If you’re planning a trip to Amish Country Ohio, you’re in for something completely different. This region, centred around Holmes County, is home to the largest Amish community in the world and offers a slower, more traditional way of life that feels a world away from modern cities.
Think rolling countryside, homemade food, handcrafted furniture, and small towns where things move at a gentler pace.
In this guide, I’ll share the best things to do in Amish Country Ohio, from must-see stops to hidden gems, plus tips to help you plan your visit.
There are so many things to do in Ohio and Ohio Amish Country is near the top of the list.
Where is Amish Country Ohio
If you’re planning a trip to Amish Country Ohio, it helps to know that it’s not just one town. It’s a region made up of small communities spread across the rolling countryside of northeastern Ohio.
The heart of it all is Holmes County, which is home to the largest Amish population in the world. From there, Amish Country extends into parts of Wayne County and Tuscarawas County, creating a wide area filled with farms, markets, and quiet backroads.
The main towns you’ll likely visit are:
- Berlin – often considered the centre of Amish Country, with shops, bakeries, and restaurants
- Millersburg – slightly larger town with historic charm and a good base for exploring
- Sugarcreek – known for its Swiss heritage and slower pace
History of the Amish
The Amish are defined by their faith, not just their lifestyle. Their beliefs come from the Anabaptist movement in 16th-century Europe, where they chose a simpler, more God-focused way of life.
In the 1700s, Amish families moved to America in search of religious freedom, first settling in Pennsylvania before gradually spreading west. By the early 1800s, they had established communities in northeastern Ohio.
Today, Amish Country Ohio is centred around Holmes County, which is now home to the largest Amish population in the world.
If you are looking for more things to do in Ohio take a look at my article 15 Incredible Things To Do In Ohio to help you plan.
Please if you visit make sure you are respectful of the Amish community and their beliefs and way of life, whatever your individual thoughts are on their religion. Also please keep in mind that most Amish people forbid the use of photography, so please don’t take pictures of people unless you have asked permission.
Oh, and if you are thinking of visiting, Sunday is a day of rest for the Amish people reserved for family and church so businesses will not be open.
And please drive on the roads carefully and safely due to the horse buggies.
A trip to Amish Country Ohio makes a great weekend Ohio getaway.
Best Things to Do in Amish Country Ohio
Ohio Amish Country can get busy, especially in the summer and school breaks.
Out of season, it isn’t as busy however some attractions and shops may close earlier or not be open so check before you go.
And on Sundays, you won’t find anything open due to the beliefs of the Amish.
Eat Local Amish Food
One of the reasons to visit Ohio Amish Country is to sample the food. It’s home-cooked, rustic, hearty food and the portions are huge. It tends to be meat, potatoes, and vegetables.
Oh, and they do make the best fruit pies and baked goods.
There are so many restaurants to choose from depending on what you prefer. The Amish believe that eating is a blessing to be shared and celebrated that comes out in their cooking.
Boyd and Wurthmann has a long history of serving tourists and still has a small-town feel. It’s also known locally for its incredible pies.
Der Dutchman is another restaurant that serves really hearty meals and gets great reviews.
Or you can experience a meal with an Amish family at Weaver’s Home Cooking or visit Millers Bakery for some sweet treats and cheese tarts.
Also, remember that on Sunday restaurants are closed in the area so be aware of that.
Out of all the things to do in Amish country eating locally is something everyone should try.
There are so many cabins with hot tubs in Ohio in this area!
Shop for Handmade Artisan Products
What most people don’t know about Amish people is what skilled craftspeople they are. Since they make most of what they need they produce good quality long-lasting items.
You will find everything from furniture to fudge. Perhaps what they are known most for though is their quilts and really there is nothing like an Amish homemade quilt.
Visit the many shops around the area and browse around. I suggest you look at the furniture, leather goods, quilt, and homemade jams and preserves.
Some of the shops will also show you their craftsmanship in action. For example, Homestead Furniture offers factory tours.
Browsing the many shops is a great thing to do in Amish Country Ohio. If you purchase anything you are supporting the local economy and the Amish people which is a great thing.
Take a Scenic Drive Through Amish Country
The Amish Country Byway is a scenic byway of just over 76 miles and takes you through many of the sights and some beautiful countryside. It’s split into three sections, Eastern, Western, and Millersburg.
