An integral part of "The Amish Experience" is the Amish Farmlands Tour taking you deep into the countryside and the heart of some of the most beautiful farmland and the oldest Amish community in the world.

These are the same fertile fields that had attracted and have kept our Amish neighbors here for over 250 years. And only a local guide can answer your questions and point out the fascinating activities we may observe on any given day.

When you join one of Lancaster's only certified guides on an air-conditioned motorcoach tour of the out-of-the-way back roads and country lanes, you'll experience a new sense of the work and family ethic that continues to mark the Amish way of life. You'll see one room school houses like the one where Jacob and his younger siblings learned their "English" subjects. You'll witness spectacular panoramas of patchwork farm land that are unparalleled in their intrinsic beauty, all farmed with horses and mules rather than tractors..

Roadside stands, bake shops, or a visit to a craft or quilt shop on an Amish farm... are among the unique happenings that may be enjoyed on your two-hour Farmlands excursion. Our stop at the Mount Hope Wine Gallery will provide an educational and entertaining wine appreciation of award-winning Lancaster County wines (grape juice offered for the children).

Amish Farmlands Tours are conducted twice daily at 10:30 AM and 1:45 PM (Mon - Sat), and Sundays at 11:30 AM only, April through October.  Daily at 11:30 in November. Weekends only at 11:30 AM in December and Christmas week. Also offering tours at 10:30 am & 1:45 pm (Sundays 11:30 am only) on January 19-20, February 16-17, March 1-2, 8-9, 15-31. 2008 Farmlands "Tour Only" prices are $28.95 for adults, and $11.95 for children (4-12).

SPECIAL 2009 BONUS GIFT: All adult Supersaver ticket holders receive a free cookbook autographed by the Amish author. (see below)

Your best value is the SuperSaver Package which includes the F/X Theater, the Amish Country Homestead, and the Amish Country Tours farmlands bus excursion. Adult price is $39.95. Children (ages 4-12) price is $19.95. You can purchase the SuperSaver package online below...

To purchase tickets by phone, please (717) 768-3600, ext. 210.

VISITOR COMMENTS:

"A must do if you're in the Lancaster area. We loved the bus tour. It was a comfortable air-conditioned bus. The bus tour took us to back roads that we would never have traveled on. We went on a Saturday so we were able to see people working their mules in the fields and women working in their gardens. The tour bus guide gave us a lot of information and let us stop and buy flowers from an Amish farmer, an unscheduled stop on the tour. We stopped at a few gift shops and a bakery- I got the sampler of baked goods. Delicious! There was also a wine tasting near the end of the tour. I'm glad we did it."

"Great tour! At first I was a bit skeptical, but the tours were really great. The farmlands tour I would highly recommend. I thought it was a bit pricey at first, but it was well worth it. We went on Sunday, so we thought we wouldn't see anything good, but we actually passed by an Amish church service (we didn't go in or anything) but it was really neat to see. All tour guides had great recommendations for other things we could do. One of them even had Amish friends and she was really great as well. Good for first time visitors to the Amish country."

"'Change for the sake of change is not needed.' The trip to the Amish Country was a different experience in itself. Quite different from the routine, boring thing of going to places and viewing landscapes. It gave us an insight into a different culture and how it may be possible to live without much craving for the goodies of today. The idea that "change for the sake of change is not required" is very much pertinent in their lifestyle, and communicates well to the viewer. Also, it goes a step further towards achieving the goal of self realization for the individual. "

"Enlightening! The trip was fantastic! The tour length was perfect for learning about the Amish, as well as having time to shop a bit...the wine tasting was a wonderful ending! We had dinner at Plain & Fancy, family-style, and we totally loved it...the food was fantastic."

"Fascinating tour. I would definitely recommend it! The tour on the bus was informative and interesting. Anyone can drive in their car around the Amish farmlands, however going on the bus with a tour guide was much more informative. The guide told us a lot of interesting facts that we otherwise would not have known."

"Very Good Overview of Amish Life. Given we only had one afternoon, this was a great way to get a real feel for the Amish and their way of life. At first I thought it might be hokey, or designed to get us to buy stuff, but I was proven wrong. All the stops contributed to the overall experience and offered trusted sources for souvenirs. I'm local and was escorting foreign visitors -- I will do this tour again for future visitors."

"Fantastic! I grew up in PA about an hour and a half from the Amish Country, and passed through the area many, many times. Until now, I had never taken a guided tour, and it was worth every penny. The guides were so full of interesting facts you would never hear about unless you took a tour. Both ladies were well-informed and extremely pleasant. There were 10 ladies in our group and each one enjoyed it immensely."

"Great experience. I think the Farmland Tour was a great idea. Our first thought was to get a map and drive around Amish Country alone. Boy, am I glad we didn't. The tour took us to stops that we would have never made on our own, and the tour guide was very knowledgable and made our tour wonderful. We are so glad we took the tour, and would recommend it to anyone that will be visiting the area."

