Amish Farming Traditions Survive in 21st Century
June 15, 2022A trip to Lancaster County is not complete without getting a firsthand look at Amish farming. Whether you take in the views of the countryside on the Strasburg Railroad, drive down the winding roads of the eastern part of the county by car, or visit the tourist attractions such as Plain & Fancy Farm, or The Amish Farm & House, you don’t want to miss this very integral part of Lancaster County.
In today’s fast-paced world, a trip through Amish farming country takes the visitor back to an earlier time when family, faith, and friendships were the focus instead of speed, spending, and over-scheduling.
The Amish have a long history of farming with horses and mules, dating back to when horse-drawn plows were first used to break up the earth. While some newer Amish farms have begun to use tractor-drawn equipment, many Amish farmers still prefer to use horse-drawn implements. The Amish believe that farming with horses and mules is a more humane way of raising crops, as it allows the animals to play an active role in the process, making Amish farming more environmentally friendly.
Stewards of the Land
This may seem to be a step back in technology, but there are actually several advantages to farming with animals. For one, horses and mules are much less likely to compact the soil than heavy machinery. The Amish see this as taking care of the soil, being better stewards of the earth. They also believe that it allows them to connect with the land in a deeper way, to stay close to nature and to live in accordance with God’s will. As one Amish farmer stated, “Using horses helps us remember that we’re farming God’s land, not just working it.”
June Special Events in Dutch Country
May 12, 2022Activities galore are in store for you when you visit various Pennsylvania Dutch areas of Lancaster County in June.
- Support a worthy cause— shop the wares offered by Middletown Piecemakers Quilt Guild at the Quilt Shop at Miller’s from June 8 to July 13–and your purchases will benefit a wonderful group of quilters who are doing marvelous things to brighten the lives of those in need with their colorful handmade items.
- Experience local food, music, history, and community at Intercourse Heritage Days June 17-18.
- Add a spark to your visit with our special Getaway Enhancement – a discounted package of benefits when you book your hotel room at the best place to stay in Lancaster, Amishview Inn and Suites.
Middletown Quilt Guild
June is Benefit Month at the Quilt Shop at Miller’s! From June 8 to July 13, you can enjoy shopping from a broad range of quilts, crafts, and other handy items, with the proceeds from this sale benefiting the Middletown Piecemakers Quilt Guild.
Types of Amish Quilts: Plan a Weekend in Lancaster to Learn More
April 9, 2022In Amish and Mennonite communities, quilts mark milestones such as marriage and birth. The creativity, craftsmanship, and detail that goes into each quilt makes them highly desirable and valuable. Amish quilts are displayed in art museums, admired for their beauty and the skills needed to create them. Yet they also are available in local country stores.
What are the types of Amish quilts? In Lancaster, you will find Amish quilts in these general categories:
Weekend Getaway for Couples in Pa: Escape to Amish Country
March 4, 2022It’s been a challenging two years, hasn’t it? But with mask mandates lifting and COVID cases diminishing, folks are shedding cabin fever.
Are you among the many looking for a weekend getaway for couples in Pennsylvania? At AmishView Inn and Suites, couples get a boutique hotel experience. With farm views, nearby shops, and access to Amish experiences, a weekend getaway in Lancaster County can be jam-packed with fun activities or completely serene with plenty of on-site amenities.
Many of our guests return year after year. Couples looking for a romantic getaway often choose AmishView, opting to stay at our five-story adults-only hotel building.
“Once a month, we get away from the everyday hustle of work to focus on us,” one guest recently shared. “The peace of the grounds, with its picturesque scene, the AmishView sunsets, the Grand King Room with the tub…I look forward to every visit, time and time again.” Read further for ideas for a great weekend getaway for couples in PA.
Amish Mud Sales in Lancaster 2022
February 15, 2022Every year, the Lancaster County community comes together to support local volunteer fire companies through various mud sales. The sales start in early spring and continue into the fall. Amish mud sales will be held in several towns and will feature items sold on consignment, with monies going toward various volunteer fire companies.
