Truly Authentic Lancaster Experience!
Overview
We will take a delightful stroll through the beautiful streets and alleys of downtown Lancaster. You will discover a city of today, steeped in the history and traditions of over 250 years of America’s colorful and exciting past. We will then visit the oldest settlement in Lancaster County, drive over one of our 29 remaining covered bridges, travel to an Amish creamery where you’ll get to choose from more than a dozen homemade ice cream varieties, stop at a scenic looking spot for pictures, and wrap up with a stop at an Amish farm where you can tour the barn, see the animals and have the opportunity to purchase one of their amazing, hand-crafted birdhouses.
What else you should know
If you don’t see a date on the calendar please email us for availability! Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for walking and appropriate clothing since this is an all-weather experience.
Meeting Location
Ratings
52 reviews for Truly Authentic Lancaster Experience!
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This was truly authentic. It was a tour that taught us about all of Lancaster and It’s history. Our guide has a great respect for the Amish community and we really appreciated the opportunity to tour and meet some wonderful people. Thank you for the experience!
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I still cannot believe how much I learned in just one hour 1/2. I love how Phil designed the tour to begin at the heart of Lancaster and to spiral out, visiting the different properties and farms of Amish country (and sharing a lot of his own personal memories of growing up in this world). Phil is a natural historian whose tour is multi-faceted and engaging. This afternoon was one of the highlights of our family's summer. We will probably go back in the Fall to try the Amish dinner experience.
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This was a worthwhile activity. Phil is very knowledgeable. He began with a brief city tour and then took us to the countryside to an Amish creamery and farm. I would only add the following: to do a full Lancaster experience, take a guided tour of the city from City Hall or do the self guided tour. There is a lot of history embedded in this city. Secondly, visit the Amish Village; although touristy, you will get a sense of how they live ,which is a very good backdrop for this tour. Thirdly, if you have time, drive into the countryside for a few hours to experience the beautiful scenery-I recommend route 741 east of Strasburg. There isn't enough time on this tour to fully appreciate the scenery.
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This was such an interesting tour with a balance of Lancaster history, city sites, Amish country views and personal narratives. The guides knowledge and connection to the area and people was the highlight! He really made the time seem like you were visiting with friends. I have many memories of the tour - the market, underground railroad archeological dig and covered bridge in the country. Mainly, the visits at the Amish farm and ice cream shop were just what everyone should experience! Thanks!
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This tour is great! Phil gave us a brief walking city tour with fascinating information. We then drove to the countryside, stopping for photos at a covered bridge and onto an Amish farm and dairy. Phil shared his knowledge and insight about the Amish. He encouraged questions which he readily answered. The farm visit was great and the ice cream was delicious! We went back and purchased cheese and other items available to us.
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This was a truly excellent tour. Our tour guide/owner was very well versed in the history of Lancaster. During the walking tour of the city he described the history of many interesting locations and historical figures . One of the more unique items that he showed us was an ongoing archaeological dig that was under an existing city building. We then ventured into the countryside, where Phil took us to a Creamery, covered bridge and a family (who he knew) who had a woodworking business as their main source of income. The 'real life' aspects of many of these things was very eye opening. Phil provided a detailed discussion of what was acceptable and expected from the Amish people. Great job Phil!
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Enjoyed this tour so much! Our tour guide was so in touch with the Lancaster culture and the Amish community. From The Market in downtown Lancaster to the Amish ice cream store and Amos’ birdhouses, we thoroughly enjoyed our tour. Would recommend to young and old alike.
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Everyone has taken a chance on signing up for a tour not knowing exactly how it would turn out. THIS tour was a true blessing and we couldn't have been more pleased that this was the tour we chose! Owner Phil was very informative about Amish life and made the tour very personal. As part of the tour, we had the pleasure of sharing a luscious lunch at an Amish home which was a true blessing. Phil went out of his way to make this, our first, trip to Lancaster, such a wonderful experience. If you are looking for a true look into the Amish way of life and to see specific areas that you may never find on your own, do yourself a favor and book a tour with loKal Experiences! You won't regret it!
