Pennsylvania Dutch Country Travel Guide - Free Web & App

Your ultimate guide to Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Discover top landmarks, proposed trips, and local tips. Free on the web or via the Evendo companion app.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Download the Free PDF guide
Pennsylvania Dutch Country
Pennsylvania Dutch Country photo 2
Pennsylvania Dutch Country photo 3
All photos

Pennsylvania Dutch Country in Pennsylvania blends Amish heritage, covered bridges, farm markets, historic towns, traditional food and scenic countryside.

Landscape and Local Character

Pennsylvania Dutch Country is a broad cultural and agricultural region in south-eastern Pennsylvania, centred most strongly on Lancaster County and extending through a patchwork of farms, market towns and rural communities. Its name can be misleading: “Dutch” derives from Deutsch, the German language spoken by many settlers, rather than from the Netherlands. Lancaster, Lititz, Strasburg, Intercourse, Bird-in-Hand and New Holland provide gateways to a landscape shaped by fertile limestone soils, carefully worked fields, red barns, stone farmhouses and narrow country roads.
Read more about Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Living Heritage

The region is internationally associated with Old Order Amish and Mennonite communities, although these traditions form part of a wider and diverse population. Horse-drawn buggies, plain meetinghouses, roadside produce stalls and quilt-making are visible expressions of religious and cultural traditions that continue to evolve. Visitors should remember that Amish communities are not museum exhibits: homes and farms are private, photography requires sensitivity, and many residents do not seek publicity. Lancaster’s Central Market, one of the country’s oldest continuously operating farmers’ markets, connects the region’s agricultural economy with its urban centre.

Places to Explore

Experiences range from historic houses, museums and preserved railways to farm markets, covered bridges and quiet walks along the Susquehanna River. Strasburg’s railway heritage, the Ephrata Cloister’s early communal history and the rural roads around the Amish-populated settlements offer distinctly different perspectives. Regional food is equally important, with Pennsylvania Dutch specialities such as scrapple, shoofly pie, chow chow and soft pretzels appearing alongside produce, baked goods and contemporary cooking. The area combines accessible attractions with a working countryside whose appeal lies in observing how history, agriculture, faith and commerce share the same landscape.

When is the best time to visit Pennsylvania Dutch Country?

Best: June, August–September · 23–27°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January374
February566
March1089
April1792
May22100
June (best)25105
July28108
August (best)2798
September (best)2391
October1782
November1178
December581

Getting to and around Pennsylvania Dutch Country

How to get there

Lancaster is the principal gateway, with road connections from Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Baltimore and other cities in the north-eastern United States. Amtrak serves Lancaster station with trains on the Keystone Corridor between New York, Philadelphia and Harrisburg, while Harrisburg International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport are the most useful larger air gateways depending on the route. Lancaster Airport provides regional aviation facilities but is not a major scheduled international gateway. Intercity and regional bus links serve Lancaster and surrounding communities, although the most rural parts of the destination are easier to reach by car.

Transportation

A car is generally the most flexible way to explore Pennsylvania Dutch Country because farms, markets, villages, museums and heritage sites are distributed across Lancaster County and neighbouring rural areas. Lancaster city and some nearby towns have local bus services, and organised tours can provide access to selected Amish-country attractions, but public transport does not reach every rural road. Country driving requires patience around horse-drawn buggies, bicycles, farm equipment and unmarked turns. Cycling is possible on quieter roads, while walking is best suited to towns, museum grounds, rail trails and specific nature areas rather than the region as a whole.

Best attractions in Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Lancaster is the region’s cultural and commercial centre, with Lancaster Central Market, museums and historic architecture, while the surrounding countryside offers a more rural view of Pennsylvania Dutch life. Strasburg brings together railway heritage, preserved buildings and access to the Strasburg Rail Road, and nearby villages including Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse are associated with farm markets, craft businesses and Amish-country interpretation. Lititz combines a carefully preserved small-town centre with local food and industrial heritage, while Ephrata is home to the Ephrata Cloister, an important early religious community site. The area’s attractions also include covered bridges, traditional farms, roadside produce stalls and the Susquehanna River landscape. Visitors seeking nature can explore places such as Lancaster County Central Park and the county’s rail trails, although these are distinct from the working farm districts. The most rewarding sightseeing alternates between formal museums and heritage sites and unhurried drives through the agricultural landscape.

Show more attractions

Best landmarks in Pennsylvania Dutch Country

The landscape itself is Pennsylvania Dutch Country’s defining landmark: broad limestone farmland, red barns, stone farmhouses, covered bridges and the Susquehanna River valley express centuries of agricultural settlement. In Lancaster, the historic Central Market is an important civic and commercial landmark, while the Fulton Theatre and preserved town architecture reflect the city’s cultural development. The Ephrata Cloister provides a tangible link with eighteenth-century religious experimentation and German-speaking settlement. Strasburg’s railway buildings and the Strasburg Rail Road represent the importance of transport to the region’s economy and later tourism. Lancaster County’s covered bridges, many of which are reached along rural roads rather than concentrated in a single site, are reminders of earlier transport engineering. Together these natural, architectural and cultural landmarks show how farming, faith, trade and mobility have shaped the region.

