I’m not from Amish Country. I grew up in South Georgia and visited Holmes County, Ohio once or twice a year to visit family. Since I moved up to Ohio in 2014 I’ve seen a side of Amish Country I have never seen before. If you are planning to visit Amish Country this fall and you want to experience the real heart of Amish & Mennonite Culture I have a great vacation planned for you.

Places To Stay In Holmes County

First of all, you will need a cozy place to call home for time you will be staying. If you are wanting to stay at a comfortable Hotel that is run by a Mennonite Family then Dutch Host Inn is your place. They have friendly staff and very clean rooms, and they are located in Sugar Creek which is about 15 minutes from Downtown Berlin.

Another Mennonite place I highly recommend is Jake N Ivy’s Bed & Breakfast. They are located in downtown Berlin and provide a nice place that would be a little bigger than a hotel room which comes with one-on-one service with your hosts James & Naomi Yoder.

Places To Eat

After you have enjoyed a good nights rest at Dutch Host Inn or Jake N Ivy’s then I would recommend going over to Boyd & Wurthmann’s for a hearty breakfast. Boyd’s is one of oldest establishments in downtown Berlin. They still haven’t added a credit card machine so remember to take some cash with you. Boyde’s is where the locals gather to discuss the latest news over a cup of coffee so you may find Joe Miller or John Schmid sitting at a booth with the rest of the “boys”.

If you are looking for a quant little place to eat some lunch, the Charm Sweet Shoppe is located in Charm about ten minutes from Berlin. They have some of the best pizza and ice-cream in the area.

For supper, Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen in Mt. Hope is the place to find some genuine Amish Cooking. They have a hearty buffet as well as a delicious menu. Don’t forget to ask for Mia Yoder as your waitress she loves getting to know new people and would love to meet you too!

Places To Shop

There are definitely lots of places to shop in Downtown Berlin but the places that many tourist don’t know about are located out of town on back country roads. These shops are owned and operated by Amish patrons who still light their stores by gas or kerosene and they normally don’t have credit card machines so be prepared with cash! Yoder’s Bargain Store is located close to the town of Fredericksburg on a back road. The store doesn’t look like much on the outside but is two stories full on the inside with every kind of thing you can imagine. They have kitchen things, scrapbooking, craft items, books, glassware, decor, toys, and so much more!

Another thing that the Amish are famous for is their amazing ability for making furniture. If you want some of the higher priced items that you read about so often you can easily find a furniture place close to Berlin or Sugar Creek, but if you want a real bargain you should go to Route 62 Furniture Outlet. Leon Coblentz buys furniture at a discount from local Amish Craftsmen and displays them at his store located five minutes north of Berlin on Route 62. Leon always has new things to look at because his inventory is always changing. You may want to bring a truck or trailer with you!

One of the finest shoe stores in Ohio is located in the small town of Charm. On the weekends locals and tourists alike flock to Charm Harness & Boot to look at their fine selection of name brand shoes. These Amish men know their products and will gladly help you find the right shoe.

Fun Things To Do

Sometimes you may want to just go have some fun and take a break from shopping. As a guy, I know how long a day of shopping can be. I like to have fun without the agony of spending money. I have enjoyed sitting under the stars in downtown Berlin listening to music on the square. This is a community tradition where talented musicians get together every Friday night to entertain people from near and far.

If you would like to spend a little money make sure to get reservations at the local Amish Country Theater where you will enjoy good clean family fun!

Take Some History With You

A trip to the heart of Amish Country wouldn’t be complete without learning the history behind the culture. I have personally enjoyed a tour of the Behalt. This museum for Amish & Mennonite culture houses an enormous mural inside the building featuring different scenes from Anabaptist history. It’s best to go with a tour guide who will point out different scenes on the mural and explain them in detail. Don’t forget to purchase a book in their gift shop as a remembrance of what you learned.

Get Ready For A Great Trip

I feel like I could go on and on all day about the great things to do in Holmes County, Ohio. These are a few of the places that are dear to my heart and the ones that truly represent the heart of the culture here in Holmes County, Ohio. I hope you enjoy your trip to Amish Country!

About The Author

Josh Troyer lives in Holmes County, Ohio with his wife Brittany. He does online marketing for the Amish & Mennonites in his community. It is not uncommon to find him at a local coffee shop working on his computer.

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