Today, travel to Sugarcreek, Ohio, the heart of the world’s largest Amish community.  Here you will stay the next two nights at a local area hotel.  Dinner tonight will be included at one of the area’s Amish Country Cooking Restaurants located close your hotel. (D)

This morning, meet your local guide for a full day of Amish Touring.  Start with a visit to the Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center.  Discover the history of the Amish, Mennonites and Hutterites on Behalt – one of four cycloramas in North America.  Behalt is a 10 foot by 265 foot circular mural.  The painted oil-on-canvas cyclorama uses unique artistic techniques of line and color to illustrate multiple stories within a vast time-line.  The name Behalt, means “to keep, hold, remember.”

Next, travel into the Amish Countryside where you will visit local Amish Artisans.  You will make several stops and see merchandise ranging from: candle and candy makers, baskets, leather goods, brooms, and furniture.

Then enjoy an Amish Style Church Lunch in Mt. Hope.  There will also be the chance to watch the Amish make the fine quality wood crafts they are known for.

Next, stop at Walnut Creek Cheese and shop for a great selection of bulk foods smoked meats, cheese, jams and jellies, bakery items and much more.  Walnut Creek Cheese also makes some of the best homemade ice cream in the county and even features season flavors.  End the day by taking a ride in an authentic Amish Buggy and experience how the Amish get around the countryside.

Tonight, dinner is in an Amish Family Home.  Enjoy a delicious family style feast and fellowship with your Amish hosts.  Enjoy all you can eat fresh meats, sides, homemade bread with Amish peanut butter whip and mouthwatering whoopie pies.

Following dinner, enjoy a show at the Ohio Star Theater.  The theater features Amish Musicals and nationally known gospel musical performers.  From unforgettable characters to old-fashioned simplicity and non-stop laughter, this is the place to let your heart sing and your spirit soar. (B,L,D) 

Arrive this afternoon in Shipshewana, IN.  Start with a visit to Davis Mercantile filled with home décor, apparel, fabrics, candles, and even furniture and shoes.  Ride on the full-size Carousel featuring multiple hand-carved and hand-painted farm animals.  Your visit to the David Mercantile includes rolling your own pretzels at Jo Jo’s Pretzels – some say they are the “world’s greatest soft pretzels!”

Then check into the Blue Gate Garden Inn a resort-type hotel in the heart of Indiana’s Amish Country, and your home for the next two nights.  Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

This morning after breakfast, meet your guide and begin your “Real Housewives of Amish Country” full day tour.  Forget reality TV!  Instead meet the real housewives and learn how these ladies do household chores without electrical appliances and run their businesses without modern technology.  Enjoy a cinnamon roll demo with Elaine or Mary Lou.  Visit Carolyn’s home for a haystack lunch and peanut butter crumb pie making demo.  Chat with a basket weaver about her thriving business.  Meet an Amish school teacher and find out how she manages her classes in a one room school.  Everyone will get an after school treat to take home – a whoopee pie!!

This evening enjoy dinner and a show at the Blue Gate Theatre.  Family-friendly entertainment and family-style dining come together for an exceptional night of fun.  Laugh, cry and sing along with the Blue Gate’s line-up of outstanding entertainment including Broadway style plays, musicals, country, comedy, and more! (B,D)

This morning travel the scenic back roads passing horse drawn buggies, tidy farm homes and white washed barns.  Learn about the fascinating lifestyle of the Amish as your knowledgeable guide tells all about the area and the history, traditions, and customs of the Amish.  You will stop at a variety of welcoming country stores and quaint shops as you load your brown bag with goodies.
Depart for home. (B)

Penn Dutch Add-On

If you’ve got the time we can add a couple of days with The Pennsylvania Amish in Lancaster to begin this tour.  Let us know if you have interest.