Amish Farmlands Tour

Lancaster County is the heartland of Pennsylvania's Amish and Mennonite communities, and the Amish Farmlands Tour is a way to see the countryside and learn about the people who live there without intruding. The tour travels the back roads in a vehicle with a guide, passing farms, covered bridges, one-room schoolhouses and roadside stands, while the guide explains the history, beliefs and daily life of the Amish. Questions about technology, dress, church, schooling and farming practices are answered in a respectful way, and the guide separates fact from the myths that circulate about Plain communities. The countryside itself is a draw, with patchwork fields, tidy farmsteads and horse-drawn buggies sharing the roads. For visitors based in Hershey, it is among the best-value day trips available, and it pairs well with a meal of local foods.

Courtesy matters. The Amish are private people, and many do not wish to be photographed. A good guide will explain etiquette: do not photograph faces, do not approach farms without invitation, and give buggies room on the road. The tour is designed to show the landscape and teach about the culture rather than to treat the communities as a show, and visitors who approach it with respect come away with a deeper understanding.

Lancaster County is also known for markets, quilts, pretzels, whoopie pies and hearty meals, and many tours stop at or near places where these can be sampled. Plan lunch at a family-style restaurant or a farm market, and leave time for shopping if you want a quilt or fresh baked goods. Spring and summer bring the most activity in the fields, autumn brings harvests, and winter is quieter. Note that Sunday is a day of rest, so some businesses close and fewer working scenes are visible.

Pair the tour with the Strasburg Rail Road, which runs through the same farmland, or with a visit to Dutch Wonderland if you have children. The drive from Hershey takes under an hour in good traffic. Tours vary by operator and package, with some including a visit to a farm or house, so check which version you are booking and read the details carefully. Weather can affect schedules, and the operator's confirmation will tell you where to meet and what to bring.

To make the day respectful and rewarding, dress modestly, speak quietly in farm settings and ask before taking any photographs of people or property. Many Amish families run small businesses, such as bakeries, furniture shops and produce stands, and buying from them is a direct way to support the community. Bring cash, since some small stands do not accept cards. Expect to share the road with horse-drawn buggies, so drive carefully and slowly if you are traveling independently after the tour.

Spring brings lambs and plowing, summer brings produce stands, autumn brings harvests, and winter brings quiet fields and cozy interiors. A guided tour helps most with understanding what you see, but leave time to browse a market on your own and sample local specialties such as soft pretzels, apple butter and whoopie pies. Wear comfortable shoes for stops and bring a refillable water bottle, because rural areas have fewer places to buy drinks than a town center does.