Show more landmarks

Explore Pennsylvania Dutch Country on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants and hotels are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Food is one of Pennsylvania Dutch Country’s clearest cultural signatures. Traditional cooking reflects German and Swiss ancestry, local farming and practical preservation, with regional specialities including scrapple, shoofly pie, chow chow, apple butter, chicken pot pie, soft pretzels and whoopie pies. Lancaster city, Lititz, Strasburg and the villages along the main rural visitor routes provide the broadest range of restaurants, cafés, bakeries, farm shops and traditional family-style dining. Farmers’ markets and roadside stands are important places to find seasonal fruit, vegetables, baked goods, preserves and locally produced meats, although individual opening patterns vary. Amish- and Mennonite-associated food businesses should be approached as working enterprises rather than as theatrical representations of a community. Contemporary restaurants increasingly use regional produce, while long-established diners and country restaurants maintain familiar Pennsylvania Dutch dishes alongside more general American menus.

Show more restaurants

Best bars in Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Evenings in Pennsylvania Dutch Country are generally quiet and hospitality-led rather than centred on nightclubs. Lancaster has the region’s broadest selection of bars, breweries, restaurants with evening service, live entertainment and cultural venues, with a more urban atmosphere than the surrounding countryside. Lititz and other established towns also have pubs, taverns and restaurants where visitors can spend the evening, while rural accommodation areas tend to offer traditional inns and low-key dining rather than late-night entertainment. Theatres, concert programmes and seasonal events may provide organised evening activities, but schedules vary. In Amish and Mennonite communities, religious traditions and rural routines mean that nightlife is limited, and visitors should not expect a continuous entertainment district outside Lancaster and the larger towns.

Show more bars

Best nightclubs in Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Evenings in Pennsylvania Dutch Country are generally quiet and hospitality-led rather than centred on nightclubs. Lancaster has the region’s broadest selection of bars, breweries, restaurants with evening service, live entertainment and cultural venues, with a more urban atmosphere than the surrounding countryside. Lititz and other established towns also have pubs, taverns and restaurants where visitors can spend the evening, while rural accommodation areas tend to offer traditional inns and low-key dining rather than late-night entertainment. Theatres, concert programmes and seasonal events may provide organised evening activities, but schedules vary. In Amish and Mennonite communities, religious traditions and rural routines mean that nightlife is limited, and visitors should not expect a continuous entertainment district outside Lancaster and the larger towns.

Show more nightclubs

Best shops in Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Shopping is closely tied to agriculture, craft and regional food rather than conventional urban retail. Lancaster Central Market is the best-known gathering place for produce, baked goods, meats, preserves and prepared foods, while farm shops and roadside stalls across Lancaster County sell seasonal goods directly from working farms. Villages such as Intercourse, Bird-in-Hand and Strasburg have visitor-oriented shops offering quilts, textiles, woodwork, pottery, artwork, books and Pennsylvania Dutch food products, although the character and authenticity of individual businesses differ. Lititz and Lancaster provide a wider spread of independent shops, galleries and specialist retailers, as well as practical stores and outdoor equipment. Visitors should distinguish handmade goods from mass-produced souvenirs and respect businesses connected with Amish communities, where privacy, photography and commercial practices may follow local customs.

Show more shops

Get your free copy of our complete guide to Pennsylvania Dutch Country, delivered straight to you.

Everything on this page, from attractions and restaurants to essentials and local phrases, in one PDF you can read offline, print or share.

