Amish Farm and House — Attraction in East Lampeter Township

Excellent employees, experiences, history, relevance, and options; questionable upper-management decisions. My family of 5 (wife and 3 kids aged elementary, middle, and high) visited Lancaster, PA for Spring Break and made sure this Amish experience was on our list, as it was our first time in the area and were not familiar with the Amish culture but were excited to learn. We were not paid to give a review or given free tickets. First, let me rattle off the great parts of our experience. We purchased the Premium Tour Package as we wanted to see the area and make sure we were guided along the way. We purchased same-day tickets over the phone for a weekday package - very convenient! The first thing we did was go on a 90-minute bus tour of the area that included many Amish residences and farms. The 14-passenger bus was guided by a driver/tour guide with a microphone that enabled us to hear her clearly as well as have a more personal experience by asking questions along the way. This was incredibly educational. She took us along a typically prepped route and ended up stopping twice at Amish-owned shops - the first was a farm with a store that had much to offer for both purchase as well as viewing, including a litter of puppies, Amish kids bringing in a new horse cart to the barn, horses, and the opportunity to get in and take pictures with a buggy. Our guide was incredibly informed about the Amish culture and even knew some by name via friendship, which solidified the authentic experience. We stopped at a second Amish-owned business that was both a store and a pretzel and ice-cream shop; great prices and excellent taste! This was right at 90 minutes door-to-door as promised. Next, when we arrived back to the original farm we toured the house. Our guide was very much down to Earth and had good report with the crowd. He was quite knowledgeable about each room and its items. This was right at 30 minutes. Finally we were led out from the house tour to the rest of the farm area that was self-exploratory, but guided by much signage and coordination with both the physical map from the visitor center as well as linked to the website for additional audio. This was untimed, perfect! Much to do and see including scooters, animals, farm-equipment, schoolhouse, and other farm-related buildings. The playground was a nice respite midway through! We visited Chris, the local woodworker/whittler, in the barn. He was probably the highlight of the entire experience! Again, another quality employee who was personable, knowledgeable, and kind! He was a craftsman who had his woodwork on sale in the barn, but the best part was his interactions with each kid, using his wood burning tool to imprint their name into a sliver of wood each. He explained his craft delicately and intricately. We bought a wood ornament that he customized with his neat skill and craft! Now to the management-issues: Tour group sizing - there are twice as many people being let in for house tour groups than should be allowed, which detracts from the experience. It made the house tour cramped, stuffy, uncomfortable, and especially inaccessible for the tour participants who were "last" to get into the room being presented (or who had to wait). My wife ended up leaving the tour because she couldn't see anything having to wait in the previous room while most of the rest of the people were packed into the current room. Again, I would like to emphasize that this isn't a guide fault as s/he does not set the max limits. However, there is NO WAY 34+ people could be allowed per room per any kind of fire code. As a school teacher I would barely get all of my 25 4th graders in any of those rooms, much less a mostly-adult mix. Closed? Our child was scratched by a farmcat. His fault. We went for first-aid but center was locked. It was 5:02. No announcement of being closed. Ghost-town. Had to go to Target instead. Not ok. Overall, we were thrilled with our interactions with the Amish Farm employees. They get 5+ stars and...

The Amish Farm and House in Lancaster, Pennsylvania offers a truly immersive glimpse into Amish culture and history. Dating back to the early 18th century, this historic site provides visitors with an authentic experience of Amish life, showcasing traditional crafts, farming practices, and daily living in a setting that has remained remarkably preserved over the years.

One of the highlights is the freedom to roam the grounds at your own pace. The self-guided tours allow for a leisurely exploration of the farm, where you can get up close to the animals, including goats, chickens, and horses , all of which are well cared for and approachable. The handlers on-site are friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to share insights about Amish farming techniques and lifestyle, adding a rich layer of education to your visit.

Interacting with the animals is particularly pleasant, as they are accustomed to visitors and provide a unique, hands-on experience for children and adults alike. The staff’s warm demeanor makes it easy to ask questions and feel welcome throughout your visit.

That being said, there are a few minor drawbacks. The lack of accessibility may pose a challenge for visitors with mobility issues, as the terrain can be uneven, and some areas are difficult to navigate. Additionally, signage around the property could be improved, as it’s sometimes unclear where certain exhibits or features are located.

Overall, the Amish Farm and House offers an enriching and enjoyable experience, particularly for those looking to learn more about the Amish way of life. A bit more attention to accessibility and directions would make it...

I highly recommend The Amish Farm & House tour for first timers visiting Amish country. Mind you the business is next to Target and PetSmart. My bf and I were confused. We thought we’ll pull into a country side farmhouse, but nope.. it’s next to Target and PetSmart and the tour guide will explain why it’s like that.

Debbie did an amazing job being our bus tour guide explaining the Amish history/culture. I really enjoyed the two Amish establishments where we were able to get off and buy Amish goods. The first location was Countryside Roadstand and we only have 15mins to get pretzel/soft serve and browse the store. With the little time we have, my bf stood in line to get pretzel and soft serve, while I went inside to get Amish goodies. I got zucchini bread, cinnamon roll with cream cheese, hot pepper relish, pickles, black raspberry jam, espresso cheddar cheese, homemade root beer and lemonade. All the can goods I bought are delicious. I will definitely go back and stock up on Annie’s Kitchen canned food.. and the pretzel and soft serve was delicious 🤤.

Tim was the house tour guide and I really enjoy his humor 👌.

After the house tour, check out the farm and grab some food. The ribs were tender, but a little dry. Needs a little bbq sauce. And the potatoes were delicious 🤤.

I’m not trying to hate and be rude. I know parents are going to hate this comment, but the bus tour I do not recommend kids 6 and under. Especially if the child is unruly and can’t sit still and be quiet.. I couldn’t hear...