Traveling to Amish country
Am I allowed to bring my rental car into Amish country?
Do they allow cameras for pictures?
Will they understand what cameras are?
I know it's a very agrarian area but that's about it.
Is this a community that tends to be welcoming, tolerant, or resentful of outsiders who are passing through and exploring their part of the country?
Best Answer
I actually listened to a podcast on the Amish a couple of weeks ago, based on this article on Howstuffworks. I'd recommend it for some solid background.
They're not idiots - they do have education, and they know fully what a camera is, but choose not to use them. They generally would prefer you not to take photos - as DJClayworth said, imagine tourists taking photos of you while you were going to work or whatever.
Their faith and lifestyle means they're very open and hospitable, and from the sounds of it would have a very interesting perspective on life, if you chose to engage with them and find out more.
Not that I could live entirely in that lifestyle, but after the podcast, I could understand their views on some matters.
Pictures about "Traveling to Amish country"
What is the best Amish country to visit?
Pennsylvania: So Much to See and Do. In Pennsylvania, you'll see America's oldest \u2014 and perhaps best known \u2014 Amish settlement in Lancaster County. There are additional settlements in the state besides Lancaster if authentic Amish settlements are your destinations of choice.Is Ohio Amish country worth visiting?
Here you'll find one of the state's most heartwarming regions that's truly one of the most charming places to explore in the Midwest. If you've yet to take a weekend (or week) to explore Ohio's Amish Country, you need to make a point to do so; it's truly one of the best Ohio day trips.What is forbidden for Amish?
They are known for their strict rules involving dress. Old Order Amish communities often prohibit the use of buttons and zippers, for example. They also wear dark colors, mostly black. The communities regulate hair length, men must grow beards an acceptable length, and women are not allowed to get haircuts.Do the Amish take in strangers?
The Amish are private people who avoid as much contact with strangers and the "outside world" as possible for important religious and cultural reasons.Amish Country Travel Vlog | Road Trip to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
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Answer 2
You're not dealing with idiots or religious fanatics. Them not participating in modern conveniences doesn't mean that they don't know what those are.
There are sites like:
and various reviews and posts on Trip Advisor that will help you to plan your trip.
And just for kicks Amish are not a uniform group, so there are variations on practices.
Answer 3
Having grown up in a similar conservative Anabaptist community and now living near a large Amish community, here is my $0.02.
Rental car--absolutely! As other answers point out, members of Amish communities own their homes/farms but not the roads. Of course, be aware of the alternative transportation modes you will see, and slow down for buggies, scooters, bicycles and pedestrians. Remember also that most horses do not appreciate cars coming too close to them--keep a nice distance away from them to avoid causing accidents.
Cameras--if you try to take photos without permission, you are likely to have the unsettling experience of having the Amish turn their back on you. This is not because they do not know what cameras are or because they believe photography is evil, but because they take literally the Biblical injunction not to create an 'image' of anything. If you choose to take photos anyway, it is respectful to do so discreetly and make sure there are no recognizable faces in your photos.
Finally, realize that these are people just like you, who have chosen to live a very different lifestyle. They are friendly but reserved, and most members of these communities will do their best to answer your questions provided you are polite and respectful.
Answer 4
The other answers here are good, but don't fully address the photography question with the attention I believe it deserves.
Many (perhaps most) Amish do actually have a religious prohibition against photography, and thus will likely be actually more offended by the taking of photographs than the average person being treated as a tourist spectacle.
This article discusses the issue.
The religious prohibition comes from the Biblical prohibition against "graven images."
How strictly this is interpreted will vary widely (not just among Amish, obviously).
Your best bet is not to take any photographs where people will be recognizable, or to ask permission first (but be prepared to have your request rejected).
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Maurício Eugênio, Krivec Ales, Ben Mack, Krivec Ales