Already have an account? Sign in

By clicking Create account, you accept the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Pennsylvania Dutch Country essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD). Credit and debit cards, including contactless payments, are commonly accepted at hotels, restaurants, museums, larger farm markets and established shops. Smaller roadside produce stands, honesty boxes, craft sellers and some traditional businesses may prefer or accept cash, so carrying modest dollar notes is sensible. Cash machines are readily available in Lancaster and the larger towns, but facilities are less predictable in rural areas. International visitors should check whether their card issuer applies foreign-exchange or overseas transaction charges, and should not assume that every small vendor can process a card payment.
Safety
The main practical safety concerns are associated with driving and outdoor conditions rather than unusual hazards. Rural roads can be narrow, winding or poorly lit, and horse-drawn buggies, farm machinery and cyclists may move slowly; reduce speed and leave ample passing distance. Summer heat, winter ice and thunderstorms can affect walking and driving conditions. Take care near rivers and water edges, including the Susquehanna, and follow signs at parks, trails and preserved sites. Respect private property and do not enter farmyards, fields or homes without permission. Standard precautions for valuables and personal belongings remain appropriate in busy markets and visitor areas.
Emergency Situations
Call 911 in the United States for police, fire or medical emergencies. Give the dispatcher the road name, nearby town, attraction, recognised landmark or GPS location, particularly when calling from a rural lane or countryside trail. Lancaster city and the surrounding towns provide the region’s principal medical services, while remote locations may involve longer response times than urban visitors expect. For a non-urgent medical problem, ask accommodation staff or an established visitor facility about the nearest appropriate healthcare provider. In any incident involving a horse-drawn vehicle, road collision, fire or serious injury, move to a safe location if possible and wait for emergency instructions.
Do's and Don'ts
Do treat Amish and Mennonite communities as living communities rather than tourist attractions, and ask before photographing people, homes, children, work or religious gatherings. Do keep to public roads, marked paths and permitted visitor areas, and obtain permission before entering private land or farm property. Do slow down for buggies and farm vehicles, keep noise low in rural settlements and take litter away from the countryside. Do not assume that a roadside stand accepts cards or that an apparently open lane is public. Tipping is customary in restaurants and for many service providers, while local customs and religious practices should be observed without intrusive questions.
Local Tips
Lancaster works well for visitors who want restaurants, museums, public transport and market access, while Strasburg, Bird-in-Hand, Intercourse, New Holland and Lititz offer different combinations of rural scenery, heritage attractions and small-town character. The countryside is most rewarding when approached slowly, with time for farm-market stops and short detours rather than a tightly packed itinerary. Check the location of attractions before setting out because similarly named villages, businesses and rural roads can be several miles apart. Spring and autumn bring changing agricultural landscapes, while summer is busy with farm and outdoor activity; winter can make country driving more demanding.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHallo[HAH-loh]
GoodbyeAuf Wiedersehn[owf VEE-der-zane]
YesYa[yah]
NoNee[nee]
Please/You're welcomeGern gscheh[gehrn g'-SHAY]
Thank youDanki[DAHN-kee]
Excuse me/SorryEntschuldigung[ent-SHOOL-dee-goong]
How are you?Wie bischt du?[vee bist doo?]
Fine. And you?Gut. Un du?[goot. oon doo?]
Do you speak English?Schwetzscht du Englisch?[shvetzst doo ENG-lish?]
I don't understandIch versteh net[ikh fer-SHTAY net]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIch daet gern die Speisekarte sehn, bitt[ikh deht gehrn dee SPY-suh-kahr-teh zane, bit]
I don't eat meatIch essa kaa Fleesch[ikh EHS-sah kah FLAY-sh]
Cheers!Prost![prohst]
I would like to pay, pleaseIch daet gern bezahle, bitt[ikh deht gehrn beh-ZAH-luh, bit]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Helft![helft]
Go away!Gieh fort![gee fort]
Call the Police!Ruf die Bullerei![roof dee boo-LAIR-eye]
Call a doctor!Ruf en Dokter![roof en DOCK-ter]
I'm lostIch bin ferlore[ikh bin fer-LOH-reh]
I'm illIch bin krank[ikh bin krAHnk]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ich daet gern kaafe...[ikh deht gehrn KAH-fuh...]
I'm just lookingIch kucke nor[ikh KOOK-uh nor]
How much is it?Wie fill kost's?[vee fill kosts?]
That's too expensiveDos iss zu deier[doss iss tsoo DIRE]
Can you lower the price?Kannscht du der Preis runtermach?[kannsht doo dare prise RUNT-er-mahkh?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Was ischt es for en Zeit?[woss isht es for en tsyte?]
It's one o'clockEs ischt ei Uhr[es isht eye OOR]
Half past (10)Halwer zehn[HAL-wer zane]
MorningMorga[MOR-guh]
AfternoonNoon[NOON]
EveningOwet[ow-WET]
YesterdayGeschdern[GESH-dern]
TodayHitt[hit]
TomorrowMorga[MOR-guh]
1Eins[eyns]
2Zwei[tsv-eye]
3Drei[dry]
4Vier[feer]
5Fief[feef]
6Sex[seks]
7Siebe[zee-buh]
8Acht[akht]
9Noin[noyn]
10Zehn[zane]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Wu iss en/der...?[woo iss en/daer...?]
What's the address?Was iss die Addresse?[woss iss dee AH-dress-eh?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Kannscht mich weise (uf der Kaart)?[kannsht mikh vy-seh (oof dare kart)?]
When's the next (bus)?Wann kimmt der nächschte (Bus)?[vahn kihmt dare NEEKS-tuh (boos)?]
A ticket (to ....)En Tickat (nooch ....)[en TIK-et (nohk ....)]

