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For many people, thoughts of delectable cooking and Amish buggies come to mind when hearing “Lancaster Country, Pennsylvania.” This is, in large part, a reality.
Lancaster County is indeed home to many Amish families, and most everyone agrees on the delight of Pennsylvania Dutch cooking.
Since Lancaster County’s formation in 1729, farming has been an significant part of this area. A sightseeing tour will show you many farms throughout the county. Many of these are run by Amish families. You won’t see tractors in those fields, however. You will see plowing the old-fashioned way with the farmer walking behind the plow.
There are many things to see and do in Lancaster County. You may want to start out with a genuine Amish buggy ride. There are various places in town that offer this. In nearby Strasburg, trains run to see the Lancaster countryside by rail.
Your next stop might be the “Amish Farm & House.” It is a tour of an old Amish farmhouse and you will hear about the lifestyle of the Amish. This is only one of a few places that offer such a tour.
Lancaster houses a large amusement park called Dutch Wonderland. There are many rides, shows, and of course, the amusement park food that is sure to please any family member.
Museums dot the area as well as craft shows, family activity centers, and many restaurants offering the familiar Pennsylvania Dutch fare. Landis Valley Museum is an 18th and 19th century “working” Pennsylvania German town, and an enjoyable day can be spent watching the artisans create their magic.
Lancaster is also known for its many shopping outlets. Local crafts of many varieties are also available around town. For a noteworthy shopping experience, a trip to Lancaster will always be a pleasure.
In nearby Ephrata, a trip through an 18th century monastery is available. It is called the Ephrata Cloister. This was home to a Seventh-Day Baptist community. Lives in the cloister were disciplined and very busy. Blocks of wood show the “pillows” for their firm wooden beds, and doorways were designed very short. The reason is so community members entering the buildings would have to stoop, and thus show humbleness.
No matter what activities provide a memorable family vacation for you, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania is sure to help create some wonderful vacation memories.
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