Photos by Allen Phelps and Amy Phelps Several Amish buggies are parked at a local business in the Holmes County area.

Made up of a cluster of small towns in Tuscarawas, Holmes and Wayne counties, Ohio’s Amish Country is one of the largest settlements of the Amish in the United States.

The Amish faith derives from the Anabaptists in Germany and Switzerland. Church districts average between 20-40 families and are led by a bishop, who along with the ministers and deacons, sets the rules for the community. The Amish believe in living plain and simple, and on their own. They drive horse-drawn buggies, do not have conventional electricity in their homes, though some may use solar power, and do not allow phones in the house, though you will find phone shanties outside of the house along property lines. They also have specific ways of dress. And their faith does not allow for photographs to be taken.

To get an understanding of the way of life of the people of the area, families can visit Yoder’s Amish Home in Millersburg. Purchased by a family with Amish roots, the authentic farm has a 30- to 40-minute guided tour of two different homes, a 119-year-old barn with animals, an opportunity to take a buggy ride driven by a member of the church, a one-room schoolhouse to tour and a guide to explain how schools are run, as well as a bakery with someone baking fresh cookies to buy and a gift shop. You can learn more about the home at its website yodersamishhome.com.

Another stop to learn more is the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center, also in Millersburg. It is the site of the Behalt Cyclorama, a 10 ft. tall x 265 ft. round mural that depicts the history of the Anabaptists. A 30-minute guided tour explains every part of what the mural is depicting. There is also a pioneer barn and one-room school house tour on the property that discusses the life and culture of the Amish. For more information, visit behalt.com.

A view of the stage and seating from the balcony at the Ohio Star Theater.

In Sugarcreek, there is the David Warther Carvings museum that features wood, antique ivory and pearl carvings of historically significant ships made by a fifth generation carver. The carver is usually available for tours of his workshop. Visit warther.org for more information.

Also in Sugarcreek is the Alpine Hills Historical Museum and Sugarcreek Information Center. This three-story museum shows the town’s history, including its Swiss and Amish heritage, with many displays including audiovisual presentations. It is free, with donations accepted. Across the street is the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock, which goes off every half hour.

The Farm at Walnut Creek offers both learning experiences and family entertainment. Located at the edge of Sugarcreek going into Walnut Creek, The Farm is an animal park tourists can drive their car through or take a guided wagon ride and see more than 500 animals roaming. Animals include many types of cattle such as Watusi and Brahma, water buffalo, eland (a large antelope,) lots of goats, elk, deer, pot-bellied pigs, kangaroos, camels, lots of llamas, several giraffes (including the new baby,) zebras, ostriches, emus and many different species of birds. Visitors can buy buckets of food so they can feed the animals from their car or the wagon. On the farm are several barns, a milk house, a chicken house and two large homes to explore and see people working.

There are always cookies at the main house, too. Learn more at thefarmatwalnutcreek.com.

Visitors may also want to experience some of the local bakeries and cheesehouses.

Photo by Rob Lucas A llama sticks its head in the car wanting some food at the Farm at Walnut Creek.

At Heini’s Cheese Chalet, visitors can sample many different kinds of cheese. It is also the originator of yogurt cheese.

Broad Run Cheesehouse also offers some cheese to sample and has a gift shop attached. Guggisberg Cheese is the home of the original baby swiss cheese and also has sampling available.

Learn more at their websites, heinis.com, broadruncheese.com and babyswiss.com.

There are a lot of bakeries to choose from in the area. Not only do many of the restaurants have bakeries attached where visitors can buy pies, bread and cookies, but there are several standalone bakeries to choose from. Walnut Creek Cheese, a large grocery store, restaurant and home goods store, also has a bakery available. Kauffman’s Country Bakery, across the street from Heini’s Cheese Chalet in Millersburg, has many breads that can be sampled and a variety of cookies and donuts for purchase. More information is at their website, kauffmanscountrybakery.com.

Also in Millersburg on the way toward Charm, is Hershberger Farm and Bakery. This bakery and produce stand offers a variety of fry pies, breads, cookies, pies, donuts and more, as well as produce and meats and cheeses.

