An Uncluttered Life

Anyone who has lived in the Midwest knows a thing or two about wide-open spaces, rolling agricultural fields, and quaint rural communities. While the region boasts its fair share of iconic cities, these are the places where it’s easiest to take a deep breath, center oneself, and return to simplicity—without all that noise and activity. Perhaps no one understands that fact quite like the Amish residents of America’s heartland.

The Amish and Mennonite peoples, both parts of the Anabaptist tradition, compose a faith-based culture in which every aspect of daily life is tied to their religion. While most commonly understood by the English (their word to describe the non-Amish) as being technology-free, in reality, the culture is far more compelling than that.

The goal of Amish culture is to focus on community before individual. They do, in fact, choose to avoid modern conveniences like technology and motor vehicles—but for good reason. The Amish believe these things interfere with close-knit community life, weaken family structures, and lead them away from traditional values by introducing outside influences and creating inequality within the community.

For some, the mere notion of such a life is inconceivable. For the Amish, though, it’s just life. And while we might not all have the discipline to abstain from the modern conveniences on which many of us rely, there’s still much to be learned from those who do. Whether your group is looking to learn a thing or two from the Amish or simply escape the hustle and bustle of city life, a tour of the Midwest’s Amish Country will surely provide an experience that’s both enriching and authentic.

There is perhaps no better starting point for your group’s exploration than Ohio, home to the largest population of Amish folks in the region, second in the U.S. to only Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Holmes County, specifically, contains the largest Amish settlement in the state.

“[Visitors] love how quiet it is because there is no four-lane road through our county,” explains Tiffany Gerber, executive director of the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau. “We only have about 47,000 people, and half of them are Amish, so they appreciate the quiet. I mean, a traffic jam for us is when there are four bikes side by side. It might take two lights to get through our busiest little town. It’s just a slower pace, and people really appreciate it.”

For groups looking to explore Holmes County, Gerber says the tourism bureau will provide tour planners with suggested itineraries, photos, and anything they need for planning. She adds they always recommend planners work with receptive operators who can create more personalized activities, including setting up memorable experiences like meals in Amish homes or behind-the-scenes tours of local businesses.

A good starting point for any group, though, is a visit to the Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center, which features a 265-foot cyclorama with curved panels depicting the history of Amish culture, from the Protestant Reformation to modern day. Gerber says the employees at the center are Amish and often happy to answer questions. She adds, “They love to share their faith and talk about how they live.”

Other popular options for groups include backroad tours amongst the Appalachian foothills, crafting or cooking demonstrations, buggy rides, and shopping. The county also has eight wineries and restaurants that offer both traditionally Amish and English foods. Something that sets Holmes County apart from other Amish experiences is its diversity of offerings, Gerber explains.

“There are things to do on Sunday,” she says. “We have two theaters that offer evening entertainment, so we don’t roll up all the sidewalks at 5 p.m.—some of them, but not all of them—and our theaters range from Christian-based, family-friendly entertainment to a variety show that pokes a little fun at the Amish, but with the Amish.”

While exploring Holmes Country with your group, it’s important to note there is no designated space for “Amish Country,” because it’s not just an attraction. The Amish are educated, successful, hardworking folks who live their lives right alongside the English. You might spot hitching posts for their buggies at businesses like Walmart or McDonald’s. Their culture is very much integrated into the culture around them. As Gerber puts it, their lives aren’t separate from ours—they’re just “uncluttered” and distraction-free in a way that doesn’t often align with the lives of the English.

“The work ethic of the Amish community has bled over to us English in the area,” Gerber says. “Overall, it’s a return to those values, and that’s led by our Amish community. So, we appreciate where we live. We appreciate a slower pace. And, for a lot of groups, that’s part of the appeal.”

However, this doesn’t mean that some of the English world hasn’t bled into Amish culture. For example, communication with the outside world is often necessary for an Amish business to succeed. So, don’t be surprised if you see an Amish person with a phone or a battery-powered light in their buggy (which is required by law). Just know that these technologies, while sometimes necessary, do not enter the home.

“They might use natural gas to power their furniture shop, but in their home that all comes to a stop at the door, because the three most important things to the Amish are God—their church—their family, and their community,” Gerber explains. “That’s why buggies only go so far; because they don’t need to get that far on a daily basis. They need to concentrate on their homes and their communities, and everything revolves around that.”

Also known for its presence of Amish culture is Indiana, home to the third-largest Amish population in the country. In the heart of Indiana’s Amish Country is Shipshewana. Popular attractions in Shipshewana include The Blue Gate, where tourgoers can dine on Amish-made meals; Shipshewana Trading Place, the largest flea market in the Midwest; Menno-Hof museum, which features exhibits showcasing the Amish and Mennonite way of life; and more.

Visit Shipshewana even offers an “Off the Beaten Path” tour jam-packed with authentic experiences, from 120 Amish cottage shops to 80 handcrafted quilt barns. For more immersive adventures in Indiana’s Amish Country, consider booking an excursion with Buggy Lane Tours, which brings guests to a working horse and dairy farm and features a home-cooked meal in an Amish residence. Or, Great Life Tours offers guests “Meet & Make” opportunities that include one-on-one time with artisan creators within the community. Of course, no tour of Amish country is complete without a visit to an Amish quilt making company like Yoder Department Store, The Cotton Corner, or Leanna’s Quilts.

Next, continue your group’s exploration of Amish culture in Wisconsin, boasting the fourth-largest population of Amish folks in the country. Explore Amish furnishings at The Wood Shed in Augusta, where groups also can partake in 90-minute tours of the countryside. In Cashton, your tourgoers will find the largest Amish settlement in the state. Home to an abundance of Amish-owned businesses, Cashton offers visitors a plethora of baked goods, handmade crafts, and fresh produce. Cashton is also home to Old Country Cheese, a factory that uses milk from local Amish farms to produce more than 20 varieties of cheese—a must-try during a visit to America’s Dairyland!

Wherever your group wanders, remember to take a break from the fast-paced excitement of a robust itinerary. While those iconic cities certainly hold a lot of cultural and historical appeal for many, Midwestern Amish Country offers something people just won’t find on a map: simplicity.

“I think people, in general—America, in general—are looking back to that simplicity,” says Gerber. “That’s the appeal. They want to see life slow down.”

By Madeline Fuerstenberg

Main Image: Ohio Amish Country; Credit: Adobe/Isaac