It’s ironic that while the Amish don’t seek attention or even like to have their picture taken, wherever they settle in large numbers seems to become a tourist attraction. That’s certainly the case in the Ohio Amish Country, where my wife and I vacationed recently.
This was our second visit to an Amish community, having vacationed previously in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. There’s an undeniable charm and appeal to the Amish way of life that attracts many of us. We loved visiting both communities, admiring the Amish people for their hard work, dedication to their faith, superb craftsmanship, and beautiful farms.
Understanding the Amish
The Amish are a conservative Christian sect that began coming to America in the early 18th century from Germany and Switzerland, where the faith originated. Today, there are more than 361,000 Amish scattered among 31 states and four Canadian provinces. The Amish faith teaches a “plain and simple” lifestyle. They dress much the way their ancestors did generations ago, with the women wearing dark-colored, full-length dresses and hair coverings. Married men have beards and women are taught not to cut their hair.
It’s important to recognize that the Amish people you see on the streets here aren’t wearing costumes or putting on an act for the sake of the tourists. This isn’t an historic re-enactment attraction like Williamsburg, Virginia. This is just the way the Amish live. That makes visiting here unique and refreshingly authentic.
The Amish shun many modern conveniences and do not drive automobiles, but they are not opposed to technology and change, as some mistakenly believe. It’s become increasing common for Amish homes and businesses to use solar power, computers, and power tools. The main point of their distinctive teachings is to help them keep their focus on God and reject worldly distractions. It’s hard to find fault with such a noble goal, even if how the Amish apply it to everyday life may seem peculiar to outsiders.
Ohio and Pennsylvania have the two largest populations of Amish, with 75,830 in Ohio and 76,620 in Pennsylvania. Ohio’s Amish Country is based in Holmes County, but Amish settlements are spread over at least a four-county area that also includes Tuscarawas, Stark, and Wayne Counties, an area located about midway between Cleveland and Columbus. Promoters of the Holmes County Amish community claim it’s the world’s largest, but in reality it is neck-to-neck in population with Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
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— See Related Story – Lancaster, PA: A Special Place to Visit or Retire
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Visiting the Ohio Amish Country
Kathy and I stayed in Millersburg, the county seat and largest town in Holmes County. We stayed there because of its proximity to the Holmes County Trail, a popular trail for bicyclists and pedestrians. The 22-mile, paved trail was the first in the country to accommodate both cyclists and Amish buggies. We rented bikes from E-Bikes of Holmes County and enjoyed riding the trail, occasionally passing a horse-drawn buggy. If you enjoy cycling or walking through woodsy, natural settings, you will want to take time to ride this trail.
While Millersburg has plenty of downtown shops and good restaurants, in hindsight Berlin might be the best choice for lodging. It is more centrally located to all of the Amish attractions and is an easy drive to Walnut Creek, Sugarcreek, Mt. Hope and Charm, as well as Millersburg. While there are many smaller inns, B&Bs, and cabins to choose from in Berlin, two of the larger hotels are the Berlin Grande Hotel and the Berlin Resort.
A tradition when visiting the Ohio Amish Country is to either stay at one of the exquisite hotels operated by Dutchman Hospitality, dine at one of their restaurants, or visit their gift shops and bakeries. Dutchman Hospitality operates its signature Carlisle Inn hotels in Walnut Creek and Sugar Creek, plus the smaller and more intimate Miller Manor in Walnut Creek. Dutchman Hospitality’s must-visit restaurants are known for their large buffets and home-style desserts. They operate the Der Dutchman Restaurant in Walnut Creek, the Dutch Valley Restaurant in Sugarcreek, and the Berlin Farmstead in Berlin.
We attended a play at The Ohio Star Theater in Sugarcreek, also owned by Dutchman Hospitality. It shares a large campus with the Carlisle Inn, the Dutch Valley Restaurant, a large gift shop, and bakery. We saw their Amish-themed musical comedy, “The Best of Me,” but the theater also features musicians from around the country and numerous tribute groups, playing hits from popular music groups from the past.
Another popular venue for live stage performances and visiting musical groups is the Amish Country Theater, a 600-seat theater that connects to the new, 81-room Berlin Encore Hotel & Suites in Berlin.