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I enjoyed this tour of a few spots in the city of Lancaster as well as some Amish farms. We had the opportunity to have casual conversation with local Amish people.
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My friend from New Orleans and I did this tour and LoKals meal with an Amish family on August 16th. (I live inHarrisburg). The extensive and thorough background we got on Lancaster history was an excellent preparation for our drive through Amish countryside. We met both Phil and Mike of Lokal. Phil was personable and had extensive knowledge of Lancaster’s amazing history and special historical persons. He was an absolute pleasure. We met Mike later; he escorted us to the Amish family for an exceptional feast! The meal with an Amish family was truly special because you were fully immersed into an Amish family’s life for a significant period of time. I highly recommend both!
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There were numerous choices for our visit to Lancaster County, but I truly believe we chose the best tour available. Our tour guide, Phil, is a native of this area. He is friends with so many of the locals and knows the history of Lancaster. I was pleasantly surprised that our tour began walking the streets of downtown Lancaster. It was interesting to learn more about the local history. Of special interest was the lowest level of the new Marriott Hotel which includes the workings of Thaddeus Stevens and the Underground Railroad. We were only 30 miles from the Mason/Dixon Line so the area was quite a "hot spot" for this historical activity. The majority of our time was spent traveling the back roads of Amish country. Having grown up there, Phil knew exactly where to take us - beautiful farms, homes, bridges, and even a creamery where we enjoyed delicious ice cream. A highlight for me was his knowledge of Amish culture. We learned so much about this special group of people. It was definitely time well spent! Thanks Phil for a great excursion!!!
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This is a MUST authentic experience when in Lancaster County -- Phil grew up in this stunning region and has a first hand account of Amish life. We toured a working farm, which included seeing tiny baby piglets (one week old!!), milking a very large cow, feeding chickens who ate our of our hands, and holding baby goats. We also got to sample the creamiest ice cream I have ever tasted (and, I make my own ice-cream, with the eggs from my own chickens - so I'm a tough customer!!) The tour also included a narrative of the history of downtown Lancaster and a brief stop in the Central Market, which is a MUST see... I went before and after the tour -- hint: an Oola Bowl will keep you energized for the entire day!!
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Lovely tour of both downtown Lancaster plus the Amish/farm countryside. Phil knew all the interesting sites; and created a fun farm experience.
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Highly enjoyable tour for 3 very different generations of family. Comfortable, interesting, and informative tour for all.
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Great experience provided by a guide who is truly connected to the Amish community and to Lancaster history.
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Enjoyed seeing and hearing about Lancaster and it's history.
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Phil is very knowledgeable and provides an unique experience in Lancaster. He was understanding that we had a toddler with us and sometimes had to slow down. The ice cream stop is a plus :)
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No cookie-cutter tour here! Very personal, very detailed, and most importantly, very respectful of the Amish people whose culture and daily life we came to experience. Beautiful scenic routes, brand new van ( quiet ) , and thoughtful photo stops. Phil communicates clearly, and your car will be safely parked at his meeting spot. We will most certainly re-experience this tour with our family visiting from abroad. Highly recommend.
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Phil was very knowledgeable and conveyed his understanding and respect for the Amish. I understood them a lot better after our tour - and the baby animals were just a bonus!
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We went and got to know great places and a lot of their history. The ice cream was delicious! Our favorite part of the experience was the farm :) we got to see a lot of animals, feed them and take some pics
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Phil was great. His family comes from Amish roots and he grew up in the community which gives him a unique perspective on the culture. His connections to the Amish enabled us to get access to an Amish farms and other places. Also very knowledgeable about the history of Lancaster. Highly recommend!
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We are a party of 4 Australians who experienced in a unique way the Amish culture, we loved the complimentary ice cream and up close farm animals. We also were taken on a Lancaster town walk which was extremely informative. I would highly recommend this tour! Thanks Phil!
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Phil and his wife have great energy and ingenuity. We had some physical limitations that would have prohibited participation had we known. There is a fair amount of walking involved. Definitely had doors open that on my own would never have been.
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I think it was a great opportunity to have “behind the scenes” access to Lancaster and a working Amish farm. Make sure you choose a day when the market is open!
