Having raised our family in Philadelphia, we often drove 70 miles to Lancaster County, the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country. It is a great family destination and offers beautiful scenery and a glimpse of the living history of the Amish people. The Amish are a devout Christian group that arrived in this country in the early 1700s. Even today they shun modern conveniences, wear traditional clothes and use only horse-drawn buggies for transportation.
We were driven through the countryside thriving to eat amazing food and experience country life, Amish traditions, and other city attractions. .
How do I get there
Lancaster is in south-central Pennsylvania, about 70 miles from Philadelphia, 160 miles from New York, and 100 miles from Washington, D.C. It can be reached by many major highways, including US Route 30 and the Tarrant Turnpike. Lancaster Airport (LNS) in Lititz, Pennsylvania, has daily flights via Cape Air to and from many cities on the East Coast.
Lancaster Blandity
The area is widely known for its 18th century Dutch origins and its current tourist attraction, as well as nearby Amish and Mennonite communities. During our visits we always enjoyed buggy rides, working farm tours, family restaurants, handmade gifts, pretzels; Maecenas chocolate, and just pleasures. I recommend just heading to places along the way that you find interesting.
Dutch is a wonderful amusement-parks for little kids that have been there for years. We’ve been taking our kids there for 30 years, and it remains a local favorite. It has a car park, a log cabin, and other family-friendly rides, along with many attractions where children can happily run around.
Wonderful Dutch
2249 Lincoln Highway E
Lancaster, PA 17602
dutchwonderland.com
For more organized Amish farm tours, Amish Farms and Homes offers insight into local history in real life; he works on the farm. It has been open since 1955 and is a great introduction to the Amish people and their unique way of life.
Amish Farm and Home
2395 Lincoln Highway E
Lancaster, PA 17602
amishfarmandhouse.com
Our Favorite Restaurants
Lancaster County restaurants offer a wide selection of farm fresh food at reasonable prices. We used local family style eateries. That usually means large servings at tables for 10 and endless inexplicable -ups. We love Bird Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord One of our favorites here is the $35 full buffet dinner, which includes fresh sausages, pot roast, German potato salad; apple fritters, and shoo fly ple
Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord
2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, PA 17505
bird-in-hand.com
Intercourse Village Restaurant is an authentic Amish restaurant, with Amish staff and Mennonite serving local clothing. It’s a favorite place for local families who want good food at low prices. Among the great dishes are old-fashioned ham steak, chicken croquettes, cooked sausage, and delicious bell peppers. There is also a daily all you can eat appetizer special.
Cohabitation Village Restaurant
Queen Street, Colloquium, PA 17534
amishcountryinns.com
Our hotel
Because Lancaster is such a popular tourist area, scores of hotels, motels, campsites, and other facilities are available to visitors. We have always found Hotel Brunswick to be a very comfortable, well-organized, and economical hotel. A genuine colonial inn that has been located in downtown Lancaster since 1776, within walking distance of several restaurants, Central Market, Fulton , works, and commerce. Rates are from $59 per night.
Brunswick Hotel
151 N. Queen St., Lancaster PA 17603
hotelbrunswick.com
You can follow travel writer Ted Sherman on Twitter @travel4seniors and visit the travel4seniors.com blog.
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