During your visit to Pennsylvania Dutch Country, your innkeepers are always nearby--ready to share their knowledge of the "plain people" or help you plan your day or evening. Churchtown Inn is perfectly located just minutes from all of the wonderful attractions and things to do in Lancaster County, PA including antiques and craft markets, Amish farm stands and manufacturer's outlets.

Click below for further information about:

Local Restaurants
Area Activities
Our Amish and Mennonite neighbors

Restaurants
We are happy to see to your dining arrangements for you. We've been to all of the restaurants below and we recommend them confidently. Please let us know if you would like us to make reservations at any area restaurant either at the time of booking or while you are enjoying your stay with us.

Fine Dining

Donnecker's (20 minutes) -- 717-738-9501
Superbly prepared modern interpretations of traditional French cooking from Chef Greg Gable, formerly Chef De Cuisine at Philadelphia's renowned Le Bec-Fin for 14 years. There's an outstanding tasting menu of Chef Gable's creations combined with an assortment of wines selected by the sommelier.   Web page.

Dans (30 minutes) -- 610-373-2075
Contemporary American cuisine, beautifully presented. Voted by Fodor's Guides (and by your innkeepers) as a regional "best bet." The flavor combinations in Dans' dishes are adventurous, yet subtle. There is also a superb assortment of wines-by-the-glass that allows you to select a different wine for each course.

Green Hills Inn (20 minutes) -- 610-777-9611
Fine traditional French dining in a beautiful old historic home. Enjoy top-notch meals in the glass-enclosed, airy conservatory room or in the more formal, fire-lit dining room. Perfect for a special occasion. Closed Sunday.

Lily's On Main (20 minutes) -- 717-738-2711
Specializing in American fare with artistic flair, Lily's offers entrees and appetizers for those looking for classic favorites prepared and presented in a unique and delicious way. This restaurant rarely disappoints. Open 7 days. Web page.

Strawberry Hill (40 minutes) -- 717-393-5544
A bit of a challenge to find, but well worth the trip if you love food. Absolutely the best wine list in the county, excellent service, cozy atmosphere with a fireplace. Continental-based cuisine with an exquisite blending of ingredients and very enjoyable variations. Jazz on Sunday nights. Web page.

Log Cabin (30 minutes) -- 717-626-1181
Consistently voted by county residents as the top restaurant in Lancaster. Housed in an old speakeasy, and reachable only after you've shared a kiss on the covered bridge, the Log Cabin is full of character -- and delicious, traditional continental cuisine. Get there early to have a drink in the art-filled piano bar room. Many different rooms -- all with their own distinctive charm. Great for a special occasion. Web page.

Ludwigs Inn & Oyster Bar (25 minutes) -- 610-458-5336
Quaint, country inn setting. Fairly traditional but very tasty continental food, outstanding selection of oysters, and respectable wine list. Offers a FREE glass of wine to Churchtown Inn guests.

Stoudt's Black Angus Restaurant and Brewpub (20 minutes) -- 717-484-4386
An eclectic, satisfying menu featuring everything from sushi to perfectly cooked black angus beef steaks. Dine in the casual pub area or the more formal dining room where you may request a private nook. A highlight of a visit here is, of course, the wonderful selection of micro-brewed beers. Order a flight and try them all! Also has a superb selection of cheeses and breads. Web page.

Mazzi (20 minutes) -- 717-656-8983
Mazzi creates each dish not only by combining flavors but by combining cultures. The result is traditional cuisine recreated with non-traditional ingredients. Lovely atmosphere. Web page.

Lemongrass (40 minutes) -- 717-295-1621
Very good Thai food in a pleasant environment. Good selection, tantalizing spices! Good to combine with a day of visiting Lancaster's impressive selection of shopping outlets. Web page.

Casual Dining

The Pub (10 minutes) -- 717-354-2331
Well-prepared, extremely tasty fare such as steaks, chicken, fajitas, burgers, and pasta served in a casual, fun atmosphere. Large portions, great prices. Nightly specials, beer, wine and cocktails served. Occasional live music on weekends.

The Windmill (5 minutes) -- 610-286-5980
Pennsylvania Dutch cooking and diner-style food served in a relaxed atmosphere. Attached ice cream parlor. Small gift shop. No liquor. Open everyday.

Shady Maple (5 minutes) -- 717-354-8222
A truly amazing smorgasbord featuring authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking. Pay one price, eat as much as you like! Very good food and a favorite with people from around the county. Must arrive no later than 7:45 for dinner. Mennonite owned. Closed Sunday. No liquor. Web page.

Emily's Pub (20 minutes) -- 610-856-7887
Housed in a former post office, Emily's has a warm country Inn atmosphere and a wide range of offerings. Don't forget to ask about "Emily" ... her "spirit" still fills the place! Music on some week nights and weekends.

