Looking for Amish culture, rolling farmland, and family-friendly fun? Head to Ronks, Pennsylvania! Located in the heart of Lancaster County, Ronks offers peaceful country charm, traditional Pennsylvania Dutch experiences, and fun attractions like trains and theaters. It’s a perfect rural getaway with timeless appeal.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Ronks is in spring through fall (April to October), when the countryside is lush, roadside markets are open, and attractions are in full swing. Fall offers colorful foliage and harvest festivals, while winter is quieter and cozier.

How to Get There

  • By Car: Ronks is easily accessed via US-30, just 20 minutes from Lancaster and 1.5 hours from Philadelphia.
  • By Train: Amtrak serves Lancaster Station, with taxis or rideshares available to Ronks.
  • By Air: The nearest major airports are Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).

Where to Stay

  • AmishView Inn & Suites – Award-winning hotel with countryside views, large suites, and a peaceful setting.
  • Red Caboose Motel – Unique lodging in real train cars with fun for kids and railway fans.
  • Fulton Steamboat Inn – Nautical-themed hotel with Victorian charm, a koi pond, and on-site dining.

Top Attractions

Experience Epic Bible Stories on Stage at Sight and Sound Theatres

Experience Epic Bible Stories on Stage at Sight and Sound Theatres

© photofang/stock.adobe.com

Sight and Sound Theatres is a Christian theater in Ronks, Pennsylvania that produces inspirational musicals with biblical themes from Moses to Jonah and Noah. Inspirational story, song and magnificent staging bring the Bible to life on stage. Professional actors are dressed in elaborate costumes, meticulously detailed sets are 40 feet high. Add to that trained animals, spectacular special effects and great music, it is no wonder that Sight & Sound shows bring over 800,000 spectators every year. The theatre operates from the new 2,000-seat, state-of-the-art theater with a massive, 300-foot stage that wraps around the audience. The first show on the new stage was Sight & Sound’s signature and most popular production — Noah.

300 Hartman Bridge Rd, Ronks, PA 17572, Phone: 800-377-1277

Ride in a Vintage Steam Train Through Amish Country on the Strasburg Rail Road

Ride in a Vintage Steam Train Through Amish Country on the Strasburg Rail Road

© Purcell Photography/stock.adobe.com

The Strasburg Rail Road is the oldest operating railroad in the States and the oldest public utility in Pennsylvania. The Strasburg Rail Road Company was chartered in 1832 and is today offering excursion trains pulled by steam locomotives on a 4.5-mile track in Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Its headquarters is just outside Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Strasburg has five still operating steam locomotives and the largest operating fleet of historic wooden passenger coaches in the country. The Strasburg Rail Road is one of the few American railroads to still occasionally use steam locomotives to pull freight trains. The nearby Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania uses Strasburg Rail Road tracks at times to connect to the Amtrak Philadelphia-to-Harrisburg Main Line in Paradise, Pennsylvania.

301 Gap Rd, Ronks, PA 17572, Phone: 866-725-9666

Get Lost in the Corn Maze and Make Memories at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm

Get Lost in the Corn Maze and Make Memories at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm

© Cherry Crest Adventure Farm

Located near Ronks, in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm is a unique five-acre farm offering fun activities for the whole family. There is a corn maze, pumpkin patch, wagon rides, a petting zoo and frequent festivals for kids. Farm visitors can also board the Strasburg Rail Road Steam Engine from the farm to the station, through the lush countryside to Paradise, and then back to the farm. Besides offering fun activities, Cherry Crest operates real working farm on 300 acres planted with a range of crops. The Cherry Crest property dates back to the early 1700s, when it was owned by the Ferree family, who emigrated to the Pequea Valley from France to avoid religious persecution. Jack and Donna Coleman bought the farm in 1987.

150 Cherry Hill Rd, Ronks, PA 17572, Phone: 717-687-6843

Explore Historic Locomotives at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

Explore Historic Locomotives at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

© Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is located in Strasburg, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, along Pennsylvania Route 741. It is managed by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The museum's collection includes over 100 historic locomotives and railroad cars that tell the story of American railroads. Visitors are allowed to climb aboard locomotives and cars, watch experts restore ancient machines using closed-circuit television, enjoy interactive educational programs, and more. In addition to full-size trains, the museum also has a number of other items such as model railroad layouts, a hands-on educational center, a library, an archive, and a smaller exhibit gallery.

