There are many interesting things to see and do in the United States, but one of the most unique might be a trip to Amish country. The Amish currently live in many different states, with the greatest concentration being in the states of Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. A visit to an Amish community can be very educational and a lot of fun, but there are a few things you should know in advance to get the most from your visit.

Religious Observance of Sunday
If you wish to do some shopping or visit some of the restaurants and attractions in Amish country, you should plan your visit for a day other than Sunday. Other than some of the lodging establishments, most Amish businesses are closed on Sundays. Even some area businesses that are not directly associated with the Amish will also be closed on Sunday. However, if you want to take in the scenery or engage in outdoor activities, Sunday might actually be a good choice, since there will be much less traffic and fewer tourists.

Shorter Business Hours
Even during the week and on Saturday, many Amish shops and restaurants will have shorter hours than what many Americans are accustomed to. Restaurants often close soon after dinner, and stores and shops are often closed as early as five o'clock. It's actually best to start your visit to Amish country during the early morning when everything is open so that you will have time to see everything.

Travel Considerations and Safety
The Amish horse and buggies can make tourists a little nervous when visiting Amish country. If you are on a narrow road behind a horse and buggy, you may find it a bit difficult to get around it. In most cases, you'll want to drive slowly while in Amish country, because in addition to the horse and buggies you will also encounter a lot of pedestrians, bicyclists, and farm equipment on the roads. Roads are many times hilly and curvy as well, so drive and walk with caution.

Respecting the Privacy of the Amish
It's important to realize that although you might find a visit to an Amish community extremely interesting, the people who live there are just trying to go about their daily lives. You should respect their privacy and avoid interrupting and disturbing people that you encounter on the street. You should also avoid taking pictures of the Amish, as photography is not something that is acceptable in their way of life. If you simply must take a few photos as a memento of your visit, try to take them unobtrusively, and avoid taking photos of people's faces. You could always take a photo of an Amish buggy from the side or back, or take photos of groups of people that are too far away to be recognizable in the photo. Amish business owners are generally open to conversation with tourists, so if you have any questions it's best to ask them instead of asking people on the street. By just taking common courtesy into consideration, you will enjoy your trip to Amish country, while respecting their privacy and chosen way of life.

Alyssa Davis is a staff writer and decorating specialist with Metal-Wall-Art.com and she offers stylish suggestions for decorating with silver metal wall decor and extra large wall art.