These Country Inns and Bed and Breakfasts offer a glimpse into the simple, peaceful ways of this unique religious sect
Imagine sitting on the veranda of a Pennsylvania Bed and Breakfast, surrounded by miles of rolling farmland, with the clip-clop of horse-drawn buggies passing by. This is the Amish country, one of the few remaining cultures that haven’t left the 19th century.
Pennsylvania contains one of the largest Amish settlements in the country. Though people often refer to the Amish as either Old Order or New Order, there are actually hundreds of different orders, ranging from those that dress traditionally and do everything by hand, to those who live fully modern lives.
If you really want to immerse yourself in this fascinating culture, there are quite a few inns that will help guests connect with their Amish neighbors. Whether it’s through tours, meals or décor, these bed & breakfasts will offer you a more genuine experience with the Amish than you would find elsewhere.
The King’s Cottage
The inn is a beautifully restored Spanish mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It features a red-tile roof, and stucco walls, more typical of houses in California. Its elegant interiors include an inviting, plant filled sunroom, private massage room and beautiful formal dining room where a delicious, gourmet breakfast is served daily. The innkeepers organize dinners at Amish homes and tours of the Pennsylvania Dutch countryside.
Bird-In-Hand Village Inn & Suites
The innkeepers offer a complimentary, 2 hour scenic, Amish farmlands tour aboard an air conditioned bus. Learn about the 18th century lifestyle, traditions and history of the Amish neighbors from the experienced tour guides. Several stops are made including a visit an Amish-owned quilt shop. Guests will enjoy the inn’s historic sense of ambiance and Victorian décor as well as the comfort of the tastefully appointed guest rooms with period furnishings.
Flowers & Thyme B&B
A charming, brick, Colonial built in 1941 by an Amish man for a Mennonite minister and his family. The inn features antiques, homemade quilts, cross-stitch wall hangings, and fresh flowers from the gardens on the grounds. Enjoy the pastoral farm view from the rocking chairs on the front porch and a full, hearty breakfast is served daily. An evening meal can be arranged with an Amish family. For something unique, try the scenic 45-minute journey through Amish country on America’s oldest short line, the Strasburg Railroad.
O’Flaherty’s Dingeldein House B&B
A Dutch Colonial built in 1910 and located in the heart of Amish country. The innkeepers will provide guests with daily itineraries to experience the local festivals, museums, and historic buildings. They can arrange for a tour of the countryside in an authentic Amish buggy or dinner in an Amish home. Enjoy breakfast by candlelight and the many eclectic antiques at this cozy country inn.
The Creekside Inn
Located on 2 acres along the Pequa Creek, innkeepers say it is not uncommon to hear the sounds of Amish buggies as they travel down the road. The 18th century Georgian home has a stone exterior and gabled roof. It offers guests rooms with four-poster or Windsor beds and some with working stone fireplaces. A hearty, full breakfast is served each morning.
The Osceola Mill House
A handsome limestone mill house on the banks of the Pequa Creek in a quaint historic setting adjacent to a 1757 mill and miller’s cottage. Deep-set windows, wide pine floors and working fireplaces in the keeping room and bedrooms add to the warmth and charm. Amish neighbors farm the picturesque fields adjoining the inn and their buggies clip-clop by. Dinner in an Amish home can be arranged.
Country Hearth Bed & Breakfast
Built in 1793, the inn is rumored to have once been a stagecoach stop as well as a tavern. This 210 year old charming, stone farmhouse has three original fireplaces, the original pine random width floors, and wide window sills. Observe the Amish neighbors working the fields, doing their errands and experience the horse and buggy traffic as a daily occurrence around the inn. Innkeepers can arrange for dinner in an Amish home.
For information on the listed inns:
The King’s Cottage
1049 E King Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
Rates: $150-$325
www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/pennsylvania/kingscottagea.him
Bird-In-Hand Village Inn & Suites
PO Box 402
Bird-In-Hand, PA 17505
Rates: $69-$204
www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/pennsylvania/birdinhandvillagesuites.htm
Flowers & Thyme
238 Strasburg Pike
Lancaster, PA 17602
Rates: $89-$159
www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/pennsylvania/flowersthyme.htm
O’Flaherty’s Dingeldein House B&B
1105 E King Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
Rates: $100-$165
www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/pennsylvania/oflahertysdingeldeinhouse.htm
The Creekside Inn
44 Leacock Rd, PO Box 435
Paradise, PA 17562
Rates: $94-$164
www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/pennsylvania/creekside-of-paradise.htm
The Osceola Mill House
313 Osceola Mill Rd
Gordonville, PA 17529
Rates: $89-$189
www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/pennsylvania/1766osceolamillhouse.htm
Country Hearth Bed and Breakfast
285 W Main Street
New Holland, PA 17557
Rates: $99-$169
www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/pennsylvania/dilworthrockinghorse.htm
Still undecided? Go to www.iloveinns.com and browse through the 19,000 B&Bs and country inns that specialize in other events that may interest you. Many of the properties listed above are also in the best-selling bed and breakfast guidebook Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns with a Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free Certificate.
About American Historic Inns and iLoveInns.com
American Historic Inns, Inc. (www.iloveinns.com), founded in 1981, is the leading publisher of bed & breakfast guidebooks, with more than 2.5 million bed & breakfast guidebooks sold, and runs iLoveInns.com, a top bed & breakfast and country inns directory.
Note: For photos or interviews, please contact Barbara Naylon at 949-497-2232, ext. 305.
