Category: PA Dutch
Explore the Bike Trails of Lancaster County
October 15, 2020Touring Lancaster County by bike is an exhilarating experience and a great way to explore the countryside that surrounds AmishView Inn & Suites, Tripadvisor’s #1 Lancaster hotel!
While the bed and breakfast atmosphere of our inn makes it tempting to retreat and relax during your stay, we don’t want you to miss out on the beautiful farmland views and scenic bike trails so easily accessible in Lancaster County.
We’re so excited to help visitors discover how much the Susquehanna Valley has to offer. Whether you’re a tourist who loves to bike, a dedicated bike tourist, or a bikepacking devotee who needs a break from roadside camping, we welcome you and offer these local bicycle resources.
Following is a list of biking trails in Lancaster County near AmishView Inn & Suites. Many cyclists just ride the bicycle-friendly roads in Bird-in-Hand.
9 Astonishing Facts About the Amish Community
November 28, 2019You may find yourself becoming naturally curious about the Amish community while staying at Amishview Inn & Suites. There are two main groups of Plain People in Lancaster, PA: the Amish and the Mennonites. Today we’ll be focusing more on the Old Order Amish traditions. The Old Order Amish community believes in a simple way of life and does not permit the use of technology and electricity. There are many unique things about the Amish community that may make you think twice about daily living. Keep reading to learn eight fascinating facts about the Old Order Amish traditions.
5 Top Reasons to Take a Trip to Amish Country, PA
September 27, 2019
Do you ever just get so tied up at work that you throw your hands up in the air and say, “That’s it. I need a vacation.” Sometimes you need an uninterrupted break from the daily grind, which is why planning a getaway to Amish Country, PA should be on your bucket list. Slow down from the everyday life happenings, relax away from the city, and let your worries fade while staying at AmishView Inn & Suites. Keep reading to find the top 5 reasons as to why your next escape should be to Lancaster, PA.
1. The Atmosphere
The best time to visit Amish Country, PA, is really any time of the year. You’ll quickly find yourself nestled around gorgeous Amish farms, breathtaking landscapes, and quaint shops all around the area. When you physically see how the Amish live, you’ll come to appreciate your time reflecting on life away from technology and the modern-day lifestyle.
2. The Furniture
When shopping in Lancaster, PA, we suggest taking the time to appreciate the Amish furniture. Each piece is truly one-of-a-kind, and the longevity of the furniture far exceeds any mass-produced product. The quality and care put into each piece means that the Amish maker has ensured that the selected pieces of hardwood have matured enough to last from generation to generation.
3. The Food
All around town, you’ll find farm stands, Amish baked goods, and the best restaurants in Lancaster, PA, that use locally grown Amish ingredients. Traditional Amish food is made with fresh ingredients, is deliciously hearty and will not leave you hungry. Get the taste of the Amish Country, PA, ingredients of Lancaster County at Miller’s Smorgasbord.
4. The Buggy Rides
Amish do not drive cars, let alone use transportation that has rubber on the tires as the tractors and buggies are meant to stay close to their farms. Which is why when you visit Lancaster, PA, you’ll find many Amish folks traveling around by buggy. We encourage you to take a tour of their farms and properties by buggy, which will allow you to get a real experience of the Amish traditions along the way.
5. The Amish Products
Not only does the Amish produce high-quality furniture and grow the best quality ingredients around, but they also craft many other products. You’ll find authentic Amish-made clothing, canned goods, quilts, art, candles, leather goods and so much more while shopping in Lancaster, PA. Walk away from your vacation with a gift or keepsake that is one-of-a-kind.
Peaceful Lancaster, PA, Hotels
The Amish take a slower approach to life, and when you visit Lancaster, PA, you’ll get to partake in the experience. Escape from the busy city life and take time to nurture your family connections in Amish Country, PA. During your stay at AmishView Inn & Suites, enjoy a freshly prepared breakfast each morning with the view of an Amish farm just outside the window as you eat breakfast. While we offer a peaceful escape, we also provide modern-day amenities such as free wi-fi and TVs that will keep you connected during your getaway. Please give us a call to book your stay 1-866-735-1600 or book online.
Best Restaurants in Lancaster PA
July 26, 2019One of the best experiences you’ll have when staying at AmishView Inn & Suites is the fantastic food during your stay. Our complimentary breakfast buffet is served fresh each morning so that you’ll be able to start the day off with a full stomach before going about your daily adventures. Many local eateries use authentic Amish-grown ingredients in their dishes, which is why you’ll find some of the best restaurants in Lancaster PA.
