While buggy rides are a must-do experience, there’s a treasure trove of unique activities waiting to be discovered on your Amish Country vacation.
Get ready to trade in your modern gadgets for a taste of simple living and immerse yourself in a world of tradition, charm, and unexpected adventures.
Let’s go through the top unique activities you can try on your Amish country vacation.
Try Amish Treats
There’s so much to eat during a visit to Ohio Amish country. Visit local farmers’ markets in Berlin where Amish vendors sell their fresh produce, baked goods, preserves, and crafts. Enjoy shopping for unique treats and interacting with the friendly vendors.
Join a taste-testing tour that visits various Amish food producers in the area. Sample a wide range of treats such as jams, jellies, cheeses, meats, and baked goods. It’s a delicious way to experience the flavors of Amish cuisine.
Check out candy-making demonstrations at Amish candy shops. Watch skilled confectioners create treats like peanut brittle, fudge, caramel corn, and chocolate-covered nuts. You might even get to sample freshly made candies.
Attend a pie-tasting event featuring a variety of Amish pies, such as cherry, peach, blueberry, and traditional shoofly pie. Learn about the history and techniques behind these beloved desserts while indulging your sweet tooth.
Visit local farmers’ markets in Berlin where Amish vendors sell their fresh produce, baked goods, preserves, and crafts. Enjoy shopping for unique treats and interacting with the friendly vendors.
Go Shopping
Visit local craft stores that specialize in handmade Amish goods such as quilts, furniture, baskets, and wooden crafts. These stores often showcase the intricate craftsmanship and traditional techniques passed down through generations.
Amish people are known for their amazingly crafted furniture. Some furniture stores offer the opportunity to meet Amish craftsmen who create the furniture. This allows you to gain insights into their techniques, materials, and dedication to craftsmanship. You can also ask questions about the construction process.
Many Amish furniture makers offer customization options, allowing you to tailor pieces to fit your space and style preferences. You can choose the specific type of wood, stain or finish, and hardware and even request specific dimensions for a truly personalized Amish furniture piece.
Browse shops showcasing handcrafted jewelry made by local artisans, including unique designs featuring gemstones, metals, and traditional Amish motifs. Find a special piece to commemorate your trip.
Don’t forget to visit the flea market while you’re in town. Hunt for hidden gems and vintage treasures at flea market booths offering antiques, collectibles, retro items, and unique finds. You might discover old furniture, vintage decor, classic vinyl records, nostalgic toys, and other one-of-a-kind items.
Visit bookstores specializing in Amish literature, cookbooks, history books, and fiction novels set in Amish communities. Discover stories that offer insights into Amish culture, traditions, and way of life.
Amish Heartland Tours
Take the opportunity to learn more about Amish culture during your visit.
Take a guided tour of a working Ohio Amish farm to witness daily life and learn about farming practices, including planting, harvesting, and animal husbandry. Some tours may also include demonstrations of traditional crafts and activities.
Visit a traditional Amish one-room schoolhouse to learn about Amish education practices, curriculum, and cultural values related to schooling. Gain a unique perspective on education within the Amish community.
Engage in cultural exchange activities such as community meals, storytelling sessions, or interactive demonstrations where you can interact with Amish families and learn firsthand about their values, beliefs, and way of life.
Join a guided backroads tour that takes you off the beaten path to explore scenic countryside, including rolling hills, Amish homesteads, and picturesque farmlands. Learn about the history of the area and its significance to the Amish community.
Go To The Theater
Berlin is home to the Amish Country Theater, which offers family-friendly tons of different family friendly shows. Check their schedule for seasonal productions and enjoy an evening of entertainment. You could buy tickets to things like the Bayou County CCR tribute or Ryan and Friends.
Explore nearby towns like Millersburg, Wooster, or New Philadelphia for community theaters that may host plays, musicals, and performing arts events. These theaters often showcase local talent and offer a range of theatrical experiences.
Check if there are musical theater productions or performances happening in nearby theaters or arts centers. Enjoy musicals, operas, or theatrical shows featuring talented actors and musicians.
Visit a Winery
It might sound surprising, but there are tons of amazing wineries in Amish country.
Take guided tours of local wineries and vineyards to learn about the entire winemaking process from start to end. Explore the vineyards, see how grapes are grown and harvested, and visit production facilities to understand fermentation and aging techniques.
Participate in wine tastings where you can sample a variety of wines produced by the winery. Learn about different wine styles, varietals, and flavor profiles while enjoying scenic views of the vineyards.
If you discover wines you love, consider joining a winery’s wine club or mailing list. Membership often includes benefits such as discounts on purchases, exclusive access to limited-edition wines, and invitations to special events.
Go To A Museum
You can also learn about the culture and history of the area.
Located in nearby Millersburg, the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center offers a comprehensive look into the history, culture, and lifestyle of the Amish and Mennonite communities in the region. Exhibits include artifacts, photos, and interactive displays showcasing the traditions, beliefs, and contributions of these communities.
Visit the Victorian House Museum in Millersburg, which offers a glimpse into the Victorian era with beautifully preserved rooms, period furnishings, and exhibits highlighting Victorian fashion, decor, and daily life.
Explore the Warther Museum in Dover, Ohio, known for its intricate woodcarvings by Ernest “Mooney” Warther, a renowned American folk artist. The museum features a collection of steam locomotives, handmade carvings, and a fascinating display of the history of the steam engine.
Visit the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum in Dennison, Ohio, to learn about the significance of the railroad during World War II. The museum showcases exhibits on troop movement, USO activities, and the role of the railway in wartime logistics.
Attend Seasonal Events
Depending on when you visit, there could be fun events to experience during your trip to Amish country.
