Aaron and Jessica's Buggy Ride; Bird-in-Hand, A trip to Amish country in Pennsylvania

A trip to Amish country in Pennsylvania isn't complete without a very unique tour by buggy or carriage given by local Mennonites and Amish. Many of the tours take you into Amish country, a visit to a real Amish farm and the opportunity to see and learn information not available on your own drive through the countryside.

Looking for a buggy ride, you will find many offerings. You may find Abe's Buggy Rides, or AAA Buggy rides... The naming is a strange competition between neighbors to rank higher in the phone book or tour guides. Aaron and Jessica's Buggy Ride is actually named after a horse - Aaron and the owner's daughter - Jessica. This company held the top spot until AAA Buggy Rides came around.

There are different rides available ranging in duration and price. Basically you are taken through the countryside, through a farm and maybe a stop to see the inside of a barn and stopping long enough to buy lemonade, root beer, cookies, pretzels or craft items from the family that owns the farm. While all homemade, they are affordable but not discounted. A five-mile ride will take approximately one hour.

While touring the barn and the equipment, it was interesting to see how the Amish are very similar to a modern working farm taking a different route to achieve a very similar result. Electricity is exchanged for diesel-powered engines. This power runs the refrigeration for milk, fans for the cows and creating steam that powers their water pressure. Many homes still use kerosene lamps for light, while others are investing in solar paneling for light. Stoves, refrigerators, and washers are all powered either by diesel or propane.

The farmland you drive through will be identified as a family farm or a working farm. Each crop is identified as well. Some crops like alfalfa is harvested three to five times in one season. You will also learn how much time it takes to harvest a plot of crops. Cottage industries are abundant. Most of the land is owned and remain in families being passed down through generations. While each family has many children, they all don't have the opportunity to farm the family land or to purchase other farmland so they need to find additional ways to earn a living.

The community near Lancaster, Pennsylvania covers about sixty miles. It is the second largest community with Ohio being larger and Indiana being in third place size ranking. While farming is their first means of income, tourism is a large mainstay of their community. Be forewarned, not everything in Amish country is authentic. If you want a real experience, a buggy ride into the countryside is one way to gain an honest glimpse into their life.

Aaron & Jessica's Buggy Rides

3121a Old Philadelphia Pike

Bird-in-Hand, PA 17505

717-768-8828