The Perfect Fall Weekend in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (Amish Country)
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you can’t go to lancaster and not do an amish farm tour
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If you’re looking for a perfect weekend itinerary for Lancaster, Pennsylvania, you’re in the right place. I’ve put together two full days of activities that will showcase Lancaster County’s historic covered bridges, get you working on an Amish Farm, and eating authentic Amish meals. And if you’re here looking for what to do in Lancaster County in one day, all of the days on the list can be done by themselves! The planning is done for you!
Kitchen kettle offers many locally owned shops and food vendors!
Founded in 1730, Lancaster is known as Pennsylvania Dutch Country and it is one of the oldest inland towns in the United States. Here you will find rolling farmland, horse-drawn buggies, and of course - Amish and Mennonite communities. These communities are known for their preservation of simple, traditional ways of life.
a ride on the strasburg train through lancaster county farmland
While the countryside is quite and rural, the city of Lancaster has a vibrant downtown. The historic brick buildings are home to art galleries, bakeries, and America’s oldest continuous run farmers’ market! Lancaster has an old world charm that blends rich agricultural roots, modern small-town culture, and traditional American life.
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the bees on the flowers at the old windmill farm
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Map of Weekend Itinerary for Lancaster County
Use this interactive map to help you see what you’ll be doing each day in Lancaster County. If you want to do things in a different order, that’s ok! This map will help you keep from back tracking.
apple picking is a must do in pennsylvania during the fall - cherry hill orchards is great
Where to Stay In Lancaster
We stayed at Eden Resorts and Suites for our family trip to Lancaster and it was very convenient to everything we did. Eden Resorts is gorgeous, the rooms are gigantic, and there are several onsite options for dining or places nearby to deliver. Eden Resorts has 3 different pool areas, 2 outdoor and 1 indoor. We went the first weekend of October and the pools are open (and heated) until mid October. They have a playground, mini golf, basketball courts, fire pits, and so much more. We stayed in the King suite with bunk beds and the room even had it’s own fire place which made our fall weekend in Lancaster so cozy!
Eden resorts has outdoor and indoor pools, incredible fall decorations and so much to do on the property.
However, Lancaster has so many amazing places to stay from farm stays to luxury hotels to just the basics. Use the map to find a place that fits your family size and budget.
Day 1: Family Weekend in Lancaster
Breakfast
don’t miss the breakfast burrito at coffee coo
We had plans to stop for breakfast at Passenger Coffee or Rachel’s Café and Creperie, but we lost track of time a bit and decided to stop on our way to Old Windmill Farm. We ended up getting a really great breakfast and coffees at Coffee Co - Millcreek. (Located on Lincoln Highway). I had the breakfast burrito and the entire family was jealous.
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“working” on an amish farm is a must do in lancaster
Old Windmill Farm Tour
We booked a farm tour with Old Windmill Farms at 10 AM. It was so perfect. For the first hour or so, it felt like it was just us and the handful of other people on our tour. I definitely recommend booking the first tour of the morning before the crowds decend.
the farm is gorgeous and after your tour the kids can play for free in the corn barn
The tour was excellent. We started with a hayride around the farm to see the layout. Then, we were taken around the farm by Mary, a ten year old Amish girl, who helped us learn how to bottle feed calves, milk a cow, cuddle rabbits and piglets, and gather eggs. We all loved this part of the tour so much and Mary was an absolute gem.
You can choose to go on a barrel ride after your tour
Be sure to grab some homemade goods like pickles and Whoopie pies from the farm stand where you checked in. On your way out of the farm, stop at the Mennonite farm stand (Lil’ Country Store and Miniature Horse Farm) for things like hand churned butter, fresh squeezed lemonade, homemade root beer, hand crafted wood toys, and more whoopie pies!