Crafts Galore
The Amish are known for their skills in furniture making and crafts. If doing some shopping for Amish merchandise is one of your goals, you won’t be disappointed when you visit Ohio’s Amish Country. Each town has its own set of shops waiting to be explored. A great place to see practical Amish goods is at Lehman’s, a uniquely Amish hardware store in nearby Kidron, Ohio, that promotes a “simpler life” theme. The store has a national following and offers online ordering, but you really need to walk the store’s aisles to appreciate the variety and practicality of its unique merchandise.
Kathy enjoys quilting as a hobby, so she made a point of researching quilt shops prior to our visit. She visited three shops but noticed at least that many more while driving around. Not surprisingly, we returned homes with some new fabric and other supplies. Kathy also enjoyed visiting Tis the Season, which bills itself as Ohio’s largest year-round Christmas shop.
Whatever your hobby or craft, from woodworking to pottery to art, you will find plenty of shops to interest you.
Amish Foods: Worth the Trip!
No visit to an Amish community is complete without sampling their famously delicious foods! While the Dutchman Hospitality restaurants mentioned above and traditional favorites like Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen are among the larger and best-known restaurants, our favorite dining spots were some of the smaller ones including Boyd & Wurthmann Restaurant and Rebecca’s Bistro. We liked Rebecca’s Bistro so much that we went there twice for lunch. They offer lighter, healthier choices and a good selection of gluten-free foods, including gluten-free donuts and other baked goodies.
One tip regarding dining out is to check the restaurant’s hours of operation. Some restaurants are only open for breakfast and lunch, while others that serve dinner tend to close earlier than you might expect. Don’t count on going out for a late dinner! Also be aware that some stores, attractions, and restaurants close on Sundays.
When it comes to enjoying Amish foods, there’s much more to experience than just the restaurants! Also make time to visit the Amish markets and specialty food stores and sample some of the local foods the Amish prepare so well. A local favorite is their peanut butter spread, which is great on breads and so much more. It’s a peanut butter with the consistency of ketchup. Breakfast establishments will often have it on the table in a squeeze bottle. We also bought peanut butters mixed just right with either honey or chocolate. They are both delish! You will find all sorts of specialty foods, from cheese to chocolates to home-made pies.
The list of stores offering these and more Amish foods would be long, but some of the better known ones include large markets such as Troyer Country Market and Sheiyah Market. Other popular stops include Hershberger’s Farm & Bakery and Kauffman’s Country Bakery.
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— See Related Story – “E-Bikes Overtake Buggies for Some Amish“
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Amish Farms and Small Towns
One of our favorite activities, both when visiting Lancaster and in the Ohio Amish Country, was simply driving around to enjoy the beautiful scenery, including the small Amish towns and their immaculate farms. The Amish originally focused on farming, so they selected locations for their communities that offered fertile farmland. Their locale in Northeast Ohio features green valleys, cornfields, and rolling hills.
To fully appreciate the Ohio Amish Country, get off the main roads and drive through the countryside. You may at times feel like you’ve been transcended to rural Europe. That’s not surprising given the European roots of the Amish and their fondness for sticking with the home styles of their ancestors. When driving the back roads, however, please slow down and watch carefully for Amish on slow-moving buggies and bicycles.
Remember, this is their home and we are the visitors, so be patient and polite. Keep in mind that they do not like to have their photos taken. We sneaked shots from side and rear views but respected their culture and did not take photos that showed their faces.
Visit the Ohio Amish Country
Visiting the Amish communities in Ohio makes for a wonderful vacation experience. Especially if it is your first visit to Amish settlements, we recommend doing reading before you visit to learn more about the Amish, their history, and lifestyle. This will give you a greater respect and appreciation for what you will see and experience. It can be a fun and educational trip for children and grandchildren too, with plenty of petting zoos, farm tours, and other attractions they will enjoy.
To learn more about the Amish, see this FAQ on the Amish America website. Good resources for tourist information in the Ohio Amish Country include Ohio Amish Country and Ohio’s Amish Country.
Visiting Ohio’s Amish Country is a vacation experience like none other. If you are like us, you will probably wish you could have stayed longer and will start looking forward to your next visit.
(Note: This story reflects the opinions of the author based on his visit and is for the benefit of readers. This story contains no paid advertisements, sponsorships, or affiliate relationships.)
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