Smokehouse BBQ and Brew
During your vacation, plan a night to stop into the Smokehouse BBQ and Brew located just outside the lobby doors of our Lancaster hotel. You’ll love the signature house-made sauce options that are on each table. Order a round of wings or a rack of ribs which are both local favorites and pair it with an artisan brew on draft. Even if you don’t have time to sit and dine, grab an order to go and bring it back to your room to relax after a long day out!
Miller’s Smorgasbord
One of the best buffet restaurants in Lancaster PA is Miller’s Smorgasbord as they serve meals made from scratch. They have been a Lancaster County staple since 1929! They are still locally owned and operated. When you genuinely want to taste the flavor of the Lancaster County dishes, this American fare eatery should be your go-to on Lancaster vacation. The restaurant offers full traditional smorgasbord buffet with house-made baked goods and desserts as well as their lighter Soup and Salad Smorgasbord. We suggest trying the traditional smorgasbord where you’ll have access to everything including homemade soups; carving station with roast beef, ham and turkey; Golden Fried Chicken; Baked Cabbage and more! you’ll have so many options. The restaurant is located at The Shoppes at Miller’s where you can get hand-stitched Amish-made quilts, MIller’s Bakery baked goods and mementos of your trip.
Other Restaurants
There is a wide variety of award-winning locally owned restaurants in Lancaster County especially in downtown Lancaster City. It can be fun to try out the specials in Downtown Lancaster during the annual Restaurant Week. Beer lover? Check out the different craft breweries that offer dining as well. Looking for additional suggestions, ask our front desk but be sure to them know what type of food you are looking for.
Book Your Stay in Lancaster at AmishView
When staying at AmishView, you’ll be able to enjoy the complimentary hearty breakfast buffet, before heading out to explore Amish Country. This buffet features oatmeal, country potatoes, made to order waffles, made to order eggs, and other farm fresh items. No matter which of our gorgeous hotel rooms you choose for your stay in Lancaster, you’ll delight in beautiful views of the Amish farms that surround you while looking out your window or the window in the Great Room. You’ll enjoy an intimate getaway with your loved ones out in the country away from the city. It’s never too early to start planning your getaway to our peaceful town of Lancaster, PA. Give us a call at 1-866-735-1600.
Simple Pork & Sauerkraut for a PA Dutch New Year
November 14, 2017If you live in, or have visited, Pennsylvania near the New Year you’ve probably experienced our famous pork & sauerkraut. This simple dish has been passed down from generation to generation with minor tweaks throughout. Many visitors are curious about the popular PA Dutch tradition meant to bring good luck, and more importantly, how to make it. Let’s give it a look!
The PA Dutch Tradition
Every year, eager residents of Lancaster County eat pork & sauerkraut for good luck. But how did they get started? Some say that early farmers were inspired by their pigs. As an analogy, the pigs “rooted forward” for forward momentum. The truth is, despite how good our guesses may seem, we don’t actually know! One thing we do know: it’s delicious.
Pork and Sauerkraut in 4 Steps
Now for the recipe itself, which is surprisingly simple. It takes about 6 hours, and feeds five:
Prepare the Pork
Start with 1 pound of pork roast and cut it into small cubes – roughly 1 inch in size. You may also want to slice or shred the pork, depending on your personal tastes.
Get an Apple Ready
One of the key aspects of getting that unique PA Dutch Sauerkraut taste is by using an apple. The apple itself won’t be a part of the finished product, but is essential to the process. Peel half an apple, remove the core, and then put it in a crock pot to get things started. If you like a more acidic taste, you can use an entire apple. However, for your first time half should be plenty.
Put the Ingredients in the Crock Pot
Now place the pork into the crock pot along with the following:
- 1 32 ounce jar sauerkraut with juice
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh dill weed
- 1 teaspoon onion salt
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
Cook!
For the final step, turn your crockpot to high for 1 hour. Then, switch it to low for 5 hours. Then, take out the apple and voila! You now have traditional pork & sauerkraut at home.
Nothing Beats The Authentic Dish
If you can’t quite get it right at home, you’re always welcome to try the original in Lancaster County! Stay at AmishView Inn and explore our local restaurants to get your fill of genuine PA Dutch cooking right from the source.