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Phil was great! Tour was better than expected and had deep connections with the local Amish. Highly recommend this tour as it is more of a backstage pass into the Amish lifestyle, while remaining respectful to the culture.
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The tour was very enjoyable, relaxed and comfortable. We had many questions that Phil was able to answer easily and with confidence. I learned much more than I expected to about the area and the Amish people that live here. I highly recommend this experience.
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Phil did an amazing job on the tour. He was extremely flexible in catering the tour to my Fiancee and I. He introduced us to the Amish lifestyle and culture in an immersive and informative manner while respecting the privacy of the Amish we interacted with. We had a wonderful time on the walking city tour learning about all of the hidden gems and history of downtown Lancaster, then got to visit the working Amish farm and the creamery. My fiancee and I loved to see all of the animals up close and play with them. Phil did a wonderful job of answering all of our questions and keeping the tour fun! We will definitely be coming back for another Lancaster experience with him soon
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Phil was a great tour guide. We took a walk around downtown Lancaster and then were able to visit some farms. Phil was very knowledgeable, and you could easily tell he loves showing travelers around that beautiful area.
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We had a great time with Phil. Very knowledgeable, with a lot great insights into the city. The farm tour at the end was a special treat! Definitely worth the time for a wonderful introduction to Lancaster.
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This was our first time in Amish Country. The experience was interesting. We went through the town of Lancaster and learned the history. We walked through the Amish market and that day, downtown Lancaster was packed with people because they had a community breakfast. There were a band playing music which was a nice touch. Also, we visited an Amish farm and there we were able to pet some animals, feed cows, hold a piglet, feed some chickens etc. We also had some wonderful tasting ice-cream at an Amish Creamery. Over all, it was a nice day. We only wish we had a little more time to take better pics and ride on one of the horse &carriage. Nevertheless, we had an opportunity to do so, but with another tour.
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Great chance to find some unique details about County, people and history. Much more than just Amish tour!
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Knowledgeable and professional, but relaxed and comfortable. Great for a fun Saturday. Highly recommend.
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Phil was an amazing tour guide! It was a wonderful and educational experience. I definitely recommend Phil to all that want to learn about and witness the Amish lifestyle!
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We very much enjoyed the tour. We would have missed out on many authentic experiences had it not been for Phil. He gave us the context and history needed to have a wonderful experience.
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Phil was a gracious host, knowledgeable and friendly. We walked around Lancaster and then went out into the countryside. It was fun exploring a farm and its animals and sampling homemade ice cream. A great time!
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Do not miss this tour! Phil is an amazing host and tour guide and a very kind and friendly guy! He is very knowledgeable about the history of Lancaster and showed us many interesting and historical spots on the downtown portion of the tour. Our visit to Central Market was fascinating! Phil is also very friendly with the local Amish & Mennonite communities and was therefore able to take us to several working farms where we met wonderful families, had many hands-on experiences with animals, and saw many different types of crops growing. We loved the stop at the dairy farm, where we sampled the most amazing ice cream! Phil drove us around in his very comfortable SUV and it was so fun taking in all of the beautiful countryside and even a covered bridge! Would recommended this tour to anyone who has 3 hours available during a morning in beautiful Lancaster!
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My wife and I had a great experience with Phil on our Lancaster, Amish tour. Phil is very knowledgeable on the area and culture of the Amish. We got to experience Central Market where a lot of Amish sell the items they have grown and had a very informative walking tour of the town of Lancaster and learned it historical background. We then visited an Amish farm which had a creamy and from there went to another Amish farm where we had the opportunity to see and hold young calves, goat, pigs and chickens. We also experienced tobacco hanging to dry in the tobacco barn. Last we visited an Amish greenhouse. Phil was a great guide and we highly recommend the experience as part of your Lancaster visit. Thank you Phil.
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We had a great time on our 2 hour tour with Phil learning about the Amish. In the 2 hour span we did a lot of things- we got to see the Central Market (with a really cool spot above it that we could look down and see all the commotion of the people below), we went to 2 farms, got to pet a lot of animals, and even got to hold a baby pig. We even got to eat ice cream straight from one of the farms. Other than learning about the culture of the Amish with Phil, he also recommended we check out the restaurant Kaite’s Kitchen when we finished up the tour. It was a great spot with great food, and the place is even run by the Amish! It was great learning more about their perspective on life and how they go about living in today’s world. Phil was a nice guy and I would recommend this tour if you are like us, and like seeing things quickly and moving on to the next thing.
