Where Do The Amish Go To Vacation and Retire? Florida, Of Course!

The Amish and Mennonite community of Pinecraft located in Sarasota, FL, was founded in the 1920s as a tourist destination for members of the respective churches, but became full of permanent residences over time. It's a very unique Amish community in several ways. First of all, chances are you've never seen any Amish folks at your local beach, but it's not unusual to see them at beaches near Pinecraft in the snowbird season, like Siesta Beach and Lido Beach.

Pinecraft is seen as a winter vacation or retirement spot for the Amish who choose to stay there. It's unique in that it has electricity, which is usually not used in Amish communities. This is due to the fact that it's usually acceptable in lodging that's considered temporary. Because of its unique features, not all Amish will consider a trip to Pinecraft.

Another atypical aspect of Pinecraft is that you won't find the signature horse and buggy anywhere except on display. Instead, in true Florida fashion, they mostly use bicycles and adult tricycles (and sometimes even golf carts) to get around.

As you probably know, wherever the Amish go, amazing food will follow, and Sarasota is no exception. Restaurants like Yoder's, Troyer's, and Der Dutchman serve up incredible comfort food to Amish and English (non-Amish) alike.

So, next time you're in Sarasota, be sure to keep an eye out for Amish families on their Florida vacations, and definitely make it a point to try one of its amazing Amish restaurants. By the way, it's an absolute requirement that you try one of their homemade pies, because apparently the Amish make the best pies in the world.