27032 Amish Country Charm & Christmas Cheer

Day 1

DAY 1 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2027
Our Journey Begins
Settle in and enjoy the ride as we begin our journey east toward Ohio. Our first evening brings us to the Drury Inn Dayton North, where comfortable accommodations await.
Dinner this evening will be at a nearby Cracker Barrel before checking in for our overnight stay.

Day 2

DAY 2 • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2027
Welcome to Ohio’s Amish Country
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we continue into the beautiful rolling countryside of northeastern Ohio and the heart of Amish Country.
Our first stop is Ohio’s Market, a unique shopping destination filled with an ever-changing collection of Amish-made goods, handcrafted pieces, home décor, gifts, antiques and popular finds. Part gift shop, part décor destination and part treasure hunt, it’s the perfect introduction to the craftsmanship for which this region is known.
By lunchtime, we’ll be ready for some authentic country cooking at Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen in Mount Hope. Come hungry for a hearty included buffet featuring the comforting flavors that have made Amish Country dining famous.
Next, get into the holiday spirit at Tis the Season Christmas Shoppe, where Christmas lasts all year long! Wander through rooms overflowing with ornaments, decorations, gifts, collectibles and festive displays. Whether your decorating style is traditional, whimsical or somewhere in between, you’re bound to find plenty of inspiration.
Our afternoon continues at David Warther Carvings, home to an extraordinary collection of more than 80 intricately carved ships. Created from antique ivory and ebony, these miniature masterpieces trace the history of shipbuilding from ancient Egypt through modern times. The astonishing details, including rigging barely thicker than a human hair, must be seen to be believed. We may even catch fifth-generation carver David Warther demonstrating his craft in his workshop.
Later, we’ll check into our accommodations in the Berlin/Millersburg area and freshen up before dinner.
Tonight, gather around the table at Amish Door Village, where a delicious included dinner and genuine country hospitality provide the perfect ending to our first day in Amish Country.

Day 3

DAY 3 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2027
Amish Traditions, Candle Making & Country Comedy
After breakfast, we begin a fascinating day devoted to the culture, traditions and everyday life of Ohio’s Amish and Mennonite communities.
At the Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center, we’ll meet our local step-on guide and experience Behalt, an impressive circular mural that illustrates centuries of Amish and Mennonite history. Stretching across the walls in remarkable detail, the mural helps bring their journey of faith, migration and settlement to life.
Then comes one of the most memorable experiences of our tour: lunch in an Amish home. We’ll sit down to a traditional Amish Haystack Meal, layering delicious ingredients to create a comforting local favorite while enjoying cultural and historical stories about Amish and Mennonite life.
We’ll also roll up our sleeves for a hands-on Amish candle-making experience. Create your own candle to take home, a wonderful handcrafted reminder of our time in Amish Country.
This afternoon, browse the Village Gift Barn, where three floors are filled with stylish home décor, gifts, furnishings and unique finds. From modern farmhouse touches to mid-century-inspired décor, there’s plenty to explore.
Dinner tonight is another Amish Country feast at Berlin Farmstead. Gather around for a family-style meal featuring favorites such as broasted chicken or roast beef, mashed potatoes, noodles, creamed corn, freshly baked rolls and dessert.
Then it’s time to laugh! We’ll take our reserved seats at the Amish Country Theater for an evening of family-friendly comedy and entertainment. Known for hilarious characters, parody songs, ventriloquism and good-natured country humor, this popular theater has audiences laughing from beginning to end.
Return to the hotel after the show with plenty of stories, and perhaps a few new inside jokes, to share.

Day 4

DAY 4 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2027
Swiss Heritage, Backroads & Handcrafted
Treasures
After breakfast, we travel to the charming village of Sugarcreek, known as “The Little Switzerland of Ohio.”
Our morning begins at the Alpine Hills Historical Museum, where exhibits reveal the fascinating stories of the Amish settlers and Swiss immigrants who shaped this region. Travel back in time through recreated historic settings including an early firehouse, Amish kitchen, Swiss cheese house, woodshop and newspaper printing shop.
Just across the street stands one of Sugarcreek’s most famous landmarks, the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock. Watch as the enormous clock comes to life with music, dancing figures and, of course, its signature cuckoo.
Afterward, enjoy free time exploring downtown Sugarcreek. Browse local shops and small businesses, discover regional products and enjoy lunch at the restaurant of your choice.
This afternoon takes us away from the main roads for a special guided Amish Country backroads tour. Along the way, we’ll visit local artisans and gain a more personal glimpse into the skill and craftsmanship passed from generation to generation.
Meet an Amish Swartzentruber basket maker and visit with an Amish quilter and mother of ten, learning about their work, families and traditions while admiring handcrafted pieces made with extraordinary care.
Tonight, bring your appetite for the Barn Raising Buffet at Dutch Valley Restaurant. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat spread of homestyle meats, dressing, real mashed potatoes, noodles, creamed corn, green beans, salad and, because no Amish Country meal should end without something sweet, pie!
After dinner, we’ll walk to the nearby Ohio Star Theater and settle into our reserved seats for an entertaining evening performance.
Then it’s back to our hotel for a relaxing final night in Amish Country.

Day 5

DAY 5 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2027
From Amish Country to Route 66
Enjoy one last breakfast in Ohio before checking out and beginning our journey west.
Around lunchtime, we’ll stop in Indianapolis at The Garage Food Hall, a lively dining destination housed within the historic Bottleworks District. With a variety of restaurants and food vendors gathered under one roof, everyone can choose exactly what sounds good for lunch.
Then we continue to Springfield, Illinois, where a very special farewell dinner awaits.
Tonight we dine at Maldaner’s Restaurant, a Springfield institution that has been serving guests since 1884. One of the city’s most historic restaurants and a longtime fixture near legendary Route 66, Maldaner’s combines timeless atmosphere with contemporary American cuisine.
Raise a glass, share favorite moments from the journey and enjoy one final evening together before checking into the President Abraham Lincoln Springfield – a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel for our final overnight stay.

Day 6

DAY 6 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2027
Homeward Bound
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we pack our bags and begin the final journey home.
As the miles roll by, sit back and remember the experiences we’ve shared: Amish backroads and handcrafted treasures, enormous cuckoo clocks and intricate ship carvings, Christmas shops filled to the rafters, hearty country meals, candle making, laughter at the theater and the welcoming spirit of Ohio’s Amish Country.
We return home with shopping bags full of treasures, cameras full of memories and perhaps a renewed appreciation for traditions that have been lovingly preserved for generations.