Hello! Happy Autumn from Amish Country, Ohio. This is where I grew up and still love to come visit after moving away. Clad with rolling hills and lush farmland, Ohio’s Amish Country is such a wonderful place to go this time of year. In fact, National Geographic named it the #3 best spot to view fall foliage in the world a few years ago.
I always like to make a stop at the end of September to pick up some pumpkins and apples and any fresh produce that I need for canning before winter sets in. I thought I’d share a couple of my favorite spots with you.
// Rebecca’s Bistro
When picking up fall adornments at Hillcrest I almost always make a stop at Rebecca’s Bistro just down the road to pick up a Pumpkin Spice Chai to sip on while I stroll for pumpkins and apples. Rebecca’s is a dearly loved place by locals, serving up the sweetest homemade dishes and treats by Miss Rebecca Miller, herself - who will make you feel like you’re in her kitchen - in the cutest space, a remodeled old house. It is the perfect place for brunch with the girls! Choose the house special - Creamed Eggs over Sourdough, or have Stuffed French Toast or her famous Tomato Basil Soup (sold around the country) with a cup of house coffee, Jamaican Me Crazy. There is always a demand to eat here, especially Saturday mornings, and they take customers first come, first serve, so show up when they open and you won’t be disappointed. If you pick up a latte to-go like we did, you can call ahead and it will be ready when you come in!
Other Cafe’s I Love in Amish Country // The Red Mug (serving up the best Espresso around (My Fave: The Cubano) you can also get a rich cup of pour-over coffee here, Der Bake Oven (Seriously cute space designed by local designer Sadie Beachy, with amazing daily lunch/ brunch specials, latte’s as well as some of the best of Amish Country’s Pastries), Pick up a couple Macarons or other fancy treats like Danish’s, Croissants & artisan bread at Olde World Bakery (also serving breakfast/ lunch & dinner), Get yourself an amazing Affogato (ice cream & espresso) at Wallhouse in Sugarcreek, Ohio or check out the newly designed space by Sadie Beachy in the quaint town of Winesburg - The Beacon Cafe). A new cafe, East Main Kitchen, recently opened up in Baltic, taking the place of a local restaurant & boasting newly remodeled rustic charm as well as wonderful pastry, coffee and lunch and dinner options. And if you’re looking for something off-the-beaten-path in the most peaceful, beautiful space - make reservations at The Inn At Honey Run for brunch or dinner and enjoy a culinary celebration as you look out the window into the wooded oasis.
// Hillcrest Orchard
Hillcrest Orchard in Walnut Creek, Ohio is one of my favorite places to go in the fall for a stroll in the apple orchard, to pick out pumpkins, sip apple cider, & get some fresh kettle corn! It is a beautiful and fun place. They are the most celebrated and well-known orchard in Amish Country, though there are plenty of other places you can get good apples, Hillcrest provides such a lovely experience. They are notoriously busy on Saturdays in the Fall because of their reputation, but I always grab a coffee, try not to be in a hurry and enjoy the experience - everyone is always having a good time and the staff work hard to serve you quickly!
Sue & I took a stroll through the market to look at the mums & pumpkins, big orange ones and little mini white ones and those beautiful dusty green, orange & mauve autumn colored ones before getting a cart to fill up! Inside you’ll find a wonderful display of fresh produce from pears, to concord grapes, peppers & onions, to their showroom of apples. You can fill up a bag of apples just for eating if you like - they have a chart posted above this area telling what each apple’s notes are and what they are best used for (canning, applesauce, eating, baking, etc.). Then in the back you will see their apple processing line where baskets and baskets are lined up of each type of apple. Here is where you can order apples in bulk and have them carried out to your car as well as sample the freshest apple cider you’ve ever tasted! ( ;) biased opinion). I always take a couple 1/2 gallons home with me and put one in the freezer for later (usually Thanksgiving).
