Free
Chickies Rock County Park
A rocky overlook high above the Susquehanna River, with trails.
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Pennsylvania Dutch Country
Lancaster County
Rolling farmland where Amish buggies share the road, with covered bridges, a working steam railroad, and one of the oldest farmers' markets in the country.
Photo: A red covered bridge in Lancaster County, Photo by and (c)2006 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man), CC BY-SA 2.5
Lancaster County is home to one of the largest Amish communities in North America. Back roads wind past farms, covered bridges and the villages of Bird-in-Hand, Intercourse and Strasburg, so slow down and enjoy the pace.
In the city of Lancaster, Central Market has been open since the 1700s, and the downtown is lively with galleries and restaurants.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Covered bridge drive
Lancaster County has dozens of historic covered bridges. Discover Lancaster publishes driving routes.
Free
Back roads of Amish farmland
Quiet country roads between Bird-in-Hand, Intercourse and Strasburg, past farms and roadside stands.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse villages
Small villages of quilt shops, bakeries and craft stores.
Paid
Strasburg Rail Road
A steam train ride through farmland on America's oldest continuously operating short-line railroad.
Paid
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
A huge hall of historic locomotives across from the Strasburg Rail Road.
Paid
Amish buggy ride
Guided rides in a horse-drawn buggy along farm lanes.
Paid
The Amish Farm and House
Guided tours of a farmhouse and farm explaining Amish life.
Paid
Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
A living-history village of Pennsylvania German rural life.
Paid
Sight & Sound Theatres
Large-scale biblical stage productions in Strasburg.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Free
Lancaster Central Market
A historic market house in the city centre, with stands of local food.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Turkey Hill Experience
Hands-on ice cream and tea exhibits in Columbia.
Also bookable, listed above
These are in the lists above, so we don't repeat them here.
- Strasburg Rail Road Experience
- Amish buggy ride Tour
- The Amish Farm and House Tour
- Sight & Sound Theatres Show
Part of our South-central Pennsylvania guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- Strasburg's railroads, the villages and the covered bridges fill two days.
- Central Market and the city make a separate morning.
- Evening shows at Sight & Sound and farm stays are part of the experience.
Nearby and worth the drive
Gettysburgabout 75 min · Guide ↗
The battlefield and orchards.
Hersheyabout 45 min · Guide ↗Chocolate World and Hersheypark.
Ready-made trips with Lancaster County
Good to know
- Tourism: discoverlancaster.com.
- Respect: Many Amish people prefer not to be photographed. Ask, and give buggies room on the road.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: A red covered bridge in Lancaster County, Photo by and (c)2006 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man), CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: A steam train at the Strasburg Rail Road, Klaus Nahr from Germany, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Zeete, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Lancaster Central Market, Jared Kofsky/PlaceNJ.com, CC BY-SA 3.0