Nothing beats stumbling upon the Brown Top Buggy Amish in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. This vibrant settlement, centered around 3294 State Route 168, New Wilmington, PA 16172, offers an authentic glimpse into Amish life with its signature reddish-brown topped carriages clip-clopping past rolling farmlands. Tucked 60 miles north of Pittsburgh in Lawrence County, it’s a peaceful detour for road trippers seeking tradition amid modern bustle.
Heart of the Brown Top Buggy Heritage
The Brown Top Buggy Amish trace roots to 1847 when nine Byler families pioneered this corner of western Pennsylvania, establishing a community known for its distinctive buggy tops—a muddy yellow-brown hue setting them apart from gray Lancaster or black Ohio styles. Today, about 200 households farm, run sawmills, and craft furniture, blending Old Order faith with subtle progress like shared phone shanties. Blue doors on homes signal their unique customs, while women in deep bonnets tend gardens bursting with produce.
Visitors flock here for the unhurried pace: watch buggies navigate Route 168 or peek at quilt barns dotting the hills. The settlement spans New Wilmington and nearby Volant, a tourist-friendly village with Amish markets. Open to respectful outsiders, it’s ideal for a half-day immersion after hiking Moraine State Park or touring Westminster College.
Spotlight on Byler’s Family Restaurant
At the community’s hub stands Byler’s Family Restaurant, 3294 State Route 168, New Wilmington, PA 16172—a cozy eatery serving farm-fresh Amish fare daily from 7 AM to 8 PM (closed Sundays). Housed in a plain brick building with wide porches, it seats 100 amid wooden beams and pie cases, drawing English families alongside locals.
The menu shines with homemade staples: Chicken Pot Pie ($12.50), a buttery-crusted classic with slow-simmered hen, potatoes, and carrots in velvety gravy. Shoofly Pie ($5 slice) delivers molasses magic—wet-bottom gooeyness under crumbly topping. Hearty Beef and Noodles ($14) features tender roast over thick egg noodles, while Whoopie Pies ($3.50) sandwich chocolate cake with cream filling.
Breakfast stars Scrapple and Pancakes ($9.75), crispy pork loaf with sorghum syrup stacks. Lunch favorites include Ham Loaf Sandwich ($10) on fresh rye and Vegetable Soup ($6 bowl), packed with corn, beans, and herbs from nearby plots. All baked goods hail from community ovens, emphasizing abundance and simplicity.
Glowing Reviews from Road Warriors
Diners rave about Byler’s authenticity. “That shoofly pie transported me to grandma’s kitchen—sweet, sticky perfection after a buggy-spotting drive!” exclaims Pittsburgh traveler Lisa R. on Yelp. Local guide Tom K. shares, “Beef and noodles hit the spot post-hike; portions feed an army, prices stay humble. Brown buggies outside made it magical.”amishamerica+1
TripAdvisor’s Sarah M. posts, “Family devoured pot pies; servers in caps shared buggy lore. A must for PA Dutch fans!” Google reviewer Mike D. adds, “Scrapple breakfast fueled our Volant shopping spree—crispy, flavorful, zero frills.” With 4.7 stars, praise highlights warmth: “Felt like kin at supper,” says retiree Ellen P. Tour groups love the no-reservations policy for 20-plus.
Volant shop owner Jenny L. notes, “Amish owners source everything local; it’s the real deal amid tourist traps.” Even city slickers convert: “Doubted plain food’s thrill; Byler’s proved flavors bloom simply,” raves urban explorer Dave S.
Weaving into Your Pennsylvania Adventure
Slot Brown Top Buggy into a Pittsburgh-to-Amish Country loop: breakfast at Byler’s, then buggy-watch along State Route 168 before Volant’s pottery and cheese shops. Five minutes away, New Wilmington Mission Inn offers B&B stays with Amish views. Summer brings produce stands; fall, harvest festivals with hayrides.
This community sustains via carpentry sales and farming, inviting tourists to buy jams or furniture directly. Respect rules—no photos of faces, yield to buggies. Winter stews warm after snowshoeing at nearby McConnells Mill State Park.
For tourists craving genuine Amish vibes minus crowds, Brown Top Buggy delivers soul-stirring simplicity. Pair it with a drive-through farmhouse tour for memories that linger like fresh pie.
Check sources
- https://amishamerica.com/what-colors-are-amish-buggies/
- https://amishamerica.com/blue-doors-brow/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw_tnd2gEco
- https://amishamerica.com/amish-enon-valley-pennsylvania/
- https://amishfarmandhouse.com/blog/colorful-amish-buggies/
- https://www.facebook.com/amishamerica/posts/the-6-amish-buggy-colors-from-most-common-to-rarest1-black2-gray3-brown4-white5-/1023924846436358/
- https://visitbigvalley.com/explaining-buggy-colors/52927/uncategorized/admin/
- https://www.facebook.com/SimpleLifeinNewWilmingtonPa/posts/a-glimpse-into-amish-life-in-new-wilmington-pa-what-you-see-here-isnt-just-a-pea/1134971532062297/
- https://plainandfancygirl.com/2014/03/29/amish-buggies-they-come-in-colors/