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we loved our tour at old windmill farm - it was the highlight of our trip
Farm Stands or Kettle Village for Shopping
We left our farm tour and headed toward Kettle Village. We made a stop at Linden Coffee for a pick me up, but Kettle Village has several places to grab a coffee if you want to save some time.
pappy’s kettle korn has big bags of fresh kettle corn for only $5
While there are many cute shops at Kettle Village, we were looking for more authentic Amish shops. We did get some snacks like kettle corn from Pappy’s Kettle Korn, soft pretzels and the most delicious frozen apple cider. But, we really did not shop.
I wish we had used that time to drive around the countryside and stop at the Amish Farm Stands. Many of the farms have a stand near the main road where you can buy all kinds of goods, snacks, crafts, and fresh cut flowers.
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kitchen kettle village is actually super cute, but for us it wasn’t what we were looking for. the shops felt mass produced and we wanted more locally made goods
Apple Picking and Pumpkin Patch at Cherry Hill Orchards
The pumpkin patch at cherry hill orchard in lancaster, pennsylvania
While there are several orchards and farms you can go apple picking or to a pumpkin patch in Lancaster, we chose Cherry Hill Orchards because of the huge farm market and garden center and that we could do both Apple Picking and Pumpkin picking for a really decent price.
We drove into the apple orchard, snagged a wagon and started picking. We walked through several rows and hardly saw anyone else. After we filled our bushel of apples, we walked to the pumpkin patch and cut ourselves 3 perfect pumpkins. They even gave us 4 tickets for free Apple Cider Donuts, so we headed over and redeemed them. While in the farm store I picked up some local bacon, cheese, and other Amish produced goods.
Cherry Hill Orchards does have a decent sized play area (additional cost), but it wanes in comparison to farms like Cherry Crest Adventure Farm. So if your family is looking for a more play-all-day type farm, Cherry Crest would be a better option. We wanted more low key and farm centered experience.
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They really picked the best pumpkins in the patch
Dinner at Katie's Kitchen
After a full day of farm chores, shopping, apple picking and choosing the perfect pumpkins we were so hungry. We headed over to Katie’s Kitchen for an authentic Amish meal.
the food at katie’s kitchen was SO DANG GOOD
If you’re in Lancaster, you can’t miss Katie’s Kitchen. The restaurant is Amish owned and operated. The servers and employees are all Amish. The food is traditional Amish fare and it is SO GOOD. I had the pork and kraut while my husband went with the meatloaf.
there is a great outdoor playground at katie’s kitchen
If there is a wait to get in, don’t fret. The line goes very fast and there is a great outdoor playground by the parking area for kids to play while they wait.
Inside the restaurant they sell traditional Amish dresses and goods, so be sure to check them out before you head off.
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katie’s kitchen is a must try in lancaster
Evening Swim and Play at Hotel or Haunted Tour of Lancaster
We spent the evening playing at our hotel.
As I said before, we stayed at the Eden Resorts and Suites in Lancaster. This hotel is crazy because they have really thought of everything. They have outdoor firepits, onsite restaurants, 2 outdoor pools, an indoor pool and hot tub, gym, basketball courts, a huge outdoor playground, and so much more. We were very excited the outdoor and indoor pools were heated and still opened, so this is how we spent the evening until bedtime.
However, if you’re not ready to turn in to the hotel for the night, consider taking a Ghost Tour of Lancaster. This was on our list of things to do in Lancaster, but we just couldn’t make a haunted tour fit in our Lancaster itinerary.
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the kids between the outdoor and indoor pools
Day 2 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Day two in Lancaster is going to be full of historic covered bridges, a historic train tour, and delicious food. I hope you’ve got your camera ready and your stomach empty!
Breakfast at the Speckled Hen
We chose to have breakfast at the Speckled Hen because it’s almost next door to the Strasburg Train Station. However, it ended up being a gem of a breakfast place and I must say, you don’t want to miss breakfast at the Speckled Hen.
the autumn breakfast bowl was so good, I can’t stop thinking about it
If you come for nothing else, come here for the really cute and entertaining kids area. We barely saw our kids here. They stayed over in the play room while we ate breakfast!
