Part of the Central NY Hub • Farmers Markets • Farm Stands
New York is now the country's 5th-largest Amish state with over 25,000 Amish in 58 settlements as of 2024. From Syracuse, you can reach Amish auctions and bulk stores in under an hour. This guide starts with the closest communities, then the best markets locals actually drive for.
Amish Communities Around Syracuse, NY — Closest First
All distances from Syracuse, NY 13041. Sunday is church — please don't visit communities on Sunday.
Within 1 Hour of Syracuse
- Pulaski / Williamstown — Oswego County, 30-35 miles north — Your closest settlement. Founded 2006, Swartzentruber Amish, about 655 people. Very plain — no indoor plumbing, no orange triangle on buggies. Sells baked goods and produce at Pulaski farmers market. Easy drive up I-81.
- Canastota / Oneida / Madison County — 20 miles southeast — Small Troyer Amish settlement. This is where Canastota Amish bulk foods store is — 5508 Nelson Rd, old-fashioned bulk foods, cheese curds, spelt bread baked in-house, gas lights.
- Mohawk Valley — Herkimer, Montgomery, Otsego Counties — 50-65 miles east — Five distinct settlements in one valley, most diverse in NY: Old Order, Swartzentruber, Byler, Andy Weaver.
- Fort Plain / Mohawk Valley — founded 2006, 1,060 people, eight church districts, fastest-growing — produce auction area
- Fultonville / Glen — founded 2005, 570 people, Andy Weaver affiliation
- Fort Plain Byler — first in valley 1986, brown-topped buggies
- Lowville — Lewis County — 70 miles north — Dairy-focused, founded 1999 by Path Valley PA settlers. Original Amish came to NY here in 1831. Home of Nolt's Country Store.
- Romulus / Ovid — Seneca County, Finger Lakes — 50 miles southwest — Founded 1981, 1,150 people, Lancaster County PA roots. Community behind Sauders Store in Seneca Falls.
Day Trips — 2 to 3.5 Hours
- Heuvelton — St. Lawrence County — far north — NY's largest, founded 1975, 3,200 people. Highly conservative Swartzentruber, oil lamps, basket-making, quilts, sawmills.
- Conewango Valley — Cattaraugus County — western NY — Oldest in NY, founded 1949, 2,920 people. Troyer group, center of "Amish Trail" self-drive with dozens of shops.
- Clymer — Chautauqua County — SW corner — Founded 1976 from Geauga County OH, 1,650 people. Relatively progressive — propane lights, phone shanties, furniture shops.
- New Berlin / Edmeston — Chenango & Otsego — 60 miles SE — Founded 2010, 680 people, fast-growing.
Best Amish & Mennonite Markets Near Syracuse
From right in town to the favorites people drive for. Bring cash — many are cash-only.
Right in Clay & Closest Stores (20-40 min)
- Canastota/Cazenovia Amish Market — 5508 Nelson Rd, Cazenovia, NY 13035 — One of only two strictly Amish-owned markets on the upstate list. Bulk foods, cheese curds, beef jerky, spelt bread baked in-house, gas lights. Small, quiet, cash preferred. 📍 Directions
- Side Track Farmer's Market — 4975 State Route 31, Clay, NY 13041 — Seasonal next to Clay Historical Park. Not strictly Amish-owned but carries same local farm vendors, produce, baked goods, crafts. Easy parking, flat walk.
- The Olde Kountry Market — Vernon, NY along NY-5 — Charming country stop, homemade canned vegetables, fruit preserves, scratch-made baked goods, seasonal produce.
Worth the Drive — Finger Lakes Cluster (45-60 min, where most folks go)
- Sauders Store — 2146 River Rd, Seneca Falls, NY 13148 — Mennonite-run, farm-fresh produce, Dutch bakery with Shoofly Pie, Swiss deli, huge bulk section, eggs, butter, deli meats, cheeses. Country Cookin' Cafe inside for soups/sandwiches. Cash and card. 📍 Directions
- The Windmill Farm & Craft Market — 3900 NY-14A, Penn Yan, NY 14527 — Biggest in region — 175+ indoor/outdoor shops, Saturdays April-November. Amish baked goods, quilts, furniture, bulk foods, maple syrup, smoked meats. Go early for cinnamon rolls. 📍 Directions
- Weaver-View Farms Amish Country Store — 386 NY-14, Penn Yan, NY 14527 — Heart of Yates County Amish farm country. Artisan cheeses (sampling encouraged), handmade quilts, crafts.
- Sugar Creek Foods — 2901 NY-364, Penn Yan — Bulk-food focus — baking essentials, snack mixes, dried fruits, specialty flours like spelt and rye, sold by pound.
- Sunnycrest Markets — 7869 NY-10, Sharon Springs, NY 13459 — Fresh groceries, artisan furniture, soft pretzels made daily, fudge, produce, wooden swings/playsets.
A Little Farther — Local Favorites
- Weaver's Farm Market — 1273 East Side Rd, Morris, NY 13808 — Cash or check only. Locals say "Weaver's market in Morris NY is not on the list but I have to say it's number 1"
- Nolt's Country Store — 7189 NY-812, Lowville, NY 13367 — Baked goods, bulk dry foods, cash preferred. "I shop at Nolt's in Lowville. GREAT store"
- Dutchland Foods — Marion, NY and Oak Hill Bulk Foods — Frequently mentioned as must-stops toward Wayne County.
Tips for Visiting
- Weekday mornings are best — Sundays are church, please don't visit then. Don't photograph faces — a wave and nod is fine.
- Bring cash + cooler — Weaver's, Nolt's and smaller stands are cash or check only. Cheeses, butter, meats travel better with cooler.
- Best selection late spring through October — Saturdays busiest. Sauders and Windmill have seating and lunch, easiest for a morning trip.
- Auctions — Pulaski and Mohawk Valley produce auctions and farm stands are easiest first stops from Syracuse.