Discover Lancaster’s Amish Country: A 2025 Guide to Authentic Experiences Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, isn’t just a destination—it’s a journey into a simpler way of life. Home to the world’s largest Amish settlement, this region offers visitors a unique blend of tradition, craftsmanship, and pastoral beauty. From buggy rides through rolling farmlands to hands-on farm tours and quilt-lined country roads, here’s your guide to the best Amish experiences in Lancaster for 2025.
Step Into Amish Life: Top Attractions
1. Amish Farmhouse & Village Tours
The Amish Village (📍 199 Hartman Bridge Road, Ronks, PA | 🌐 amishvillage.com)
Tour a meticulously preserved 1840s Amish farmhouse and explore a 12-acre village with a one-room schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, and working windmill. The 25-minute guided tour ($14/adult) offers insights into Amish traditions, while self-guided walks let you meet farm animals and browse handmade quilts.
Old Windmill Farm (📍 545 Letort Road, Ronks, PA | 🌐 oldwindmillfarm.com)
Get your hands dirty during a 1-hour hands-on tour ($28/adult): milk cows, gather eggs, and harvest vegetables. Seasonal add-ons like the Autumn Farmhouse Tour include fresh-picked produce to take home.
2. Buggy Rides Through the Countryside
A is for Amish Buggy Rides (📍 Red Caboose Motel, 312 Paradise Lane, Ronks, PA | 🌐 amishbuggyrideslancaster.com)
Cruise the 3.2-mile “Amish Paradise Trail” ($20/adult) past Strasburg Railroad and working farms. Complimentary petting zoo and picnic areas included.
Abe’s Buggy Rides (📍 2596 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand, PA | 🌐 abesbuggyride.com)
Choose from 5 routes, including a 6.5-mile ride ($65/adult) past camel herds and Amish schools. Private 2.5-hour tours ($350/group) include stops at bake shops famous for shoofly pie.
3. Share a Meal in an Amish Home
Several local families open their kitchens for authentic Pennsylvania Dutch meals. Enjoy dishes like chicken pot pie, mashed potatoes, and shoofly pie while chatting with hosts about their daily lives. Book through The Amish Farm & House (📍 2395 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA | 🌐 amishfarmandhouse.com).
Handcrafted Treasures & Local Flavors
4. Quilts, Furniture & Artisan Goods
- Amish Village Shops: Find hex-sign-adorned furniture and quilts with intricate “Dutch Girl” patterns.
- Mud Sales: Attend seasonal auctions (February–April) supporting volunteer fire companies. Hunt for antiques, tools, and handmade crafts.
5. Farm-to-Table Markets
King’s Farmstead & Market (📍 Adams County, near Gettysburg – a short drive from Lancaster)
While not in Lancaster proper, this market exemplifies Amish agricultural pride with organic produce and pasture-raised meats.
Stoltzfus Meats & Bakery (📍 1144 Main Street, Intercourse, PA)
A Lancaster staple for smoked meats, whoopie pies, and fresh-baked bread.
Why Visit in 2025?
- New Additions: Expanded hours at Abe’s Buggy Rides and seasonal workshops at Old Windmill Farm.
- Sustainable Tourism: Many farms now offer “farm stay” programs, letting guests participate in daily chores.
Tips for Your Visit
- Respect Boundaries: Avoid photographing Amish faces without permission.
- Plan Ahead: Buggy rides often sell out by midday; book online where possible.
- Dress Comfortably: Farm tours involve walking on uneven terrain.
Final Thought: Lancaster’s Amish Country isn’t frozen in time—it’s a living, breathing community where tradition meets quiet innovation. Whether you’re gathering eggs at dawn or savoring warm apple butter on fresh bread, these experiences linger long after the buggy wheels stop turning.
Citations:
[1] https://amishbuggyrideslancaster.com
[2] https://www.amishvillage.com/our-tours/farmhouse-village-tours/
[3] https://aaabuggyrides.com
[4] https://oldwindmillfarm.com/our-tours/farm-tour/
[5] https://abesbuggyride.com
[6] https://oldwindmillfarm.com
[7] https://amishbuggyrides.com/rates/
[8] https://www.amishfarmandhouse.com