Lancaster County Drive

Lancaster County Drive traverses the center of Amish life in the East and one of the nation's most productive agricultural communities. As drive past the farm fields, small towns, and developing suburbs of southeastern Pennsylvania, we'll be sharing the road with the horse-drawn buggies of the Amish.

Begin our tour at Gap and head northwest on Pa. 772. In about 5 miles the road hits the center of Intercourse, located at the intersection of two roads. The buildings, shops, and galleries at the People's Place is a must-see. Here, the documentary "Who Are the Amish?" explains that today's bearded, black-coated Amish men and plainly dressed Amish women are members of a Protestant sect that developed in Switzerland in the 16th century.

About 19,000 Amish now live in Lancaster County, working their family farms with draft horses instead of tractors, which gives the landscape a distinctive look. In part due to the presence of the Amish, the county now draws about five million visitors a year.

Outside Intercourse, stop at one of the many farm stands for fresh fruits, vegetables, cider, and wonderful butter and cheese. After about 12 miles, we'll come to Lititz. The handsome square in the middle of town is dominated by the Moravian Church built in 1787, and by Linden Hall. Begun in 1746, it's the oldest girls' boarding school in the country. Across the street, the Lititz Historical Society features exhibits and old photographs of the Moravian community in this area.

The nearby Sturgis Pretzel House claims to be the oldest commercial pretzel bakery in the nation. If we have a longing for chocolate, stop at the Candy Americana Museum and Wilbur's Chocolate Factory.

For 12 miles past Lititz, Pa. 772 dips through farm country. When it crosses Pa. 283, the scenery becomes more developed and suburban.

Pa. 772 ends in the town of Marietta, on the Susquehanna River, where the streets are lined with restored 19th century homes.

References

* National Geographic's Guide to Scenic Highways & Byways: "The 275 Best Drives in the U.S." page 76-77