Thursday, March 11, 2010

Enjoy the Beauty of Pennsylvania Amish Country

August 6, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Attractions

Enjoy a slower pace of life by visiting Pennsylvania Amish country. Away from the bustle of cars, crowds, and cramped cities you can enjoy open landscapes and charming towns. Stroll down to one of Lancaster’s covered “kissing bridges” with your sweetheart or ride through the back roads of Pennsylvania Amish Country on a horse and buggy tour with the kids. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beauty of Lancaster’s Amish countryside; you certainly won’t be disappointed with your visit.

See Pennsylvania Amish Country with a Buggy Tour

An excellent way to see Pennsylvania Amish Country is by taking a relaxing horse and buggy tour. Its easy to find buggy tours in Lancaster as many towns have their own companies. Most tours do not require reservations so you can just drop in, and many are run by families with Amish backgrounds. You’ll be able to enjoy the hilly country and back roads of Amish country while seeing old Amish schoolhouses, barns, and businesses.

The Covered “Kissing” Bridges of Lancaster’s Countryside

Many of the buggy tours will take you down one of Lancaster’s famous covered bridges, however you can also visit them on your own. These bridges are often called “kissing bridges” for the many couples seeking privacy under their arches. However, the design is actually meant to protect the bridges from heavy weather. Regardless of the reason, these historic bridges certainly add to the scenery of Pennsylvania Amish country. Twenty-eight can be found throughout Lancaster County, including one built in 1893 leading into the town of Paradise. This bridge is on Belmont Road over the Pequea Creek.

Quaint Towns in Pennsylvania Amish Country

Many of the towns in Pennsylvania Amish country have unique names including Paradise, Bird-in-Hand, and Intercourse. All of which are certainly worth a visit. Amish farmers often meet and socialize in Intercourse PA. This town is well known for its delicious foods and a trip isn’t complete without visiting the food stores of Kitchen Kettle Village. Bird-in-Hand, first established in the 1700s, is filled with quaint stores and farmers markets. A trip to Paradise could yield wonderful souvenirs of local folk art.

Hiking and Biking Around the Amish Countryside

If you really want to enjoy the beauty of Pennsylvania Amish country there’s no better way than to rent a bike or get out your sneakers and hit the trails. Lancaster’s Central Park is the largest in the county covering 544 acres and has excellent trails for biking or hiking. From downtown Lancaster just head south on Duke Street, turn right on Chesapeake and keep going for 0.2 miles.

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