From the Strasburg Spring Consignment & Mud Sale Feb. 25-26 to the Gordonville Fall Sale and Auction Sept. 17, you’re sure to find one worth attending. You’ll find a comprehensive list at LancasterPa.com.
What Is Better for You, Beer or Wine? (Enjoy Both in Lancaster County)
January 31, 2022Beer and wine may add to your enjoyment during your leisure time. Over the years, many have posed the question: Which is better for you, beer or wine? Beer offers more nutritional value than wine, however, wine contains fewer calories. Moreover, red wine provides antioxidants. Both beer and wine can provide some health benefits when consumed in moderation. Your health goals and personal preference determine the best of the two.
With this question not having a clear-cut answer, one might have to do some research and explore the options available. Lancaster is home to many great breweries and wineries for such discovery, and an extended stay at AmishView Inn & Suites will give you the time you need to taste the best beers and wines in the area.
First, let’s get into some details about beer and wine and answer some questions you might have.
Christmas in Lancaster, PA: Book an Extended Weekend Stay & Get Festive!
November 18, 2021While it’s not likely Lancaster, Pennsylvania, will experience a white Christmas (based on information provided by The National Centers for Environmental Information), the probability of Lancaster experiencing a super festive holiday is high.
Christmas in Lancaster, PA, promises to be event-filled starting Dec. 1 and continuing through the New Year. It’s the perfect time of year to plan an extended weekend stay at AmishView Inn & Suites, where you’ll start each day with an amazing hot breakfast, one of the best buffets experienced by travelers and sure to keep you well-sated for a day filled with activities.
Enjoy an Amish Thanksgiving During an Extended Weekend in Lancaster County
October 18, 2021While October’s peak foliage attracts many visitors to the area, soon guests will have holidays on their minds and we can’t think of a better destination than Lancaster County for a celebration of blessings and bountiful harvests!
We have rooms and suites offering breathtaking views of Amish Country and encourage you to call for availability as soon as possible. Visit our site’s Offers page to see updated information on special packages and enhancements to your accommodations.
Read further to learn more about Thanksgiving in Lancaster County.
Enjoy Lancaster Farm-to-Table Food in the Heart of Amish Country
September 21, 2021Farm-to-table food is nothing new to Lancaster County; many of us experience it each day and have since childhood. With the proliferation of roadside farm stands throughout the county, it’s not out of the ordinary to eat dishes made from ingredients sourced from local farms.
Farm-to-table cuisine, of course, is healthier than processed foods and the flavors more robust.
The guests at AmishView Inn & Suites experience farm-to-table foods at its restaurant and at Smokehouse BBQ & Brews. Both venues use vegetables and fruits grown at the hotel in its homemade recipes.
Our small “farm” at the Inn includes tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, potatoes, and a strawberry variety that grows in spring and fall! Many of the restaurants nearby use authentic Amish-grown ingredients in their dishes, which is why Lancaster is a favorite food destination.
But just what is the meaning of “farm-to-table”? Read on to learn more about this movement and how Lancaster County has a lot to offer visitors hoping to experience it.
How Do the Amish Dress? Learn More About Our Neighbors
August 20, 2021The unique practices of Amish people make them one of North America’s most fascinating religious subcultures. Visitors to Lancaster County, PA, are often intrigued by the simpler way of life embraced by the Amish. Their way of dress is one of the most overt signs of simplicity.
How do the Amish dress? They adhere to the ordnung, a biblically-based expectation/blueprint that emphasizes separation from the English world and to be “non conformed.” Their manner of dress may vary among settlements, but generally can be described as modest and plain, without embellishments.
Some groups banish the use of buttons, zippers, and eye-and-hook fasteners, while other groups use them on their clothing. Fabrics are typically plain and muted hues of purple.
Their clothing is an outward form of their inward spirituality and is founded, partly, in the scripture: “Be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
This ordnung is not in writing but, instead, is taught verbally from one generation to the next among the Amish people. Specific details can vary across church districts and Amish settlements, according to “The Riddle of Amish Culture” by Donald B. Kraybill. Let’s take a closer look…