A Taste of Amish Life in Lancaster County

We may be a little biased, but we think Lancaster County is simply beautiful – in so many ways. Home to the oldest and largest Amish settlement in the country, life here moves at a different pace. Visitors are drawn in by the sense of calm, simplicity, and deep-rooted tradition that defines the Amish way of life. Spending a day getting a glimpse of that world is one of the most memorable ways to explore this part of Pennsylvania.

See the Countryside by Horse and Buggy
One of the best ways to start your journey is by stepping off the gas pedal – literally – and hopping into a horse-drawn buggy. Local companies like Aaron and Jessica's Buggy Rides and Abe’s Buggy Rides offer guided tours that let you experience the roads like the Amish do. At Aaron and Jessica’s, the Country & Cookie Tour is a guest favorite. It’s a half-hour ride through an Amish farm, complete with a stop for fresh-baked cookies, root beer, and lemonade. Abe’s offers private rides down winding backroads that pass by Amish schoolhouses, farms, and charming bridges, with the longer tours including a visit to a bake shop known for its rich, sticky shoofly pies.

Share a Traditional Amish Meal
For an even deeper experience, join the Lapp family at their home for a traditional Amish dinner. Samuel and Ruth Lapp serve comfort food from recipes passed down through generations – think baked chicken, roast beef with gravy, garden vegetables, and warm homemade bread with strawberry preserves. It’s a hearty, home-cooked meal made even better by the warm hospitality of the family. The Amish Farm & House offers a sunset dinner tour. It starts with a stroll through a working farm and a historic house, followed by a scenic drive and dinner in the home of an Amish family. Along with the home-style meal, you'll enjoy meaningful conversation and a look at everyday life on the farm.

Step onto a Working Amish Farm
Another way to understand the Amish way of life is by touring their farms. Old Order Amish Tours is known for being especially authentic. There's no show or reenactment – just honest, respectful visits to Amish farms and homes. Depending on the season, you might witness milking time, fieldwork with Belgian horses, or quiet moments inside a home lit without electricity. The Amish Experience, a Lancaster staple for more than 65 years, takes things a step further with guided tours of Amish homesteads, farmlands, and even a one-room schoolhouse. You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the values that shape this community.

Discover the Taste of Lancaster at Roadside Stands
Of course, you can’t truly experience Lancaster County without sampling the seasonal treats and handmade goods found at roadside farm stands. Zook’s Roadside Stand is a local legend, known for its baked goods and produce for over 50 years. Busy Bee’s Farm Market has beautiful crafts in addition to produce, while the market at Kauffman’s Fruit Farm offers fresh apple cider and cider donuts that are hard to beat. Stop by Stoltzfus Produce in Leola for outdoor chicken barbecue on summer Saturdays, or head to Countryside Road Stand in Ronks for hand-rolled pretzels and homemade birch beer.

Admire the Craftsmanship of Amish Quilts
And then there are the quilts. Amish and Mennonite women have turned quilt-making into an art form, and the results are nothing short of stunning. At Lancaster Home and Fabric, you’ll find thousands of fabrics and quilting supplies, along with an impressive selection of handcrafted quilts. The Quilt Shop at Miller’s showcases work from local artisans, each quilt with its own story and stitch-by-stitch personality. In Bird-in-Hand, Fisher’s Handmade Quilts and the Log Cabin Quilt Shop offer an up-close look at pieces that have taken weeks—or even months—to complete. These aren’t just blankets; they’re heirlooms.

Rest and Recharge at The Lancaster Bed and Breakfast
After a full day exploring Amish country, retreat to the comfort of The Lancaster Bed and Breakfast. Built in 1912, our stately inn is the perfect place to relax. Sit by the fire, unwind by the goldfish pond, or sway on the porch swing with a cup of tea. And when morning comes, let us treat you to a hearty breakfast before your next adventure.