Those visiting New York's Amish trail may think they are traveling to a different time and place.
They are visiting the Old Order Amish, however - an order that is firm in their practices .
The Amish trail, where some Amish live and sell goods, is mostly located in Cattaraugus County with some in Chautauqua County.
Article Photos
Handmade signs for Amish shops, such as these at the intersection of Pope and Van Slyke roads in the town of Conewango, dot the Cattaraugus County landscape. Many of these shops can be seen as part of the county’s Amish Trail.
P-J?photo by Dave Emke
According to Cattaraugus County's Enchanted Mountains website, the Amish trace roots to central Europe and live a slow-paced life using no electricity. They make their own clothes, have gardens, farms, schools and churches, deeming it is better to do without than have modern conveniences causing hectic lives to pay for them that leaves less time to dwell on God and all things good.
They value community, unity, family, faith and hard work, reports the website.
Some sell goods from homes, with maps available at through the website or area businesses. Quilts, rugs, baked goods, candy, furniture, toys, baskets, candles, eggs, fruits and vegetables, jams, woodworking leather, lumber, ironworks and more are available on the trail from the Amish. Amish sales are closed Sundays and some do not open Wednesdays.
Fact Box
What: Fall Flowers
When: 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday
Where: Jamestown Audubon Center and Sanctuary, 1600 Riverside Road
Cost: $10 for Audubon members, $12 for non-members, $5 for children
Senior naturalist Jeff Tome will lead a hike to see a variety of fall's wildflowers. Participants will learn tips for basic wildflower identification and learn a bit about each one. For more, call 569-2345 or visit www.jamestownaudubon.org.
* 7.4 miles from downtown Jamestown.
What: Southern Tier Classic Chevy Club and Busti VFD Antique Tractor Pull and Classic Car Show
When: 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday
Where: Firemen's Grounds, Mill Road, Busti
Cost: $7 entry fee for participants
Registration for the event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Chicken barbecue will be offered. For more info, visit stcchevyclub.com.
* 4.7 miles from downtown Jamestown.
What: Silver Creek Festival of Grapes
When: Thursday through Sunday
Where: downtown Silver Creek
Cost: free
Music, food, rides, games and much more. For more info, call 366-8424.
* 36.4 miles from downtown Jamestown.
Amish photographs should not be taken.
Also on the trail, however, are area attractions including non-Amish shops, museums, herb shops, a golf course, restaurants, historical societies, alpaca farms and more. A welcome center is located in Randolph.
Guided tours are available by reservation and can be custom-designed based on types of shops wanting to be visited. Tours last about two hours. For more information, call the welcome center at 358-9701, ext. 208.
Tonia McAllister has worked on developing the trail.
She said a group of business people got together in 2007 to discuss the idea of developing the Amish trail. She said they met with Amish representatives, who do not want to be an attraction but are business people who want to get their products sold, said Mrs. McAllister. A brochure was developed in 2008 to promote the trail, which features more than 100 Amish shops and more than 40 English businesses starting in Randolph, going north along Route 241 and Route 62 to Gowanda.
"It's a way to step back in time, experience another culture and get away from the busy hustle and bustle," she said about visiting.
She said the Amish want people to come but to respect their different beliefs and way of life by not taking pictures or planning Sunday visits.
For more information, visit www.amishtrail.com.
"This hidden gem is just waiting for you to come and get caught up in an entirely different way of life," reports the website.