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Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, located southeast of Philadelphia, is home to one of the largest communities of Amish (or Pennsylvania Dutch) in the United States. The mostly rural county is also home to graceful, rolling hills; traditional farms; and a collection of 29 covered bridges. First settled in the late 17th century as part of William Penn’s Pennsylvania land development, Lancaster is a major tourist destination.

What to do in Lancaster County

Lancaster County offers an array of activities. Among these are:

• Theme Parks - Lancaster County is home to Hersheypark, the chocolate-themed attraction in Hershey, PA as well as Dutch Wonderland, a medieval-themed family amusement park.
• Shopping - Shopping in Lancaster includes outlet store, antique dealers, craft stores, and Amish furniture workshops.
• Covered Bridges - Pennsylvania has more historic covered bridges than any other state, and 29 of these are in Lancaster County. Explore these unique structures.
• An Authentic Steam Train - The Strasburg Railroad is a favorite Lancaster County attraction. Take the 45-minute ride through the countryside on this historic train.

Visiting Lancaster

Lancaster County is an easy drive from Philadelphia and within a day’s drive from Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington DC, and New York City. Visitors can also fly into Philadelphia or Harrisburg, located just west of Lancaster County.

Accommodations range from luxury hotels, such as the Hotel Hershey to smaller, yet charming, bed and breakfast inns. For a complete list of accommodations, see the Lancaster County Visitors’ Bureau Web site.

(photo credit: stockxchange)