"One Stop for Awesome Amish Experince! I booked this deal for my Mom (70+) and myself. We did the 3-way experience ticket. I can honestly say that I don't know where you can get more information about the Amish people and their customs! I have been to the area several times, even purchased a book or two, and learned more in 2 hours on the bus tour than hours spent reading and researching. The stops we made were enjoyable. The house tour was also outstanding --- lots of facts and information. I highly recommend this package, and I will definitely do it again, on my next visit."

"Very Informative Tour.  The guide made the entire trip both informative and fun. We learned much about the culture of the Amish including their dress, religion, daily routines, relationship with their "English" neighbors, and their reaction to tourists and other outsiders. We highly recommend this tour. We have taken others but this was the best."

READ OVER 300 REVIEWS ON INDEPENDENT WEBSITE BY CLICKING HERE.

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No car and trying to visit us from Philadelphia?

For visitors without transportation, Connective Tours (a division of Philadelphia Trolley Works in Philadelphia) runs day trips to Amish Country.  215-925-TOUR. It is an excellent trip via train to Lancaster and then to the heart of the Amish area near Bird-in-Hand. Transportation from the train station is included to the Amish Experience. There you will enjoy the Amish Experience Theater, the Amish Country Homestead, and a 2-hour bus tour of the Amish farmlands. A wine-tasting is also included. There is time to eat or browse at Plain & Fancy Farm. You return to Philadelphia in the early evening. There is also hotel pick-up service available from many lodging properties in the city.  Call them for details or visit: http://www.phillytour.com. They also offer excellent tours of Philadelphia and the surrounding area, as well as day-trips to New York City and Washington, D.C.

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V.I.P. Tours --- Authentic and Different

JULY - OCTOBER, 2008    

Individuals seeking something special and different on their visit to Amish Country can now enjoy  UNIQUE twilight tours, July thru October. The Amish V.I.P Tour and the Underground Railroad Experience both begin at 5:00 pm from the Amish Experience Theater at Plain & Fancy Farm. Limited to 14 people, each tour lasts about 3 hours. The price is $44.95 for adults and children. (These tours are not recommended for small children.)

Amish V.I.P. Tour   (5:00 pm, Mondays THRU Fridays only)   

The Amish V.I.P. Tour is a unique opportunity to interact with three of our Amish neighbors. Most visitors hope to have some direct contact with the Amish, but except for meeting those working at shops, restaurants, or roadside stands, such interaction is usually limited and minimal. In this case, V.I.P. stands for “Visit In Person,” because visitors will be guests at three Amish properties. This tour is limited to 14 people in a van with our guide to allow more personal contact, as we visit the Amish on the farm, at work, and at home. This is an authentic experience many visitors hope to have, but rarely are able to accomplish in a short visit.

Stop 1: Amish farm at milking time. When we arrive at the farm, we will go to the barn to observe the milking process. You may be surprised to learn that the Amish do not milk cows by hand. You will also discover how milk is kept cool in the bulk tank via "Amish electricity."

Stop 2: Amish "cottage industry." With the price and scarcity of farmland, many Amish have started their own small enterprises, making everything from gazebos and furniture to farm equipment and quilts. These "home businesses" have become the subject of books and articles because of the balance they achieve between work and family. We'll visit and talk to one of the Amish at a good example of just such a "cottage industry." Depending on the night, we may visit a painted gourd maker or a weaver's carpet-loom shop, where we will be given a special explanation and demonstration. 

Stop 3: Visit to an Amish home. To conclude our evening, we will travel scenic backroads to a farm in the countryside. We'll go into the house for friendly conversation, providing a chance to sit, chat, and visit the way the Amish do, talking informally without TV and radios. Strangers soon become friends.

Click here to read an article from Lancaster Sunday News

Some visitor comments…  

"My wife set this up and I was not that excited at first. But after visiting all three families and interacting with them, I rate it as one of our top five experiences on our three week vacation. The tour guide was also very knowledgeable." (visitor from California)

"Excellent tour! One of the best I have ever had. The best part of the tour was visiting with an Amish family in their home with the opportunity to ask questions. The tour was with a small group of people, which made the tour seem very personal.”   

“A great way to experience the Amish life. This was my first visit to Pennsylvania, and my goal was to see and learn about the Amish people. I came across this VIP tour and thought that it would be the best way to meet an Amish family. Our tour guide was very knowledgable and fun. He has a passion for what he does, and it shows. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to learn about the Amish, not just do the tourist shopping.”    

”It was good to see the real life Amish and destroy the mysticism of the Amish.”    

"Informative, interesting, inspiring, so enjoyable. The opportunity to meet the Amish people in their homes, with their families, was such a great thing. We were amazed at their openness."

"I think this tour is great because it really shows the Amish as people, and not just an attraction. When visitors spoke with the Eshes and Fishers, they spoke about their jobs, their families, their homes; they had everyday conversations with them. These tours allow visitors to humanize the Amish.”   

"We had a great possibility to speak directly with Amish people, share experiences, and discover a new way of life, so different!  No doubts, it's an experience that must be done!"

”Wonderfully insightful and educational! It was definitely the best part of our trip. Being able to visit the farms and home of the Amish was very special. We learned so much. Our respect and appreciation for this way of life was deepened by this experience.”   

