"Lancaster is Our Favorite Pennsylvania... " a Lancaster Travel Page by ringleader

We visit the Lancaster area two or three times a year. Since it is not very far from Philadelphia or our home, it is usually a day trip for us; however, we do occasionally stay overnight so we can rest as well and enjoy more activities the next day. Included in my Lancaster tips are information about our favorite small towns surrounding Lancaster City: Smoketown (Ronks), Bird-In-Hand, Intercourse, Strasburg, and New Holland.

The Lancaster area is generally a strong, family-oriented place with a pleasing, Bible-influenced atmoshpere. Most places are peaceful, yet full of life, which makes this area so attractive to visitors from around the world.

The roots of the Mennonite and Amish belief-systems come from the teachings of one German man, Menno-Ammon (sp?). At some time in the foggy mists of history, there was a slight spilt in the church, which produced the Mennonite and Amish faiths. Although very similar, there is more "give" in the Mennonite side of the split. To discover more about these Anabaptists, you can visit their website at ____.

Not all areas are perfectly safe in Lancaster, however, and downtown Lancaster is much different than the farmlands surrounding the city. Lancaster downtown has some of the most lovely, Victorian homes. Many, unfortunately, are in a state of disrepair. Lancaster was, at one time long-ago, the Capitol of the United States.

You will see many family farms worked by the families and their children. I understand that most children are able to fully run their family's farm by the time they're thirteen or fourteen. With the number of children they have, the parents can "retire" to running gift shops, etc. while their very capable children tend the animals and the crops.

This photo was taken outside of Shady Maple Smorgasboard Restaurant in New Holland, Rt. 23. If you want to taste Pennsylvania-Dutch cooking, this is a good place. There's plenty to be had here!

Although we don't live in Lancaster County, our local area north and slightly west of Philadelphia has a strong Mennonite influence. Although our family is not Mennonite, I spent a large portion of my elementary school years in a Christian Mennonite school, so I learned a lot about the culture.

The Mennonites have a wide range of religious persuasion - from those who live close to their Amish brothers' ways by traveling in horse and buggies, etc. to very liberal in religious and political convictions.

We were told that the Amish children have until age 21 to determine whether they will continue in the Amish faith or not. A lot of behaviour is excused until then. A friend of mine saw a young Amish boy in traditional dress pull his horse and buggy into a garage and a short time later re-appeared in jeans and a flannel shirt, driving a convertible.

At age 21, we understand that they must settle down in the Amish ways or be excommunicated from the family circle; however, if they choose to attend a Mennonite church instead, they can then run as far as liberal and chances are this will still be accepted by the family.

Perhaps what you have heard is not always what you see or what "you get" when you observe these cultures. You may see an Amish man climbing into the passenger-side of a mini-van. This is because, while they may not DRIVE a car or have electricity in their homes, they don't necessarily have a problem letting their neighbors take them to the doctor, shopping, or other places. They may store their meat in their neighbor's freezer. And, it is entirely possible that they may have and use generators or propane gas!

This photo was taken outside the Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market on Rt. 340. The mother doesn't look particularly thrilled because the Amish don't like to have their photographs taken. It is against their faith.

Traditional Amish and Mennonite families are usually large (although not always) and are easy to spot by their dress, by the clothes on their clotheslines, by the way they travel, and by (believe it or not) the window shades in their homes.

The traditional dress is easy to distinguish: Amish women wear brightly-colored under-dresses covered by a black apron and black bonnets or white, mesh caps. Amish men wear black pants and vests, usually have beards, and hats - either straw (summer) or black (winter). The Mennonite women wear a particular style of dress with a type of "bib" covering to the waist and is usually made of a cotton print or gingham and a smaller, white, mesh covering. I have seen a young Mennonite girl, however, wearing a dress in traditional style made of pink satin. It was an unusual sight. As you travel through the Lancaster countryside, be looking for their LONG clotheslines. You will begin to see what types of clothes they wear, if not their entire wardrobes!

A common misunderstanding is that the Amish drive BLACK buggies behind their handsome horseflesh; however, it is the traditional MENNONITE who drive black buggies. The Amish have gray buggies. (By the way, be careful to avoid the "mud-pies" left by the horses in more places than alongside the road. There are tethering places at shopping areas for horses, and what they leave behind is not always confined to those areas!)

Lastly, look for pull-down windowshades in the color of forest green in the windows. It is my understanding that these signify Amish homes. I'm not sure whether the traditional Mennonites follow the green-shade rule as well.

Saturdays you will see the families working outside preparing for their Lord's Day of rest - sometimes baling hay into the dark of the night so they will be able to rest on Sunday; Sundays you will encounter many buggies traveling to- and from- Sunday meetings and see families and children playing outside on the Lord's Day of rest. (Be prepared for a lot of establishments, restaurants, and shops to be closed on Sundays!)

This photograph was taken in Strasburg. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing an Amish horse-and-buggy going through a modern bank's drive-thru, stopping at the window to do their banking.