Travelling to the US in November.
I was considering spending a day or less in Lancaster (Pennsylvania Dutch / Amish), but am now having second thoughts.
I went there once in 6th grade on a field trip and it seemed fun, but then that was 15 years ago and in May, not November.
Pro's and con's would be very welcome with, if applicable, recommendations on what to do, where to eat to get the full Amish experience in 3-5 hours.
Posted on Oct 17, 2011
November can be lovely in the Amish country, particularly if you can be there at Thanksgiving and stay with a Mennonite or Amish family. A meal at their table would be a very special experience. You should also go to the central market in Lancaster to see the bounty of food.
Get off the main roads--they are full of trashy tourist joints. Explore the backroads and Ephrata. But most of all, drop the idea of getting 'the full Amish experience in 3-5 hours.' Their way of life is based on tradition, observance, and quiet and could never be understood in a 3-5 hour context!
Posted Oct 17, 2011
Add a commentThank you. I live in Russia and am afraid 3-5 hours is all that I can devote to Lancaster =) I realize that no culture can be absorbed in several hours or days, but an overview that will make me want to come back later is what I am looking for at this stage.
Posted on Oct 19, 2011
I agree that Amish country is lovely and the Central Market is a great place to visit. However, if you have already visited the Lancaster area, I might suggest you consider other parts of the Eastern US for your visit. Philadelphia offers a lot of interesting choices if you have not been there before. I believe it is within an hour or so of Lancaster. Have a great trip!
Posted Oct 21, 2011
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If you visit on a Tuesday, Roots Market in Manheim is well worth a visit. Amish Village is touristy but they do give you a good overview of the culture and lifestyle. Good and Plenty is a nice way to stuff yourself with down home Dutchie cooking. If you have time to spare 45 minutes brings you to Hershey where you can take a great trolley tour, visit Chocolate World and The Hershey Story(museum). All in all Central PA offers an interesting experience that won't bust your budget.
Posted Oct 24, 2011
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Others have mentioned some great positive places to go and see, so I'll bring a bit of the negative to the table. November will be a fairly bleak time to visit. All the fall colors will be pretty much over. There won't be a lot of farm activity in the way of animals hitched up and plowing, festivals, etc. It is a pretty quiet time of year. That being said, there is always Longwood Gardens - about an hour west of Philadelphia - it always has something going on and is well worth a visit. You can easily spend a whole day there. http://www.longwoodgardens.org/
Posted Oct 26, 2011
Add a commenti lived nearby in hershey for several years. Spending a day in Lancaster is a good idea, Sure there are lots of other things to see in that region from Philadelphia (grew up there an can't stand it -but the Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin house are good), But the Pennsylvania Dutch lifestyle is so unique that wandering the sheets and talking to the people is a good way to spend some time. Also The Strasbourg Railroad is fun and short, through Amish farms.
Posted Oct 28, 2011
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