The best Amish town to visit depends on whether you prefer the iconic, historic, and highly developed experience of Lancaster County, PA (including Intercourse and Bird-in-Hand) or the more rural, authentic, and vast community in Holmes County, Ohio (Berlin, Walnut Creek). Lancaster offers more tourist infrastructure, while Ohio feels less commercialized.
The Pennsylvania Amish of Lancaster County are America's oldest Amish settlement, where tens of thousands still live a centuries-old "Plain" lifestyle. Experience Amish Culture in Lancaster by riding in a horse and buggy, dining at an Amish-owned restaurant, or taking an immersive tour of farms and homes.
Amish girls typically get married in their early 20s, usually between ages 20 and 22, often slightly younger than their male counterparts, with the process beginning around age 16 during social events like Sunday singings. Marriage usually follows baptism into the church, and individuals are expected to marry within the Amish faith.
The Pennsylvania Amish community in Lancaster County is the oldest and largest Amish community in the United States, numbering about 43,500. The population has more than doubled in size in the past 20 years.
Visitors can explore an historic Amish farmhouse, the 12-acre Village grounds with a one-room schoolhouse, a barnyard with animals, and a market with Amish-made crafts and treats. Our guided tours provide insights into Amish traditions, crafts, and values in the heart of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with its rich Amish heritage, picturesque countryside, and family-friendly attractions, is a popular destination for travelers year-round. However, the experience can vary greatly depending on when you visit.
Most Amish people enjoy talking with outsiders, if they don't feel like they are regarded as animals in the zoo. In some Amish communities shops and attractions may not be open on Sundays, so be sure to call ahead and plan accordingly.
The largest Amish settlement is Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and adjacent counties followed by Holmes and adjoining counties in northeast Ohio, about 78 miles south of Cleveland.
Unmarried Amish choose their own husbands/wives, and the woman is very much involved in the process. Courtship often begins with a young man transporting a young woman to and from one of the many singings or Sunday worship.
Lancaster is known for being a very walkable city and residents have access to many amenities and facilities such as Central Market and numerous restaurants within easy reach.
Husbands are the heads of the household and work outside, while wives manage the home and children. Despite this, marriage is seen as a partnership with shared responsibilities. Divorce is not allowed within the Amish church.
The Amish and Mennonite populations represent outstanding communities for the study of genetic disease for a number of reasons. There is a high degree of inbreeding, resulting in a high frequency of recessive disorders, many of which are seen rarely or are unknown outside of this population.
If you're interested in the Amish, it's a rare opportunity to spend time with an Amish family in their home. You can ask about this when making your reservation and we'll see if it can be arranged. Most of the farms offer a tour of the property along with an explanation of their farming techniques.
As of 2024, the Amish population surpassed the 400,000 milestone, with about 405,000 Old Order Amish living in the United States, and over 6,000 in Canada: a population that is rapidly growing. Amish church groups seek to maintain a degree of separation from the non-Amish world.
What does it mean when an Amish woman submits to her husband?
“Submission” does not mean that women abdicate all opinions in regard to their own well-being or their families. They ultimately defer to their husbands in the decisions to be made, but remain advocates for themselves and their children when they believe their viewpoint has merit and needs to be expressed.
Using the calendar method, the Amish typically begins tracking her menstrual cycles for several months to establish the length of her average cycle. She then identifies the period of her menstrual cycle when she is most likely to ovulate based on the number of days before and after her average cycle length.
Fun Fact - Did you know... You can always tell when an Amish man is married because he will not shave and will grow a beard. Amish men without beards are still unwed. Married Amish women will not wear a wedding ring as their word before God is enough.
Summary: The Amish typically have their teeth pulled out by unlicensed dentists instead of incurring the high cost of dentistry. They perceive dentures as more cost effective and easier to maintain oral health.
The Amish believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and would be a part of the protestant stream of theology. They emerged from the Anabaptists who began in the early 1500's. The Anabaptists, meaning re-baptizers, broke from the Catholic Church over infant baptism among other things.
While some Amish couples might share a kiss, especially as courtship progresses, public displays of affection are discouraged, and many practices emphasize emotional bonding over physical intimacy, with traditions like bundling (sleeping in the same bed fully clothed with a barrier) designed for conversation, not sex, though some variation exists between communities, with some allowing for more physical touch like holding hands or a kiss, while others are stricter.Â
Amish clothing reflects their belief in modesty, simplicity, and humility. They avoid flashy or revealing styles, with women wearing loose, non-form-fitting dresses and men sticking to long pants year-round.
