Amish settlements can often feel fairly inaccessible to outsiders. While there are plenty of Amish congregations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana, the residents usually keep to themselves, and their communities are, for the most part, pretty closed off. But in Florida’s Sarasota County, there is a joyful exception that offers a fascinating combination of traditional Amish lifestyle and tropical surroundings.
Pinecraft, Florida, is located about 4 miles from downtown Sarasota, just half an hour by car from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. It’s also a short drive from the gorgeous, uncrowded Gulf Coast fishing village of Cortez and Anna Maria Island. Pinecraft is a classic Florida vacation destination in all sorts of ways but with one major difference – the vast majority of the tourists who choose Pinecraft are Amish and Mennonite.
Pinecraft’s Amish history began back in 1925 when Earl S. Kraft and his wife Mary K. Craft bought several parcels of land to create the Sarasota National Tourist Camp. Designed as a resort, it offered Amish and Mennonite families a place to escape from the cold winters of Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as provided the opportunity for families to grow crops during the winter, something that was impossible further north. The area grew throughout the 20th century and is now a thriving community with several hundred year-round residents, supplemented by thousands of snowbirds during the winter.
Tricycle rides and wholesome arts and crafts in Pinecraft
Pinecraft is unlike most other Florida vacation towns. This isn’t one of the Sunshine State’s classic spring break destinations, and you won’t find a luxurious resort where you can book a “daycation.” Life moves at a different pace here, with fewer cars, bars, and music venues. But that’s not to say that there’s nothing to do — the pleasures of Pinecraft are simpler.
Unlike in communities further north in Pennsylvania and Ohio, there aren’t any horse-drawn buggies in Pinecraft. It’s a small enough spot that most tourists prefer to walk around or cycle on distinctive three-wheel tricycles. Hiring one of these charming vehicles is a delightful way to get to know the place and is one of the most efficient ways to get around. Pinecraft Park is a favorite of most visitors. The entertainment hub is usually full of adults and children enjoying volleyball and basketball or trying their hand at a more sedate game of shuffleboard.
One of the main draws for non-Amish visitors is the superb arts and crafts produced by the community. Pinecraft is full of small, independent shops selling handmade toys and artisanal goods like wooden dolls, candles, quilts, and soaps. It’s a great place to get your Christmas shopping done early. There are also plenty of places where you can buy bigger items, primarily finely-crafted wooden furniture. Amish crafters have been making chairs, tables, and larger items for centuries, and it’s a great opportunity to pick up a piece that could last for a lifetime.
Pinecraft’s satisfying comfort food and delicious pies
