Exploring Ohio’s Amish Country during peak summer season

Ever wondered what it feels like to step into a slower, simpler summer? One where life moves with the sound of horseshoes, pies cool on windowsills, and sunsets stretch long over quilted fields?

Ohio’s Amish Country during peak summer isn’t loud or flashy; it’s honest, rich, and deeply rooted. From roadside markets to scenic drives, this is where summer slows down and traditions bloom in full.

Horse-drawn buggies pass by red barns and wide porches, while handmade goods fill local shops with warmth. Every stop feels personal, like a return to something you didn’t know you missed.

Keep reading to experience how summer transforms every corner of Amish Country.

Berlin: Cultural Heart of Amish Country

Berlin in Holmes County welcomes many tourists with its shops, museums, and restaurants. The Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center offers the Behalt cyclorama. In summer, Berlin hosts Music on the Square concerts under the stars.

The Heritage Center opened in 1981 and now includes the restored schoolhouse and barn exhibit. The Behalt display took fourteen years to complete by one artist. It is called the only single‑artist cyclorama in the world.

Berlin’s Main Street holds over 50 restaurants, inns, hotels, and shops. You will find Amish baked goods, local cheeses, quilts, furniture, and home decor. Summer shopping includes sidewalk sales and artisan crafts that reflect tradition and quality.

Every Friday from May through early September, the town hosts Music on the Square. Bluegrass, folk, Broadway, and country bands perform starting at 7 PM. It is free and lively and a great way to enjoy summer evenings.

Sugarcreek: Little Switzerland Charm

Sugarcreek is nicknamed “Little Switzerland of Ohio” and is known for its giant cuckoo clock downtown. Locals and visitors take photos by the iconic clock standing in the center of town. It reflects Swiss roots and adds charm to the village.

The Farm at Walnut Creek lies nearby in Sugarcreek, offering pick‑your‑own berries, petting zoo wagon rides, and exotic animal encounters. It is a working farm that lets visitors interact with animals and nature in a fun setting.

The village feels peaceful yet alive in summer. Rolling hills, farmland, horse buggies, slow traffic, and fields of sunflowers and corn create serene rural landscapes. It is a restful place to unwind in nature.

Millersburg: County Seat and Relaxation Retreat

Millersburg is the county seat of Holmes County, with a population of around 3,000. It offers quieter small-town charm and access to Main Street shops, theaters, festivals, and local eateries in summer.

Nearby, The Inn at Honey Run is a boutique adult‑only retreat built on 56 acres. The hotel offers walking trails, art installations, haiku paths, and fine dining. Honeycomb rooms carved into hillsides create a magical woodland stay.

Millersburg hosts community events, and summer weekends include markets, music, comedy shows, and food gatherings. Amish Country Theater in Berlin also screens comedy variety shows nearby. Guests can enjoy Haystack Hilarity or All‑Quaked Up performances.

Local shops and restaurants serve homemade ice cream pies, cheese, and family-style meals. Schloneger’s ice cream is a popular local favorite for dessert after exploring downtown and countryside stops in the warm season.

Walnut Creek: Marketplace and Culture Stop

Walnut Creek and nearby Berlin host the flea market featuring handmade jellies cheeses, quilts, crafts, and farm goods. Visitors can enjoy free samples and artisan baked goods amid vendor stalls and live music.

Local Amish Home and Farm tours operate from the Walnut Creek area. Guests tour actual Amish homes and farms, ride horse-drawn buggies, and learn about traditional life.

The Amish Country Theater presents shows featuring magic, comedy, and musicals. Productions like Haystack Hilarity All‑Quaked Up and family favorites run through summer weekends.

Walnut Creek also features scenic walking trails, galleries, and outdoor art displays. You might join a culture tour exploring woodland sculptures, murals, or heritage exhibits immersed in storytelling and creativity.

Scenic Drive: Amish Country Byway Loop

The Amish Country Scenic Byway spans roughly 76 miles through Holmes County. Route 39 and Route 62 link Berlin, Sugarcreek, Millersburg, and Walnut Creek. The loop offers peaceful backroad views of rolling farmland, horse buggies, and roadside stands.

Driving in summer gives sunny, warm days and lush green fields. You pass farms selling produce, flowers, and crafts. It is ideal for casual stops at farm stands or spontaneous photo breaks amid rural beauty.

Along the way you may spot Amish families working in fields, harvesting sweet corn berries, or tending livestock. Respectful observation and casual greetings let visitors experience daily life without disrupting traditions.

The loop includes access to Mohican State Park for hiking, kayaking, or trout fishing. Wooded trails, wetlands, and shaded picnic spots provide natural escapes beyond the towns and add variety to summer journeys.

Food & Markets: Tastes of Amish Country

Sample local Amish home-cooked meals at Der Dutchman in Berlin, East Main Cafe in Baltic, or Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen in Mt. Hope. These family-style restaurants serve hearty dishes, breads, pies, and local favorites.

Don’t skip the Walnut Creek flea market for handmade jams, syrups, pies, and cheeses. Friendly vendors often offer free samples. You can take home quilts, soap crafts, or novelty foods that reflect local craftsmanship and flavors.

Stop at Schloneger’s ice cream in Berlin or Millersburg for homemade cones and sundaes. Their old-fashioned recipes are a summertime highlight. Families and couples both rave about the fresh local ice cream options.

Also shop for Amish furniture, quilts, baskets, and décor. Lehman’s Hardware in Kidron offers non-electric tools, antiques, and crafts. Charm Mt Hope and Berlin shops show traditional woodworking and heirloom decor in scenic settings.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

The Summer You Don’t Need to Escape From

You don’t leave Amish Country the same way you arrived. Something softer takes root, not just in memory, but in how you start to notice the quiet in your own life again.

Long after the roads flatten behind you, it’s the details that echo, the creak of a buggy wheel, the scent of fresh bread, the hush between breezes. These aren’t just moments; they’re reminders of what simplicity can give back.

Maybe the real takeaway isn’t just a place, but a pace, one that doesn’t demand, but invites. And if you’re lucky, a part of that rhythm follows you home, asking you to slow down just enough to hear yourself think.

TL;DR

• Amish Country offers a peaceful summer with buggies, fields, and handmade goods.
• Berlin features local shops, heritage exhibits, and free summer concerts.
• Sugarcreek charms with its giant clock, farms, and animal encounters.
• Millersburg mixes small‑town life with markets and cozy retreats.
• Walnut Creek offers flea markets, Amish tours, and summer shows.
• The scenic byway passes fields, farm stands, and Mohican State Park.
• Visitors enjoy family‑style meals, pies, ice cream, and artisan crafts.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.