I spent a weekend with the Amish in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

One day, I was scrolling on YouTube, looking for something to watch, and came across a documentary discussing the Amish in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Time seemed to move slowly, and I was captivated by learning about their lifestyle and watching the interviewer follow them and record their daily routines, a far cry from modern living. 

I was with a friend, and we were enjoying a glass of wine while we watched this unique world play out on screen. At one point, it dawned on me to take a trip and visit for myself. I pulled up my GPS, and Lancaster was a little over a three-hour drive from New York City. 

Before we finished the second glass of wine, we booked a hotel and planned the itinerary for that weekend. We realized the following Monday was Memorial Day, so we thought it was timely to see the documentary, and we jumped on the opportunity for a quick road trip. 

Visiting Lancaster County turned out to be incredible, and it’s an underrated plan I recommend for anyone looking for something unique to do. 

A little history & background on the Amish community in Pennsylvania

The Amish community is an incredibly unique group in the United States. 

I remember first learning about the Amish through my father’s friend, who hired them to do some construction on a local building in Warwick, my hometown in upstate New York. He was vocal about their dedication to craftsmanship and complimented the high-quality woodwork they produced. Maybe this is what initially spiked my interest in learning more. 

While there are other Amish communities in the United States, the Amish in Pennsylvania emigrated to the United States in the early 18th century to escape religious persecution in Europe [Source]. The closely related Mennonites live in Lancaster, but the Amish are known to be more conservative. 

The Amish were part of the early Anabaptist movement in Europe, with beliefs separating them from Catholics and Protestants and leading to their persecution. While there are differences between the Amish and Mennonite groups, their traditional plain clothing and way of life are far different than modern comforts. 

Their core beliefs include valuing community and rejecting individualistic attitudes and modernity (which includes technology, news, and electricity). 

Pennsylvania is beautiful, but I was disappointed when I arrived in Lancaster County. The problem wasn’t the area – but my expectations.

The Pennsylvania backroads are beautiful. 

Leaving New York City, I instantly felt a sense of relief and adventure. While I love the city lights, constant buzz, and adventure of life in a metropolis, it’s always nice to get away. A quick road trip is my favorite detox. 

Driving through Pennsylvania, there are plenty of rural landscapes and small towns with typical Northeastern architecture. Farmland and agricultural lands are meshed with 18th-century-style homes hiding the secrets of the country’s founding. 

While much of the drive was flatland, you occasionally get glimpses of the Allegheny and Pocono mountains, spanning Pennsylvania’s Northeast. 

We finally arrived in Lancaster County and my initial reaction was disappointment. I remember checking the GPS to make sure we didn’t take a wrong turn or end up on the wrong side of town. 

The problem wasn’t the area but my expectations. Based on what I observed in my research, I was expecting a community trapped in the past and streets rife with markets and a thriving Amish community. Well, I was wrong.  

Lancaster is similar to any other rural American County, with the Amish and Mennonite communities blended in with the locals. The land is shared, and the Amish community is an integral part of agriculture and they contribute to the local economy. 

Once I figured that out, I stopped driving around in circles, looking for this ideal I created in my mind. This is why traveling is so important! I had an idea that wasn’t actualized, yet the unexpected and unknown made the trip exciting. 

I learned that the best way to visit and experience the Amish community is through their own locally-run tours.

While I wish I had more photos from the trip, I tried to respect the culture and privacy of the locals. 

The Amish and Mennonite communities are part of the local tourism industry, and they know people travel to see them. Still, many seemed to prefer their solitude, only to be seen from the road in a horse and buggy. I tried to strike a balance between observing and respecting. 

The best way to experience the Amish community in Lancaster County is through a tour. 

I booked a horse and buggy tour through Abe’s Buggy Rides to get a feel for the area from a local point of view. I also took a guided farmhouse tour where a former Amish family lived. It’s incredible to see people living without electricity alongside locals. 

To my surprise, the Amish and Mennonite communities own and operate restaurants open to the public. I visited Hometown Kitchen, serving homemade Pennsylvania Dutch foods made by Amish cooks, and everything was fresh and delicious. The difference in quality when you’re eating food from local farms is astounding. I love the options in big cities, but small towns might be onto something!   

My takeaways – A newfound respect for Pennsylvania

Visiting the Amish community in Lancaster County ended up being a perfect weekend plan, and I had a newfound respect for Pennsylvania. 

It’s not the most popular state to visit, but Pennsylvania is packed with history and culture. With beautiful rolling hills and acres of well-manicured farmland, you’re not cheated out of beauty. Visiting insular communities who are open-minded and hospitable only amplified my trip. 

Overall, the Amish are reserved and appreciate their privacy. I’m glad we booked the tours to appreciate and learn about the lifestyle while respecting their home.

We don’t have time machines yet, so this is the next best thing! 

A side note before you go – Gettysburg is another hidden gem in Pennsylvania if you take a roadtrip!

Since the theme of this weekend was spontaneity, we realized Gettysburg was only an hour and a half from Lancaster County. 

The following Monday was Memorial Day, so we figured we would visit the town with the famous name and see where Abraham Lincoln delivered his speech through The Gettysburg Address. 

If you visit Lancaster, I highly recommend going to Gettysburg next.

The town is like a Civil War time capsule, with ghost tours, historical buildings, reenactments, and plenty of landmarks paying tribute to one of the biggest battles during the Civil War.

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Pennsylvania should have more tourism. I feel like it’s a highly underrated state to visit! 

Want to hear more of my travel stories? Read my article about visiting Texas for the first time as a New Yorker next!

(Featured Image Credit: Pack-Shot / Shutterstock)