After the overwhelm and emotion of the battlefield at Gettysburg National Military Park, the drive east toward Lancaster County feels like a deep exhale. The landscape softens almost immediately: rolling green hills, white farmhouses, and red barns standing watch over neat rows of fields.
My whole family said that this was one of their favorite things we did on our East Coast Road Trip. This isn’t about rushing. It’s about slowing down, eating great food, noticing details, and letting the scenery carry you.
Suggested Route (Gettysburg → Lancaster → Philadelphia)
If you are heading from Gettysburg to Philadelphia (or vice versa), instead of taking the fastest highway route, take the scenic way.
Gettysburg → PA-30 East → Lancaster County backroads → Route 340 (Old Philadelphia Pike)
As you move through the countryside, you’ll start to see:
- Rolling green hills dotted with white farmhouses
- Red barns and tall silos rising above the fields
- Laundry hanging on long clotheslines, moving in the breeze
- Farmers out working fields, sometimes with tractors, sometimes with horse-drawn plows
- And most memorably, the steady clip-clop of horse-drawn buggies sharing the road with cars
It feels like stepping into a quieter rhythm of life.
A glimpse into Amish life in Lancaster County
The Amish community in Lancaster County is the oldest Amish settlement in the world with around 45,000 people living in the area. Only Ohio has a larger Amish population.
The Amish community is rooted in a conservative Christian faith known as Anabaptist, and their way of life centers of principles of simplicity, humility, family, and community. At home, they typically speak Pennsylvania Dutch, which is a German dialect, but they also learn English for school and business.
Many still farm or run small family businesses, travel by horse and buggy, and limit modern technology as a way to stay close to the traditions and values of their faith that have been upheld and maintained for generations.
Where We Stopped (and Loved)
We made a few simple but memorable stops that perfectly matched the vibe of the day.
Bird-in-Hand Bakery & Cafe
If you only have time for one stop, this was my personal favorite. They had the best soft pretzels and fresh lemonade. They also had a huge selection of classic Amish baked goods (the pecan sticky buns were a personal favorite, but you’ll also find other items like Amish shoofly pie, fresh bread, whoopie pies, apple dumplings, cheese, snacks, produce, and so much more. Their store also has many other Amish-made goods, quilts, and crafts that are fun to browse. It’s the perfect first stop.
Countryside Road Stand
Stop here for homemade root beer, more soft pretzels, and roadside charm. It’s small, simple, and has a playground for kids to stretch their legs. There was a farmer spreading manure over his field right next to the stand, which made it feel very authentic (although it also added a rather unpleasant fragrance). Still, it was super interesting to see!
Down on the Farm Creamery
This stop has the prettiest setting of any of the places we pulled off to explore. It has green rolling hills, fields with farm animals, and some of the best ice cream and milkshakes we had on the entire trip. There are also goats and horses that you can pet and another playground for the kids.
Another popular spot is Lapp Valley Farm for ice cream and hilltop views, but we didn’t make it there on this trip.
Stay on a Real Amish Farm (Farm Stays & B&Bs)
If you want to go beyond a scenic drive and really immerse yourself in Amish culture, you might want to look into farm stays or working-farm visits where you can learn about daily life, meet families, and experience the rhythms of rural living.
For a farm stay, you sleep in a room or guesthouse on a working farm. You get to wake up to roosters, horses in the fields, and quiet country roads, and it often includes a simple farm breakfast. Some Amish families offer tours or invite guests to observe daily chores.
Photography Etiquette (Important and Respectful)
This part is important. The Amish generally do not like having their photos taken, especially close-ups of faces. This is tied to religious beliefs about humility and avoiding images of themselves
Good rule of thumb:
- ✔ Photograph landscapes, barns, fields, and buggies from a distance
- ✖ Avoid close-ups or posed photos of people
- ✖ Don’t photograph children
- ✔ When in doubt, put the camera down and just enjoy the moment
Respect goes a long way here. If you’re ever unsure, I recommend erring on the side of not taking the photo.
