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Lancaster County's Amish settlements offer working farmsteads, artisan markets, heritage tours, and hands-on workshops spread across 465 square miles of rolling countryside. This guide covers the activities that define the region—from guided buggy rides through farmland to visits with craftspeople and seasonal harvest experiences—and how to plan a day that moves beyond roadside stops.
Quick answer
What is there to do in the Amish Country centers on immersive farm experiences, artisan workshops, and heritage tours. The Amish Farm and House at 2395 Covered Bridge Drive offers guided farmstead tours daily from 09:00 to 17:00 for $29, with barn animals, traditional quilting demonstrations, and buggy rides. Beyond that anchor, Lancaster County supports working markets, furniture workshops, seasonal corn mazes, and bakeries where visitors interact directly with Amish and Mennonite communities.
Lancaster County produces more than 60% of Pennsylvania's agricultural output, yet the region's draw lies less in statistics than in the rhythm of daily work visible across its farmsteads. What is there to do in the Amish Country starts with understanding that most activities here are participatory rather than observational—visitors tour working farms, ride in authentic buggies alongside Amish drivers, and watch quilters complete patterns that take weeks to finish. The Amish Farm and House anchors the experience. Located on Covered Bridge Drive, the site preserves an 1805 farmhouse and operating barn where heritage breeds graze and seasonal crops rotate through fields. Guided tours move through ten rooms of the farmhouse, explaining Plain dress codes, one-room schooling, and the technology boundaries observed by Old Order families. The barn tour introduces draft horses, dairy cows, and poultry breeds that predate industrial agriculture. Buggy rides depart from the property throughout the day, covering two miles of countryside with drivers who answer questions about farming practices and community structure. Beyond the farmstead, Lancaster's artisan economy operates through roadside stands and workshop studios. Furniture makers along Route 340 craft tables and chairs using mortise-and-tenon joinery, with no power tools in sight. Quilt shops in Intercourse and Bird-in-Hand sell bed covers and wall hangings stitched by local women, each piece tagged with the maker's name. Bakeries open before dawn, offering shoofly pie, whoopie pies, and soft pretzels baked in wood-fired ovens. Markets like Root's in Manheim and Green Dragon in Ephrata operate weekly, drawing Amish vendors who sell produce, preserves, and hand-dipped candles. Seasonal activities shape the calendar. Spring brings farm-stay programs where families help with planting and lamb births. Summer opens corn mazes and berry-picking fields. Autumn harvest festivals feature cider pressing, pumpkin patches, and barn dances. Winter slows the pace but keeps workshops active—blacksmithing demonstrations, candle-making classes, and storytelling evenings in restored barns. The region rewards repeat visits, as each season reveals different aspects of agrarian life still practiced at commercial scale.
“Lancaster County's draw lies less in statistics than in the rhythm of daily work visible across its farmsteads.”
This plan suits visitors departing Philadelphia mid-morning and balances a two-hour drive with a focused three-hour farm experience. The itinerary returns you to the city by early evening.
Leave early to arrive within the recommended morning window and secure parking before tour groups gather.
Join the guided house tour to see authentic rooms—bedroom, kitchen, smokehouse—and hear how daily life unfolds without electricity. Allow 45 minutes.
Walk through the barn to meet draft horses and heritage livestock, then visit the blacksmith shop and one-room schoolhouse. Budget an hour.
Browse handmade quilts, jams, and woodwork in the on-site shop, then rest on the porch before the return drive.
Stop at a local market or family restaurant in town for shoofly pie or a farmstand sandwich before heading back.
Drive back, arriving by late afternoon with time to spare for evening plans.
The Amish Farm and House operates daily to accommodate visitors planning their day trips. These hours allow for consistent access throughout the week.
To ensure a seamless experience, visitors should plan to arrive between 09:00 and 14:00. This arrival window helps bypass mid-afternoon congestion and guarantees sufficient time for guided tour experiences.
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Visiting mid-week offers the most personal pace for tours and interactions. Mid-morning arrivals provide the best balance of availability for all guided sessions.
Mild, 55°F to 75°F
Gardens and farms are active during this planting season. Temperatures are comfortable for walking tours and outdoor exploration.
Cool, 50°F to 70°F
The harvest season brings significant activity and demand. Arriving early is essential to navigate increased visitor volume during these peak months.
Verdict: The most efficient window for a visit is Tuesday to Thursday with an arrival between 09:00 and 14:00 during the months of April or October.
The Amish Farm and House is located at 2395 Covered Bridge Drive, Lancaster, PA 17602. The most direct approach from Philadelphia is via the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) or US-30 West.
I-76 W to US-30 W
Amtrak Keystone Service to Lancaster Station
From Lancaster Station to Covered Bridge Drive
If driving, navigate directly to 2395 Covered Bridge Drive, where on-site parking is available. Those arriving by train should arrange for a local taxi or rideshare service at the Lancaster station to complete the final leg of the journey.
Everything you need to know about what is there to do in the amish country
When considering what is there to do in the amish country, visitors can explore authentic heritage sites, view covered bridges, and engage with agricultural traditions. The region offers a peaceful escape focused on rural landscapes and historical education.
Yes, the Amish Farm and House provides guided farm and house tours that offer insight into the local lifestyle and customs. These tours focus on history and culture rather than modern tourist attractions.
The best arrival window is 09:00–14:00 to avoid mid-afternoon crowds and allow sufficient time for guided experiences. Arriving early ensures you can navigate the area at a comfortable pace.
Many families find it engaging to visit Amish Country with children due to the educational farm tours and open-air environment. It provides a unique opportunity to learn about traditional farming practices and animal husbandry.
For a day trip, focusing on a guided house and farm tour is often the most efficient way to see what is there to do in the amish country. This allows you to gain a structured understanding of the area before exploring nearby country roads.
To best appreciate the region, visitors often explore local markets, craft shops, and designated heritage areas. Respectful observation of the rural landscape and traditional craftsmanship is a key part of the experience.
Visitors usually arrive by car or via organized excursion transport, as rural locations are spread out across the county. Having reliable transport is essential for reaching specific farms and historic landmarks.
Most local attractions remain open during the weekend to accommodate visitors. You can still access guided tours and cultural sites on both Saturdays and Sundays to see what is there to do in the amish country.