Squire Side Cafe (10 minutes) -- 717-354-5980
Ice cream shoppe atmosphere. Good sandwiches, especially the pretzel bread roll-ups. Good cakes, pies and Hershey brand ice cream.

Two Cousins (10 minutes) -- 717-355-0333
Informal Italian pizzeria with an expanded menu featuring ravioli, pasta and more. Great bread and pizza crust!

Carini's (10 minutes) -- 717-354-4025
Another solid choice for pizza and Italian fare. Famous for their "Carini Salad!"

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All These Attractions Are Nearby!

Your innkeepers will be happy to help with directions and advice once you arrive.

Don't forget to bring your bicycles for some truly stunning rides!

The Mill Property and Treasure Hill. Two antique cooperatives located in Morgantown, just minutes from the Inn. Hunt for that special treasure from hundreds of dealers -- all in one place! (610)-286-8854/286-7119

Art Cottage Studio. Just down the road from the Inn, you'll find this charming cottage offering a lovely selection of Stained Glass Stepping Stones, Suncatchers, Oil Paintings, Painted Gourds and Painted Wood Panels and MUCH more. Online orders also accepted by visiting www.artcottagestudio.com.

Shady Maple Farm Market and Smorgasbord. The farm market is the largest of its kind in the country and features aisle upon aisle of fresh, frozen, jarred, and canned goodness! The Smorgasbord dishes out delicious Pennsylvania Dutch cooking to visitors from all over the world every day but Sunday. Just four miles from the Inn. (717)-354-4981

Root's Country Market & Auction. The oldest single family-run market in Lancaster County featuring over 200 stand-holders selling fresh meats, deli items, baked goods, nursery items and flowers, handmade crafts, antiques, collectibles and household items of all kinds. The market is open every Tuesday, rain or shine, from 9am until 8pm. www.rootsmarket.com

The Flower and Craft Warehouse. Over 8 1/2 football fields big! Filled with a huge selection of artificial and dried flowers, craft supplies, home decorations, collectibles, wedding supplies, personal gifts and Christmas items. (717)-355-9975. www.flowerandcraft.com

Hot Air Ballooning. See the beauty of the county from above as you glide over farm fields, streams and woodland in a hot air balloon! Sunrise and sunset rides available.

The US Hot Air Balloon Team. Can book tours locally, nationally and

internationally. 800-763-5987. www.ushotairballoon.com

Air Ventures. Beautiful views of neighboring Chester County.

1-800-826-6361. www.air-ventures.com

Lancaster County Driving Tour. Click here to get a great driving tour that will show you the best of the county (you can follow it right from our front door)!

Stoudt Brewing Company: Pennsylvania's first micro brewery. Fourteen years of quality brewing and numerous award winning beers. Garnering national and international attention with a pile of gold, silver and bronze medals. Fourteen varieties to choose from. Lagers, ales, and seasonal beers. Free tours every Saturday 3PM and Sunday 1PM. Route 272, Adamstown. (717)-484-4386. Website: www.stoudtsbeer.com

Horst Auction Center. The Horst family has been in the auction business since approximately 1900. They run one of the finest auctions in all of Lancaster County with sales at their Ephrata facility on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The auction center also features some simple but yummy PA Dutch food! (717) 738-3080 http://www.horstauction.com

H & R and Farmersville Auctions. Two local auctions filled with treasures just waiting to be discovered. H & R is just ten minutes from the Inn and runs every Monday night. Farmersville is about 15 minutes away and provides a great chance to mingle with the local Plain community while hunting for your bargains. It runs all day, every Tuesday.

Bike Tours. The Inn has a copy of Scenic Tours of Lancaster County, a great resource for self-guided biking. We'll be happy to make you a copy of any tour you'd like to try.

Obies Country Store. It's the only place in Lancaster County where you can buy 15 varieties of candy for a penny, a 15-inch to 8-foot tall Raggedy Ann doll, a beautiful handmade quilt for $350.00 or repent and be saved for nothing! (717)-445-4616

Ghost Tour of Lancaster County. Enjoy a candlelit tour through the historic streets of Strasburg as you listen to tales of the unknown and hear about things that go bump in the night! (717)-687-6687. www.ghosttour.com

The Amish Farm and House. Visit a charming Pennsylvania Dutch Farm that's been in operation since the early 1700's! Features a 25 acre homestead with a farmhouse furnished as an Old Order Amish home.

Quilts: Vibrant colors and entrancing patterns on hundreds of quilts, all local made. Visiting these shops is like visiting an art gallery (without the gallery prices!)

Sylvia Petersheim Quilts and Crafts. 2544 Old Philadelphia Pike
Bird-in-Hand. 717-392-6404.

