Living the Simpler Life in Ohio's Amish Country

Looking to escape the hectic rat race of everyday life? Why not take a short journey to Ohio’s Amish country? With the largest settlement of Amish and Mennonite people in the United States, its’s a refreshing look at a slice of yesteryear.

Berlin, Ohio is an ideal place to stay and use as a jumping-off point for exploring Amish Country. Centrally located in Holmes County, it’s blessed with a variety of lodging options, as well as restaurants and shops.

Watch cheese being made at Heini's Cheese Chalet.

A must-see attraction for those who want to learn more about the history of the Amish, is the Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center, featuring the Behalt. This 265 by 10-foot cyclorama painting tells the history of the Anabaptist people, who later split into the groups Amish, Mennonite, and Hutterite. It took the artist, Heinz Gaugel, 14 years to complete the mural, and it is one of only four cycloramas in North America. A small fee is charged to view the Behalt which also includes a 30-minute guided tour. A gift shop and small museum are also featured. Find out more at http://behalt.com .

Fun times at Guggisburg Cheese

Cheese making is a major industry in Amish Country, and visitors can witness the cheese making process at two different places. Heini’s Cheese Chalet provides a short tour to learn about the cheese making process which begins with the milk provided from local Amish farmers. From there, step into the country store where over 35 varieties of cheese can be sampled before buying. The store also features other delicacies such as fudge, jams, jellies, Ohio honey, meats, and more! Learn more and order online at http://heinis.com .

Not far away is Guggisburg Cheese, home of the original Baby Swiss. Visitors can again watch cheese being made as well as shop in the store. Stroll the gardens and take pictures before stepping across the street to eat at the Chalet in the Valley. This restaurant, built in the style of a Swiss Chalet, features authentic Austrian and Swiss dishes. Learn more at www.babyswiss.com .

More than a store, Lehman's is a
destination!

It’s a shopper’s paradise in Amish Country! Fine hand-crafted furniture, quilts, baskets, hand-sewn items, outdoor furniture, and more can all be found from one end of the county to the other. For a truly unique experience, be sure to visit Lehmans in Kidron, Ohio. This farm store bills itself as the place to find “Simpler Products for a Simpler Life.” Beyond the many Amish-made items sold there, they also feature unique items that typical stores just don’t sell. Their website is a treasure trove, too. Check it out at www.lehmans.com .

An enormous rocking chair? Why not!!

Don’t miss an authentic farm experience while in Amish Country. Ride horses, see farm animals, take a horse and buggy ride, tour authentic Amish homes to see life without electricity, or visit petting areas. Many working farms also feature markets where visitors can purchase produce and baked goods straight from the source. A farm visit is fun for everyone, especially kids.

When planning a trip to Ohio’s Amish Country, know that most restaurants and businesses are not open on Sundays. Also, shops tend to close at 5:00 p.m. and most restaurants are closed by 8:00 p.m. A slower pace of life is the norm. But, if Ohio’s back country roads and byways are where you want to be, then Ohio’s Amish Country is the place for you!

More Recommendations:

Berlin Resort -- http://www.berlinresort.net/ 

The Berlin Resort was a pleasant surprise in all aspects. Nestled in the hills of Ohio's Amish Country, the resort felt like a little slice of heaven. We stayed in a standard suite, and it was huge. The room featured a king-sized bed, 50 inch television, Jacuzzi bathtub, large walk-in shower with a rain shower head, two sink areas and a separate toilet room, and a refrigerator. Breakfast was included with our stay, and I recommend the cinnamon rolls. They were so good!

The grounds are beautiful at the Berlin Resort.

The indoor swimming pool area was also very nice with a heated saltwater pool and a whirlpool. The sauna and steam room were also right there, and my husband found the steam room to be of excellent quality. We didn't use the exercise room, but from what we could tell, it seemed the be well outfitted. There was also a room used for fitness classes, which seem to be offered throughout the week. 

The grounds are gorgeous! There's a lovely gazebo right next to the koi pond. Also featured is a pergola, a putting green, a children's play village, and a fire ring. Unfortunately it rained during most of our visit, so we didn't get to use these items as much as we would've liked to, but we during a break from raindrops on the last day we had the chance to walk around and take a look at everything. 

Finally, I have to speak about the cleanliness. The entire property was spic and span. I didn't see anything that looked less than spectacular. A huge plus in my book!

Restaurants

Berlin Farmstead -- Delicious Amish Cooking in Berlin, Ohio -- www.berlinfarmstead.com 

Boyd and Wurthmann -- Berlin, Ohio -- www.boydandwurthmann.com

Homemade Amish food in a place where the locals eat. If you're looking for an authentic experience, this is the place for you. The roast beef dinner was particularly good.

Chalet in the Valley -- Across from Guggisburg Cheese in Charm, Ohio -- www.babyswiss.com

Shopping in Berlin, Ohio

Helping Hands Quilt Shop -- www.helpinghandsquilts.com 

Watch Amish women quilt (and speak in German) while you shop in the premier quilt shop of Berlin. 

Hershberger's Farm and Bakery -- http://www.ohiosamishcountry.com/listing/hershberger-farm-and-bakery.html 

Hershberger's was the perfect blend of farm experiences, food shop, and gift store. The petting area for the farm animals is free (great on the budget!), and there are tons of animals to pet. Be sure to see the 3,000 lb horse (oh my!) and the goats on the roof of the barn. You can send ice cream cones up on a pulley for the goats. There were lots of baby animals there on the day we visited, and they were so cute. For a fee you can ride in a horse and buggy around the farm and kids can ride the horses or ponies. There are two stores, one is where they sell gift items. I bought a handmade basket for under $20, and they sell many other handmade items there. Just check labels because not everything is made locally. After that, step over to the food store where you can buy any number of homemade delicacies. We bought fry pies that are to die for! The kettle corn, made right outside in a big kettle, was also delicious. 

Goats on the barn roof at Hershberger's Farm