Lancaster County Pennsylvania Amish RV Travel Destination

Laid Back Lancaster County

If you are tired of the glitter and glitz of Las Vegas and the neon and plastic of Orlando, maybe you need to spend some time in slow moving Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where things are laid back and relaxed.

Home to one of the country’s largest populations of Amish, Lancaster County offers miles of back roads that wind past neat-as-a-pin farms, across covered bridges, through charming small towns, following along in the footsteps of Indians, pioneers, Colonial patriots, British Redcoats, Yankee and Rebel soldiers, common people, and famous statesmen.

Slow down as you pass a horse drawn buggy carrying an Amish family to market, pause beside a centuries old cemetery and think about the lives of the people who rest here, enjoy a delicious meal prepared and served home style in a country restaurant, browse the small town shops, and search for treasures at the local flea markets. You won’t find all of the hustle and bustle you may be used to in some other places, but in Lancaster County you will discover simple pleasures and come away with memories you will cherish for a lifetime.

The first Amish arrived in Lancaster County in the early 1700s as part of William Penn’s Holy Experiment in religious freedom. Facing religious persecution in Europe, here they found a home where they could live the simple life their religious beliefs dictated. They do not adopt many of the modern conveniences we take for granted, such as automobiles and electricity, and their plain manner of dressing indicates their humbleness and lack of interest in worldly fashions. Their focus is on their family and their faith.

Today the Amish of Lancaster County live and work beside their non-Amish neighbors, operating farms and small cottage industries selling quilts, furniture, and other items to visitors. The Amish are a friendly people, but visitors are asked to respect their beliefs and lifestyle. Remember that they are not costumed actors, but people going about their everyday lives. The Amish do not believe in being photographed and most will politely refuse if asked, or turn away so their faces are not included in the photo. Be careful when driving in Amish country. Slow down when passing buggies and do not blow your horn, which can spook their horses and cause an accident.

Covered bridges are synonymous with Lancaster County, and there are plenty to be found on a drive down the back roads. Most are still in use today, and all make great subjects for photography or painting.

The small towns in Lancaster County offer many shopping and dining experiences. Here you will find general stores that seem stuck in a time warp, offering old fashioned washboards, oil lamps, overalls, and farm implements, arts and crafts shops where you can purchase unique hand made items, and stores offering Amish quilts, hex signs, apple butter, and furniture.

You will never go hungry in Lancaster County! Dozens of excellent restaurants ranging from family dining to buffets offer delicious food that will fill your tummy and stick to your ribs. One very popular eating spot is the Shady Maple Smorgasbord east of the community of Blue Ball. Besides more food than you can ever eat in a lifetime, here you will also find a nice farmers market, crafts shop and other Amish offerings.

History surrounds you here! Buildings that have been standing since before the American Revolution can be found in every town, and many famous Americans spent time in or passed through Lancaster County. President James Buchanan’s home, Wheatland, is at 1120 Marietta Avenue in Lancaster. Steamboat inventor Robert Fulton was born in Quarryville, and the Cornwall Iron Furnace supplied cannons to the Revolutionary Army.

You may come for the scenery, the food, or just to relax as you experience life at a slower pace. Whatever the reason, one thing is for sure – visit Lancaster County once and you will want to return!