Visit the Amish in Lancaster
Visit Lancaster, home to the largest Amish communities in the United States. Just a few hours from New York City, Lancaster County offers a truly unique day trip experience
Who are the Amish?
The Amish are a Christian Church group with Anabaptist origins who prefer to live a simple life away from modern technology.
Currently, the Amish have a population of about 230,000 people in 22 different settlements in the United States and Ontario, Canada. The second largest group, after the Amish community in the county of Holmes, Ohio, is found in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
A traditional way of life
Amish men wear dark suits with black or straw hats, while the women dress in long, plain dresses with aprons and white bonnets. Their handmade clothing closely resembles 17th-century fashion.
With a strong literal interpretation of the New Testament, Amish families embrace pacifism and a simple way of life, evading cars, televisions, phones, and modern appliances
The Amish of Pennsylvania are primarily farmers and carpenters, often selling their handmade goods at nearby city markets, which they reach using horse-drawn buggies. In fact, when local residents learn how to drive in the area, a portion of their education is dedicated to learning how to share the road with the buggies.
Children born into Amish communities are not required to follow the Amish way of life. When they turn 16, they have the opportunity to experience the modern world and decide whether they want to continue as part of their community. Interestingly, only a small percentage choose to leave the Amish lifestyle
What to See in Lancaster?
As you drive through the country roads of Lancaster, you'll frequently encounter Amish horse-drawn buggies and see farmers working the fields with horses and manual tools.
Depending on when you visit, you might see community members engaged in their daily activities, children playing football in their straw hats, or adults heading to neighboring towns to sell their goods.
For visitors, we recommend the Amish Farm Museum, a fascinating spot where you can explore the community’s customs and traditions while touring a traditional Amish house.
In Lancaster County, where every fruit and vegetable is grown with care and free from artificial colors or preservatives, you’ll also find several restaurants serving authentic Amish-prepared food
Alternatively, the city of Lancaster itself has many local hot spots that are popular among residents. We highly recommend checking out Robburito's, on any day trip to Lancaster.
How to Get to Lancaster County?
Day trip to the Amish Country
The most comfortable way to get there, without needing to worry about a thing, is by booking a day trip. You can get all the information you need and make your booking by clicking on the link below:
Philadelphia and Amish Country Trip
By car
If you like driving, the easiest way to get around Lancaster County is by renting a car. While Lancaster is a lively town, there isn't much in terms of public transport in this region. Plus, when renting a car, you can enjoy a tranquil drive through the Pennsylvania countryside, known for its lush rolling hills and quiet ambiance. Hop on Route 30 or 340 and enjoy the ride.
Lancaster County is 164 miles away from New York City, 120 miles from Washington, and only 69 miles from Philadelphia. We recommend combining a trip to Philadelphia with the Amish Country, Lancaster. And if you want to discover Washington, you can also continue your journey southbound until you get to the US capital city.
