What to Expect

Amish buggy with Road sign warning of buggiesWhen you arrive at any of the possible entrances onto the Amish Trail, please know that you are distanced from city life, busy streets and rush hour traffic.

Commonly described as pastoral, original, or unblemished; this non-commercialized Old Order Amish settlement is filled with wonderful and interesting attractions. 

You will come upon many Amish Buggies that are going at their comfortable speed of 10mph. Don't be in a hurry to get around them, slow down and appreciate the countryside. If you must pass, please wait until it is very safe to do so and do not honk your horn as you may startle the horse.

Because we are out in the country, do not expect to find the typical modern day conveniences you may accustomed to. The closest fast food restaurant will be at least 15 miles from anywhere you may be along the trail. We have many fabulous locally owned restaurants along the way.

Public restrooms and gas stations are not something you will find on every street corner either.

Who are the Amish?

The Amish adhere to a Christian faith and belief system that values community, unity, family, faith and hard work.  In our area, the Amish are considered to be Old Order, which is a very conservative and traditional community living without electricity, phones, cars, and other modern conveniences. 

Most commonly recognized by their plain dress, horse and buggy transportation, and old fashioned farming practices; they live an intentional lifestyle that separates them from the modern world and is centered around their families and Amish community  They make a living from farming and handcrafting products for sale.

What do the Amish make and sell?

They produce a variety of goods including quilts, rugs, baked goods, candy, furniture, toys, baskets, eggs, homegrown fruits & vegetables, jams, woodworking, leather, limber, iron works and more.

Where are the Amish shops?

The Amish sell their products from their homes - the Amish Trail map will help you locate their businesses.  Look for a sign in their front yard and an open sign to direct you.  You will not find any large Amish stores or commercialized Amish shopping areas or attractions.  Rural, small town, personal and friendly is what characterizes this area instead.  An authentic Amish experience!

We have a wonderful map that designates much of what you will need to ensure your visit with us is pleasant and fulfilling. These maps may be picked up at any of the businesses listed on this site as you enter our area.  There is not one "Amish Store" like something you may find in Ohio or Pennsylvania. These are all small, individual shops with small, sometimes handmade signs designating what they sell or denoting when they are Open/Closed.

Amish Toy Store

Amish Toy Shop

Please do not take photos of the Amish people. You may stop at any of the designated shops where you will find an OPEN sign, but please respect that this is a community with homes and families just like yours.

No shops will be open on Sundays throughout the Amish Community, and many of the “English” shops will be closed as well so plan accordingly.  Wednesday is another day, not always, that you could find some of the Amish shops closed.  The fact that these people tend to gather together for weddings, funerals, barn raisings and other "family" functions is the reason you may find this to be the case.  Unfortunately, you may be thinking this would be something wonderful to view, these functions are not open to outsiders.

The majority of New York's Amish Trail is located in the Enchanted Mountains of Cattaraugus County and others in to the Chautauqua-Allegheny Region of Western New York.

 

What the Amish are doing

Check the Amish Life posts on our blog

Work Horse in a field covered in snow

  • Aim High Outdoor Adventures

    Aim High Outdoor Adventures
    11969 Ruckh Hill
    Leon, NY, 14751 42° 19' 31.1592" N, 78° 59' 59.7948" W

    716-296-5246 or 988-5967

    www.aimhighoutdoors.com

    Our Deluxe Cabins are located 2 miles north of Leon, just 3/4 mile off of Route 62 in a private, peaceful setting.  Check in time is after 3pm and check out time is 12pm unless other arrangements have been made.
    Relax around a campfire and enjoy the beautiful scenery and spectacular sunsets. Our cabins sleep four (or can be arranged for six if needed) and are equipped with everything you need - just bring your food and clothes. Read more about Aim High Outdoor Adventures

    Aim High Outdoor Adventures offers Accommodations, What to See and archery, cabins, rentals

  • Pope Haven Campground

    Pope Haven Campground
    11948 Pope Road
    Randolph, NY, 14772 42° 12' 27.9468" N, 78° 59' 50.2008" W

    716-358-4900

    www.popehaven.com

    Pope Haven is one of the finest campgrounds in western New York state.   We are conveniently located just 15-20 minutes from Allegany State Park, Ellicottville, and Chautauqua Lake.

    Open May 1 -  October 15   Stop in for a visit!

