Are you looking for things to do in Amish Country on Thanksgiving weekend? Consider starting a new tradition by spending your Thanksgiving in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
Say goodbye to the hassles of meal preparation and cleanup, and instead, savor a delightful family meal at a local eating establishment.
Afterward, kick off your Thanksgiving weekend by catching a show, learning about Amish holidays, and viewing Amish farms while riding a scooter. It’s a Thanksgiving getaway that’s simple, enjoyable, and filled with unique experiences.
Explore the Scenic Backroads on a Scooter Tour
If you enjoy fall’s crisp days, you want to hop on a scooter to travel scenic backroads and a covered bridge with Strasburg Scooters.
Along with your tour guide and other Lancaster County visitors, you’ll zip along country roads, past Amish farms, and drive through a covered bridge near Strasburg.
The cooler temperatures will make your cheeks rosy, and the scenery will make you smile. Your knowledgeable tour guide will share the tradition of Amish holidays. You may glide by horses and buggies, see kids walking to school, and hear the sounds of busy farms.
Enjoy Authentic PA Dutch Flavors
Lancaster is known for its local, fresh produce, homemade meals, and wholesome ingredients.
An Amish Thanksgiving isn’t centered around football or the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade but around religious customs. While the Amish celebrate Thanksgiving with a turkey dinner complete with family gatherings, they do it by thanking God for their harvests, family, and good food.
Amish holidays, including Thanksgiving, center around faith, family, and food. The women cook the traditional holiday meal of turkey, potatoes, gravy, and bread stuffing. Other tasty treats during the Amish holidays include broccoli salad, sweet potato casserole, deviled eggs, apple pie, whoopie pies, and cookies.
Since it’s wedding season in the Amish tradition from October through November on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Thanksgiving, since it falls on a Thursday, may not be celebrated if there is an Amish wedding to attend instead.
You can taste an Amish holiday meal when visiting Pennsylvania Dutch restaurants during the holiday season.
If you’re visiting Pennsylvania Dutch Country on Thanksgiving Day, you can enjoy an Amish Country Thanksgiving at these restaurants; ensure that you make your reservations early:
- If you want to “build your platter” for Thanksgiving, then you want to reserve your family’s spot at Smokehouse BBQ and Brews. You can order take-out or eat at the restaurant.
- If you prefer many choices for your Thanksgiving Dinner, you want to make your reservation today at Miller’s Smorgasbord All You Can Eat Thanksgiving Buffet.
You’ll have a variety of appetizers, soups, salads, hot entrees, vegetables, sides, and desserts to choose from. The carving station will also feature ham, roast beef, and turkey breast.
- Celebrate Thanksgiving at the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant and Smorgasbord from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Thanksgiving buffet will have holiday meal delights, including
- Fresh roast turkey with gravy
- Baked ham with pineapple sauce
- Fresh roast turkey with gravy
- Baked ham with pineapple sauce
- Roast beef
- PA Dutch bread filling
- Real mashed potatoes
- Candied sweet potatoes
- And a full dessert bar, including must-have Grandma Smucker’s pumpkin pie
- Enjoy a Thanksgiving Day Buffet at the Fireside Tavern in Strasburg, Pa. Dine in the Willows ballroom at the Fireside Tavern near Lancaster this Thanksgiving. Make your reservations early since they fill up quickly.
You’ll feel the coziness of two roaring fireplaces and a mouthwatering buffet featuring:- Hand-carved roasted prime rib and honey-glazed ham with sauces
- Children’s buffet
- Extravaganza
- For hosting Thanksgiving Dinner, serve an Amish turkey. Amish turkeys are raised hormone-free, possibly free-range, and naturally without antibiotics or additives. Again, you want to reserve your Amish turkey well before Thanksgiving.
Things to Do in Lancaster, PA, Thanksgiving Weekend: Discover Historic Sites and Quaint Villages
While you may need to nap on Thanksgiving Day, spend the rest of the weekend taking in the holiday season in Lancaster, PA, by visiting quaint towns and historic sites. Many towns have already decorated for Christmas, but not all have lit their Christmas trees yet.
On Small Business Saturday, you can find great deals and unique gifts for your loved ones at antique stores, gift shops, and other local businesses that keep Lancaster County’s villages alive and well.
Many of these villages are so small you’ll miss them if you blink. However, they dot Lancaster County’s landscape with Amish farms surrounding them.
Take in these charming towns while visiting during the holiday season in Pennsylvania Dutch Country:
- Columbia is known for the Turkey Hill Experience and Chiques Rock Outfitters
- Ephrata is known for the Ephrata Cloister and Green Dragon Farmer’s Market
- Intercourse is known for Kitchen Kettle Village and other shops
- Leola is known for Hayloft Candles, Riehl’s Quilts & Crafts, and Misty Creek Goat Dairy
- Lititz is known for Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, Wilbur’s Chocolate, the Wolf Sanctuary of PA, and many unique shops.
Over Thanksgiving, you’ll find many historical things to do in Amish Country, PA. Here are some famous sites to visit:
- Lancaster Central Market in Lancaster City is the longest-running farmer’s market without interruption since 1730.
- Lancaster Medical Heritage Museum celebrates medical history with a particular emphasis on Lancaster County.
- Christiana Historical Society traces the steps of those involved with the Underground Railroad.
- The 1719 Museum has the oldest remaining dwelling, a Mennonite Meetinghouse built in 1719.
- Ephrata Cloister preserves the history of the Ephrata Cloisters, a German religious community founded in 1732.
- The Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, a living history museum, shows Pennsylvania German life from 1740 to 1940.
- President James Buchanan’s Wheatland, where President Buchanan lived for 20 years after serving as the 15th President of the United States.
Experience Heartwarming Thanksgiving Traditions
Since Thanksgiving weekend is the kick-off for the Christmas season, you can participate in these holiday season events:
- Terre Hill Christmas in the Park
- Christmas Spirit Light Show
- Our Christmas Dinner at the Bird-in-Hand Stage
- Dutch Winter Wonderland
- Lancaster City’s Mayor’s Tree Lighting
- Small Business Saturday
- Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree.
A Thanksgiving to Remember in Lancaster, PA
During the holiday season, you can find many things to do in Amish Country, PA. Why not kickstart your holiday season into high gear by seeing Amish farms and Lancaster’s countryside while riding a 50 cc scooter?
Book your Covered Bridge Tour today with Strasburg Scooters!
