"In the Middle of Intercourse..." Top 5 Page for this destination Intercourse by M0B1US

Intercourse Travel Guide: 74 reviews and 170 photos

Who could pass up this photo op? - Intercourse

Highlights

We were just a stone's throw away in Hershey and Intercourse was just a slight detour on our way to Baltimore.

As it was Amish Country (known locally as 'Dutch Country') as well, we felt compelled to visit.

As you approach the town you begin to see the distinctive black horse drawn buggies of the Amish running their errands between their farms and the local businesses of the town.

You are not really supposed to take pictures of the Amish directly and interestingly I did take a sneaky picture of one driving a buggy, but my digital camera memory got full and the only picture I accidentally deleted to make space was that one...

It is interesting to watch these people as they go about their business as their religious beliefs cause them to willingly eschew such things as electricity in the house, or the motor car in preference for a simple life of humility and family.

Intercourse is a picturesque little town with a great many craft shops of many kinds lining its main street, with the nucleus being the 'Kitchen Kettle Village' of over 30 shops clustered together in a tasteful little period village atmosphere, including such great shops as the Smokehouse Shop and Jam & Relish Kitchen. Amish are famous for their quilts and their are several excellent quilt stores here as well, if you're into that sort of thing...

As Skye820 correctly points out, the Amish and 'Pennsylvania Dutch' communities as a whole were granted a unique lifeline by emmigrating to the US in the face of violent and deadly persecution in Europe...

Quick tips/suggestions

Amish Farm

Really there is a surprising amount to do in Intercourse as it is such a small place.

Probably the best thing to do is people watch, just by walking around town etc. We visited an Amish Supermarket, which was an interesting experience. Remember to be unobtrusive, as although their customs are very different from mine for example I was still aware that I was visiting their town and not the other way around...

Other things you can do include going for a buggy ride, taking a steam train journey on the nearby Strasburg Rail Road, visit the Choo Choo Barn - aka 'Traintown' in nearby Lancaster, visit the Amish Village for a historical tour of Amish life and visit some nearby covered bridges...

A little further afield are Philadelphia, the Chocolate Empire of Hershey and the Harley Davidson Factory at York.

Unfortunately we only had a few hours of Intercourse, so we only really saw the town, the Kettle Village and one of the covered bridges before heading off to York.

Watch 'The Witness' starring Harrison Ford, a tense thriller that was shot in this area.

Other nearby villages include the equally interestingly named 'Blueball', 'Bird in the Hand', 'Virginville' and 'Paradise' -one wonders just what was on the minds of the locals...!!? ;-)

Check out the local website for an in depth history of this interesting culture and info about Intercourse...

Getting Around

A nearby Covered Bridge

Situated in the middle of Amish Country between Lancaster and Philadelphia on routes 340 and 772 this is definitely farm country of flat fields and grain silos...

There is probably a bus service of some kind, however driving is the only serious way of getting around by giving you the independence to do what you want.

The roads were fine in this area without too much traffic, so it is easy to get around.

Intercourse is a sleepy place not much larger than a village.

Pros and Cons

Pros:An interesting look into the past...
Cons:No Internet Cafe... ;-)
In a nutshell:A living example of America of 200 years ago

Last visit to Intercourse: Feb 2002
Intro Updated Dec 28, 2003
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Reviews (6)

Intercourse Discourse Favorites (3)

If you can, try to pick up a copy of the Intercourse News. As well as being an excellent souvenir in its own right... more travel advice

Road Trip USA 2002: Intercourse, 8/9... Favorites (3)

My epic overland journey of the US from landing in New York on January 28th 2002 to my departure from Oahu on April 7th... more travel advice

The Amish Favorites (3)

The Amish are a religious group who live in the US and Canada. The oldest group live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania... more travel advice

Kitchen Kettle Village Things to Do (1)

Down a side street is a large car park for the Kitchen Kettle Village, which is a 'village' of 32 shops clustered around... more travel advice

Tourist Traps (1)
Even the Amish are cashing in on their...

Off The Beaten Path (1)
Lancaster County Covered Bridges

Comments (9)

sourbugger Sep 11, 2006 at 7:46 AM Report Abuse

how very informative and interesting. great stuff
PA2AKgirl Jun 4, 2004 at 1:22 PM Report Abuse

Good to see that Intercourse was included in your road trip:-) It's too bad you weren't here for the VT meeting we had in early May. This is a great page, wonderfully accurate info about the Amish!
aussiedoug Dec 15, 2003 at 4:11 AM Report Abuse

Of course the question begs....., How long were you in Intercourse? (said he with tongue firmly planted in cheek!!!) I'm amazed you've managed to do such a straight down the line job on this page. Well done!
Easty Nov 27, 2003 at 11:44 AM Report Abuse

Nicely detailed page on the Amish Country.
richiecdisc Jul 1, 2003 at 3:39 PM Report Abuse

Hmmm, you know more about Intercourse than I do CAMRA... ;>
craic Jun 19, 2003 at 11:08 AM Report Abuse

Yet another excellent page!
Ken_Weaver Jun 8, 2003 at 5:52 PM Report Abuse

Writing to your Kiwi friend while in the middle of Intercourse was a great story!
skye820 Jun 8, 2003 at 5:44 PM Report Abuse

The Amish are a unique community sheltered in the US and Canada. The world would have lost the beauty and the timelessness their culture embraces if they did not immigrate here.
GreenMtn.Man Jun 5, 2003 at 11:06 AM Report Abuse

Nice covered bridge in a beautiful area lets see more.