Witmer Quilt Shop. Featuring new and more than 100 antique quilts.
Open: Mon – Sat., 8am-8pm. 1070-76 West Main Street along route 23, first house east of Leola. New Holland, PA 17557. (717)-656-9526.

Smuckers Quilts. Open: Mon.-Sat. 8am-8pm. Closed: Sundays
117 North Groffdale Road. New Holland, PA 17557. (717)-656-8730

Country Things. The name says it all! This shop, just two doors down from the inn, has a great selection of area photos, home décor items, country furniture, Beanie Babies and much more! It’s beautifully decorated and just two minutes away – it makes for a good quick visit after breakfast or while you’re just relaxing around the Inn.

Carson’s in theCornfields. You’ll be surprised to see what old doors, shutters and windows can be turned into when you step inside this delightful shop featuring everything from enchanting wall-hangings to unique furniture, primitives and folk art. Don’t let the old junk outside fool you, it’s much more than an architectural salvage store.

Shupp's Grove. Spend the day beneath a shady canopy as you shop for antiques, collectibles, and that "special something". Theme weekends highlight different items on different dates. (717)-484-4115. www.shuppsgrove.com

Buggy Ride: Tour Lancaster County in an Amish buggy and see the countryside at a new pace. Aaron and Jessica's 3.5 mile tour. Open Sunday717-768-8828. Abe's Buggy Rides (717) 392-1794

French Creek State Park. A 7,475 acre woodland oasis filled with more than 35 miles of well-marked hiking trails, a lake that offers canoeing and kayaking, and a large, sparkling outdoor pool. (610)-582-9680

The Central Market: The country's oldest farmers' market, in the heart of Amish country, occupies a beautiful 109 year old red brick building chock-full of local character. Regional food specialties include Pennsylvania Dutch sausage, scrapple (a breakfast meat of pork scraps and cornmeal), and headcheese (like scrapple, an acquired taste). Open Tuesdays and Fridays, 6:00am to 4:30pm, and Saturdays, 6:00am to 2:00pm year-round.

Sight and Sound Theater. Offers inspirational, bible-based, live stage productions in two theatres. 40-foot tall sets, fabulous period costumes, inspiring scripts, and multimedia special effects are all developed on site. Telephone: (717) 687-7800. http://www.bibleonstage.com/default.asp

The Green Dragon Market: A market selling all kinds of agricultural and rural goods outside of Ephrata every Friday. Swap meet atmosphere. Stay late for the auction! (717) 738-1117

Ten Thousand Villages. Shop for handcrafted gifts and home decor from 30 Third World countries including jewelry, toys, musical instruments, and holiday decorations. Have lunch at the Nav Jiwan Tea Room which has weekly menus featuring various countries such as Guatemala, Kenya, Bangladesh, Egypt and Tanzania. Proceeds benefit artists in their homelands. 717-721-8400.

VF Outlet Village, Tanger Outlet Center , Rockvale Square Outlets (http://www.rockvalesquareoutlets.com/index.asp). A bargain hunter's dream come true! Hundreds of outlets near downtown Lancaster and just 20 minutes north in Reading.

Lapp Valley Farm: Homemade ice cream fresh from the farm in New Holland. (717) 354-7988

Miller's Natural Foods: a country gas-lit store selling a wide variety of natural foods. Located in the town of Bird in Hand.

Wilbur Chocolate Factory: Watch candy being made and enjoy displays of unusual and antique candy packaging items, cocoa tins, ads, candy making equipment and more while you shop for a host of delicious delights. (We like the chocolate buds!) (717)-626-3249

Martin's Pretzel Factory: Watch pretzels being made and sample fresh hot pretzels. Located in Akron. (717)-859-1272

Pennsylvania Farm Museum of Landis Valley: An Amish farmer museum with many special events and demonstrations. (717) 569-0401

National Clock and Watch Museum: An endless and amusing array of clocks in all varieties. Located in Columbia. http://www.nawcc.org/museum (717) 684-8261

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania: This state museum has a re-created railroad station and lots of old cars and engines. You can even take a ride on a train across the street at the Strasburg Steam Railroad. Strasburg, PA. (717) 687-8628

The Ephrata Cloisters: Visit the amazingly well-preserved buildings of a semi monastic religious community founded by Seventh-Day Baptists in 1732. 632 W. Main St., Ephrata. 717-733-6600. Open 7 days.

Mount Hope Estate & Winery: A 32-room Victorian mansion situated on 87 acres and home to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. Complimentary wine tasting offered daily year round. Theater in the mansion features annual Edgar Allan Poe and Charles Dickens fests as well as a roaring 20's celebration where Mount Hope Mansion becomes a jazz-age speakeasy. Picnic and wedding/reception facilities available. Handicap Accessible. Manheim. (717)-665-7021.

