Ohio Amish Country - What to Do
 

Just a general question, what are some of the attractions to see if I visit - next week (Dec, 2005). Is it too cold to visit? I enjoy the snow & the cold weather nevertheless...

Thanks in advance for any suggestions,

Lucian

Which area of Amish Country? I go to the area in Geauga County sometimes, there's mostly just shopping, eating and cheese factories. I have a feeling you might be speaking of an area further south from me though. I think it's the same though, shopping and eating (lots of furniture stores).

Where are you coming from? Depends on the roads and how you are traveling to get here (with regards to snow).

I am talking about the southern part of Amish country - along way traveling from Columbus to Cleveland. I've been there in the summer before but don't remember see much...

You didn't see much because their isn't that much to see.

See

http://www.oacountry.com/

Sugar Creek and that area? Shopping, a train ride, more shopping.

I know it's a late answer but for somebody else's reference let me say this: there are dozens of things to see and do in Amish country. Besides the hundreds of gift and other shops, you can see the Amish at work in cheese factories, quilt shops, bakeries, chocolate factories and furniture-making places. You see them working on their farms and driving around in their buggies. You can arrange to tour an Amish home, have a meal in an Amish home or visit with them at many different cottage industries including leathermakers, candle-makers, people who make and sell preserves and pickles, and a blind broom-maker. There are regular Amish auctions every weekday, as well as special charity auctions many weekends. There are many antique shops. Within the area there are lots of artisans and craft people including potters, a wood and stone carver, a metal sculptor who makes bells and many basket weavers. You can also visit several non-Amish businesses - such as Shearer's Potato chip factory store (Great bargains!) and Wendell August Forge. For quilters and people who do crafts it's a mecca of places to buy supplies. For cooks and bakers there are numerous bulk stores to buy supplies and equipment. And you shouldn't miss Lehman's hardware store - they have a non-electric catalog of hard-to-find items, and the store itself is huge.

Amish country is definitely worth a visit any time of year.

I totally agree with Woiyvonne. The Amish Area of Holmes County Ohio is very interesting and beautiful and for most people would be worth the trip. There are many small towns in the area and lots of small restaurants and gift shops and cheese factories, etc. We have been there many times and enjoy going back. We always see something new.

Sounds like it's worth it just to see Americans hard at work. Maybe I'll take my teenagers!

hmmm...you think you have to go on a field trip to Amish country to see Americans hard at work? I wonder where you live...somewhere very nice, I suspect!

Well, we have plenty of hard workers, but my teenagers think that's something they can always avoid!

Linda, if you take your teenagers, be prepared to answer questions about why on earth do they choose to make things so hard for themselves. It's a complex choice for a lot of them.