Kids are back to school. The air is getting cooler, and the leaves are starting to change colors. Harvest season is upon us once again, and there’s no better place to enjoy autumn’s splendor than our countryside retreats in Ohio and Indiana. Here are some ways to make the most of your Fall trip to Amish Country:
Go for a drive: Enjoy fall foliage from the comfort of your vehicle. Considered one of Ohio’s most scenic driving routes, the Amish Country Byway spans 190 winding miles across rolling hills and sprawling farm fields, passing through Walnut Creek and the bustling Berlin shopping district. Of course, no driving tour of Amish Country would be complete without a visit to Dutch Valley, Der Dutchman, or Berlin Farmstead Restaurant to fill up on the all-you-can-eat buffet of Amish comfort food favorites.
In Indiana, one of the top drives for leaf-peepers is the 90-mile Heritage Trail, which passes through Middlebury, Shipshewana, and several other rural, Amish communities. The Elkhart County Chamber of Commerce offers a downloadable audio guide at visitelkhartcounty.com. Suggested stops include Das Dutchman Essenhaus: Indiana’s largest restaurant.
Take a buggy tour: Want a more authentic sightseeing experience? Park the car and visit the Carlisle Inn at Walnut Creek, Ohio, to reserve an Amish buggy excursion around the village. Rides are available Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather and driver availability permitting. Visitors to Middlebury, Indiana, can enjoy the sights of fall the old-fashioned way at Essenhaus. The inn offers horse-drawn carriage rides, typically Monday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m., although hours may vary based on the season and weather conditions.
Taste the harvest: Savors the flavors of fall in Amish Country at our bakeries. Seasonal offerings include homemade pumpkin pie, pumpkin rolls, pumpkin bars, and pumpkin cream sticks. You’ll also find pumpkin spice-flavored cake donuts, whoopie pies, and coffee drinks; apple dumplings; apple cider; apple butter; and fall-themed cut-out cookies.
Fall into fashion: Check out the latest clothing and home decor trends at our fall fashion shows. Join the Essenhaus Village Shops in Middlebury, Indiana, Oct. 15-17 for three days of runway shows, seasonal design tips, and special deals. In Ohio, Dutch Valley Gifts in Sugarcreek is hosting its fall gathering and fashion show Nov. 18 at the Carlisle Inn. Carlisle Gifts in Plain City is hosting two fashion shows Oct. 20-21. There’s another show at the Bellville gift store the following Tuesday, Oct. 28.