History of Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Limestone Country and Indigenous Homelands

Before European settlement, the Susquehanna Valley and the lands now associated with Lancaster County were inhabited and used by Indigenous peoples, including the Susquehannock. The region’s fertile limestone-derived soils later became central to its agricultural identity, but they were part of a much older geological landscape shaped by ancient seas, erosion and river systems. European colonisation transformed this environment through land clearance, farming and settlement, while Indigenous communities experienced displacement and the effects of colonial expansion. The Susquehanna River remained an important geographical feature, linking the interior agricultural region with wider routes through Pennsylvania.

German-Speaking Settlement

During the eighteenth century, German-speaking immigrants from parts of the Rhineland, Palatinate and Switzerland settled in south-eastern Pennsylvania. Many were attracted by William Penn’s policies and by the availability of farmland, while religious groups including Mennonites, Amish and Brethren sought places where they could practise their faith. Their languages, farming methods, house forms and community institutions helped create the cultural landscape now called Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Lancaster was established as a town in 1729 and became a commercial and administrative centre for the surrounding farming communities.

Farms, Markets and Rural Industry

Agriculture became the foundation of the region’s economy, supported by productive soils and access to local and regional markets. Grain, livestock, dairy farming and later specialised produce shaped the countryside, while blacksmithing, carriage-making, milling and textile work supported rural life. Lancaster’s market tradition grew alongside the town’s role as a trading centre, and the Pennsylvania Dutch diet developed through German, Swiss and American influences. Roads, canals and railways gradually connected farms with urban markets, helping agricultural products reach Philadelphia and communities beyond the Susquehanna Valley.

Civil War and the Wider National Story

The region’s history is connected with major events in the United States, including the American Civil War. Lancaster County was not a principal battlefield, but its people, farms and towns were affected by national political conflict, military mobilisation and debates over slavery. Thaddeus Stevens, a prominent abolitionist and congressman associated with Lancaster, became an important national figure during Reconstruction. The nearby town of Gettysburg lies outside Pennsylvania Dutch Country, but the Civil War period forms part of the wider historical setting in which the region developed.

Heritage Preservation and Tourism

From the late nineteenth century onwards, rail travel and improved roads made Lancaster County increasingly accessible to visitors interested in rural scenery and Pennsylvania Dutch traditions. Tourism expanded particularly after the Second World War, when curiosity about Amish life, craft production and farm landscapes brought national attention to the area. Museums, historic sites, railway attractions and heritage organisations helped preserve buildings and material culture, while farms and ordinary communities continued to function beyond the visitor economy. Modern Pennsylvania Dutch Country therefore combines interpretation and tourism with active agriculture, changing religious communities and ongoing debates about privacy, development and land conservation.

Pennsylvania Dutch Country in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

0 / 0

Cities in Pennsylvania Dutch Country

The towns and cities of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Neighbouring destination travel guides

The closest destinations to Pennsylvania Dutch Country, if you have time for more than one.

Explore more

Piedmont
More of the region

Explore more of Piedmont

Explore Piedmont Pennsylvania for rolling farmland, Brandywine gardens, historic battlefields, country markets and distinctive small-town culture.

Explore Piedmont
Pennsylvania
More of the country

Explore more of Pennsylvania

Discover Pennsylvania: A blend of rich history, breathtaking nature, and vibrant culture awaits you in the Keystone State.

Explore Pennsylvania
The Evendo app on two phones

Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Discover the best of Pennsylvania Dutch Country with Evendo, your 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich content including images, descriptions, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
More about the Evendo app

Planning a trip to Pennsylvania Dutch Country? Evendo is your ultimate travel companion, offering detailed information, curated local tips, and easy booking options, all in one free app.

  • History of Pennsylvania Dutch Country
  • Travel essentials and curated local tips
  • User-friendly navigation and 'Near me' feature
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Welcome to Pennsylvania Dutch Country, a picturesque region brimming with rich history, vibrant culture, and mouth-watering cuisine. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Evendo is here to make your journey unforgettable. Imagine having all the information you need about the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities right at your fingertips.

With Evendo, explore iconic landmarks like the Amish Farm and House, Strasburg Rail Road, and the historic Ephrata Cloister. Dive into the local culture with curated tours and experiences that offer a glimpse into the life of the Pennsylvania Dutch community. Savor delightful meals at renowned restaurants like Miller's Smorgasbord and Shady Maple Smorgasbord, or discover hidden gems with our local tips.

Our app provides rich details, including images, descriptions, maps, and contact information for each location, making it easy for you to plan and organize your trip. The 'Near me' feature ensures you never miss out on nearby attractions, while our easy navigation helps you explore the region effortlessly. Plus, you can book hotels, tours, and tickets directly through the app, saving you time and effort.

Download Evendo today and unlock the magic of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Your adventure starts here!

Get the latest from Evendo

Hand-picked travel deals, new destination guides and trip ideas, straight to your inbox.