This is one of the great things to do in Amish country if the weather isn’t on your side. You can just drive and enjoy the sights and scenery or stop along the way to pick up produce from the roadside or enjoy a local restaurant.
Some people take a few days to enjoy the drive, booking lodging along the way. It really is a beautiful drive.
Please drive carefully and be aware of the slow-moving horse-drawn buggies. And also remember in the evening there will be no artificial lighting so plan accordingly.
In the Autumn this drive is beautiful, as the fall foliage in Ohio is really stunning.
See The World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock In Sugarcreek
Where else would you find the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock than Sugarcreek, known as the “Little Switzerland of Ohio?” Every half hour the clock springs into life and it’s really worth seeing.
It was built in 1972 for an alpine-themed restaurant in Wilmot. When the restaurant closed the clock was moved. It now sits on the square in downtown Sugarcreek.
The clock is 23 feet tall and performs from 9 am to 9 pm except for the winter months.
Visiting Amish Country Ohio is one of the coolest places to visit in Ohio!
Go Cheese Tasting
If you are a cheese lover then cheese tasting should definitely be on your list of things to do in Amish country. It’s a delicious way to spend some time.
There are several cheese factories that offer tours. The two most popular are Heini’s Cheese Chalet in Berlin and Guggisberg Cheese in Sugarcreek.
Heini’s has been producing cheese since 1935 using milk from local Amish farmers. The tours are free and they produce the most incredible Swiss cheese and yogurt cheese.
Both offer behind-the-scenes free tours and cheese samples for you to taste. Also, the shop prices are substantially lower than you will find in the stores.
Go Horseback Riding in Amish Country
If you want to do something a little different in Amish Country Ohio then put visiting Amish Country Riding Stables on your list of things to do in Amish country.
They offer small guided horseback trips for two to five riders and can accommodate beginners and more advanced riders. The trips are 45 minutes in length so you will have plenty of time to explore the rest of the area.
If riding isn’t for you, just stop by and see the horses. They are so beautiful.
Drive Through A Covered Bridge
I sometimes have to remember that covered bridges aren’t as common to some people as they are to me.
There are so many beautiful covered bridges in Ohio.
Ashtabula County has been named the “Covered Bridge Capital of Ohio” with 19 bridges so we locals get used to them.
There are two to see in the Ohio Amish Country. These bridges look so beautiful and are so unique that they should certainly make it on a list of things to do in Amish country.
Holmes county got its first covered bridge in 2009 named Stutzman’s Crossing.
It is named after Jonas Stutzman and an early Amish settler in the area. Stutzman’s Crossing is in Walnut Creek on County Road 145.
The other covered bridge is located in Sugarcreek at The Farm at Walnut Creek.
Learn About The Amish Culture
While visiting Amish Country Ohio make some time to learn something about the culture of the Amish in Ohio. I love learning about the history of the places I visit and hope you do too.
There are lots of opportunities to do so in the Ohio Amish country. Please take the time if you can to visit one of these.
The best place to start is the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center in Millersburg. It’s an indoor and outdoor attraction and a great way to get an overall picture of Amish culture.
This is also where the Behalt cyclorama, a 10-foot x 265-foot oil-on-canvas circular painting resides.
The Behalt cyclorama is very unique and illustrates the history of the Amish and Mennonites. You can only view it on a tour that lasts approximately thirty minutes.
Another great place to learn about Amish culture is the German Culture Museum in Walnut Creek. Here the history of the local area and the Amish pioneers is celebrated.
For Swiss heritage visit the Alpine Hills Historical Museum in Sugarcreek. And a visit to The Victorian House Museum in Millersburg will give you a feel for what life was like in the 1900s.
Nothing beats learning from the locals. Yoder’s Amish Home and Amish Heartland Tours provide tours of local farms and houses and some even include a meal in local Amish homes.
As you can see there are so many places to learn about Ohio Amish Country. I definitely suggest you add visiting one of these to your things to do in Ohio Amish country list.
Visit A Local Farm
A visit to a local farm is a must. Definitely add an Amish farm to your things to do in the Amish country list. There are two main farms to visit: the Farm at Walnut Creek, which has lots of attractions.
And Sweetwater Farm which is best for fresh produce.
The Farm at Walnut Creek is in Sugarcreek. It gives you a unique behind-the-scenes look at life on the farm.
On the tour, you get to see two large farmhouses and get to feed and pet animals. Oh, and you will see some rather exotic animals such as giraffes and camels.
