11 Best Things to Do in Ohio’s Amish Country for 2025

Holmes County Houses the World’s Largest Amish Settlements

Over 36,000 Amish people maintain their traditional way of life here (food, culture, and craftsmanship).

Located 77 miles southwest of Cleveland and 83 miles northeast of Columbus, this peaceful region offers a chance to experience authentic Amish traditions. The rolling hills and 2,200 working farms create a serene backdrop.

Explore the simple yet fascinating Amish lifestyle that has remained largely unchanged since their settlement in the area in the 1800s.

Shop at Lehman’s Hardware Store

This massive 35,000-square-foot store in Kidron isn’t your average hardware shop. Started in 1955 to serve the local Amish community, Lehman’s now spans four buildings with everything from non-electric appliances to handmade soaps.

You’ll find 1800s-style butter churns, antique-replica oil lamps, and Lodge cast iron cookware alongside practical homesteading supplies.

Don’t skip the 2,500-square-foot candy section with its 500+ varieties of nostalgic treats, and grab some fresh-made maple walnut or chocolate peanut butter fudge at the counter.

Visit Heini’s Cheese Chalet

This family-owned cheese factory in Millersburg, established in 1935, has skilled cheesemakers transforming local milk into over 50 varieties of cheese.

The facility processes 50,000 pounds of milk daily, sourced from 200 local Amish farms. Take a self-guided tour through their newly renovated visitor center to learn about the century-old cheese-making process.

The best part? Free samples of their entire collection, from their signature butter cheese (aged 3 months) to 5-year aged smoked cheddar.

Take a Buggy Ride

You’re in Amish country, so OF COURSE you need to hop on an authentic horse and buggy ride.

Joe Miller’s Amish Buggy Rides in Berlin offers 45-minute tours in restored 1900s buggies pulled by Percheron draft horses.

Learn about local landmarks while passing eight working farms and two one-room schoolhouses. For a more immersive experience, Dan Yoder’s Farm Tours in Millersburg provides two-hour sunset rides ($35/person), so you’ve got options.

Explore Amish Country Byway

The 160-mile Amish Country Byway, designated as an Ohio Scenic Byway in 2002, winds through Holmes and neighboring counties.

Starting at the intersection of SR-39 and SR-515 in Walnut Creek, the route takes you past 12 historic covered bridges, including the 55-foot-long Stutzman’s Bridge built in 1880.

You’ll find roadside produce stands every few miles selling seasonal items like sweet corn (July-September), pumpkins (September-October), and maple syrup (February-March).

For the best photography opportunities, visit during golden hour (around 6-7 PM in summer) when Amish farmers bring in their horses from the fields.

Dine at an Amish Restaurant

There’s so much good stuff to eat in Holmes County. One is Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen in Mount Hope which serves authentic family-style meals using recipes passed down through five generations.

Their signature broasted chicken is pressure-fried in small batches, served alongside real mashed potatoes made fresh every two hours. Save room for one of 26 varieties of pie, including shoofly and elderberry custard.

At Boyd and Wurthmann Restaurant in Berlin, the breakfast special includes homemade biscuits with sausage gravy and hash browns.

REALLY useful if you’re driving without a plan: They have daily specials like beef and noodles (Tuesdays) and ham loaf (Fridays).

Stay at an Amish Farm

If you can, try snagging a room at the Yoder Family Farm in Charm offers overnight stays in a converted 1895 barn featuring handmade quilts and views of a 75-acre working dairy farm.

Guests can help milk their herd of 30 Holstein cows at 5 AM and 4 PM, collect eggs from 200 free-range chickens, and join the family for traditional meals.

Another great choice is the Miller Farmstead in Sugarcreek. It’s a private cottage ($150/night) where you can learn to make homemade butter, tend to a vegetable garden, and experience rural life of an Amish family (without electricity).

Both properties do require reservations through the Holmes County Tourism Bureau.

Visit Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center

Known locally as “Behalt,” this cultural center features a stunning 265-foot circular mural, completed by German artist Heinz Gaugel in 1992, that illustrates the heritage of the Amish and Mennonite people.

The cyclorama-style painting depicts 1,200 years of history through 19 key scenes, from European persecution to modern-day life. The center’s museum displays artifacts like an original 1850s Amish wedding dress and a restored Conestoga wagon.

Shop at Local Craft Stores

At Walnut Creek Furniture’s 50,000 square-foot showroom, master craftsman Daniel Miller creates solid oak, cherry, and walnut pieces using mortise and tenon joinery.

In the village of Charm, Miller’s Woodworking specializes in handmade toys like wooden train sets and rocking horses. The Lone Star Quilts shop features work by 75 local quilters, with intricate queen-size quilts requiring 300-400 hours of hand-stitching.

Many workshops offer viewing areas to watch artisans at work, particularly during morning hours (8-11 AM) when production is highest.

Tour an Amish Farm

The Farm at Walnut Creek spans 120 acres and houses over 500 animals, including rare breeds like Scottish Highland cattle and Shetland sheep.

Their two-hour guided tour demonstrates how 38-year-old farmer Marvin Hershberger maintains his dairy operation using horse-drawn equipment and solar-powered milk coolers.

Spring tours (April-May) coincide with plowing season, while fall visits (September-October) showcase corn harvesting with traditional methods.

Visit Flea Markets and Auctions

The Mt. Hope Auction, held every Wednesday since 1975, draws 500+ bidders from across Ohio to its livestock sales at 11 AM, while their monthly horse auctions (first Saturday) showcase draft horses and standardbreds.

The 60,000-square-foot Holmes County Flea Market each Thursday through Saturday, offering everything from $5 handmade soap to $10,000 antique furniture.

Even the market’s food court features eight local vendors serving specialties like homemade root beer and fresh-baked fry pies.

Attend Seasonal Festivals

The Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale, held the first weekend in August at the Mt. Hope Auction Complex, features 100+ handmade quilts (auction prices typically range from $500-5,000) and benefits global humanitarian projects.

September’s Harvest Festival in Berlin showcases traditional food preparation methods, including apple butter making in 40-gallon copper kettles. The festival features 75+ craft vendors, horse-drawn hayrides ($5/person), and live bluegrass music.