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Where long ago is never far awayLancaster County, PABy Sandra Scott
Learn more about the “plain people” at the Amish Farm and House, which features sleighs, waterwheels, and old-order furnishings illustrating how Pennsylvania's Amish lived during the 1800's. The 90-minute tour includes an in-depth look at the life and culture of this religious sect. The house features authentic items that span over a 250-year-old period. The farm encompasses 25-acres of land and provides a first-hand look at structures like a limekiln, blacksmith shop, and windmill. There is also a museum that features early Americana artifacts offering quests the opportunity to take a hand at milking a cow.
The Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park is a family fun-park loaded with rides and games for kids of all ages, including the new VR Voyager, a flight simulator.
The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down as there is a variety of theatrical presentations from the American Music Theater offering musical revues to Dutch Apple Dinner Theater where popular Broadway show are presented. Especially popular are the Bible epics at Sight and Sound Millennium Theater such as the renowned musicals, “Noah,” “Behold the Lamb,” and “Abraham and Sarah.” The attractions are many and varied. Try to include a visit Ephrata Cloister, a German religious community founded in 1732 and enjoy the unique architecture and special exhibits. The community was renowned for its artistic skills, which include original music and a form of broken letter calligraphy known as "Fraktur." The community dissolved in 1934.
The area is well-noted for its hearty Pennsylvania Dutch food featured at many restaurants throughout the country. Visit the Lancaster Farmer’s Market plus some of the food shops and companies. The Sturgis Pretzel House in Lititz, is noted on the National Register of Historic Places as America's first commercially marketed pretzel factory. The bakery, originally owned by bread maker Julius Sturgis, began making and selling the twisty snacks in 1861. The Sturgis Pretzel House still houses the 200-year-old ovens where the bread creations were baked. Or, visit the Cannery in Intercourse where you can watch the canning of local produce before buying their Amish peanut butter, pickled veggies, jams and more.
Images by Sandra Scott, John Scott, and Lancaster County CVB (farm scene) |
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Lancaster,
Pennsylvania, in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is “where long ago is
never far away.” During the 18th century it was the most important inland city
in the United States. Today Lancaster County is an exciting combination of old
and new with a variety of attractions. 
The
biggest draw is the ambiance, the feeling of stepping back into a slower and
more peaceful time. Pennsylvania Dutch Country is home to a community of Amish,
Mennonites and Brethren collectively known as “Plain People.” They started
arriving during the 1720s and are unified on the issues of separation of church
and state, a Bible-centered life, and the importance of family and community.
The
core of the Pennsylvania Dutch region is a string of towns, farms and sights to
the east of Lancaster, the area's main city. Travel Route 340, the Old
Philadelphia Pike, through the towns of Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse, or Route
30, which is lined by dairy farms, guesthouses and crafts workshops. 
Most
Pennsylvania Dutch live on carefully manicured farms, but because of a rising
population, urbanization and other outside pressures, many also now work in
small-scale industries, producing quilts, furniture and crafts. The Amish refer
to anyone outside their community as “English,” wherever they might be from.
Remember that the “Plain People” do not like to have their pictures taken.
Start
your visit at the Heritage Center Museum of Lancaster, located in Penn Square,
where displays and exhibits focus on “plain people” and the history of the area.
Items on exhibit include such relics as furniture, artwork, and Amish dolls. The
museum is located in a historic building that dates back to the late 18th
century and once housed Lancaster's City Hall. Nearby is the newly opened
Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum featuring quilts unique to the Amish of
Lancaster County.
A
variety of attractions have grown up in the area to meet the needs of the
ever-growing number of tourists to the area. In nearby Strasburg take the train
to Paradise, travel in the dining car or an open-sided coach, get off and picnic
in Groff’s Grove. You can get in the spirit by staying at Caboose Motel located
along the rail route. Nearby get lost in the Maize Maze as you explore the
labyrinth of trails cut into a farmer’s cornfield. 
Few
places have as many antique shops, malls, and auctions as Lancaster County.
Aside from the enormous antique centers, treasures can be found in dozens of
antique shops and boutiques along many of the Main Streets of the area’s many
small towns. 
To
see the grandeur of 19th century life, visit Wheatland, home to America's only
bachelor president, James Buchanan. The rooms are elegantly decorated in
Victorian style and illustrate the luxuries of life during this time period.
Sitting on four acres, the property contains the mansion, carriage house, and
various outbuildings. In December, special candlelight tours are given of the
home. 
From
balloon rides to buggy rides, from antiques to pretzels, from dinner theater to
train rides, from Maze Maize to ghost tours, Lancaster County has something for
everyone. There are so many things to see and do in Lancaster County that
visitors return again and again to enjoy what they missed on earlier trips.