Sue and I finished up our trip at Hillcrest by putting our bags in our car and taking a stroll through the apple orchards. They are stretched out over a beautiful hill with a view of Walnut Creek and bordering towns.
Other Favorite Markets // Hershberger’s Farm & Bakery (Affectionately known by locals as The Truck Patch) in Berlin, has a wonderful display of pumpkins and fall mums and produce as well as a petting farm for children! They also make MY FAVORITE {huge} maple cream sticks in the area! Get one and eat the whole thing, I dare you. Sweetwater Farm, in Sugarcreek is one of the “sweetest” and well-stocked little produce stands loved by locals as well. You can get in-season produce, pumpkins & mums here as well as freshly picked market flower bouquets. Guggisberg Cheese - Home to one of the locals favorite Amish Country Swiss Heritage Cheese, visit their factory, enjoy the Swiss design & culture and try some of their famous baby Swiss cheese (sold around the country)! Other // There are countless roadside stands selling wonderful mums and pumpkins & all kinds of offerings, you just have to drive around to find them and each one will have something unique to offer. I encourage you to stop by one of these as they will not be as busy as the bigger places, but I promise, still have quality locally-grown offerings & great prices as most places do in Amish Country.
// bfearless boutique
Sue & I ended our afternoon by shopping at bfearless Boutique in Walnut Creek. I picked out a new bag & a floppy felt hat for fall. This store is full of wonderful, high-quality staple pieces as well as in season trends and name brand shoes shopped for by local fashion advisor Rhoda Troyer. Stop by Rhoda’s salon next door - RIG & Co for your makeup needs or a massage or hair appointment (also doing some of the cutest nail designs in the area).
Other Shopping Favorites // Coblentz Chocolate - while in Walnut Creek you must stop by our favorite chocolate shoppe, where you can see the candy being made and pick up a delicious truffle, chocolate turtle or homemade caramel. Berlin Village Gift Barn - An amazing one stop shop for beautiful interior decor, newly added greenhouse and outdoor decor shop as well as a curated boutique with clothing, jewelry, accessories and cute things like Kate Spade stationary & charm bracelets. FOR THE MEN // Keim Lumber in Charm, Ohio (a gorgeous design & tool showcase for builders, working hardware store and specialty wood room) if you’re a quilter, you’ll want to stop by Miller’s Dry Goods while in town). Lehman’s Hardware Store in Kidron, Ohio (you’ll also want to stop by P. Graham Dunn, while in town, a local wooden sign creator with an amazing showroom with room by room decor set ups & boutique offerings).
// Lodging
Although, I don’t stay at local lodging spots myself, I can tell you a few that have a great reputation. The Inn At Honey Run - If you are looking for a quiet, peaceful retreat in the woods with trails and luxury service. Hillcrest Orchard nestled an amazing hideaway, amidst their orchards overlooking the Walnut Creek Bottom called Dwell Hillcrest. It carries very unique modern touches all hand designed by the owners including, a raw edge wood table, floor to ceiling windows, a clawfoot tub with a view and rooftop fire ring. You’ll want to check this out for your stay or retreat. Any of the hotels owned by DHGroup - Carlisle Inn in Walnut Creek or Sugarcreek, Carlisle Country Inn in Berlin or Miller Manor in Walnut Creek - you will receive warm, quality care by these heritage-style accommodations all close to local Amish-style restaurants (Der Dutchman/ Dutch Valley). Wallhouse Hotel - Offering luxury, modern furnishings & service with an amazing rooftop view of Walnut Creek. Newly built Encore Hotel & Suites in Berlin offering a similar upscale experience. There are many sweet Bed & Breakfasts and cabins available as well in which I wish I could list them all here, but I’m sure you will have a good experience at any of them! A few charming ones are The Red Cottage Hideaway, Stone Cottage Inn & Ferngully Cabins. Please comment below your favorites!
Thank-you for following along - I hope you’ll enjoy your trip to Amish Country!
