Fall in Amish Country is filled with spectacular color and simple pleasures that showcase the very best of the season. Fields are dotted with corn shocks, porches glow with mums and pumpkins, and a cup of warm apple cider is the perfect companion for taking in the brilliant autumn leaves. It is a beautiful area to gather with friends and enjoy the many outdoor events happening this season.
Hillcrest Orchard in Walnut Creek is the perfect place to start your fall adventure. Pick your own apples from among rows of Honeycrisp, EverCrisp, and Rosalee apples, where you’ll also find something new—the Amarillo, a sweet, crunchy standout you won’t see everywhere. Fresh-pressed cider, pumpkins, and local produce make Hillcrest Orchards a fall favorite, while other nearby locations like The Farm at Walnut Creek add even more reasons to visit.
Famous for offering the unexpected, The Farm at Walnut Creek is ready to celebrate the season with its annual Fall Festival Weekends. Try your aim with the pumpkin slingshot, let the kids dig into the giant corn box, or watch the Percheron draft horses press sorghum into molasses. Climb the straw castle, enjoy a hearty lunch of barbecue chicken, noodles, beans, and desserts, then relax on a horse-drawn wagon ride to feed giraffes, zebras, bison, and more. The Farm at Walnut Creek does not accept credit cards, so prepare to bring along cash for this attraction as well as the many roadside farmstands you might encounter along the way.
Adventure continues at Hershberger’s Farm and Bakery, with extended evening hours on Friday, October 3rd and 17th, where guests can enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, feed the goats perched on the barn roof, and enjoy fresh popped kettle corn, baked goods, and seasonal treats from the bakery. Don’t forget to bring along a cooler. Field-to-table fresh produce and goods are a staple of the area, home to some of the best cheese houses and butcher shops, which provide locally sourced meats, cheeses, and eggs.
A day of adventure can leave you with a serious appetite. Satisfy your cravings with a visit to an Amish-inspired buffet meal at Der Dutchman Restaurant and Bakery in Walnut Creek, The Berlin Farmstead in Berlin, or Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen in Mt. Hope. The savory broasted chicken, creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, and fresh fruit pies and desserts will satisfy the largest of appetites.
Ohio Amish Country is not meant to be a rushed destination. Sip, savor, and stay awhile. Home to several wineries, you can sip local vintages and enjoy live music on most weekends, then cozy up around a campfire to take in the evening stars. There are endless options for lodging, ranging from scenic campsites to cabins and cottages, charming bed and breakfast inns, and full-service hotels, many of which feature indoor swimming pools, where modern comfort meets countryside tranquility.
Allow yourself plenty of time to explore, and don’t be afraid to venture down the backroads, which offer some of the most authentic experiences. Go to visitamishcountry.com and click on the events tab for a listing of fall festivals and events, and request a free Map and Visitors Guide to help plan the perfect fall adventure.
