Tag: Visit Lancaster
Trip Itinerary to Celebrate America 250 in Lancaster County
February 13, 2026Key Takeaways: Your America 250 History Itinerary
- A Landmark Celebration: Join the national celebration of America’s 250th birthday with a curated journey through Lancaster County—a region uniquely blending Revolutionary leadership, colonial faith, and the pursuit of freedom.
- Four Days of Discovery: Experience a comprehensive “History Hub” itinerary covering the Ephrata Cloister, President James Buchanan’s Wheatland, the nation’s oldest farmers market, and the new Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center.
- Diverse American Stories: Explore the layered history of the region, from the endurance of Amish agricultural traditions and Pennsylvania German craftsmanship to the pivotal roles played in the Underground Railroad and early American modern art.
- Interactive Heritage: Enhance your visit with seasonal hands-on farm demonstrations, historic steam train rides, and guided walking tours that reveal Lancaster’s brief tenure as the United States capital.
- The Perfect Home Base: Stay in the heart of history at AmishView Inn & Suites, offering a tranquil countryside retreat with convenient, central access to every landmark on the America 250 trail.
Why Stay at an Adult-Only Hotel?
August 28, 2024Adult-only hotels or hotels offering adult-only accommodations, like the luxurious adult-only East Building at AmishView Inn & Suites in Lancaster, are gaining popularity among travelers seeking a tranquil and tailored experience. These accommodations cater specifically to adults looking for a peaceful getaway, free from the lively energy that children bring.
Enjoy Strawberry and Cherry Picking in Lancaster County
June 12, 2024Key Takeaways: Summer Fruit Picking in Lancaster County
- Strawberry Season (Late May – June): Enjoy the peak of summer sweetness at family favorites like Cherry Hill Orchards, Shenk’s Berry Farm, and Barnyard Kingdom, which offer kid-friendly farm activities alongside the fields.
- Cherry Season (Starts Mid-June): Transition from berries to cherries at Kauffman Orchards and Stauffer’s Fruit Farm, where you can pick both sweet and sour varieties by the pound or bucket.
- Always Check Before You Go: Fruit ripening depends heavily on the weather; it is highly recommended to call the orchard or check their social media updates for daily picking conditions before heading out.
- Classic PA Dutch Dining: Round out your harvest day with a visit to Miller’s Smorgasbord, a Lancaster County staple for over 95 years, consistently recognized as one of USA Today’s 10 Best Buffets.
- The Perfect Summer Home Base: Stay at AmishView Inn & Suites to enjoy a gourmet breakfast buffet and easy access to the U-Pick fields, located right in the heart of the scenic Plain & Fancy Farm.
Lancaster County is the perfect destination for families and couples looking to enjoy the sweet flavors of summer with strawberry and cherry picking. This guide will help you discover some of the best spots for picking your own fresh fruit, along with other fun activities and excellent accommodations.
Amish Schools in Lancaster County, PA
March 12, 2024Key Takeaways: Understanding Amish Education
- One-Room Schoolhouses: Amish children in Lancaster County are educated in private, community-funded schoolhouses that typically serve up to 30 students from 1st through 8th grade in a single room.
- Core Curriculum: Education focuses on “the three Rs” (Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic) plus Geography and Spelling. Students are taught in both English and German, though “worldly” subjects like science are excluded.
- The 8th Grade Limit: Following the 1972 Supreme Court ruling Wisconsin v. Yoder, Amish children complete their formal schooling at age 14 to begin vocational training in farming, trades, or homemaking.
- Community-Led Teaching: Schools are lead by “schoolmarms” or “schoolmasters” who are chosen for their values and proficiency in Pennsylvania Dutch rather than formal college degrees.
- Experience an Authentic Schoolhouse: Visitors can tour a traditional one-room schoolhouse at the Amish Experience. Guests staying in a Grand King at AmishView Inn & Suites can often see local students walking to school in the mornings and playing in the school yard.
Nestled within the serene landscapes of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, lies the one room schoolhouses of the Amish. These schoolhouses teach up to 8th grade, all in one room.
Amish Clothing: A Window into Tradition and Values
February 29, 2024Key Facts about Amish Clothing in Lancaster County
- Amish attire embodies humility, modesty, and separation from the world, guided by strict Christian principles and unchanged for centuries.
- Women wear heart-shaped “kapp” head coverings from age 13, white daily and black for single women at church, per biblical mandates like 1 Corinthians 11:6.
- Men don plain dark trousers with suspenders (no belts), broad hats; women wear long solid-color dresses with aprons, fastened by pins or hooks instead of buttons/zippers to reject vanity.
- Subdued colors (black, navy, brown) and no patterns promote uniformity and community over individualism; men grow beards post-marriage sans mustaches, per Psalm 133.
- “Gelassenheit” (yielding to God’s will) avoids modern fasteners like zippers, seen as flashy; barefoot practicality common in daily life.
- Learn more about Amish at Plain & Fancy Farm by taking a farm tour with Aaron & Jessica’s Buggy Rides or seeing the show at the Amish Experience
In the heart of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the Amish community that has captivated the imagination of many with its simplicity and dedication to tradition. The distinctive Amish clothing and attire intrigues outsiders. Amish attire reflects not just a fashion choice, but a deep-seated commitment to cultural heritage and religious beliefs.
How Do the Amish Dress in Lancaster PA?
August 20, 2021Key Takeaways: Understanding Amish Dress & Traditions
- The Blueprint for Simplicity: Learn about the Ordnung—an unwritten, biblically-based set of expectations that guides the Amish toward a life of modesty, humility, and “non-conformity” to the modern world.
- Symbolic Attire for Men: Discover why Amish men wear patternless, muted clothing held by suspenders rather than belts, paired with iconic straw or black felt hats depending on the season and setting.
- Modesty and Unity for Women: Understand the significance of the traditional Amish woman’s wardrobe, including solid-colored layered dresses and distinctive head coverings like bonnets or white prayer caps.
- A Visible Sign of Faith: Explore how the absence of jewelry, patterns, and modern fasteners serves as an outward expression of inward spirituality and communal equality.
- Deepen Your Knowledge: Visit the Amish Homestead at Plain & Fancy Farm to see these authentic garments and handcrafted items firsthand.
The 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.