Nissley Vineyards and Winery Estate: Featuring tastings of award winning Lancaster valley wines, tours of scenic operating winery and romantic saturday evening lawn concerts July and August. Also wine shop, picnic patios, vineyards for hiking and country roadways for biking. Open: Mon.-Sat. 10am-5pm, Sun. 1-4pm. Bainbridge. (717)-426-3514. http://www.nissleywine.com

Hawk Valley Golf Course: Built in 1970 by combining the properties of two conservative Mennonite farm families. The 125 acre property is gently-rolling land on which are located seven ponds and large stands of old oak and poplar trees. William Gordon, a well-known golf course architect, designed the 6743 yard layout which currently has a rating of 70.3 with a slope of 132. Gordon, known for his interestingly difficult green designs, also placed more than 50 strategic traps throughout the 18-hole complex. 1-800-522-HAWK. Bowmansville.

Tanglewood Manor Golf Club: 18 Hole Championship Golf Course. Lighted 50 station driving range. Full service Gallery Grille restaurant. Men's par 72 (6457 yds), Women's par 74 (5321 yds). Gas cart rental $13/person, Pull cart rental $5/person. Pro shop on grounds, locker rooms and restaurant. Tee times required. Resident pro: Brian Kramp. Hours: Golf course- Dawn to Dusk, 7 days a week. Closed: January & February. Handicap Accessible. Quarryville. (717)-786-2220.

Lancaster Host Golf Resort: Scenic course meanders past a panorama of rolling meadows, white washed barns and sparkling lakes in the beautiful countryside. Handicap accessible. Admission: $63. Offers an 18 hole golf course with gas cart rental (fee included in greens fee), Pro shop, food service, snack bar and resident pro - Howard Kramer. Men's par 71, 6144 yards; women's par 71, 5411 yards. Tee times required. Lancaster. (717)-299-5500

Twin Brook Winery: Commercial farm winery; grapes grown on 70 acre premises are made into estate bottled wines; free wine tastings & tours provided to visitors; special events throughout the year; property is an historic site dating back nearly 300 years; open year round. Picnic facilities available. Open: Jan. 2 through April 30: Tues.-Sun., noon-5pm. May 1 through Dec. 31: Mon.-Sat. 10am-6pm, Sun. noon-5pm. Closed: Most holidays. Gap. (717)-442-4915.

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About Our "Plain" Neighbors

Lancaster County's Plain People are composed of primarily three basic groups: Amish, Brethren, and Mennonite. They are non-resistant, intensely devout people who seek to preserve traditional family values and serve God as their forefathers did.

To understand the differences between the Amish and the Mennonites, it is necessary to travel back in history to the sixteenth century. At this time, a group of individuals in Switzerland decided that, rather than being baptized at birth, it was prudent to wait until you were an informed adult to profess your faith and join your religion through the ceremony of baptism. These individuals became known as Anabaptists or, "rebaptisers." In 1536, a leader named Menno Simons joined the movement and quickly attracted a large group of followers who became known as the Mennonites.

Approximately a century later, a disagreement arose among the Mennonites regarding strict enforcement of Anabaptist traditions, namely the custom of shunning individuals who had violated a principle of their faith. The Mennonites were moving away from this tradition and a man named Jacob Amman rose to prominence by preaching adherence to the traditional ways. Those who followed Amman became known as the Amish. Both groups migrated to Lancaster County beginning in 1710 to escape persecution and practive religious freedom.

Today it is almost impossible to definitively say what the differences are between the Amish and Mennonites. Decisions about lifestyle are made by individual church leaders in individual communities. However, broadly speaking, Old and New Order Amish and Old Order Mennonites have kept their traditional ways. They are the people you will see wearing traditional clothing, working their fields with teams of horses and driving our roads with their buggies. There are now also many sects of Mennonites, ranging from Old Order who still dress traditionally and drive a horse and buggy, to thoroughly modern Mennonites who embrace technology and the modern way of life. In between is a fascinating range of customs and culture.

What unites all of the groups, however, is their devout belief in the Christian faith.

In the Plain community, close-knit families work together on a farm, or in small businesses directly adjacent to the fields: a blacksmith, quilt shops, harness maker, or fruit and vegetable stands. Visiting these same businesses in operation today, you will see the pace of life the community fosters--steady and earnest; not harried, never hassled. Should you treat them respectfully and observe their wishes regarding no photography, many Plain People will be friendly and caring and happy to share a joke or story with you. You may even be privileged to join them for dinner in their home. It's an experience most of our guests find truly unforgettable. Click here for more details.

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Churchtown Inn Bed and Breakfast
2100 Main Street
Churchtown, Pennsylvania (PA) 17555
1-800-637-4446
717-445-7794
fax: 717-445-0962
email: innkeepers@churchtowninn.com
Hosts: Jim and Chris Farr
www.churchtowninn.com