Pennsylvania Dutch Country

The people and culture are the primary tourist draw in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, the largest Amish and Mennonite settlement in the world, and plenty of attractions have been created to allow visitors a glimpse into their way of life. It can sometimes be difficult to sift through the tourist traps and find more legitimate cultural experiences, so it always helps to ask a local, like a friendly innkeeper, to point you in the right direction.

Taking a horse-and-buggy ride [1] with an Amish or Mennonite guide is a good way to have your questions answered and take in the landscape. And while the Amish are the primary draw, the area also offers more contemporary attractions like theaters, fine dining, and antiques.

The city of Lancaster [2] makes a good base for exploring, or if you prefer a more small-town experience, check out Lititz, Ephrata, Bird-in-Hand, Adamstown, Paradise, Strasburg, or Intercourse.

Getting to Pennsylvania Dutch Country

The heart of Dutch Country is about 65 miles, or 1.5 hours by car, from Philadelphia [3]. It can be reached via I-76 West (Schuylkill Expressway) to U.S. 202 South to U.S. 30 West, or by taking I-76 to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Since much of the area is wide-open roads and farmland, it is best to have a car for a leisurely tour.

However, there is a train that runs from Philadelphia into the city of Lancaster (Amtrak, 800/872-7245, www.amtrak.com [4]), and local bus service within Lancaster and nearby towns, including Ephrata and Lititz (Red Rose Transit Authority, 717/397-4246, www.redrosetransit.com [5]).