The food is really good. I had the autumn breakfast bowl and I have been thinking about it ever since we left. I tried to recreate it but it just isn’t the same. Their cappuccinos are awesome and they make the kid’s hot chocolate warm, not hot. Overall we were very impressed with very prompt and friendly customer service.
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Lancasters Historic Covered Bridges
Lancaster is home to 25 famous Historic Covered Bridges. You can’t visit Lancaster and not see at least a few. We were supposed to do a small covered bridge tour after our train ride, but ended up having time between breakfast and the train to see a few.
lancaster’s historic covered bridges are a must see
Before the train, we went over to three bridges starting with the furthest away and making our way back to the train. We made it with plenty of time.
Baumgardeners’s Historic Covered Bridge
Lime Valley Covered Bridge
Historic Neff’s Mill Covered Bridge (Currently Closed October 2025)
After lunch, we went saw two more covered bridges as we drove out of Lancaster and headed home.
Mercer’s Mill Covered Bridge
Leaman’s Place Covered Bridge
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Mercer’s Mill and Leaman’s Place Covered Bridge
Take a Ride on The Strasburg Railroad
the strasburg railroad is a must do in lancaster
An must do in Lancaster is the Strasburg Railroad! Here you are able to climb on board for a 45-minute narrated ride through Amish Country farmland. The train travels from Strasburg Station to Paradise, PA and then turns and comes back.
You can choose to ride in seats in the open air rail cars, coach class, first class, and even dining cars. We chose the Coach seats because the seats flip and we could all sit together facing each other, but truly any class is going to be a very memorable experience. I definitely recommend taking the first journey of the day as it was much less crowded than the second hour!
Our family walking along rialto beach toward hole in wall
After you disembark, be sure to check out the on-site train themed playground, restaurant and gift shop. Also, if you are a wizard, hunt for Platform 9 3/4! Be sure to stick around until the next train get’s ready to leave - it’s quite a sight seeing the steam billowing from the engine!
If you are traveling with a train lover, be sure to pair the Pennsylvania Train Museum with a ride on the Strasburg train! It’s one of the best in the country!
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a traditional Good Humor ice cream truck serviing ice cream at the strasburg train station!
Eat at Miller’s Smorgasbord
If you want to eat hearty food until you can’t eat any more, head to Miller’s Smorgasbord. This buffet opened in 1929 and was rated #2 on USA Today 10 Best for Best Buffet Restaurant for 2025! It really does have something for everyone.
Miller’s is a family-owned establishment committed to offering hearty home-cooked meals and a wide variety of dishes daily. They haves a soup and salad bar that features 8 different homemade soups and over a dozen different Lancaster County salads, a carving station, Anna’s chicken and waffles, award-winning fried chicken, peel and eat shrimp, pot pie and so much more!
While you’re eating here, make sure you try the Amish’s famous Shoo-Fly Pie and the chocolate pecan pie! You can’t come to Lancaster and not try it. As Anna would say, “Eat yourself full”.
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Optional Day 3 in Lancaster
Spend the Day at Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park
Photo from Dutch Wonderland
Something we didn’t have time for, but is on our bucketlist for our next long weekend in Lancaster is spending a day having fun at Dutch Wonderland® Family Amusement Park.
Said to be World’s Best Family Park, Dutch Wonderland offers magical moments for parents and kids to experience together. You’ll get ot meet characters like Duke the Dragon and Princess Brooke. Dutch Wonderland is home to over 30 family-friendly rides of all sizes and for all ages. They also offer entertainment like puppet shows and daring dive shows In the warmer month’s you an cool off in Duke’s Lagoon water play area.
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Photo from Dutch Wonderland
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This fall weekend itinerary for Lancaster, Pennsylvania will take you on an adventure you’ll not soon forget. From working the Amish farms to historic covered bridges, to authentic Amish food, your trip to Lancaster will make everyone in the family happy.
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What about a Day Trip from Washington DC to Lancaster?
How Far is Lancaster from Washington DC? It’s only about 2.5 hours driving to get from the city to Lancaster County. For anyone looking for a DC to Lancaster day trip, just choose one of the days outlined above or check out this guided tour!
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