300 Gap Rd, Ronks, PA 17572, Phone: 717-687-8628

Step Back in Time at the Working Grist Mill of Mascot Roller Mills

Step Back in Time at the Working Grist Mill of Mascot Roller Mills

© Mascot Roller Mills

Mascot Roller Mills or Ressler's Mill, is a historic grist mill established in 1737 located at Upper Leacock Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The mill complex consists of the mill and miller's house, summer kitchen and frame barn.. The machinery was added in 1906. The mill is a three-story stone building with a gable roof and cupola, and the house, built in 1855, is a two-story, gable roofed brick structure. The one-story summer kitchen, attached to the house, is made of bricks. The small frame barn was built the late-19th century. Mascot Roller Mills is the oldest operating grist mill in Lancaster County

2900 Stumptown Rd, Ronks, PA 17572, Phone: 717-656-7616

If You Love Collectibles or Want a Whimsical Gift, Visit Aimee and Daria’s Doll Outlet

If You Love Collectibles or Want a Whimsical Gift, Visit Aimee and Daria’s Doll Outlet

© Aimee and Daria's Doll Outlet

Aimee and Darla’s Doll Outlet is the largest shop of its kind in the area. Located in Ronks, Pennsylvania, the Doll Outlet has more than 5,000 dolls in stock, from two-inch tall, up to 42-inch tall. There is a doll for everyone in a wide range of prices. The outlet sells dolls from a range of major doll companies. The selection includes a range of lifelike, realistic looking baby dolls, some beautifully hand-painted and other manufactured. There are vinyl play baby dolls for newborns and all kinds of dolls for kids of all ages. Whether you are looking for the first doll for your baby to play with, or for an addition to your collection of dolls, the outlet has it all. Clients can even design their own doll, or adopt one of their tiny baby dolls from the outlet ‘nursery.” There are also doll clothes of all kinds and doll furniture.

2682 Lincoln Hwy E, Ronks, PA 17572, Phone: 717-687-8118

Where to Eat

  • Dienner’s Country Restaurant – Hearty PA Dutch buffet with rotating specials and homemade pies.
  • Miller’s Smorgasbord – All-you-can-eat dining with traditional comfort foods and Lancaster County favorites.
  • Smokehouse BBQ and Brews – Laid-back spot for brisket, pulled pork, and local craft beer.

Local Events

  • Amish Mud Sales (Spring) – Unique community auctions that support local volunteer fire companies.
  • Harvest Festivals (Fall) – Celebrate the season with hayrides, corn mazes, and fresh apple cider.
  • Sight & Sound Holiday Shows (Winter) – Stunning seasonal productions perfect for Christmas visits.

Day Trips Within 30 Minutes of Ronks, Pennsylvania

  • Choo Choo Barn (5–10 min) – View a massive, animated model train display depicting Lancaster County in intricate detail.
  • Kitchen Kettle Village (5–10 min) – Sample jams and pickles, watch local artisans, and shop over 40 country-style stores in Intercourse.
  • Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market (5–10 min) – Browse fresh produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, and Amish specialties at this bustling indoor market.
  • Cherry Crest Adventure Farm (5–10 min, seasonal) – Get lost in a corn maze, visit barnyard animals, and enjoy outdoor family fun on a working farm.
  • Downtown Lancaster (20–25 min) – Explore historic streets, art galleries, global dining, and the famous Central Market in this vibrant city.
  • Rockvale & Tanger Outlets (5–10 min) – Shop brand-name deals and factory stores just minutes from Ronks on Route 30.

FAQ

  • Where is Ronks, Pennsylvania located?
    • Ronks is a small farming community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, located west of Paradise, Pennsylvania.
  • What is the Strasburg Rail Road?
    • The Strasburg Rail Road is the oldest operating railroad in the United States and the oldest public utility in Pennsylvania.
  • What attractions can visitors find in Ronks?
    • Sight and Sound Theatres: A Christian theater that produces inspirational musicals with biblical themes.
    • Cherry Crest Adventure Farm: A five-acre farm offering fun family activities, including a corn maze, pumpkin patch, wagon rides, and a petting zoo.
    • Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania: Features a collection of over 100 historic locomotives and railroad cars.

At a Glance


Best Time to Visit Places to Stay Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Mild temperatures and blooming farmland. Amish View Inn & Suites – A charming stay with scenic views of Amish country. Take a Buggy Ride – Experience a traditional Amish horse-drawn carriage tour.
Summer (June-August) – Warm and great for outdoor activities. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lancaster – A comfortable stay near top attractions. Visit the Strasburg Rail Road – Ride a historic steam train through picturesque countryside.
Fall (September-November) – Crisp air and beautiful fall foliage. Fulton Steamboat Inn – A unique and themed hotel experience. Explore Kitchen Kettle Village – Enjoy local Amish crafts, baked goods, and seasonal events.
Winter (December-February) – Peaceful and cozy, great for a quiet retreat. Red Caboose Motel – Stay in a converted train car for a fun and nostalgic experience. See the Christmas Lights at Dutch Wonderland – Enjoy a festive winter wonderland with holiday displays.

Plan Your Trip


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