Location
Description
There are a number of relatively minor tourist attractions in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. In my opinion the area is worth a quick visit if you are nearby, but probably not worth a special diversion. The Farmer's Market in the small town of Bird In Hand is well worth a stop if you are passing.
It is very difficult to be certain of what is really happening in this area. Are the Amish and Mennonites exploiting the tourists, are the tourists exploiting them, or are the owners of the various tourist attractions exploiting both? In any case, the region certainly has a strange feeling to it, and I have seen it described as a "human zoo".
The name "Dutch Country" is somewhat of a misnomer. While some of the Amish and Mennonite people did originate from the Netherlands, many came originally from Switzerland, in some cases via Germany. To some extent, the name "Dutch Country" came about through a confusion with the word "Deutsche" which in the German language means German.
There are other Amish and Mennonite "colonies" in other parts of the USA, and I suspect probably also in parts of Canada.
There is a detailed description of life in a Pennsylvania Dutch Country Mennonite sect in the first half of the nineteenth century in James Michener's "Centennial".
Places & useful connections
Before you set out
Confirm current access, opening arrangements, reservations and the suitability of your planned roads and walks. Photographs may show earlier conditions.