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You Won’t Have to Milk the Cows
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Even if we didn’t grow up with grandparents in the country, experiencing a farm brings us back to something, a sense of childlike wonder and excitement about the most basic things in life. For children, a farm is a magical place filled with a myriad of memorable sights, sounds, and adventures.
If you think making your bed in the morning constitutes a chore, try getting up at the crack of dawn to milk the cows, feed the chickens, and collect the eggs. And that’s just before breakfast!
When you’re in Pennsylvania Dutch country, you’ll hear a lot about “plain and fancy,” usually in reference to clothing and lifestyles differentiating the Old Order Amish and Mennonites and their more worldly neighbors. The phrase also accurately describes the range of farm house accommodations you can find in Pennsylvania Dutch country.
For a big helping of country living, you may want to stay in the farm house with your host family. Some offer totally posh suite setups for privacy and luxury. Architectural aficionados may prefer a converted barn complete with rustic charm and modern amenities. A family-size cabin might be fun, or maybe an efficiency apartment. The options are virtually endless.
As with so many accommodations in this area, smoking inside farm buildings is usually prohibited. We will point out in the listings any accommodations that do allow smoking.
If you need a phone in your room, or can’t live without a television or high-speed Internet connection, check with the accommodation before booking. Some guests prefer to totally relax out of range of today’s sometimes-intrusive technologies.
While many farm lodgings accept major credit cards, some small, family-owned operations may prefer traveler’s checks, personal checks, or even cash. We will try to designate those accommodations that do not accept credit cards. However, it is advisable to check before you book.
The general protocol for tipping is the same as for bed and breakfast. Like B and B operations, many farms are family-owned and operated but hire part or full-time staffs to make sure accommodations are always guest-ready. Therefore, you’ll probably want to tip as you would at a hotel or motel. Even if it is a family-only operation, everybody likes to be appreciated. If you’re still in doubt, ask the owners.
Finally, as members of their communities, operators usually have great connections for dining and other activities. In Pennsylvania Dutch country, many hosts can arrange for you to have dinner in an Amish home, a countryside bus tour, tee time at the local links, or a romantic winter sleigh ride.
Although rates are subject to change, we use the following pricing code to indicate the average rate for a one-night stay, double occupancy, in season, for two adults. Note that these rates do not include taxes, gratuities, or add-on services, such as room service or premium TV channels, unless otherwise indicated. Off-season rates are lower. October (especially weekends) and June through August are usually considered peak seasons. Many accommodations offer seasonal packages that may include dining, theater, golf, tours, and other extras.
_____$ — $50-$89
____$$ — $90-$130
___$$$ — $131-$159
__$$$$ — $160-$199
_$$$$$ — $200 and more
Click on the links below for more in-depth information on the farm house stays listed, and the area of Lancaster County where they can be found.
- Gordonville: Beacon Hollow Farm Guest House, Eby’s Pequea Farm Bed and Breakfast
- Lancaster: Equestrian Estates Horse Farm Bed and Breakfast, Pheasant Run Farm
- Manheim: Country Vistas Bed and Breakfast, Jonde Lane Farm Bed and Breakfast, Landis Farm Guest House, Stone Haus Farm Bed and Breakfast
- Marietta: Olde Fogie Farm
- Mount Joy: Green Acres Farm B and B, Rocky Acre Farm Bed and Breakfast
- New Holland: Smucker’s Farm Guest House
- Paradise: Verdant View Farm Bed and Breakfast
- Ronks: Cherry-Crest Tourist Farm
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