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A weekend among the Amish

Linda Perney | STAFF WRITER

A bedroom at Westwynd Farm Inn, in Pennsylvania (HANDOUT)

The peaceful Pennsylvania Dutch Country makes for a relaxing weekend escape. Small towns, farm markets with lots of home-baked goods, antiquing -- especially for handmade quilts -- and woods where you can go hiking or biking.

The Inn at Westwynd Farm is a nice introduction to these rural pleasures. Located on a 32-acre horse farm, the inn mixes a relaxing attitude with traditional style. Rooms are light, with views that stretch over the rolling countryside; beds are made up with colorful quilts, and in the public rooms, there are fireplaces and comfortable sofas. The library is an especially nice place to relax after a day outdoors. (1620 Sand Beach Road Hummelstown, Pennsylvania; 877-937-8996 or 717-533-6764; www.westwyndfarminn.com. Rates: $99-$159.)

WHAT TO DO: Take a drive through Lancaster County and the Amish farmland. Ask at the inn for a map that will keep you off the main highways, and will show you where to stop for antiques and quilts. Nearby Hershey -- the town that chocolate built -- offers a theme park (Hersheypark) as well as The Hershey Museum and Hershey Gardens, even some bargain hunting at Hershey Outlets.

NEARBY NATURE: There are walking paths on the grounds of the farm itself, where you can make your acquaintance with the horses -- not to mention the alpacas, who have also taken up residence. If it's serious hiking you're after, there's an entrance to the Appalachian Trail about a 10-minute drive from the farm

WHERE TO EAT: Good 'n' Plenty Restaurant is a perfect choice if you want to sample traditional Pennsylvania Dytch cooking. This is hearfty, farm-style cooking, so expect baked country ham, roast beef, fried chicken, and homemade and pies. (Route 896 between Routes 340 & 30, Smoketown, PA; 717-394-7111)