Ten great things to do when you visit Amish Country

  • By Kyle Valentini
  • June 14, 2011
  • 283
                        
Summary: The whole point of a vacation is to get away and with so many choices to pick from, Amish Country has something for everyone in search of relaxation and excitement. Whether you spend a day or a week, you will find the region to be a vacation destination you’ll surely want to repeat again and again. Amish Country is quaint and quiet and allows visitors to experience the diverse heritage of the people that live, work and worship in the many communities the region has to offer. Indeed, Amish Country is all of this, but it is so much more. When you plan your trip to Amish Country this summer keep in mind the various opportunities available to add relaxation and excitement to your family’s getaway. Recall the fun of summers past and create new memories in a region that is home to people known for their superior hospitality, home style cooking and quality craftsmanship set to the rhythm of a horse drawn carriage. Here are the ten best things to do this summer when you visit Amish Country, Ohio. -Visit the animals at Rolling Ridge Ranch. Situated between Berlin and Walnut Creek, one might forget they are in Holmes County. The Rolling Ridge Ranch features over 500 animals that include over 100 species from around the world. Take a Safari-like trip through natural wooded areas and gently sloping pasture land. Visitors are encouraged to feed the animals from a guided horse-drawn wagon or drive through the ranch from the comfort of your own car. Cameras are welcome to capture the animals and the smiles they are sure to create. The Farm at Walnut Creek offers visitors an opportunity to view and feed over 500 animals from six different continents around the globe. Buffalo, llamas, giraffes, deer, elk and the more traditional farm animals like cattle, horses and pigs call The Farm home. -Walk, bike, jog, roller blade or horseback ride the Holmes County Trail. The first Trail in the nation to accommodate Amish buggies, the unique and scenic Holmes County Trail now has 15 miles of the 29 mile trail open from Fredericksburg to Killbuck. The paved trail can accommodate those wishing to walk, jog, bike, roller blade and is wheelchair accessible. Another adjoining trail is suitable for Amish buggies and horseback riding. Upon completion of the 29-mile trail, Holmes and Knox County will consist of over 50-miles of uninterrupted trail giving trail goers one of the most unique recreational facilities in the Ohio to Erie Trail System. -Visit the Mohican State Park located in southern Ashland County. More than 1100 acres and an adjoining forest of more than 4500 acres await visitors interested in camping, hiking, horseback riding, canoeing and the regions newest attraction, zip-lining. The park includes nature preserves, canal lands and outdoor recreation suitable for young and old alike. -Camping facilities are located throughout the region to accommodate campers in tents or RV’s. Wooded areas and rolling farmland surround campers at various facilities with some including fishing, miniature golf, playgrounds, disc golf and game rooms. -Enjoy seasonal produce at the many roadside markets in the region. Agriculture is at its finest in Amish Country. Most Amish families grow a large garden to feed their family and some even grow a surplus to share with others at their roadside markets and stands. It is at these markets you will find some of the tastiest fruits and vegetables around. -No summer is complete without a trip to the pool. The region is fortunate enough to have not one but two water parks that take pools to a higher level. The Uhrichsville Water Park at Uhrichsville and Lake Park Aquatic Center at Coshocton are state of the art facilities that include two-story slides, water play gyms, tunnels and reasonably priced concession stands. Both parks are handicap accessible and offer shaded areas for the comfort of the guests. -I scream, you scream we all scream for ice cream. In Amish Country ice cream is homemade and comes in every flavor imaginable. Stop at Mudd Valley Creamery at Walnut Creek for a giant ice cream cone you won’t soon forget. Try one of the 16 flavors of 14% butter fat ice creams at Troyer’s Country Market at Millersburg. Using only the finest ingredients available makes Amish Country ice cream better than any you have ever tasted. -Wine lovers will appreciate the various wineries throughout the region, some of which are in close proximity to one another. Nearly twenty wineries are located in the region for visitors to enjoy. Many wineries offer samples so you can taste before you buy. One local winery allows the guests to make the wine with the added bonus of having to return to the region a second time to pick up the creation once it has aged properly. -Somebody said that golf is like a love affair, if you don’t take it seriously it is no fun and if you do take it seriously it can break your heart. Fortunately no hearts will be broken on one of the many premier golf courses the region has to offer if scores are kept low. Courses range in difficulty and some are a challenge for even the most experienced golfers. - Shopping is one of life’s little and sometimes not so little rewards. The region is filled with shops of all sizes filled with items meticulously crafted to be the best. Whether you are looking for quality furniture for your home, unsurpassed baked goods for your sweet tooth or gifts for family and friends to be presented on your return home from Amish Country, shopping at the various locally owned businesses will be one of the highlights of your trip.


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