The Ultimate Summer Guide to Lancaster County, PA

If you’ve been dreaming of wide-open farmland, fresh-baked everything, and a true escape from the noise of everyday life, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania should be at the very top of your summer travel list. We spent the last two weeks of July in Ronks, PA, right in the heart of Amish country, and it was one of the most peaceful, delicious, and genuinely eye-opening trips our family has ever taken.

Whether you’re looking for things to do in Lancaster PA with kids, wondering where to find the best Amish food in Lancaster County, or just want to know if Lancaster is worth visiting, the answer is a wholehearted yes. Keep reading for everything you need to plan your own trip.

Why Lancaster County, PA Should Be Your Next Summer Vacation Destination

Lancaster County is home to the largest Amish community in America, with approximately 47,000 Amish and 43,000 Mennonites living and working in the region. This means miles and miles of rolling, hilly farmland with stunning pastoral views, and an abundance of fresh produce, handcrafted breads, pastured meats, and homemade canned goods that you simply cannot find anywhere else.

The pace here is slow and intentional. If you’re a foodie, a history lover, a parent looking for meaningful experiences for your kids, or simply someone who needs a digital detox, Lancaster delivers on every front.

Where to Stay in Lancaster County

We stayed in Ronks, PA, which puts you right in the middle of the action, close to the farms, markets, and activities without sacrificing convenience. It’s a great home base for day trips throughout the county. Look for vacation rentals with full kitchens if you plan to cook (which we highly recommend, more on that below).

Where to Buy the Best Local Food in Lancaster County

Because I love to cook, we did very little eating out and instead sourced almost everything locally. Here’s exactly where to shop for the freshest ingredients and best baked goods in Amish country:

Fisher’s Produce, Best Baked Goods in Lancaster PA

This was hands-down our favorite stop for baked goods, and I cannot recommend it enough. A few must-tries:

Lemon bars: classic, perfectly tart and sweet
Healthy brownies: made with almond flour and coconut sugar, but don’t let that fool you. They are deeply fudgy, cakey, and absolutely satisfying.
Oat rhubarb bars

Pro tip: Fresh dinner rolls are delivered daily at 12:00 PM. Do not arrive before noon if you want today’s rolls, anything on the shelf before that is from the day before.

The produce here is exceptional. During a late July visit, the apricots and plums were at their peak and absolutely worth loading up on.

Locust Hill Farm, Best Pasture – Raised Meats in Lancaster County

This farm is where we sourced every single piece of meat for the entire two-week trip. We tried it once and refused to shop anywhere else. Everything we brought home was outstanding:

Pasture-raised leg and thigh chicken
Chicken wings
Ground beef
Sausage
Chicken pot pie, which is rich, comforting, total comfort food heaven

Beyond the meat, Locust Hill Farm also has some incredible extras worth noting:

Peach pie: not overly sweet, more fresh and clean on the palate. Grab the mini version if you want a taste without committing to a full pie (though fair warning: you’ll want the full one).
Zucchini bread: moist, flavorful, highly recommend
Heirloom tomatoes and gorgeous eggplant
Peppercorn cheese, smoked Gouda, and garlic and herb cheese: all absolutely divine

Michael’s Breads – Best Artisan Bread and Sticky Buns in Lancaster PA

I don’t have the words. The people working in this kitchen are literal angels. We sourced all of our bread here for the entirety of our trip, and we will never recover. Do not leave without:

Sticky buns: the classic
Pecan sticky buns
Blueberry jam sticky buns
Cinnamon swirl bread (for those who aren’t raisin fans)
Cinnamon raisin bread (for those who are)

Strasburg Market – Best Butcher Counter and Bakery Extras

If you’re planning a taco night or want to make an authentic Philly cheesesteak at home during your stay, Strasburg Market has excellent shaved ribeye. They also carry:

White chocolate macadamia nut cookies … incredible
The softest hamburger buns you will ever encounter

More Food Worth Mentioning in Lancaster PA

We also stopped into Lancaster Cupcakes, absolutely delicious and worth a visit if you’re in the area. Don’t skip them.

