Pennsylvania, USA
Pennsylvania bed and breakfast stays among the Pennsylvania Dutch
Pennsylvania, the “Keystone State”, is a farming state with many rural Pennsylvania bed and breakfasts to accommodate vacationers who are interested in seeing the Amish people firsthand. Pennsylvania is located in the Middle Atlantic region of the US. Here William Penn and the Quakers found refuge from religious persecution; the region then became a haven for others, including Mennonites and Amish. Primarily of German descent, these "Pennsylvania Dutch" settled in and around Lancaster County. The Pennsylvania Dutch believe in a simple way of life and still live in the state's tranquil farmland settings. They shun many of the conveniences of modern life in favor of slower, more leisurely ways. They are famous for preferring a horse and buggy above an automobile. There are many Pennsylvania bed and breakfasts in Lancaster County with names that hark back to the unique history of the state.
The Pennsylvania B&B lodge and inn industry is centered in the major cities and in the rural areas. There are 58,000 farms in the state and they are the backbone of the state's economy. The main commodities produced are dairy products, cattle, mushrooms, greenhouse and nursery products, poultry and eggs, a variety of fruits, sweet corn, potatoes, maple syrup, and Christmas trees. There are many Pennsylvania bed and breakfasts on farms. Because of its rural attractions and rich heritage, Pennsylvania draws billions of tourist dollars annually from about five million tourists, many of who go to Lancaster County. A hospitable Pennsylvania bed and breakfast industry has grown to receive all these visitors. While they are in the state, B&B visitors also frequent the Gettysburg National Military Park, the Valley Forge National Historical Park, the Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, the Eisenhower farm near Gettysburg and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Pennsylvania has something for everyone, from metropolitan life in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to the wilds of the Allegheny Plateau. As the birthplace of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, Philadelphia has a wealth of historic attractions. The Franklin Institute Science Museum was built here to provide visitors with the opportunity of understanding computers, science, geography and astronomy. Pittsburgh is famous for its professional sports and is found at the confluence of three rivers: the Monongahela, the Allegheny and the Ohio. There are dozens of Pennsylvania bed and breakfast establishments catering to sports enthusiasts and also lovers of natural beauty. The town of Gettysburg is famous for the Battle of Gettysburg, which changed the course of U.S. history. There are several Pennsylvania B&Bs around the historical town.
