Day 1 Begin your day in Wayne County at Lehman's Hardware where Amish farmers shop for cookware, tools, non-electric lights, crockery, logs and gas refrigerators. You can too! Don't forget the shops at Millstream Plaza behind Lehman's.
No visit is complete without a stop at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) the Ohio State University. The largest research institute of its kind in the U.S. The Secrest Arboretum is located on 85 acres of rolling land. It offers more than 2,000 species, varieties and cultivators of trees and shrubs for evaluation and viewing. The famous rose garden is a unique 2.7 acre garden featuring a collection of 1,500 plants representing 500 varieties of roses of antiquity, legend and romance.
Enjoy lunch in one of our many fine restaurants.
Drive through beautiful farmland on your way to Root Candles at West Liberty in Medina County.
Stop at Root Candles at West Liberty and learn about the company's colorful history through a historical talk and receive a votive candle. Be sure to check out the shop where you will find wonderful gift ideas and specialty items.
Visit Once Upon a Sundae Ice Cream Parlor with its homemade and premium ice cream in a Victorian atmosphere adorned with antiques and gift shop. Learn the history of ice cream in the Dairy Museum housed at Elm Farm.
Stop by Boyert's Greenhouse and enjoy a garden talk. While here check out all the wonderful plants. Everyone will receive a small plant.
Enjoy a relaxing dinner at Williams at the Lake with entertainment.
Day 2 Enjoy a healthy muffin and coffee at Cool Beans Cafe. Then get your exercise walking around the Square playing the trivia game.
Your next stop is Mapleside Farms where "an apple a day keeps the doctor away". Tour the Apple House and enjoy a glass of cider. Then check out the gift shop, apple house and bakery. Lunch at the Apple House Restaurant.
Stop at Schoepfle Garden in Lorain County and enjoy a guided tour of this 74-acre preserve of natural woodlands and horticultural gardens. Special collections include rhododendrons, roses, topiaries, shade plants and more.
Your next tour will be the Amherst Historical Society. Amherst is known as the Sandstone Capital of the world. You will see the Grange Hill, St. George's Chapel, an octagonal barn and the Quigley Museum which displays local history collected by the Historical Society.
Grab a snack for the road at Penton's Farm Market. This farm market is located along perhaps the best are for growing produce along Lake Erie's southern shore. This family market offers seasonal produce, fresh baked pies, fudge and much more.