A Day Trip to Pennsylvania Amish Country

If you’re looking for a day trip to Pennsylvania Amish Country, we have a great itinerary for you. Lancaster County is a lovely place to visit, and it’s just 90 minutes outside of Philadelphia (and under 3 hours to New York City). You’ll see beautiful rolling hills, quaint farmhouses, horse-drawn buggies …and absolutely delicious food, of course.

We’ll start with a caveat: Some places (we’re looking at you, downtown Intercourse, PA) have become massive tourist draws and can get so crowded they feel more like a mall and lose their true Amish country charm. We’ve tried to keep this itinerary to some lovely but lesser-known places.

A farmhouse with a string of colored laundry in Gap, PA.

Second, yes, you will see plenty of folks in traditional Amish, Mennonite, or Anabaptist clothing. (Think solid colors, simple patterns, women wearing aprons and bonnets.) But for this story, we’ve tried to focus on the setting and the food rather than the clothing. Many or most individuals do not want their photos taken, and we’ve refrained from doing so out of respect.

Embroidery on display at an Amish gift shop

And third, Lancaster County has some delightful restaurants, but you can only eat so many meals in one day. That’s why our day trip to Pennsylvania Amish Country features plenty of market stops so you can load up for future meals. Believe us when we say you’re going to want to try all of the local delicacies. Pack a cooler with ice packs so if you want to buy something perishable you’ll be able to bring it home safely.

We created this road trip in kind of a “J” shape. You can do just the straight line of the J, or you can do the extra curve. See our custom Pennsylania Dutch road trip map here.

Stop 1: Gracie’s On Main

Every day in Lancaster County should start with a meal at Gracie’s on Main in Leola, PA. (264 W. Main St., Leola, PA 17540). Gracie’s has absolutely perfected the art of breakfast, brunch, and lunch. First of all, everything is made from scratch. Gracie’s team smokes all of their own meats and makes all of their own jams, sauces, and dressings. Second, there’s not a thing on the waffle menu or omelet menu that you won’t love. Third, there is a Whole. Separate. Bacon. Menu. Let that sink in for a moment. You can ask for individual orders of each kind of bacon. But if you feel adventurous and hungry, definitely try the bacon sampler. That will give you a taste of all of the bacons: double smoked, caramelized, Irish, black pepper Worchestershire, sweet garlic chili, Canadian, and their own bacon jam.

The bacon menu at Gracie’s on Main

Here’s one other thing we love about Gracie’s: They have a “Pay it Forward” bulletin board near the entrance where people donate entrees or meals. If you want to donate something, simply pay for an item at the cash register, write it on a note, and pin it to the board. (It’s optional to do this in someone’s honor.) If you need a meal, you can go into the restaurant, pull a note off the board, and redeem it for that item. Give one/take one. We love it.

The Pay it Forward bulletin board at Gracie’s on Main

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Stop 2: Misty Creek Goat Dairy

Next, continue down Route 772 to get to Misty Creek Goat Dairy (43 West Eby Road, Leola, PA 17540). This family-owned farm sells a variety of products related to its Saanen, Lamanchas, and Alpiner Nubian pure and mixed-breed goats. The Miller family farmers are extremely conscientious about taste and balance in all of their goats’ milk products. (They add vinegar to the goats’ feed, which helps balance the pH and improves butterfat naturally.) Of course they produce chevre (goat’s milk cheese) in multiple flavors. (Don’t miss the lavender honey and black raspberry flavors.) There is also a selection of hard cheeses including cheddar, Colby jack, gouda, and baby Swiss. And of course, if you want to experience pure milky-soft skin, you need to try some of their goats’ milk soaps. These soaps are super-gentle and come in scents such as lavender and milk and honey.

A wall of goat milk soaps at Misty Creek Goat Dairy

Note that if someone’s not in the shop to help you, there’s a money box (and you pay on the honor system).

