What to see/do in Berlin, Ohio?

In My Humble Opinion
1

Hubby and I will be celebrating our 21st anniversary next month. For our anniversary, we usually try to get away without the kids for a couple of nights.

We are new to the WV area. Previously, we lived in Maryland, and some of our favorite getaway spots were in the VA area (Colonial Williamsburg among others). But now we kind of want to explore around here. We are just about 3 hours from Berlin, Ohio, which has the largest Amish population in the country. They also have some very nice looking B&B’s (which we like).

But I’m interested in hearing what people who’ve been there/live near there have to say. We’re probably looking at a 3 day/2 night trip.

I like to shop, but it isn’t hubby’s thing. We both like history. And we find the scenery around here (north/central WV) to be breathtaking. Although it may be chilly, outdoor stuff like a little hiking may not be out of the question.

Thanks!

2

When I go to Berlin, I tend to go to Heini’s cheese factory and stock up on sassafras jam and sassafras tea. But maybe that’s just me.

You might visit the Amish farm that’s open to the public. I can’t remember what it’s called, but they have a petting zoo and I think they give tours. You can also get a buggy ride (which is fun, but short). They must have a puppy mill somewhere on the premises, because they sell puppies in their pet store, but I think they keep that hidden from view. (I’ve heard bad things about Amish puppy mills. My friend who’s a veterinarian says their horses don’t appear to be well cared for either. So I would recommend against buying any animals from them.)

The scenery is gorgeous this time of year. I’m sure you’ll like it. I think there’s a hiking trail on highway 250 going west from Sugarcreek, but unfortunately I don’t remember the name of it. It might be too cold anyway if you’re going in November though.

3

My grandparents live near Berlin. My grandma is ex-Amish.

They happen to call it “BER-lin”, FWIW. Not sure if that’s how everyone pronounces it or just them cuz they’re weird.

Heini’s is good, if that’s the one that has the free samples. Last time I went to a cheese factory with my grandparents everyone was just lined up around the circular store trying cheese!

When you’re in Sugarcreek, check out the Swiss Village. Not sure what goes on there in the fall/winter, but you at least have to see the neato moving art on top of some of the buildings.

Here’s a Web page with a little info on Berlin, and the site has more info. Here’s a Web site for Sugarcreek. Here’s another Web site for “Amish Country”. On that one, make sure you look at stuff only in Holmes county. The Geauga county Amish are much further away.

I love love love Rolling Ridge Ranch but it’s kind of cheesy. It’s a drive-through “safari” with a petting zoo (I am 30 years old lol!) It’s in Millersburg, a few minutes west of Berlin.

The Behalt museum is actually really interesting, with a huge cyclorama painting and a guide to tell you Amish/Mennonite history. Unfortunately, it’s closed after October :frowning:

The main restaurant everyone eats at is Der Dutchman (the ones in Sugarcreek and Walnut Creek will be closest to you). It’s got your traditional Amish/German food. Nothing too exciting really. IMHO all of the tourist restaurants around there are the same - but, they do have “traditional” food so if you want it, you got it.

I remember one time we did go to some farm that did have a real Amish sit-down dinner, prepared by the Amish people who lived there and served on long tables. I totally forget what it was, tho. I’m sure you’ll find it in the literature.

I’ve spent a lot of time down there and as I said, my grandparents are down there…so if you have any questions let me know here or via PM.

4

Well, our family motto is “You never have too much cheese; if you accidentally put too much cheese in something, add a little more cheese, and no one will notice”!

So the cheese shop sounds like a ‘must’, though probably on our last day there, so we can transport it the three hours home, safely.

Zipper, pronunciation really is key! :wink:
When I lived in a suburb of Baltimore, there was an area named “Riviera Beach”. Now, anyone not from that area would pronounce it “Riv-ee-Air-uh” Beach"; but we, of the area, knew it was pronounced “Ri-VEER-uh Beach”; thus we could tell the locals from the fur’ners.

5

Lehman’s is always worth a trip.

6

Yes! Heini’s Cheese Factory! Go to their website and check the hours during which you can actually observe them making cheese. It’s not super exciting, but it’s sort of interesting, and since you’re going to go anyway, you might as well go when you can watch them working. They give free samples of every single type of cheese that they sell. They also sell cheese fudge in addition to regular cheese - it is to die for. Also, don’t forget to check out their bulk spices. I bought a little tub of bay leaves there that had about 50 bay leaves in it, and cost me, if I recall correctly, less than $2.

Lehman’s Hardware in Kidron, OH (not far from Berlin) is also fun to browse through. Every type of cast iron pan imaginable, interesting candlemaking and soapmaking supplies, wooden toys… it’s pretty cool. And huge. (Edit: freckafree beat me to it.)

7

Well, for the past ~year, I’ve been mostly “unavailable” (in a ‘marital sense’), due to health issues. So if things go as planned, we won’t have a lot of time for sight-seeing! (The B&B we’re looking at has private cabins with Jacuzzi-Tubs-For-Two). But at this point, Lehmann’s is on the ‘to-do’ list!

8

I prefer Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen in Mount Hope, right across the road from Homestead Furniture, a huge Amish-run outfit with the most gorgeous and well-made items. I don’t necessarily subscribe to the notion that everything “Amish-made” is the best quality (I have seen some terrible Amish-made quilts), but this furniture is to die for.