Amish farmland, markets and old railways
Lancaster is a historic small city in southeastern Pennsylvania surrounded by the rolling farmland of Lancaster County, home to large Amish and Mennonite communities. Visitors come for horse-and-buggy roads, farm stands, quilts, heritage railways and the oldest continuously operating public farmers market in the US. The city itself has a lively arts and food scene. It suits families, history fans and anyone wanting a slower countryside break.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
Said to be the oldest continuously operating public farmers market in the US, in a brick market house from 1889. Amish and local vendors sell produce, baked goods and meals.
Free to enter.
Back roads through farms, one-room schoolhouses and covered bridges, best seen on a buggy ride or guided tour. It is the heart of the visit.
Buggy rides and tours are paid.
A huge theater staging Bible-based productions with elaborate sets and live animals. It draws visitors from across the country.
Check the official site for current prices.
America's oldest continuously operating short-line railroad, running steam trains through farmland. Families love it.
Check the official site for current prices.
A village of shops selling jams, quilts and crafts, with tastings and food stalls. It is busy and fun.
Free to enter.
A large museum of historic locomotives and railcars across from the Strasburg Rail Road. Train fans can spend hours.
Check the official site for current prices.
A long-running attraction with a guided tour of an Amish-style house, a farm and a one-room school. It explains Amish life respectfully.
Check the official site for current prices.
A farmstead museum with an 1840s house, schoolhouse and countryside tours. It is a good introduction for first-timers.
Check the official site for current prices.
A pretty Moravian town with a pretzel bakery from 1861, chocolate shops and a park. It is perfect for a slow afternoon.
Free to explore.
Chocolate Town, with the Hersheypark theme park, Hershey's Chocolate World and gardens. It is a big draw for families.
Check the official site for current prices.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Day one downtown, day two in Amish country with a buggy ride, day three in Strasburg for the trains and an evening show.
The famous Civil War battlefield and museum.
56 mi · Car, about 1 hour 15 minutes
Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
68 mi · Amtrak, about 1 hour 15 minutes
An unusual 18th-century religious community site.
12 mi · Car, about 25 minutes
One of the country's great gardens.
37 mi · Drive about 1 hour
Best: May to October. Farms are active, markets are full and the countryside is green, with fall harvest colors.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
September to October
Farm stands, corn mazes and fall festivals across the county.
September and October
Apple and pumpkin picking and cider events listed by Discover Lancaster.
November to December
Theatre shows such as the American Music Theatre Christmas show.
Spring
Community fundraisers with food and crafts; confirm dates.
Based on UK FCDO travel advice for the USA (there is no US advisory for domestic travel): violent crime rarely affects tourists, so normal city precautions apply; Lancaster County is low risk, with the main hazard being slow buggies on rural roads.
Downtown Lancaster is walkable, but the Amish countryside needs a car or tour.
Amtrak links Lancaster with Philadelphia and Harrisburg, and local buses run in town, but rural sights need a car.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: foodies, couples
Walk to Central Market, galleries and restaurants.
Best for: families, first-timers
In the heart of Amish country near farms and shops.
Best for: families, train fans
Next to the railroad attractions.
Best for: couples, quiet stays
Charming small town with a pretzel bakery and chocolate shops.
Best for: families, budget
In the heart of the Amish country.
Best for: budget, families
Chain hotels and easy access.
| Main airport | Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), 34 mi from the center |
| To the center | Rental car is easiest; Philadelphia International (PHL) is a larger alternative about 1 hour 30 minutes away, with Amtrak trains to Lancaster from Philadelphia. |
| Around town | Drive slowly and patiently on country roads shared with buggies; walk downtown Lancaster. |
| Ride apps | Uber, Lyft |
A molasses pie, a Pennsylvania Dutch classic.
Two cake rounds with creamy filling.
Lititz is home to America's first commercial pretzel bakery.
Pennsylvania Dutch style is a thick noodle stew.
Large shared meals at farm restaurants.
Often homemade or craft.
| Plugs | Type A and B, 120 V |
| Tap water | Safe to drink |
| Tipping | Tip 18 to 20 percent at sit-down restaurants, a few dollars per drink at bars, and 15 to 20 percent for taxis and tours. |
| Payments | Cards are widely accepted, but Amish farm stands and some market stalls are cash only. |
| Etiquette | Do not photograph Amish people without permission, especially faces; many object for religious reasons. Respect private farms. |
German-speaking Anabaptist groups, including the Amish and Mennonites, settled the area in the early 1700s seeking religious freedom. Lancaster was briefly the national capital for one day in 1777 when Congress fled Philadelphia. President James Buchanan lived at Wheatland, his estate in the city. The Amish community's choice to limit modern technology has made the county a well-known destination.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.