Going Green in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

On a recent trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I was delighted to realize that the area is incredibly green, and by this I mean both visually - there are plenty of farms - and in an eco-friendly way. Lancaster County in Pennsylvania is well known for it's Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine and lifestyle, as well as for the presence of many Amish and Mennonite families and communities. When we think back to previous decades, it's evident that the world was much greener before the burst in technological advances and the urgent, busy lifestyle so many people in America have. Lancaster, however, gives many people a break from that lifestyle, when they come to visit this gorgeous, green community which is located about an hour and a half from central Philadelphia.

Lancaster offers an abundance of family and locally owned restaurants and shops that are very green and eco-friendly, and the locals, who I'm sure are used to plenty of visitors, were all very friendly to us during our weekend long stay in Lancaster. Many of the restaurants in Lancaster feature Pennsylvania Dutch style cooking made from local ingredients from farms throughout the area. The amount green dining options in Lancaster is incredible, but not too surprising as the area is known for the numerous farms all throughout the county. During my stay, we dined at Plain and Fancy Farm Restaurant, enjoying a unique Amish Farm Feast. The dinner Amish Farm Feast was served family style with plenty of fresh, locally grown ingredients prepared in delicious dishes, many of which were vegetarian. We also had the breakfast buffet at The Family Cupboard Restaurant and Buffet which features Amish and Mennonite home cooking. Both restaurants, which were both located in Bird-in-Hand, near Lancaster, were excellent green dining options and had excellent service to go along with the wonderful food.

We also had a wonderful visit to the popular Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, Pennsylvania, another town in Lancaster County. Kitchen Kettle Village features over 40 local shops and restaurants, including The Canning Kitchen, my favorite shop in Kitchen Kettle Village and likely the most popular. The Canning Kitchen has numerous homemade Pennsylvania Dutch canned and baked goods available for purchase, as well as dozens of samples to try. This is an awesome shop that's quite green, and tasty as well! If Lancaster County is too far away for a visit at this time, you can purchase some of Kitchen Kettle Village's awesome green goods online, as well.

Along with the tasty restaurants and Kitchen Kettle Village, there are many other shops scattered throughout Lancaster and the other nearby towns that feature green crafts, such as homemade quilts and signs, and even scooters made on an Amish farm. There is also a few farmer's markets featuring edible and non-edible goods made locally, and you can often see stands set up by local people, often Amish and Mennonites, featuring their own green homemade goods. All in all, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is an awesome destination if you're looking for a green vacation!

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