Ohio's Amish Country Byway Driving Tour

Estimated Time

Distance

Works Offline

Tours & Maps Included

Tour Highlights

Lehman's

Start where Jay Lehman bought a small hardware store in 1955 to sell oil lamps, wood stoves, and hand tools to his Amish neighbors—then watched the world show up for the same old-fashioned goods.

Miller's Bakery

Hear how a basement noodle business ended up with a mountain of leftover egg whites, and solved the problem with angel food cake.

Guggisberg Cheese

Visit the home of Baby Swiss, created by a Swiss-trained cheesemaker who settled here when Amish dairy farmers needed someone to buy their milk.

Age of Steam Roundhouse

See the 18-stall brick roundhouse built by a railroad man who sold his railroad but kept the steam engines. Guided tours only, so book ahead.

Sugarcreek's Giant Cuckoo Clock

Meet the 23-foot clock once promoted by Guinness as the world's largest, then step into the free Alpine Hills Historical Museum across the street.

David Warther Carvings

Lean in close to tiny ivory ships carved by the grandson of famous Ohio carver Ernest "Mooney" Warther, who carved his first Viking ship at age six.

Walnut Creek Cheese

Hear the story of the 21-year-old who bought a cheese route with no customers and built it into the busy market you see today.

Yoder's Amish Home

End at a real Amish farm where one old house once served as a chicken coop. Walk through the homes, barn, and one-room school, then take a buggy ride.

Is This Tour Right for You?

Perfect if you:

Love history and fascinating stories

What To explore at your own pace

prefer a private experience

What to avoid expensive group tours

Maybe not if you:

Don't have a phone

Like to follow the tour guide

Don't like stories

Don't like to go at your own pace

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Amish Country Byway driving tour take?

Without stopping, the drive takes about 90 minutes. With stops for food, shopping, and Yoder's Amish Home, most visitors make a full day of it.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Lehman's on Kidron Road in Kidron and ends at Yoder's Amish Home near Walnut Creek. It is not a loop.

Does the tour work without cell service?

Yes. Download the tour before you go, and it runs offline using your phone's GPS.

Are there admission fees at any of the stops?

Most stops are free to visit, including the shops, cheese houses, and the Alpine Hills Historical Museum. Yoder's Amish Home is $15 for adults for the complete tour, David Warther Carvings is $10 for adults, and Hershberger's petting area is $8. The Age of Steam Roundhouse sells guided tour tickets, so check the price before you go.

Are the stops open on Sundays?

Most Amish-owned businesses close on Sundays. The roads stay open and the tour still works, but plan a Monday through Saturday visit to see the most stops.

What should I know about driving with horse-drawn buggies?

Buggies move about 5 to 8 miles per hour. Slow down, give them plenty of room, never pass on a hill or blind curve, and skip the horn because it can scare the horse.

Can I take photos of Amish people?

Please ask first. Many Amish people prefer not to be photographed, especially their faces. Farms, fields, and shops make great photos instead.

Is this tour good for kids?

Yes. Kids love the petting area, the buggy rides, the giant cuckoo clock, and the one-room school at Yoder's. One stop covers the 1782 Gnadenhutten massacre in a calm, factual way, so parents of young kids may want to preview it.

When is the best time to take this tour?

Late spring through fall is best. Yoder's Amish Home is open from May through late October, the Alpine Hills Historical Museum is open March through November, and the Mount Hope Auction holds its weekly sale on Wednesdays.

How is this different from other Amish Country tours in Ohio?

Most Amish Country tours in Ohio run on a bus with a set schedule. This one is self-guided, so you drive your own car, stop wherever you like, and hear the stories at your own pace. It follows the best-known stretch of the 160-mile Amish Country Byway, from Kidron to Walnut Creek.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Most Amish-owned shops, bakeries, and restaurants close on Sundays.
Yoder's Amish Home is seasonal, usually open from May through late October.
The Age of Steam Roundhouse is open by guided tour only, Thursday through Saturday, April through November. Buy tickets ahead.
Miller's Bakery closes around 4 or 5 in the afternoon, so plan to arrive early.
Watch for horse-drawn buggies on hills and curves, especially on Route 557.