"As we return to our tour van, we come away with a greater appreciation of the Amish way of life. It was an insightful, revealing look at Amish lifestyles that one could never get from merely traveling the area."

Advance Amish V.I.P. Tour tickets are now available online...

To purchase tickets by phone, call 717-768-3600, ext. 210.

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Underground Railroad Experience   (5:00 pm, Saturdays only)   

This tour presents a dramatic chapter in Lancaster County's story of the "Quest for Freedom" in an educational and entertaining evening of emotional storytelling. Our tour begins with a drive through the farmlands to the small town of Christiana, where one of the pivotal events that led to the Civil War took place --- the Christiana Resistance. Here an escaped slave hid at the home of a free black citizen. When his "master" came to take him back, fighting and murder ensued. At the famous trial, the defense was given by none other than Thaddeus Stevens. You will visit the actual sites associated with this famous incident, as your guide relates the dramatic story.

Then we return to the cemetery at a Quaker meeting house, where two of the "conductors" on Lancaster's underground railroad are buried. In a climax to a unique evening, we will meet one of these slaves (played by a local re-enactor) and learn of his quest for freedom in a dynamic, unforgettable performance.

As we travel the roads, you will also enjoy some of the beautiful Amish farmlands at twilight. It is an evening that will educate, move and inspire!

Some visitor comments…  

"This was a wonderful event which provided a learning activity that was different from the usual..."   

“Highly recommended... the "slave Phantom" was the best part of the trip."    

”Our tour guide was very accommodating and knowledgeable of the area."

Advance Underground Railroad Twilight Tour tickets are now available online...

To purchase tickets by phone, call 717-768-3600, ext. 210.

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Historic Philadelphia Tour

On Wednesdays, during the months of June through October, you can leave your car behind and journey with us to Philadelphia on our "Birthplace of a Nation Tour". The trip to Philadelphia flies by with the unique insights passed along to you from our certified Amish Country Tours guide. Once in the City of Brotherly Love, "the most historic square mile in America" awaits us. With map in hand and our guide to lead you, this walking tour will explore Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House, and Old Christ Church with free time for lunch or personal sightseeing. The all day Philadelphia Tour departs at 8:30 AM, returning at approximately 5:00 PM, Wednesdays only, June through October. Prices are $54.95 for adults and $42.95 for children (4-12). Tickets must be purchased in advance...

VISITOR COMMENTS:

"Excellent tour, highly recommended. This was an excellent tour and was well worth the ticket price! We did not have to drive into Philadelphia, fight traffic, locate parking spaces and tour sites in an unfamiliar location, secure tickets, or even look at a map. The guide did everything! He was well-informed and made the trip very enjoyable. We had an adequate amount of time to view the important sights, and we had someone with us at all times to answer questions about the city. Even the bus ride into the city was scenic and relaxing. We would highly recommend this tour!"

"Top of the line!  My husband and I absolutely loved every minute of the trip. It was a thrill to be in the historic area and to realize the early beginning of our country. We went places we wouldn't have thought of going on our own and it was wonderful not to have to find the destinations and places to park. Our guide was most genial and gave great information at every aspect of the trip, both on the bus and as we walked. I highly recommend this trip. Terrific experience!"

"Your driver and guide could not have been any better --- both were so familiar not only with Philadelphia, but also with the areas we passed through. They were very articulate in telling us about everything and keeping us well informed of the schedule and expectations on our part. We were so grateful to be safely conducted on this tour and not to have to face traffic in Philly. We would not have been able to see as much if we had attempted the trip on our own. We would highly recommend this trip to anyone visiting the area!"

"Great Way to See Historic Philly. Leave the driving to Amish Tours and enjoy all the sites you've always wanted to see. We enjoyed touring so many important landmarks from our country's birth. A memorable day with a knowledgeable guide. I will recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see the city of brotherly love."

"Enjoyable and Educational!  The bus was comfortable and the guide was very good.  He was very knowledgeable about not only Philadelphia and its historical sites, but also about the surrounding countryside on the way there and back.  We visited the Betsy Ross house and the oldest continuously inhabited street in the U.S., which provided a glimpse into what Philadelphia looked like during Ben Franklin's time.  We visited Christ Church and sat in George Washington's pew.  We visited a Quaker Meeting House, saw the Liberty Bell, and of course, Independence Hall where the constitution was written."

"Just what we had hoped for!  We booked a tour to Philadelphia not really knowing what to expect, but we could not have been more pleased with the day.  Our tour guide made the trip so enjoyable and informative from the time we left the parking lot until we returned that evening.  There is no way we could have found our way around Philadelphia, and we certainly would not have found out such amazing stories of history if we had ventured out on our own.  If given the opportunity, we will take the trip again!"

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NOTE:  All tours depart from the Amish Experience Theater box office on Route 340, in the east parking lot at Plain & Fancy Farm, midway between Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse. Tickets may also be purchased in advance by phone with a Visa or Master Card. Once tickets are purchased, there will be no refunds for any reason, unless the tour is cancelled. Guests should arrive 15-30 minutes prior to tour departure time.

To purchase tour tickets by phone, please call 717-768-3600, ext. 210.