Philadelphia Excursions
Amish farming community © Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau
Dutch Country
Rated as one of the most popular summer drives in America, a
tour of Pennsylvania's Dutch Country is a relaxing and rewarding
experience, enjoyed by an estimated five million visitors every
year. Central to the area is Pennsylvania's scenic Lancaster
County, just one and a half hour's drive west of Philadelphia. The
main drawcard is the fascinating lifestyle of the local Amish
(plain Quaker) farming communities, who live according to age-old
traditions and values without making use of any modern
conveniences, even eschewing electricity and telephones. The area
abounds with interesting historic and rural attractions, including
28 picturesque covered bridges on quiet country roads, the oldest
Mennonite meeting house in America and the home of a former US
president. Many visitors opt to tour the area in a horse and buggy
or by bicycle. Another big attraction in the area is the food,
which, because of the local agriculture is 'fresh-from-the-farm'
home style cooking, all offered at local restaurants and markets.
To wash down the farm fare there are wineries and breweries open
for tours and tastings. Shopping for local crafts and antiques is
another popular pastime.
Address: Lancaster County;
Website: www.padutchcountry.com
