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 The Amish Country
Wilkum! to Lancaster County and the scenic Pennsylvania Dutch Country. This is
an area that visitors have grown to love. Here you'll discover Amish communities where life moves at a slower pace
and centers around time-honored traditions and values. You'll find beautiful scenery dotted with one-room schoolhouses
and wooden covered bridges, modern farm machinery being pulled behind four-and six-mule teams, homemade clothing
and quilts gently blowing in the breeze, and where you'll hear the clip-clop of horses' hooves echoing down quiet
country roads.
The relaxing atmosphere, the peaceful scenery, and the variety of our many unique attractions and family activities
have made Lancaster County one of America's favorite vacation destinations. Over 10 million people visit Lancaster's
Amish Country each year. Many people return here year after year because they find Lancaster County so special.
Wherever you go here you'll find Pennsylvania Dutch hospitality and individualized attention. this visitors guide
and website will introduce you to much of what awaits you here in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
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CherryCrestAdventureFarm
DoubleTree Resort
Fulton Steamboat Inn
Good 'N Plenty Restaurant
Hershey Farm
Inn At Leola Village
Online Amish Furniture
Willow Valley Inn
American Music Theatre
AmishView
Inn & Suites
Antiques Capital U.S.A.
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The Amish & The Plain People
The numerous Amish and plain communities here give this area a whole different  ambience. These people as a whole are not
as materialistic as modern society today. Instead, they adhere to more traditional ways and family values. Their
influence is felt throughout our local society.
As you see these plain people working in their fields or clip-clopping down a
country road in their horse and buggy, don't just rush by. Instead, take time to reflect on the values that make
them so "different". There is a lot to be said for their slower-paced lifestyle.
There are numerous places here where you can learn more about the Amish culture and faith, tour Amish homes, a
farm, and a one-room schoolhouse, and take auto tours, bus tours, and even Amish buggy rides to learn more about
the Amish way of life. Check out our list of resources.
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Scenery & Ambience
 Sure, we have our busy streets and highways. But once you turn off the main roads, you'll
experience the peaceful and relaxing atmosphere that draws so many urban and suburban dwellers back here year after
year. Quiet, rolling farmlands dotted with windwheels and teams of horses or mules. So peaceful and relaxing.
In western and southern Lancaster County, the hills are more pronounced, and the
views more dramatic. Along the Susquehanna River you'll find many scenic overlooks that offer breathtaking views
of the river far below.
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Local Towns & Villages
The city of Lancaster is the county seat and hub of Lancaster County. It has an interesting history and character.
But so do the many smaller towns and villages spread throughout the county. Towns like Strasburg, Bird-in-Hand, Intercourse, and Paradise. These villages have retained their own
distinctive character and individuality.
  
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Amusements & Attractions Abound
This 'Amish Country' is far more than just the Amish. Visitors are surprised to
find out  how
diverse this area really is. We have attractions and entertainment for all ages and interests. Nestled in among the Amish farms and our
country villages are activities just waiting to be discovered!
Where else can you ride in an Amish
buggy, whip around on a roller
coaster, ride an  historic steam
locomotive, play a round of championship golf, tour an operating farm, enjoy a peaceful hot
air balloon ride, and take in a broadway play all in the same day?
And there's more. You can tour a former Amish
schoolhouse, enjoy challenging miniature
golf or waterslides,  go tubing down a quiet country river, visit an outdoor
petting zoo, and bicycle through the Amish farmlands. Experience the fantasy of bygone days and knights and relive
toy train displays
like those you enjoyed as a child.
We're just scratching the surface. Here in the Dutch Country you'll find attractions
and points of interest that appeal to groups, families, and even the kids.
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Covered Bridges
 One of the popular symbols of Lancaster County is the covered bridge. One of the first covered bridges
in America was built here. While covered bridges have all but disappeared from the American landscape, you will
still find 28 covered bridges intact in Lancaster County.
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Museums & Cultural Points of Interest
Here, too, you will find numerous state and local museums and historic sites dating back to the 1700's. From
the oldest Mennonite meeting house in America to the home of a former U.S. president, you'll find much to explore.
