Intercourse, PA and Bird-In-Hand, PA

Our Saturday took us right into the heart of Amish Country. Driving around here, you'll see numerous horse and buggys roaming the streets. Be careful not to spook the horses when passing them on the road! (Pass with care and DO NOT honk at them - they always have the right of way.)

While we didn't get to do one of the "Amish tours" this time around, we did get a Pennsylvania Dutch Country experience for sure. The first thing you'll notice is the smell as soon as you get out of your car. It's an aroma of manure, so it isn't very pleasant, but you'll probably get used to it pretty quickly.

Our first stop here was in Intercourse, PA at the People's Place Quilt Museum, located on the 2nd floor of the Old Country Store. The store itself has various items for sale which are exactly what you'd think of when you think of Pennsylvania Dutch Country...homemade furniture, quilts, etc. The museum upstairs has excellent examples of various styles of quilts and was a pleasant surprise. It's quite small, so it doesn't take long to go through, but for anyone with any interest in quilts, or even just an art fan, you'll enjoy your quaint visit. Another plus is that it is completely free to enter.

After this stop, we went further down the road to Bird-In-Hand, PA. There is an excellent Farmer's Market here where you can find some Amish wares as well as top quality baked goods!

Across the street from the market is the Americana Museum, which I must say was quite disappointing. It's basically a store filled with PA Dutch Country type items, which is all fine if you're interested in shopping. However, calling that a museum I think is quite mis-leading and I think can be passed up on any trip to this area.