We stayed at Old Mill Stream, which is right next to Dutch Wonderland. If you have younger kids, this is a good place for them to spend a day. We go to Lancaster Couunty at least once a year. For lunch or dinner one day you have to try an Amish buffet restaurant, the food is amazing!!!
We've travelled to that area twice (before we had the TT, so I can only comment on places to visit, not CGs)
The Strasburg RR is very nice, we enjoyed the Amish Farm House Tour, www.amishfarmandhouse.com. We have two kids but I think we would have enjoyed it either way. The town of Lititz has the oldest pretzel bakery where you can make and take (or just buy :-) and also a place that makes good chocolates. Bird-in-hand, Strasburg and Intercourse are all nice to walk around. Gettysburg is only a short drive away- plan on spending a whole day there.
Also we ran across a bulb/seed place that normally does all mail order, but you can go in and pick the bulbs you want out of the bins and buy them. I've looked around on google... might have been Rohrers but I can't guaratnee it. Bought 100s of bulbs on our first trip at very low cost 10 years ago in May (held and planted fall, you'll have to read up on that) and they still bloom beautifully every year - a great reminder of that trip.
I live in the Lancaster area and have camped at most of the local campgrounds. I'm familiar with all of the local attractions.
As you are planning your trip, feel free to PM me and I will be glad to answer any questions you may have.
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My 2 choices for campgrounds would be Old Mill Stream, close to the tourist area then to be away a little we like Oak Creek, still close but away from the noise.
Be sure to go to The county store I believe. Its in Bird In hand. You turn right next to a rock bridge. follow out to the bakery and then go on to the country store. They have the best homemade pretzels. Good prices and items as well. I bought a beautful candle that plugs in on a wood spindle $15 Also walking around the town of Intercourse. Just take a side road and enhoy the scenery. Take a buggy ride. We did Jessica and something can't remember the name. The Visitor Center in Lancaster gave us a good map and lots of good info. Its right off the bypass. You will have a great time.
We found a really good place to eat in Hershey. It was some kind of tea room. It was the most popular place in town.
John & Christine wrote: I did a search but all the topics about the Amish have to do with camper manufacturing.Anyways, we want to go Amish Country in PA for a week. We have never been there and have no idea where to go to experience it. I'm thinking Lancaster County area.
Can someone recommend some campgrounds please? Also maybe some areas we should definitely go to check out.
Thank you!
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You only have a week? Okay, why not consider Amish Country in Ohio?? Especially the Millersburg- Berlin area. The largest population of Amish anywhere in the world is located there. Larger than Lancaster's.
We usually go there once a year and stay at Evergreen RV. Big full hook-up paved lots, with inside swimming pool. The local Amish boys usually stop by on Sunday's to play basketball because most the campers have headed home. Down the road in Mt. Hope is Mrs. Yoder's restaurant- great eating & across the street is the giant auction barns.In Kidron is Lehman's Hardware Store- a store like you've never seen before. Lots of Amish buy the house furnishings & appliances there. Buy a copy of the "Amish Highways & Byways" map. Shows all the interesting sights and back roads.
Have fun & enjoy...
Bill B. (Michigan)
2007 Dodge Ram 2500 MegaCab CTD
2014 Keystone Cougar High Country 321RES trailer
Old Mill Stream Campground on Route 30 in Lancaster is in the heart of the Amish Area. Just head off the main roads to side roads from Rt. 340 and you will see the Amish in their fields, one room school houses, and buggies on the roads. Plus the tourist things mentioned.
Take a look at my site (linked below) and look through the archives. I write extensively about Lancaster County and the things to do and see. We travel there a lot.
We stayed at an rv park in Gettysburg last year, so I can't recommend campgrounds, but we took some day trips:
1. Hershey...loved Chocolate World, one large building with lots to do and eat--but don't miss the free ride that shows chocolate from the bean to candy--the smell of chocolate is wonderful!
2. Intercourse...where some of the movie 'Witness' was made; downtown there is Zimmerman's Grocery and the phone booth Harrison Ford used in the movie (good place for a picture); covered bridges; buggy rides; Dutch Haven is a nice little shop for unique souvenirs and they will let you sample the ShooFly pie. As another posted mentioned, nearby Bird-In-Hand is a good place to buy pies if you want.
I agree about a day trip to Gettysburg.
Very beautiful, interesting area. Have a great trip!
I already recommended Mill Stream Campground to you. If you are not traveling with children, Beacon Hill Campground is also very nice. No children allowed. It is in the middle of farm fields on a side road. Very scenic. We stayed there last April and we could see the Amish children walking down the road to the One Room schoolhouse from our RV windows. There is no cable but other than that they have full hookups.
For the summer, make reservations early. For any holiday weekend, make reservations right away. These campgrounds fill up in the summer even in the middle of the week.
Eating is easy in Lancaster County. Try Good and Plenty Restaurant for an Amish family-style meal. Go to Bird in Hand Family Restaurant for a buffet dinner and do not miss Shady Maple Smorgasbord (which is a little bit of a drive but the preference of locals). Put diets aside. Try shoo fly pie and Chicken Bot Bie (a form of chicken and noodle stew). Be aware that local restaurants all close at 8:00 pm and also close on Sundays. Check out restaurants in advance to see which are open on Sundays - of course, the chain restaurants are open.
On Fridays go to Green Dragon Farmers Market at 955 North State Street, Ephrata, PA and on Tuesdays go to Roots Market at 705 Graystone Road, Manheim, PA. Both are out of the way but you will be there with the Amish and the locals (and some tourists).
In a week you have plenty of time. You can ride the Strasburg RailRoad in a steam train. You can take a drive to Gettysburg for the day. You can go to Hershey - there are no more real tours of the factory but they do have Chocolate World which is a simulated factory ride. There is also Hershey Park theme park. There is also lots of outlet shopping in Lancaster.
Keep in mind, the Amish do not want photos taken of them. Also be very careful passing the buggies on the road - for your safety and theirs. Give them plenty of room, do not pass on a hill, and always have clear vision of what is in the opposing lane way ahead of you. It is tough in a car and harder in an RV. All common sense, but I have seen many ignore this because they are annoyed that traffic slows down to a horse pace. Frankly, this is what is nice about Lancaster and the Amish - it travels at a horse's pace.
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