Main Street (in either Strasburg or Lancaster, I honestly couldn’t tell you which!) is a charming two-block stretch with a great little ice cream shop, a restaurant, and tons of antique stores. You can grab a slice of New York-style pizza and browse collectibles all in the same walk.

If you keep driving past Main Street, look for Joe on the Go, a New York-style coffee food truck with the cutest vibe and seriously good coffee. The honey cinnamon vanilla iced latte is a must-order.

Best Things to Do in Lancaster County PA

Strasburg Railroad – A Must for Families

Take the train ride. Do it. The Strasburg Railroad is a piece of living history and one of those experiences that’s genuinely fun for every age. Kids absolutely love it, and adults appreciate the nostalgia and craftsmanship. It’s one of the best things to do in Lancaster PA with kids, full stop.

Cherry Crest Adventure Farm – A Full Day (or More)

This is one of those places you will need to visit more than once if you have young children, there is simply no way to fit everything into a single day. Cherry Crest Adventure Farm has something for every age:

Petting zoo
Feeding animals and holding baby chicks
Apple cannons
Paintball
Barrel races

Plan for a full day and come back again. Seriously.

The Amish Village – Most Educational Stop of the Entire Trip

This was one of the highlights of our whole visit, and I’d call it a non-negotiable must-see. We walked away with so much genuine knowledge and a deep appreciation for the Amish way of life. Here are some of the fascinating things we learned:

The Amish first came to America in 1733, emigrating from Germany and Switzerland
They are Old Testament Christians who believe in adult baptism, they fled persecution from Catholics who practiced infant baptism
Today there are approximately 47,000 Amish and 43,000 Mennonites in the Lancaster area; the Mennonites tend to be a bit more open to modern conveniences
All Amish children receive only an eighth-grade education
When an Amish person needs hospital care, the community collectively pays whatever the bill comes to, since they don’t carry insurance
Church is held in homes, not in a church building, every family in the community is expected to host once or twice a year. Services include a 3-hour sermon and singing
The bishop of a congregation is chosen through a scripture-based lottery. Whichever man’s Bible contains the matching verse is considered chosen by God, and the role comes with zero compensation
Men are clean-shaven until marriage, then grow a beard they never trim, it represents the longevity of the marriage
Once a man becomes a grandfather, he begins wearing a hat with a special stitched brim so the community knows he is to be especially respected
Boys receive an open buggy at age 16 because they’re of dating age, the buggy must remain open until they’re married
The youngest son of a farmer inherits the family farm (if he chooses). Older siblings who want to farm often have to leave the county to find good farmland
Only 20% of Amish in the area are still farmers today; many are now mechanics, construction workers, and welders
The Amish speak three languages: German for church, Pennsylvania Dutch at home, and English for business
Every few houses share a phone booth, used strictly for business purposes

Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park

We didn’t make it to Dutch Wonderland (our girls got sick, such is life with kids!), but we heard nothing but great things. It’s a family-friendly amusement park right in Lancaster that would be a great addition to any multi-day itinerary.

Sight & Sound Theatres

This was another stop we couldn’t fit in but heard so much about. Sight & Sound is a large-scale live Biblical theater experience that draws visitors from all over. If this sounds like your kind of thing, book well in advance as the shows sell out.

Tips for Planning Your Lancaster County Trip

Stay in Ronks for the best central access to farms, markets, and activities
Rent a place with a full kitchen, cooking with local ingredients is half the experience
Arrive at Fisher’s Produce after noon for same-day fresh dinner rolls
Get to Michael’s Breads early, sticky buns sell out
Budget extra time at Cherry Crest Farm if you have young kids
Book Sight & Sound tickets in advance if that’s on your list
The last two weeks of July are great for stone fruit, apricots and plums are peak season

Final Thoughts on Lancaster County, PA

Lancaster County genuinely surprised us. I knew it would be beautiful and charming, but I wasn’t fully prepared for how much there was to see, taste, and learn. From the jaw-dropping sticky buns at Michael’s Breads to the profoundly moving visit to the Amish Village, this trip checked every box.

If you’re looking for a summer vacation that’s equal parts restful, delicious, and genuinely enriching, Amish country is calling your name.

Have you visited Lancaster County? Drop your favorite spots in the comments, I’d love to know what we missed for next time!