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 five million people visit Lancaster County 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. So, let's take a look at much of what awaits you here in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

PA Dutch Foods

Due to the agricultural productivity of this area, one of the most popular attractions here is the 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.

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!

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.

Outlet 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.

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.

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.

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 lodging chains, 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.

So, come to the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and get away from it all. All of our attractions and services are waiting to extend to you a hearty "Wilkum".