What to Do in Ohio's Amish Country

Riding, Eating, and More

Ohio's Amish Country encompasses Ashland, Coshocton, Holmes, Knox, Tuscarawas, Richland, Stark and Wayne Counties. It is a huge tourist destination in this part of Ohio. People from all over the country come to see Ohio's Amish community, because it is unique among American sub-cultures and offers a glimpse of what life was like a century ago.

The Amish in Ohio don't use cars; instead they travel by horse drawn buggy. They don't use electricity or telephone service, either. The women wear long dresses, which are pastel for unmarried and dark for married women, and cover their coiled hair with a starched white bonnet. The men where dark shirts under blue jean overalls and straw hats to shade them from the shade. Only married men wear beards. The Amish wear neither jewelry- of any kind- or zippers. They live on homesteads, where grown children will often build houses right on the same land as their parents, and work together in groups. They have tried to maintain the same lifestyle they had when they came to Ohio in the early 1800's. The men have a reputation of being wonderful craftsmen and the women of sewing glorious quilts and making fine food. Many thousands of people come every year to see the Amish and to purchase goods made by them.

A favorite past-time among travelers to Amish Country is antiquing. This involves traveling from place to place to find that perfect old piece of furniture, clothing, or toys. There are many antique establishments in Ohio's Amish Country. One such place is called The Riverfront Antique Mall. It's located in New Philadelphia and touts itself as the largest antique mall in America with over 7,000 sq. ft. of space. Of course, there are many more, smaller antique malls available in Berlin, Sugarcreek, and Walnut Creek. You can still find century old furniture and crafts, in good condition, if you look hard enough.