We would like to visit the Amish Country in Pennsylvania BUT we don't want to visit all the tourist traps. I would like to visit a working farm, to see how they do things. Go to the hardware store that someone mentioned (sorry I can't remeber the name). And do the 'backroads' thing! Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks Debbie

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), May 29, 2001

Answers

Debbie, what part of Pa? I am in Northwestern Pa and we have alot of amish folks around here. Email me if you want more info. Tracy

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), May 29, 2001.

Debbie, my favorite place to visit when in PA. is the New Holland Livestock Auction located in Lancaster County. The Auction is every Monday. Sales reports for the last few months have shown them to be running about 600 head of Cattle, 300 Sheep, 600-1200 Goats, 500 hogs, they usally have 200-300 head of horses and Mules. Out in the front of the Auction Barns they sell wagon & truck loads of Hay, Corn, Wheat Ect.... You will find many Amish Folks selling thier Wares in the Parking Lot.

Remember this is a Real Live Commercial Livestock Auction and with the large number of livestock there you occasionly see a few injuried and possible dead animals, so if your a little sqemish this might not be the place for you and your Family to visit.

Their are a lot of Amish Folks who attend this Auction. They serve some great Amish food in the Small Resturant there. Lancaster County has lots of beutiful Amish Farms.

If you decide to attend the Auction get there as early as possible (6-7AM) so you don't miss any of the going on's. Several Auctions take place at one time so try to spend some time in each barn.

I have heard of a Large Flea Market also located in Lancaster County that is held every Tuesday. I have never attended it myself but a friend of mine has gone a few times and he says it is Great. He said he saw 1000's of Chickens, Ducks, Turkeys ect... at this Market, also lots of produce, Meats and Amish made Crafts and Products.

Hope you have a Enjoyable and Learning Trip!!!

-- Mark in N.C. Fla. (deadgoatman@webtv.net), May 29, 2001.

I think you are thinking of Lehman's Hardware in Kidron Ohio. It's in Amish country, Holmes County. There is also a livestock auction there, and some other Amish shops.

-- Mary Fraley (kmfraley@orwell.net), May 29, 2001.

Ther are so many places to see in Lancaster County. A must see is the Green Dragon farmers auction. They also have Roots farmers market.These are mostly Amish and Mennonite vendors. A must see is the SHADY MAPLE BUFFET AND STUFF IT. It's on the east side of New Holland. On Rt. 23 ther are a lot of Amish stores. There is so many things to see and do, if I had a better idea of what you want to see I can give you a better things to see. Landis Valley museum is another great place. Starting in June there are all kind of fest in a lot of little towns and communities. Then of course there is Hershey wher you can see for free how they make chocolate and Hershey Park ect. ect.ect. Enjoy there is a lot to see and do. The store you mentioned I think is Martins Hardware. It's right beside the Shady Maple.

-- Herb Miller (hwmil@aol.com), May 29, 2001.

We lived in Philadelphia for four years when we were first married (gee, almost 25 years now!) and spent a few memorable weekends in the Lancaster area.

Unless things have changed drastically (and that's one cultural subgroup, the Amish, that the idea of "rapid change" least applies to!) you have to plan for QUIET Sundays! Almost everything closes. But we attended services several times at a "black bumper Mennonite" church out in the countryside and each time were invited home for dinner with a farming family. Those were truly wonderful experiences and fueled our own homesteading dreams....though we barely realized it for many years....

I would look for a church in the surrounding countryside and see what develops (but be sensitive - in this church women and men sat on opposite sides of the church, all singing was unaccompanied by instruments but in glorious harmony, etc.....It helped that we were with a friend from the area who had relatives in this church. But we were very welcomed, despite our modern, "Englisher" ways!)

-- Elizabeth (elizabethmorgan@usa.net), May 30, 2001.

Herb , can you give some more details on the auctions you mentioned .What day of the week and towns .Sounds like fun , thanks.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), May 30, 2001.

Shady Maple Smorgasbord is usually pretty packed with tourists, but the food is very good. I live about five miles from there,on the border of Lancaster and Berks counties. Green Dragon farmers market has alot of vendors. Its Located off of Rt.272 just north of Ephrata, PA. If your into antiques,there is a big flea market every weekend during the warmer months called Shupps Grove. Its on Rt.897 south of Adamstown, PA. If you really want to find the real good places, just ride around the back roads and stop at the little general stores. You wont believe the treasures you'll find and the low prices will knock your socks off. Just remember to avoid the tourist places. If I can be any more help, just drop me a note.

-- Ed C (Hobotacoma@yahoo.com), May 31, 2001.

Mark, Where is this market with chicken, ducks, turkeys and etc. on tuesday you are talking about, I would like to go and buy some? Mary

-- Mary (marwel@microserve.net), May 31, 2001.

We were just in Lancaster County in July. We stayed in Bowmansville, but travelled throughout the area. If you're a shopper, I would highly recommend the gift shops in Intercourse and along the route to Bird in Hand, and the outlet malls in Shroudsville. We went to the antique flea markets in Adamsville that are only open on Sunday. They were great. There is also a wonderful grocery store in New Holland, Shady Maple, which is an experience. Wonderful fresh meats and bakery goods. We also stopped at farm stands for fresh vegetables and flowers. The Amish farm country is breath taking.

-- Beth Dow (sbsdow@adelphia.net), August 23, 2001.

We were just in Lancaster County in July. We stayed in Bowmansville, but travelled throughout the area. If you're a shopper, I would highly recommend the gift shops in Intercourse and along the route to Bird in Hand, and the outlet malls in Shroudsville. We went to the antique flea markets in Adamstown that are only open on Sunday. They were great. There is also a wonderful grocery store in New Holland, Shady Maple, which is an experience. Wonderful fresh meats and bakery goods. We also stopped at farm stands for fresh vegetables and flowers. The Amish farm country is breath taking.

-- Beth Dow (sbsdow@adelphia.net), August 23, 2001.