Lancaster County tourists can get the true VIP experience the Amish way. The Amish Experience has connected visitors with a one-of-a-kind glimpse into the lives of the Pennsylvania Dutch.   

The VIP, or “Visit-in-Person” tours bring small groups of up to 14 tourists to three authentic Amish properties. The tour kicks off at one of the dairy farms during milking time.  

The second shop is at a craftsman’s workshop to learn about their trade. This could include visiting carriage makers, goat cheese artisans, wooden toy makers, or canning kitchens. The tour wraps up inside an Amish family’s home, where participants can ask them questions.  

Amish Experience President Clinton Martin says that the Amish have a very powerful social network.  

“They’re all like one big grapevine,” said Martin.  

When the tour company started out with one or two families participating. But it wasn’t hard to be introduced to others, and the Amish Experience is now connected to 30 to 35 different households.  

For larger groups also seeking a similar authentic experience. The Meal in an Amish Home Tour takes bus groups of fifty to 100 people to eat a hearty meal of Amish cuisine in a barn.  

The tour company connects with an Amish-family-owned catering business to provide traditional meals, such as pot roast, coleslaw, corn, baked chicken, or shoofly pie.  

The Meal in an Amish Home tour also recently started letting smaller groups of people participate. It so far has been proving itself a success.  

“It’s really been working out well, I’ve been pleased at the response,” says Martin.  

Read more about the tours on The Amish Experience’s website.  

A glimpse into The Amish Experience.