In the fall, Amish Country comes alive with vibrant fall foliage and seasonal festivals. Look for events such as pumpkin festivals, apple picking, corn mazes, hayrides, and harvest celebrations. These festivals often include live music, local food vendors, and family-friendly activities.
Experience the magic of Christmas in Amish Country during the holiday season. Look for Christmas markets, tree lighting ceremonies, holiday concerts, and festive decorations throughout the area. You can shop for unique gifts, enjoy seasonal treats, and soak in the holiday spirit. You won’t want to miss the Berlin Live Nativity Parade, which happens soon after Thanksgiving.
If you’re visiting in late winter or early spring, check for maple syrup festivals where you can learn about the maple syrup production process, enjoy maple-themed treats, and participate in activities like pancake breakfasts or sugar shack tours.
Explore The Great Outdoors
Explore scenic hiking trails in nearby parks and nature preserves such as Holmes County Trail, Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area, and Mohican State Park. Enjoy picturesque views, wildlife sightings, and opportunities for birdwatching along the way.
Experience the tranquility of local rivers and waterways by renting a canoe or kayak. The nearby Mohican River and Kokosing River offer scenic paddling routes surrounded by lush forests and wildlife habitats.
If you enjoy fishing, try your luck at catching freshwater fish in lakes and streams within the region. Check local regulations and obtain necessary permits before embarking on a fishing excursion.
Pack a picnic basket with local delicacies and find a scenic spot for a leisurely picnic. Many parks, trails, and overlooks offer picnic areas with tables and benches amidst beautiful surroundings.
Flowers and Roadside Stands
Exploring flowers and roadside stands in Amish Country can be a delightful and unique experience during your vacation.
Take scenic drives or bike rides through countryside roads that pass by flower farms and fields. Depending on the season, you may encounter fields of sunflowers, wildflowers, or blooming crops like lavender or tulips.
Some floral shops or garden centers in Amish Country offer flower arranging workshops where you can learn basic floral design techniques. Create your own flower arrangements using freshly picked blooms and take home your masterpiece.
Alongside flowers, roadside stands often offer a variety of fresh produce, fruits, vegetables, and homemade goods. Purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables to enjoy farm-to-table freshness during your stay.
Do Photography Tours
Join a guided photography tour that takes you through the scenic Amish countryside. Capture picturesque farms, rolling hills, barns, windmills, and idyllic rural landscapes. Learn photography techniques and composition tips from experienced photographers.
Capture stunning sunrise or sunset scenes in Amish Country. Head to scenic viewpoints, open fields, or lakeshores to photograph the golden hour light illuminating the landscape. The soft, warm light during these times creates beautiful photo opportunities.
Focus on capturing the unique architecture and historical buildings in Amish Country. Photograph charming villages, covered bridges, historic churches, old mills, and Victorian-era homes.
If you’re interested in astrophotography, capture the night sky in Amish Country away from city lights. Photograph stars, constellations, and celestial phenomena during clear nights for stunning nighttime landscapes.
Enjoy Music
Check local event calendars for live music performances happening in nearby towns or venues. Some restaurants, cafes, and pubs may host live music nights featuring local musicians, bands, or acoustic performers.
Learn about Amish music traditions and hymns by attending church services or community gatherings where Amish hymn singing takes place. Experience the harmonious melodies and a cappella singing style characteristic of Amish music.
Pack a picnic basket with local delicacies and head to parks, gardens, or scenic spots for outdoor music picnics. Play your favorite music playlist, listen to live music performances, or join community picnics with musical entertainment.
Birdwatching Tours
Join guided birdwatching tours led by experienced naturalists or birding experts. These tours take you to prime birding locations such as nature reserves, wetlands, forests, and parks where you can observe a variety of bird species.
Explore popular birding hotspots in Amish Country such as Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area, Holmes County Trail, Mohican State Park, and Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area. These areas attract migratory birds, waterfowl, raptors, songbirds, and more.
Birdwatching in different seasons offers varied bird species and behaviors. Visit in spring for songbird migration, summer for nesting activities, fall for migratory birds, and winter for waterfowl and raptors.
Meditation and Wellness
Engaging in meditation and wellness activities can provide a peaceful and rejuvenating experience during your vacation in Amish Country.
Look for yoga retreats or workshops offered in Amish Country. These retreats often include yoga sessions, meditation practices, mindfulness exercises, and wellness workshops led by experienced instructors. Enjoy yoga classes in serene outdoor settings or cozy indoor studios.
Set aside quiet time for journaling, reflection, and personal introspection. Use a journal or notebook to jot down thoughts, gratitude lists, affirmations, or reflections on your vacation experiences and moments of mindfulness.
Participate in herbal workshops or classes that introduce you to the healing properties of herbs, herbal remedies, and natural wellness practices. Learn about herbal teas, aromatherapy oils, and herbal preparations for relaxation and wellness.
Falconry
Falconry involves the ancient art of training and hunting with birds of prey, such as falcons, hawks, and eagles.
Book falconry experiences or sessions with experienced falconers who provide hands-on opportunities to handle and fly birds of prey. Learn about the training process, observe the birds in flight, and appreciate the bond between falconer and bird.
Some falconry centers offer children’s programs or educational activities where young participants can learn about birds of prey, falconry history, and ethical falconry practices in a fun and engaging way.
Book Your Amish Country Vacation Today
There are so many unique activities you can try on your Amish country vacation. If any of these sound appealing to you, make sure you incorporate them into your visit.
Are you interested in Ohio treehouse rentals for your upcoming trip? Amish Country Lodging offer 65 unique properties throughout Berlin, Ohio.
Check out our properties today.