The Perfect Amish Country Picnic

Sometimes the best kind of getaway is the one that asks the least of you. No long drive, no fixed plans—just a quiet afternoon, a good meal, and beautiful scenery. A picnic in Amish Country checks all the boxes. It’s an easy way to slow down and reconnect, whether you’re passing through or making a weekend of it.

You don’t need a full itinerary. Just an appetite, a blanket, and a little curiosity. The rest comes together surprisingly well.

Where to Fill Your Basket

Start with the food. In Amish Country, gathering picnic provisions is part of the experience. Harvey’s Market, with locations near Millersburg and Walnut Creek, is a reliable first stop. Their shelves are full of seasonal produce, baked goods, cold drinks, and all the local snacks you didn’t know you wanted. Keep an eye out as you drive—some of the best roadside stands aren’t on Google Maps. Troyer Market near Berlin and Hershberger’s Farm and Bakery in Millersburg are also worth a detour, especially for small-batch jams, fry pies, and just-picked fruit.

Local Wine with a View

A bottle of wine makes a fine addition, and the region offers a few standouts. Baltic Mill Winery, set inside a restored flour mill, has a laid-back vibe and a solid selection of reds and whites. Breitenbach Wine Cellars is better known, and for good reason—their fruit wines are a local favorite, and the hilltop views don’t hurt. At Sunny Slope Winery in Big Prairie, the mood is casual and unhurried, with regular live music on the patio and a lineup that includes cider and craft beer alongside house-made wines. Most offer bottles to go and helpful staff who won’t blink if you ask what pairs best with trail bologna.

Meats That Make the Meal

That brings us to the meats. In this part of Ohio, meat is a point of pride, and a visit to Winesburg Meats shows why. Their smoked sausages, hickory bacon, and marinated cuts offer big flavor with minimal effort—ideal if you’re grilling at a cabin or simply laying out a no-fuss picnic board. For something more iconic, look for Troyer’s Trail Bologna. Made in the village of Trail for over 100 years, this thick, smoky ring of bologna is a regional staple. Most people slice it thick and pair it with Swiss cheese, and honestly, there’s no reason to complicate a good thing. You’ll find it in most local shops, ready to toss in your cooler and go.

Say Cheese (and Sample a Few)

Cheese is easy to come by, but Heini’s Cheese Chalet in Bunker Hill is worth the stop. Family-run since the 1930s, Heini’s still makes cheese with milk from nearby farms. The variety is wide—sharp, smoked, infused, and just plain good—and sampling is encouraged. Ask questions, try a few, and pick up what you like. Their cheeses play well with almost anything in your basket, and they travel well, too.

Scenic Spots to Spread Out

Now, where to eat it all? The Holmes County Trail runs more than 20 miles through the center of Amish Country and offers plenty of quiet places to stop. It’s one of the few multi-use trails in the country where cyclists share space with horse-drawn buggies. The Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area, nearby, offers a more off-the-grid feel—flat walking paths, birdlife, and long views across wetland. And in Wilmot, The Wilderness Center offers shady picnic tables, miles of wooded trails, and a few unexpected surprises, like a wildlife viewing window tucked inside the interpretive center.

Stay the Night And Keep it Simple

If you’d rather skip the park and keep things more private, consider renting a cabin or vacation home for the weekend. Many local rentals come with porches, firepits, and wide-open views—perfect for a relaxed picnic without ever leaving the property. You can grill out, spread a blanket under the trees, or sip wine as the sun goes down, all on your own schedule. It’s a quiet, comfortable way to enjoy Amish Country at your own pace, with all the space you need to unwind and eat well.