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We really enjoyed our tour with Phil. He led us on a history/architecture walk through historic Lancaster......then out to the Amish countryside, where we learned so much about the lifestyle there because of Phil's family background and current associations with the Amish people of that area. There were only 3 adults on our tour, which made it very intimate and personal......a wonderful experience!
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We had a great time with Phil. Very knowledgeable, with a lot great insights into the city. The farm tour at the end was a special treat! Definitely worth the time for a wonderful introduction to Lancaster.
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Phil is the best! A Lancaster native, he shared historical information about the city and surrounding Amish farms. What sets Phil apart are his personal stories and relationships that enabled us to visit an Amish creamery and another farm. So much more enriching and memorable - and comfortable - than a standard one-size-fits-all tour. He was very generous and patient. Consider Phil's tour as your first stop in the area, as he shared restaurant and activity recommendations, as well. We had a great time!
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Because he is a local, Phil was not only able to show us the cool, vibrant scenes downtown, but he was also able to share stories of a more simple agrarian life in Amish country-- and take us there first hand! Phil was friendly, thorough, and an excellent guide of the past and present Lancaster and surrounding towns. Thanks, Phil!
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A lot of walking involved & cover a lot of the area by vehicle. Just wish we had time to shop since I was staying in York.
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I highly recommend taking this tour with Phil. We saw/heard/enjoyed places in Lancaster County that we could not have on our own. Phil takes you through the city and the country with color commentary that is exceptional. We are retired folks, but I recommend this tour for all ages including children.
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Phil's tour was a lovely overview of Amish culture moving from their participation in Lancaster's urban life (farmers market) to their rural lifestyle in the countryside, including Phil's own first-hand stories. Main highlights were stopping at a creamery and farms where we saw free-range animals, literally! Thanks Phil for your time.
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We really enjoyed our tour with Phil! He is a wonderful tour guide and is very knowledgeable of the area and culture in both the city and the country. We definitely recommend this tour to anyone wanting to learn about and experience Lancaster and the Amish.
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What a fun and informative afternoon. So glad that we found and booked this experience. Phil and Annamarie were awesome and had a lot of local history and info to share. Fun visiting Amish homes and farms and interacting with the owners. Ice cream was delicious! Will have memories of all the animals we were able to see, pet and feed! This is definitely an experience you will want to enjoy ❤️
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Phil did a great job and was very knowledgeable about Lancaster and the surrounding area. He took the time to tell us some very interesting stories and information about the Amish lifestyle. The creamery was definitely a highlight, delicious ice cream!!!
$70.00
Geoya –
Phil was not only friendly but so knowledgeable. He provided insights that I couldn’t have gotten elsewhere and made the experience so enjoyable. Definitely was the highlight of my trip. I want to do his other I interactive tours too! Thanks Phil and Ann Marie.
Jim & Rich –
A very comprehensive tour of downtown Lancaster as well as a visit to an Amish farm and bishop-approved creamery with delicious ice cream. A stop at a strawberry stand as well as a dip of ice cream were included in the tour price. Guide was very knowledgeable! Jim and Rich
Susan K –
Our tour guide Phil was probably the most interesting tour guide I had ever experienced. He did not miss any small details relating to the Lancaster area. The city tour was fantastic. Saw all of the historical buildings and one of the most beautiful churches I had ever seen. All of our questions were answered in detail. Having grown up around the Amish as neighbors and the Mennonites as well gave him a very inside look at their lifestyle and their traditions. I wanted it to go on even longer, as it was that interesting! I would highly recommend this tour to any of my family members and friends. So worth the money! Thank you Phil for a great experience.
A –
A great - and unique - experience. Our tour guide Phil was informative and funny and our Amish host was friendly and open to answering our many questions about Amish life, as well as putting on a delicious lunch for us. Recommended!