Category: Amish Lifestyle
2023 Mud Sales You Don’t Want to Miss in Lancaster PA
March 13, 2023Local Pennsylvania Fun, Food, and Festivities
Whether you’re a local or just visiting the Lancaster area, mud sales are an exciting way to spend a spring or summer day. A tradition that has been around since the 1800s, mud sales are held throughout the Amish and Mennonite countryside of Lancaster County. These sales feature auctions, food vendors, and entertainment for the whole family. The best part about traveling to new and interesting places is experiencing the local culture. Part of Lancaster PA’s historical culture can be experienced during these exciting and unique mud sales.
Christmas Traditions in Amish Country
December 8, 2022Amish Country Christmas Traditions & Customs
The Christmas traditions in Amish Country are full of old-fashioned customs and activities that keep the holiday season alive. Christmas is a special time for many of us, but for the Amish, it’s a chance to come together and celebrate their culture. Whether you live nearby or plan on visiting one day soon, you won’t want to miss out on experiencing these unique holiday traditions for yourself! From candlelit decorations to special meals shared among family members or friends, it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience! Let’s take a look at some of these unique holiday traditions.
The Charm of Fall in Lancaster PA
October 17, 2022Fall in Lancaster Pennsylvania is a must-see!
Enjoy the charm of fall in Lancaster PA. As the leaves begin to change colors and the weather gets colder, there’s no better place to be than in Lancaster Pennsylvania. With so many charming things to see and do, you’ll fall in love with fall, all over again. From taking in the sights of Lancaster County, to enjoying all the delicious local food, here’s why fall in Lancaster PA is a must-see.
One of a Kind Amish Country Tradition
Lancaster County is famous for its Amish community, which provides plenty of charming sights to see and adventures to experience. Take a horse and buggy ride through the rolling hills or visit an Amish farm for a taste of country living. You can also find plenty of local craftsmanship in the many shops around Lancaster County. Be sure to pick up some Thanksgiving decorations while you’re there!
Unique Vacation Ideas – Must Visit Hidden Gems in Amish Country
July 26, 2022Top Reasons to Visit Amish Country PA on your Unique Vacation
If you’re like most people, you want your much deserved travel time to be used for a unique vacation that offer experiences that are very different than your everyday life. Your vacation should be relaxing, but also allow you to learn and experience different foods, music and cultures. With the changing world, it isn’t always easy to get out of the country to experience these things anymore. Fortunately, now you can have a unique vacation full of fun and unforgettable experiences with your family, without breaking the bank. The best part is that you can do that right here in the United States! Not in the US? Seeing and experiencing all that Pennsylvania’s Amish Country has to offer is definitely worth a trip over!
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.
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:
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…
Where Do Amish People Live?
June 17, 2021The first large group of Amish arrived in the U.S. in the early 1800s and settled in Lancaster County, PA, according to Learn Religions.
Pennsylvania has the largest population of Amish people, estimated at more than 81,000 in 2020 according to “Amish Population, 2020.” (Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College.) In fact, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is home to approximately 30,000 Amish and their presence is a significant draw for tourism. Chester, York, Belleville, and Mifflin counties are also home to Amish communities.
The Amish have also have increasingly settled in Ohio, most notably in Holmes County. Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia have also experienced a large increase in Amish settlements.
Amish settlements also exist outside the United States. You’ll find Amish communities in in Canada, Bolivia, and Argentina and more.
7 Weirdly Named Amish and PA Dutch Foods You’ll Love
May 27, 2021Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish food offerings are some of the heartiest dishes you’ll experience. The baked goods and desserts available in Lancaster County are hard to beat. The names of certain Dutch foods can be a bit odd, though.
When you stay at AmishView Inn & Suites, you’ll be in the heart of Lancaster’s Amish Country and have immediate access to some of these delicacies. You can find many of these at charming roadside stands. Also, nearby Miller’s Smorgasbord features locally made snacks, cheese, jams, and coffee so flavorful you won’t mind the morning’s alarm.
We encourage you to take a trip to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, for a culinary adventure and discover these tasty PA Dutch foods. We believe you’ll soon be a fan of these delicious Amish Country edibles despite their seemingly weird names.
Visit Lancaster County During Mud Sale Season 2021
February 23, 2021(Link to 2022 Updates)
Mud sales in Lancaster County are back this year! It’s not the full lineup that we’re used to, but some mud sales are still planned for 2021.
What’s a Mud Sale?
Mud sales are auctions and large “yard sale” type events mostly held in the spring in Lancaster County. The weather usually brings spring showers, which can create muddy grounds.
Members of the Plain Community as well as “English” (non-Amish or Mennonite) residents and visitors attend the events to find great prices on items, including Amish-made quilts, farm tools and equipment, and more.