Stop 3: Olde Heritage Homemade Root Beer & Gift Shop

Next, continue down Route 772 to the Olde Heritage Homemade Root Beer & Gift Shop in Ronks, PA (3217 Old Philadelphia Pike, Ronks, PA 17572). This quaint little farm welcomes visitors with open arms. Of course they are happy to serve you their preserves, pickled beets, homemade potato chips, and gifts.

PIckled beets in jars at Olde Heritage Homemade Root Beer and Gift Shop

But what you’re really there for is the homemade root beer. This is no convenience store root beer. It has a deep, rich taste, with a delightful molasses and hoppy flavor. If you’ve never tried homemade root beer before – and even if you think you don’t like root beer – this is a taste you cannot miss.

Exterior of Olde Heritage Homemade Root Beer

Stop 4: Gap View Farm Market

Continuing south on Route 772, your next stop will be the Gap View Farm Market in Gap, PA (5230 Newport Rd, Gap, PA 17527). This is a generational farm that has been in the same family since the 1700s. The market offers lovely produce fresh in season, as well as a refrigerated section with locally made dairy products. We loved visiting in the fall, where we got a chance to see onions for sale in their purest form (covered in dirt). We also had a chance to purchase seasonal corn cob decorations, as well as handmade straw hats.

A crate of fresh-picked, unwashed onions

In the refrigerated section, you can find fresh milk, including raw milk; yogurt; chicken eggs and duck eggs; chicken; butter; and all kinds of cheeses. Speaking of cheese, you can find a variety of cheese curds for sale. And last but not least, look for their homemade vinaigrette, which they tout as a remedy for colds, sore throats, and more.

If you’re crunched for time, at this point, you can just head back East on Route 30 back to the Philadelphia area. But we hope that you will stick around for one more leg of the trip.

Stop 5: Lil’ Country Store & Miniature Horse Farm

4) By this point you will probably want to do a little walking around. That means it’s time to visit the Lil’ Country Store & Miniature Horse Farm in Ronks, PA (264 Paradise Lane, Ronks, PA).

A miniature horse at the Li’l Country Store says hi

This is a fun stop for checking out food as well as miniature horses. Starting with the food, of course, you can buy some homemade potato chips or ice cream. There are also a wide variety of canned goods to bring home, including hot garlic chips (pickles) and chow chow. Chow chow is an iconic Amish relish, made with chopped bell peppers, green tomatoes, sweet onions, and cabbage.

This farm also gives you an opportunity to check out some local trades and crafts. You can view the Stoltzfus family woodworking shop, where woodworkers craft frames and other wooden items.

When you’re ready to check out the horses, you’re in luck: The accessible and open barn with miniature horses is free and open to the public. Outside, you’ll find more four-legged friends such as sheep and goats. (Saddle and cart rides are available for an extra charge.)

A goat peeks out from a fence at the Li’l Country Store

Stop 6: Miller’s

For your last stop, continue back up to Route 30 to get to Miller’s in East Ronks, PA (2811 Lincoln Highway East Ronks, PA). OK, Miller’s isn’t really a “secret” or out-of-the-way destination. (It’s been around since 1929). But if you want to try a a classic Pennsylvania Dutch country smorgasbord buffet, this is your place.

The Miller’s buffet features local delicacies such as “Amish caviar” (cream cheese with pepper jelly), Lancaster County chicken corn soup, and shoo-fly pie. (This variety of shoo-fly pie has a gooey molasses custard, topped with a sweet crumble.)

Anna Miller’s Shoofly Pie. Photo credit: Miller’s.

You can also fill up on Miller’s specialties such as Anna Miller’s Chicken and Waffles and the house special baked cabbage in cream sauce.

But pace yourself! This is a big buffet and you will want to try everything. If you have a smaller appetite, go for the soup and salad buffet. There’s plenty to offer, and you will be happy with the choice of soups and fresh bakery items.

An old-timey car on display at Miller’s.

Once you’re finished, you can browse the gift store and the other shops next door. Then you will be perfectly positioned on Route 30 to head back East to Philadelphia – with plenty of local foods and gifts in hand.

P.S. If you’re fascinated by life in Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch country, check out our story on Nature’s Yoke eggs, based in New Holland, PA.