Photo by Amy Phelps The farmhouse at the Farm at Walnut Creek offers visitors a look into an Amish farm, as well as fresh baked cookies.

There is also a petting zoo on the property that houses many different farm animals, and buggy and pony cart rides are available. There is also a gift shop and food stand.

Also in Millersburg on the way toward Charm, is Miller’s Bakery, which offers cookies, bread, pies, tarts, donuts and some crafts.

Baked goods are not the only treats that are available. Coblentz Chocolates in Walnut Creek, makes chocolates on-site and has many different varieties. Visitors can visit the back and see the chocolates being made and then purchase bars, truffles and more. Learn more at coblentzchocolates.com

Just open this spring is the Ohio Star Theater. Located on the Dutch Valley campus in Sugarcreek, this state-of-the-art theater offers musicals, concerts and more to its patrons.

The theater seats 514, 392 on the main floor and 122 in the balcony. There is a large staircase with chandelier lighting, and elevator access as well. For those in need, there are hearing assisted devices and wheelchair-friendly seating options.

Photo by Amy Phelps The world’s largest cuckoo clock goes off every half hour in downtown Sugarcreek.

The Ohio Star quilt design is shown outside and in the lobby flooring. The state-of-the-art sound and lighting system was made specifically for the building and its acoustics, and large-screens were also added to the visuals. There is a concession stand for intermission snacks.

“If you attend a show at our theater you can be confident that you do not need to worry about bad language, sexual situations or violence. On the contrary, our shows are meant to be inspiring, uplifting and encouraging,” Vicki VanNatta, public relations for Dutchman Hospitality Group, said about the family-friendly shows. Show details and ticket purchasing is at ohiostartickets.com.

About a 20-minute drive away is Lehman’s in Kidron/Dalton. The store started in 1955 as a small hardware store serving the local Amish.

It grew into four pre-Civil War era buildings combined under one roof, that also sell gardening, toys, kitchenware, home goods, a small restaurant and more. See more at lehmans.com.

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Photo by Amy Phelps An emu peers into the window of a car at the Farm at Walnut Creek.

Amish Country Special Events

* Thunder Over Holmes County, June 30-July 1: Independence Day festival in Millersburg with local food vendors, activities and games with fireworks Saturday night; historicdowntownmillersburg.com

* Cookbook Extravaganza, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 1: Gospel Book Store in Berlin; mygospelbookstore.com

* Book signing with Wanda Brunstetter, 5-7 p.m. Sept. 5: Gospel Book Store in Berlin; my gospelbookstore.com

* Harvest Fest and Rib Cook-Off, Sept. 9: This downtown Berlin event offers ribs, kids’ activities, live entertainment, sidewalk sales and more; berlinharvestfestival.com

* Ohio Swiss Festival, Sept. 29-30: A long-time Sugarcreek event that celebrates everything Swiss, from cheese to entertainment, including the Steinstossen (stone-throwing) competition, at 5K and 10K and parade; ohioswissfestival.com

* Holmes County Antique Festival, Oct.: A two day event of markets, arts and crafts, entertainment and more; holmescountyantiquefestival.org

* Fall Festival at the Farm, Oct. 7, 9: The Farm at Walnut Creek offers fall activities to its slate, including a pumpkin slingshot, corn box, food and more; thefarmatwalnutcreek.com

* Charm Days, Oct. 13-14: A local festival showcasing local arts, cooking and music, along with Wooly Worm Race, where local Amish school kids race their wooly worms up a string; charmdays.com

* Boo in the ‘Burg, Oct. 28: Historic downtown Millersburg has been documented on various ghost hunter shows and local historians offer tours of spooky places; historicdowntownmillersburg.com

* Holmes County Book Signing Event, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 11, Gospel Book Store in Berlin, up to 40 authors available; mygospelbookstore.com

* Journey to Bethlehem, Dec. 1-2: Seven stops offer skits portraying the Christmas story, with luminaries and carols, ends at the Farm at Walnut Creek with nativity and refreshments; thefarmatwalnutcreek.com

* Christmas Cookie Tour of the Inns, Dec. 9-10: Twelve hotels and inns decorate and have cookies for tour-goers; christmascookietour.com