come, first-served basis at the Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center.
250 Eisenhower Rd., Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 17325, USA717-338–9114Sight Details
Rate Includes: $9, Memorial Day to Labor Day daily 9–4; Sep.-May dail 10-3:30 -
20. Gettysburg Battlefield Tours
Tour–SightThe Gettysburg Tour Center is the departure point for two-hour narrated tours of the battlefield. Dramatized audio guides are provided for open-air double-decker bus tours, while guided tours on enclosed buses depart more often. At night, costumed guides offer a ghost-themed walking tour.
778 Baltimore St., Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 17325, USA717-334–6296Sight Details
Rate Includes: $30
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