All are open to the public, and some offer costumed tour guides.
You'll also find some notable sites not nearly so old, such as the farm and the
hardware store John Book (Harrison Ford) visited in the Paramount movie, "Witness".
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Guided Tours
There are a variety of ways to tour our Amish farmlands. You can take an air
 conditioned
bus tour through the scenic countryside. Or hire a step-on guide to hop in your car and lead you on as detailed
a tour as you would like. You can tour the area from an Amish buggy or a hot air balloon. Audio tape tours are
available. Or, you can grab a road map and explore our back country roads on your own. Whichever option you choose,
be sure to get away from the main roads. The 'real' Lancaster County can best be explored from our back country
roads.
There are also many other exhibits and in-depth guided tours available here to
help visitors learn about this area's heritage. You can tour our historic
homes, a Biblical tabernacle, an Amish house, farm or village, or take a walking
tour of historic downtown Lancaster. Knowledgeable guides can take you places and show you things you just wouldn't find on
your own, which will make your trip much more meaningful.
Numerous food producers also offer plant tours, with free samples at the end of the tour.
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Farmers Markets
 Lancaster County is the leading non-irrigated county in the country, and has been called
the 'garden spot of the nation'. Farmers markets here offer a pleasurable, down-home flavor of the Dutch Country.
Throughout this area you'll also find many roadside stands offering a variety
of home grown vegetables, freshly baked pastries and desserts, and handmade craft items.
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PA Dutch Foods
Due to the agricultural productivity of this area, one of the most popular attractions
here is th e food.
The local restaurants and markets offer foods that have that fresh-from-the-farm goodness.
Be sure to savor delicious Pennsylvania Dutch cooking, whether it's smorgasbord,
family style, or menu dining. Local favorites include chicken pot pie and chow chow. For dessert, don't forget
a fresh slice of shoofly pie, a Dutch Country favorite!
And you can take home some freshly made pretzels, which were first introduced to America
right here in Lancaster County.
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Wineries & Breweries
  The
Dutch Country has a number of local wineries that offer visitors entertaining tours of their facilities. These tours are capped off
with free sampling of their home-grown products. Some even celebrate the traditional Octoberfest, complete with
oom-pa-pa bands and dancing.
Micro breweries are also becoming increasingly popular, and are recognized for
the quality of their beers. A couple local breweries invite you to tour their facilities. You can even tour the site of one of the oldest breweries
in Lancaster County, then enjoy a delicious meal served in their vault 40 feet underground!
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Shopping
 Souvenirs are a part of every vacation trip. But you'll find more than touristy souvenirs
here. The work ethic and reputation of local craftsmen has brought special recognition for quality and design of
products made in Lancaster County. When you're visiting our retailers, you'll find a broad spectrum of quality merchandise, including quilts, craft items, hex signs, locally produced furniture, antiques, and much
more.
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 Antiques
Lancaster County also features one of the largest concentrations of antiques in
the country. Antique shops
abound throughout the county. Adamstown is known as the "Sunday Antiques Capital of the United States".
Over 3000 antique dealers gather here to display and sell their merchandise.
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Outlets Shopping
This area has also developed a reputation for factory outlet shopping.
Here, you'll find over 240 factory outlet stores featuring name brands and quality merchandise prices at reduced
prices.
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Amish Quilts
 Lancaster
County has been called America's quilt capital. Many Amish
quilts are passed down from generation to generation as family heirlooms.
Here you'll find hundreds of quilts, wall-hangings, and pillows at our many gift and craft shops. Sometimes the
Amish sell quilts and homemade craft items right in their homes.
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Accommodations
 Finally, after a long day of sightseeing and shopping, you can settle back for a good night's
sleep with our fresh country air and our comfortable accommodations. Here, you'll find major hotels, quality independent properties, bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds that have earned national recognition.
You can even spend the night on a working farm. Around here, people are anxious to serve up heaping portions of Pennsylvania Dutch hospitality.
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