Either do the tour in your own car or take a horse-drawn wagon ride and it takes about an hour. You will see firsthand how the Amish farm without electricity and get demonstrations on things like quilting and canning.
There are lots of other things to do here too. The farm has a gift shop, playground, produce stand, and petting zoo. You will probably need 2-3 hours to explore everything on offer but it’s well worth the time
The Sweetwater Farm also in Sugarcreek is a small family-run business open from May to November. If you like fresh produce this is the place to go.
The store also has some incredible jams. This is some of the best fresh produce you will find in the area. Look out for the unassuming stand by the road and make sure you don’t miss it.
This is one of the most unique things to do in Ohio with kids.
Take An Amish Buggy Ride
Nothing finishes off a trip to Amish Country Ohio more than taking a ride in an Amish buggy. There is really is nothing like seeing the countryside from a horse-drawn buggy.
Yoder’s Amish homes offer a 3/4 mile trip around the hayfield which is much more beautiful than it sounds.
Schrock’s Amish Farm and Village also offer buggy rides around the farm.
Amish heartland tours also offer lots of experiences. They are perhaps the best place to visit to get more information and will tailor-make private tours for you.
Contact Amish heartland tours or see what is there when you arrive.
Taking an Amish buggy ride is an incredible experience and not to be missed when visiting Amish Country Ohio.
Visit the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum
You might be surprised there are train rides in Ohio Amish County!
This offers an unusual activity for the entire family. Hop on board to see the scenery in Ohio in a unique way!
Head to the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum. This National Historic Landmark has it main focus on preserving WWII-era history.
In this unique museum are interesting exhibits, a model train-size replica of the Dennison Train, a theatre and gift shop, and a restaurant.
If you are looking for an exciting way to celebrate Christmas in Ohio, bring your children to one of the coolest Polar Express train rides in Ohio!
The Dennison Depot’s version of the Polar Express is amazing because costumed storytellers read aloud the famous story during the ride!
This is one of the best things to do in Ohio Amish Country. Especially at Christmas!
Packing List For Visiting Ohio Amish Country
If you will be traveling, either by plane or by car to Ohio, here are some tips on how to pack lightly.
A concealed travel pouch may be one of the most important items you bring along when visiting the Amish in Ohio. It is always important to protect your personal information. Identity thieves are everywhere.
This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors. It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind. You can place it under your clothes next to your body to carry your ID safely.
If you have a pouch already that does not come with RFID protection, as I do, these RFID sleeves are the perfect solution.
This configuration comes with enough credit card sleeves that the entire family would be protected. They are slim too, so they will easily fit into your pouch or wallet.
If you are planning on taking a lot of pictures with your phone you will definitely want to consider an external charging battery. This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.
It can be used on a variety of phones, not just an iPhone like I have. And wow is it fast!
I like that it holds its charging capabilities for several uses so I do not have to worry about it while out and about, and if I forget to recharge it at night, it will still be good to go the next day.
My daughter gifted me with this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday. I absolutely love it! It is made of lightweight aluminum and so easy to use.
It has Bluetooth connectivity and is a breeze to use for taking selfies with all those nature shots while visiting Amish Country Ohio.
Hydration is so important when hiking. You want to remain hydrated throughout your hikes to support your immune system which in turn will be stronger to fight off any germs you will encounter during your travels.
You will want to bring your own refillable water bottle with you.
I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for hiking and it fits nicely in the pocket of a backpack.
The replaceable carbon filter ensures you always have fresh drinking water.
Perhaps you are traveling a long distance and packing space is a premium in your suitcase, or in your car. Then this collapsible silicone foldable water bottle would work well for you. Would not take up much space at all.
You will want a backpack or daypack with you to store snacks, your water bottle, phone, extra clothes, etc.. when visiting attractions in Ohio Amish Country.
This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great.
It is very affordable and is available in many color options for you to choose from. The fact that it folds down into a zippered pouch will make it easy to pack!
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I hope you have the opportunity to visit Amish Country Ohio and that this list of things to do in Amish Ohio Country helps you plan your vacation.
Taste the food, learn the history, and enjoy the beautiful countryside. There is so much more to do in Ohio than people think.
And if you are looking for other things to do in Ohio? I can highly recommend, Ohio hiking, and camping, visiting some cool castles in Ohio and marveling at the waterfalls in Ohio.
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