Oh my gosh! The Amish Experience in Bird-In-Hand, PA, is absolutely amazing! We visited today, and usually I don’t do this, but I’m reviewing today because of how amazing it was. We had a short, 3 day excursion to PA as a surprise trip, and this event certainly added to it. To start the day off, we went into the ticket office and got our tickets. The office was not boring, and wasn’t imposing at all. There was a light feel, and the service was quick. Our tickets were handed to us by one of the tour guides, Daniel Mellinger, and he was very helpful. He answered any questions that we had, and gave a us a brief but insightful history into the area and what we would be learning today. The prices of the tour are not cheap, but the Super Saver tickets are well worth it. For $47.95, you get 4 activities throughout the day, and scheduling is at your digression. You have the choice of when to do these activities, and this really helps if you’re tight for time, or willing to spend the whole day. The four activities listed are an Amish Lifestyle Tour, a Horse Buggy ride, the Jacob’s Choice Theatre, and finally an Amish Homestead tour along with a School House tour. The Bus tour gives you the once in a lifetime opportunity to view how these amazing people choose to live. The tour typically takes place by a small minibus, and you go around the greater Lancaster, PA, area, learning all about different things. This is a really fun and educational experience. Our bus driver, Kent, was very helpful and had over 50 years of experience in the area. He had served in the U.S.A.F., worked for Hershey Foods, and now he is working with The Amish Experience. He has learnt many of the key features of Amish Life from his years of experience, and he is definitely the most knowledgeable source of information regarding the PA Amish due to his length of time in the area. The next event included on our day out was the Horse Buggy Ride. From The Amish Experience visitors center, you will walk to the right, and then take a left, bringing you to the Horse Buggy Ride Station. There will be three Buggy’s waiting on a busy day, and our wait time was a maximum 20 minutes, so not too long! The ride takes you along the stunning PA Dutch Countryside, and the slow speed of the Horse allows you to fully take in the view and take as many pictures as you need. About half way through the tour, your Buggy will bring you to a small village in the middle of some fields occupied by some local Amish People. One of the Children from the family, Miriam, came to see us in the Buggy, and offered us some of the baked goodies made by her and her family, and she eloquently talked to us about how they were made, and what the prices were. For 3 large, homemade cookies, the prices was $2, and for a homemade bottle of lemonade, it was also $2. Next, we travelled down some other country roads, and then arrived back at the visitors center. Next on our Experience was the Jacob’s Choice Theatre. This was a 45 minute film, and explained the life and the hard choice that an Amish Man had to make. He was pushed with the description of whether or not to stay in the Amish Religion. This not only provides an understanding of how these people live, but also the choices they have to make. The special effects were great, and overall it was amazing. Finally, the Amish Homestead Tour was a great way to end the day! We toured the Amish Schoolhouse and the typical Amish House, which gave us an insight into how the Amish Live. This brought reason to the knowledge that we learnt today! Overall, the entire experience was worth the money payed, and every penny was well spent. The knowledge explained was really interesting, and I can’t wait to return!
- Logan C.