    **Enjoy our facilities on a daily basis.

  • Leon Historical Society Museum

    Leon Historical Society Museum
    Route 62
    leon, NY, 14751 42° 21' 48.3804" N, 79° 3' 21.0312" W

    716-296-5709

    LeonHistoricalSociety.webs.com

    Open 2nd & 4th Saturdays May – October 9am – 4pm FREE ADMISSION Read more about Leon Historical Society Museum

    Leon Historical Society Museum offers What to See

  • American Museum of Cutlery

    American Museum of Cutlery
    9 Main Street
    Cattaraugus, NY, 14719 42° 19' 49.0872" N, 78° 52' 7.41" W

    716-257-9813

    www.AMCUT.org

    This museum showcases premier examples of knives, swords, edged tools, and weapons.  Located in Historic Cattaraugus, which was our nation's first railroad boomtown in 1849, is an ideal location for such a comprehensive museum because many cutlery companies originated in or around the Village.  The stories of those who used these tools of history have been conserved along with the stories of individuals, collectors and authors who have helped to advance knowledge and appreciation for this very significant componet of the American experience. Read more about American Museum of Cutlery

    American Museum of Cutlery offers What to See

  • Mager Mountain Alpacas

    Mager Mountain Alpacas
    69 Mountain View Drive
    Little Valley, NY, 14755 42° 14' 36.4236" N, 78° 47' 9.3696" W

    716-938-9077

    www.magermountainalpacas.com

    Learn the history of these unique members of the Camelid family, now being raised in AMerica for theri exquistie fleece.  Summer is birthing time, so it's a great opportunity to see baby alpacas (crias) playing in the pasture.  While here, visit our farm store, The So Soft Gift Shop, stocked with a large variety of hand made and Peruvian Alpaca products, including: yarn, socks, fine apparel, teddy bears, rugs and much more.  After touching the Alpacas and products, you too will say "It's So Soft"! Read more about Mager Mountain Alpacas

    Mager Mountain Alpacas offers Shopping, What to See

  • Salamanca Area Historical Society

    Salamanca Area Historical Society
    125 Main Street
    Salamanca, NY, 14779 42° 9' 32.2056" N, 78° 42' 53.4312" W

    716-945-2946

    mysite.verizon.net/salamancahistoricalmuseum

    Salamanca Area Historical Society Museum Read more about Salamanca Area Historical Society

    Salamanca Area Historical Society offers What to See and museum

  • Seneca -Iroquois National Museum

    814 Broad Street
    Salamanca, NY, 14779 42° 9' 32.6052" N, 78° 44' 48.4512" W

    716-945-1760

    senecamuseum.org

    Come and visit the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum. You'll be pleasantly surprised with what we have to offer you on historic events that shape our present. Learn how Iroquois traditional and contemporary art reflects the heritage from ancient times to today. Permanent exhibits show a partially reconstructed longhouse, a rebuilt log cabin, and a historical perspective of the Allegany territory prior to the Kinzua Dam being built in 1965. Read more about Seneca -Iroquois National Museum

    Seneca -Iroquois National Museum offers What to See

  • Cardinal Acre Alpacas

    Cardinal Acre Alpacas
    9759 Manley Hill Road
    Little Valley, NY, 14755 42° 11' 38.7168" N, 78° 52' 20.0028" W

    716-307-4582

    Cardinal Acre Alpacas began September 2009 with 9 Alpacas of various colors. In 2010 two babies (or crias) were born and another yearling boy joined the family as a companion alpaca.  We welcome visitors; to come and learn about Alpacas and why we choose to raise them; sink your fingers in their fleece and you will be hooked!  We have a gift shop with a nice variety of goods and a large supply of 'Paca Beans for Gardens' -- nothing is better as fertilizer!  Read more about Cardinal Acre Alpacas

  • The Crosspatch

    The Crosspatch
    5281 Baker Road
    Salamanca, NY, 14779 42° 14' 11.994" N, 78° 45' 48.5892" W

    716-938-6313

    www.thecrosspatch.com

    Guided Horseback Riding, Overnight rides, Stagecoach, Wagon, Sleigh & Carriage Rides. Learn to be cowboy or cowgirl with Intro to Rodeo.  In the winter enjoy a snowy Sleigh ride or rent a Snowmobile and discover the beauty of our winters on your own. Early in the 1800's cowboys rode the western range on cattle drives; every long, hard day in the saddle was followed by an evening of tall tales and music at the chuck wagon. Read more about The Crosspatch

  • Rainbow's End Herbs

    Rainbow's End Herbs
    10084 Hooker Hill Road
    Perrysburg, NY, 14129 42° 26' 15.522" N, 79° 1' 1.4232" W

    716-532-6022

    A unique country shop located on an 1840's farm, we specialize in organic culinary and medicinal herbs. Handmade soaps, balsam sachets, jams; books, ointments, teas and other fine herbal products are some of the treasures found.  Visit for a tour of the gardens and enjoy an organic lunch or tea prepared by owner Jacqueline Swift. Classes and events seasonally. Please call ahead for hours and appointments. Lectures & Workshops available include; Herbcrafting: The Herbal Harvest, Herb Crafts, Kitchen Cosmetics Read more about Rainbow's End Herbs

    Rainbow's End Herbs offers Shopping, What to See and tours, Herbs, gardens, classes

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