Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Pennsylvania Dutch Country is a region in Pennsylvania also referred to as South Central Pennsylvania. The region is home to many major tourist attractions such as Lancaster county's Amish country, Harrisburg's state capitol and museums and Hershey's chocolate world and theme park.

Regions
Sometimes the city of Reading and surrounding Berks County is included.

Cities

 * — provides opportunities to explore the history of the critical Civil War battle that took place here
 * — provides opportunities to explore the history of the critical Civil War battle that took place here
 * — provides opportunities to explore the history of the critical Civil War battle that took place here
 * — provides opportunities to explore the history of the critical Civil War battle that took place here

Understand
While Pennsylvania Dutch Country consists of a lot of rural areas and is noted for its high Amish population, it is home to over 1.5 million people and maintains one of the highest rates of population growth in the Northeast United States due to lower cost of living but close proximity to major metropolitan areas. It is truly a diverse region with rolling hills, orchards and farms but also growing, vibrant yet historic cities.

The Pennsylvania Dutch (Amish) Community dates back to the 16th century Reformation in Europe, specifically the Anabaptist movement. There are three families of Anabaptist-related groups in PA Dutch Country: the Amish, Mennonites and Brethren. The three groups share many basic values and beliefs, with primary differences in dress, language, some forms of worship, and the extent to which they will use modern advancements.

Talk
Much of the "Plain" population (consisting of groups like the Amish and Old Order Mennonites) is bilingual, speaking both English and a dialect of German called "Pennsylvania Dutch." A much smaller portion of the non-Plain population of Pennsylvania Dutch descent is also bilingual. Among the Plain, some smaller children speak only this dialect until starting school. The name "Pennsylvania Dutch" is actually a mispronunciation of "Deitsch," or German in the regional dialect. Church services are held in "high German," as opposed to the dialect.

By plane
There are several regional airports in south central Pennsylvania but the largest and most used is Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) located in Middletown, just minutes from Harrisburg and PA Route 283. Harrisburg International Airport has over a dozen non-stop flights to cities in the U.S. and Toronto in Canada.

By car
The easiest way to get around the region is by car. There is an extensive network of roads and the area is criss-crossed by several major interstates (81, 76, 83) and U.S. routes (11, 15, 22, 30).

By train
Amtrak's high-speed Keystone line travels through Lancaster and Dauphin county with stops in Lancaster, Mount Joy, Elizabethtown, Middletown, and Harrisburg is useful if traveling between Lancaster and Harrisburg but does not link up the rest of the places in PA Dutch Country.

See
The Plain and Fancy Farm provides a good all-around tour of the Amish community including a restaurant, bus tours and a movie. Particularly good if you're a foreign visitor without a car.

The Gettysburg National Military Park, just south of Gettysburg, is one of the most famous battlefields of the American Civil War. The National Apple Museum, north of Gettysburg, has exhibits on the apple industry in the region, and a recreated 1880s farm kitchen and a General Store.

Eat
Scrapple is of Pennsylvania Dutch origin. It is made from pork by-products, such as the pigs head, intestines, brains any of the scraps (hence the name scrapple) and cornmeal, cooked into a thick pudding, formed into a loaf, sliced then fried. A spicy pork breakfast product. A scrapple egg and cheese sandwich served on toast is common place.