1
$$Editor's Pick
The guides genuinely know and respect Amish culture. Educational without being exploitative.
Lancaster Rankings
The Best Tours
in Lancaster
Our definitive guide to the top tours in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 5 businesses ranked for 2026.
By area:Bird-in-Hand
Finding the right tour in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania shouldn't feel like a gamble. We've curated this list based on Google reviews, local reputation, and insider recommendations to bring you the best tours in Lancaster city and the surrounding Amish Country towns. Whether you're a visitor exploring Pennsylvania Dutch Country or a local resident, these are the top-rated tours you can trust.
2
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The backroads bus tour gives you access to areas you couldn't find on your own.
3
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Actually owned and operated by an Amish family. It doesn't get more authentic.
4
$
One of the originals — unhurried rides and drivers who grew up on these roads.
5
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The covered bridge route is the most fun you can have on the county's back roads — book the morning slot.
Guide to Tours in Lancaster
The heart of any Lancaster County trip is getting out among the farms, and there's a real difference between doing it well and doing it from a highway-side window. The established operators have spent decades building relationships with Amish and Mennonite families: The Amish Farm and House has run tours since 1955, The Amish Village takes small buses down genuine back roads, and Aaron & Jessica's Buggy Rides is owned and driven by an Amish family.
The most memorable experiences are the smallest ones. Small-group cultural tours visit working farms and one-room schoolhouses, and a few arrange sit-down meals inside Amish homes — home cooking, real conversation, no cameras. These cap group sizes and sell out first, especially in October; book before your trip, not after you arrive.
Etiquette matters here more than at most destinations. Never photograph Amish people's faces — it violates their religious convictions around graven images. Landscapes, farms, and buggies are fine. Sunday is a day of worship and rest, so plan all touring for Monday through Saturday. And on the back roads, remember you're sharing the lane with horse-drawn buggies moving at 8 mph — slow down, give space, and pass only on clear straightaways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Amish tour in Lancaster, PA?
It depends on what you want: The Amish Farm and House (operating since 1955) is the classic farm-and-house tour; Aaron & Jessica's Buggy Rides is actually Amish-owned; and small-group experiences like a sit-down lunch in an Amish family's home are the most personal option. Many visitors combine a farm tour with a buggy ride in one day.
Are Amish tours respectful?
The established operators work in genuine partnership with Amish and Mennonite families and explain the culture accurately. The one firm rule: never photograph Amish people's faces — it conflicts with their religious beliefs. Farms, buggies, and landscapes are fine to photograph from a respectful distance.
Are Amish tours open on Sundays?
Almost none. Sunday is a day of worship and rest in the Amish community, so buggy rides, farm tours, and most Amish-owned businesses close. Plan tours for Monday through Saturday.
How long do Amish tours last?
Buggy rides run from 20 minutes to over an hour. Farm and house tours take 60–90 minutes. Small-group cultural tours and meal experiences run two hours to a half day. Book morning slots in summer and October — afternoons sell out.
Can you visit a real Amish farm?
Yes — several tours visit working Amish farms, and some include a home-cooked meal with an Amish family. These sell out fastest because group sizes are deliberately small; book online ahead of your trip.