Looking for Amish/Menninite country
 

DH and I are planning a trip from WNY to Springfield, IL. He wants to stop in Dayton to visit the Air Force Museum (even though he is a Navy Vet). We will have time to visit Amish country if there is any near or not too far out of our way. Of course, if anyone knows of a quilt shop or two we must stop at along the way, please let me know. A nice dog-friendly motel in Dayton would also be great to hear about.

I like Shipshewana in northern Indiana. They have lots of restaurants, an Amish cheese factory, Lolly's quilt store and Yoder's department store which has a large fabric selection. Here is tourism link http://visitshipshewana.org/

I agree Shipshewana is must stop!

Try the Holmes county area of Ohio. It will be NE of the Columbus area. Zincks and Helping Hands in Berlin and Mrs. Millers in Charm are well worth the trip. If you have time go to Mt Hope for Mrs. Yoder's buffet and Lone star quilts.

http://www.google.com/search?q=holmes+county+quilt+shops&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=holmes+county+quilt+shops&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag =40534674,-81787493,3051&tbm=lcl&tbs=lf:1,lf_ui:2,lf_pqs:EAE

Arthur, IL has a great Amish community. They have a beautiful quilt show there every September. It's roughly 90 minutes east of Springfield. http://www.illinoisamishcountry.com/

Come to Ontario .... and check out our Mennonites and Amish communities! :)

Lancaster County, PA is great for Amish/Mennonite things.

Arcola, Arthur, illinois...neighboring towns

Love Shipshewana. Great quilt festival there every year and fun anytime. I love Lilly's and Yoders. Nice place to stay is the Blue Gate but not sure about dogs?? Last time I was there a lady did have a small dog.

Lots of bed an breakfast places to stay near and around Shipshewana. Middlebury has the Essenhaus with the hotel, bakery and shops and only a 15 minute drive to Shipshee. Off the top of my head, I can name 11 quilt shops within a 20 - 30 mile radius...you can create your own personal shop hop!

Shipshewana and Berlin are two of my favorite places. Keep in mind that most if not all of the shops are not open on Sunday's. They both have very nice second hand shops, restaurants, and quilt shops. Have a good time and visit as many places as possible. Wish I was going.
Sue

Can't tell you about the quilt shops, but I loved the Museums at Wright Patterson. We especially enjoyed the hanger with the Presidential planes in it. Hope you have fun!
Susan

Shipshewana is awesome!! Bring you walking shoes for the Air Force Museum - it is knock down AWESOME!!!!! and some friends of mine have actually spent 2 days there if wanting to see everything! The hangar w/ JFKs plane is just so cool.

As I have lived here in Dayton, I have come to realize just how important Wright Patt is to the military of this company. If you time while you're in Dayton, another awesome place to visit is Carillon Park just south of the Downtown area. It is near University of Dayton and it covers the history of Dayton, Wright Bros, NCR, GM, and all the things that went on in Dayton during WWII.

Carillon Park does have an admission to it, but it is well worth it.

https://www.daytonhistory.org/visit/...storical-park/

I live in Indiana and would rather go to Holmes County. Berlin is the town. If your hubby is with you, take him to the lumber yard in Charm, OH about 5 miles away. He will enjoy it and you might also. Close to Millers.

In Kidron, OH is Lehman's which he will love also. These all are pretty close together.

Be sure and stop in at Country Craft Cupboard in Berlin. Karen Lamp has some great patterns and kits. It is across the street from another fabric shop and down the road from Zincks (a crazy!! discount sewing place) and Granny Fannys, another fabric store.

Columbus also has a bunch of good quilting stores and is on the way to Dayton.

A good hotel is the Inn at Walnut Creek. Check them for dog policy. Walking distance to several very good restaurants and just down the road from Berlin.

sweetana3, did you know there is a Zincks in Ligonier IN now? It opened about 2 years ago.

Another nice shop in Holmes Cty, is Somewhere Sewing, County Rd 320 in Millersburg. They are open wed-sat. I was there last week. Great time!

Arthur, Illinois is a unique town. Horse and buggy and great shops. It is kind of between Champaign and Springfield, do not remember the Illinois route #s, however should be easy to find. When we lived in Bloomington, IL we would drive east for the day. Enjoy your trip

Judy in Phx, AZ

Lucky me, for a change. I was raised in the high mountain wilderness of California and was never near anything. Now I live ELEVEN miles from Shipshewana. The lure of Lolly's, Yoder's Dept. store, the new place in Ligonier that is a Zinck's, and all the other little local quilt shops (and there has to be 15 or more), that lure is more than I can resist. Then there is Calico Point west of Goshen. Topeka is 75% Amish and full of hand quilters. Then there is Ben Bontrager's quilt auction twice a year which is a must attend event. The 1st Dibs auction is now at the Elkhart Co. fairgrounds and that is the Sat. after Thanksgiving. Essenhaus, Blue Gate and the Coppertop for great food. Private mail me if you want more info. I've lived here for 25 years now. I thought I would want to travel when I retired, but I just want to stay here.

I like the Cotton Corner in Shipshewana as well. (located in the corner of the strip mall behind Yoders).

Idont know about quilt shop or Amish business but I can tell you the Air Museum is fantastic! You may not have too much time to go anywhere else at least not that day as it is large and fun to spend time there. Have fun!

This is a great place to spend a couple days. My DH took MIL and me and we all had a great time. The people are so sweet and friendly. Wear a comfy pair of shoes and enjoy yourselves.

Wonderful are for anything Amish/Mennonite.

I stayed at a La Quinta Hotel this past weekend....while there we saw 2 King Charles Spaniels, 1 Yorkie, 1 Black Lab, and 1 Heinz 57 variety!! Of course call ahead just to be sure.

I, too, love Shipsewana.

There are several communities in northeastern Ohio. Several years ago I travelled from New York to Cincinnati, and spent several days in Northeastern Ohio visiting most of the Amish communities. Be sure to check out Lehman's https://www.lehmans.com/ (your husband might enjoy it).

Sounds you're going to have more than enough to see and do (and buy!) with all this info. Just check when stores are open. In addition to Sundays, many shops are often also closed on Mondays.

About 30 minutes from Dayton is a town called Waynesville, OH ------ with a quilter's dream store called The Fabric Shack. It's a must see! The little town has fun antique shops, gift shops and great places to eat.

Come to Oregon. We have a large population of Mennonites near me....��

Thanks so much for all the input. We have booked a pet friendly motel in the heart of Berlin. Wish we could get to all the places suggested but we will do as many as possible...this trip.
Lindaschipper, do I detect someone else who stops and meets every dog she sees???
Madamkelly, we were in Oregon this summer along the Columbia River and fell in love with your area. Hope to get back again.
Cinjosie, in what direction is Waynesville? I can't find it but I am geographically challenged.
I'll let you know about our trip upon our return. Thanks again.

We just did part of this trip in Sept! We saw 3 baseball parks (Cincinnati, Cleveland and Pittsburgh) with a stop in Dayton (loved the AF museum!) and a side trip to Charm. It was lovely!