Amish Heritage

If you're interested in exploring and learning more about the Amish lifestyle, then come explore the different Amish communities nestled within Pittsburgh and Its Countryside. In addition to the cultural enrichment you'll absorb from visiting these quaint towns, you can also find some great buys on handmade furniture, quilts, homemade jams and other unique items.

So take a break from cell phones and computers, from traffic and fast food, and experience life in the slow lane for a change. Travel on a ribbon of road through picturesque countryside with no skyscrapers in sight. You'll discover simple pleasures, roadside farm stands brimming with fresh produce, the melodic clip clop of a horse and buggy crossing a dirt path. Leave the chaos behind and travel to a world different from your own.

The Amish live a simpler lifestyle, operating their farms and other business enterprises much like their ancestors have done for centuries. The Ordnung, a list of written or oral rules outlining the basics of the Amish faith, governs everything from the style of dress and length of hair to buggy type and farming techniques. The Ordnung can vary from community to community, which explains why you see some Amish riding in automobiles, while others don't even believe in the use of battery-powered lights or telephones.

There are several large Amish populations in southwestern Pennsylvania. Though small in size, these towns have much to offer visitors. You'll find beautiful country scenery, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, unique shops with homemade wares and off-the-beaten-path restaurants that serve hearty, homemade meals at reasonable prices.