Tuscarawas County has to be one of the most diverse counties in Ohio when it comes to activities. This is especially true when you take into account that it does not border on one of Ohio’s larger cities. It’s located near Interstate 77 on the eastern side of the state making its mark for all to discover.
Day trips are always great, but if you’re planning to really savor what Tuscarawas County has to offer, I recommend no less than three full days. Each city, town and village is worth checking out. With no particular agenda in mind, walking the sidewalks will give you the opportunity to stop in the many unique businesses, admire the area’s art and find those hidden treasures that make travel oh so fun.
Food in Tuscarawas County
Let’s start with something everyone needs and typically enjoys: FOOD. Where should we eat? What do you feel like eating? These two questions come up on a daily basis more than anything else. Tuscarawas County makes answering these questions easy! Work your way down the list and I’m certain you’ll be pleasantly surprised at each destination.
During my last visit to Tuscarawas County, I wrote about a few additional dining options. You’ll want to check these places out as well. Click Tuscarawas Dining to add them to your list.
Pointe Dining
A female-owned restaurant that is known for its dishes far and wide. Prime rib is a weekly special that often sells out if you arrive too late in the evening (as we did). No worries because ordering the Italian pasta loaves was a fantastic alternative! The restaurant’s chef created this recipe himself making it unique to Pointe Dining only. Pointe Pasta loaves are put together the night before and then lightly deep fried and covered in either marinara or alfredo sauce right before being served. You’ll need to try both for the full experience. Wow!
If you love seafood, you’ll want to order the crab and lobster dip. It’s sharable but you may want a crock just for yourself – it’s that good.
Pointe Dining 1881 Seven Mile Dr. New Philadelphia, OH 44663
Amish Country Donuts Café
Everyone knows that the Amish are some of the best cooks around. Their food might be loaded with calories, but it’s also loaded with feel-good savory flavor. Amish Country Donuts is known for their breakfast bowls and for their huge donuts. To give my readers a thorough report, I felt I needed to order both. You’re welcome.
The bowls are a wonderful blend of all things breakfast. Eggs, meat, sweet potatoes, cheese and much more are layered together. So good! The huge glazed donuts are seriously almost as big as my head.
The inside of the café is cozy with varied seating, a fireplace and board games.
Amish Country Donuts Café 522 Dover Rd. Sugarcreek, OH 44681
East Main Kitchen
Along those same lines of delicious, Amish cooking is East Main Kitchen. This restaurant is good for your belly and your soul. The restaurant’s philosophy is to be a source of help for both the community and those around the world. In one of the side rooms, you’ll see a large map showing different locations that have been supported by the income raised from the restaurant. One example is an orphanage in Jamaica.
Deciding to eat here is the easy part. Making your food selection becomes a bit harder. You could start with dessert. Looking at the heaping meringue pies behind the glass doors will certainly get your tastebuds flowing. If you’re a little more disciplined, you could start with a bowl of hot, deep fried cheese curds. As a main meal, we ordered their chicken wrap and sweet potato fries. Don’t forget, they come with delicious dipping sauce as well.
Mission Statement: To support hurting children and families from all over the world.
East Main Kitchen 108 E. Main Baltic, OH 43804
Daily Grind Café
If you want to live like the locals have for the past several decades, you’ll want to stop in the Daily Grind Café for a morning or afternoon drink and/or food. This old-fashioned soda fountain restaurant has changed with the times but still retains many of it’s original items.
One of the best seats to grab is the window seat. People watching, a warm latte and freshly made baked goods – what could be better?
Daily Grind Café 153 W. High Ave. New Philadelphia, OH 44663
Gavin’s on the Square
Looking for a hearty meal with a casual, fun atmosphere? Gavin’s on the Square is the place to go. This multi-generational restaurant serves heaping portions of freshly made food. During warm weather months, opting for an outdoor table on the square is a great way to watch the city do its thing. Inside dining will keep you entertained with all of the unusual items that grace the walls, ceiling and beams.
Hint: Gavin’s is known for having amazing lemonade!
Gavin’s on the Square 110 S. Broadway St. New Philadelphia, OH 44663
Wineries in Tuscarawas County
Spring, summer, fall and winter are all optimal times to check out the wide variety of wineries in Tuscarawas County. With so many to choose from, it will take several trips to the area to mark them all off. During my visit, I was able to make it to three that had very unique stories. Although they each have their own personalities, they share the common thread of repurposing an old structure as something new.
School House Winery
Come prepared to learn all about wine and this amazing restoration project. The schoolhouse theme is not only apparent with the interior and exterior décor, it also plays out in their wine selection. Bookworm, Prom Queen and many more titles make choosing your favorite glass or bottle that much more fun. A food menu rounds out the choices. Pizza and wine while sitting in the corner, anyone?
School House Winery 455 Schneiders Crossing Rd. NW Dover, OH 44622
Baltic Mill Winery
Baltic, Ohio is a small town six miles from Sugarcreek. Along with the great restaurant mentioned above, there is also an old flour mill that has been turned into a beautiful winery. So much of the original structure has been kept intact and the wooden beams set a wonderful ambiance.
Be sure to take a few moments and head upstairs to the second floor so you can admire all of the original mill mechanisms left practically untouched since operation. It’s a beautiful way to step back in time and see how everything worked.
Baltic Mill Winery 111 E. Main St. Baltic, OH 43804
Yellow Butterfly Winery
This showstopper can’t be missed as you are driving down a windy, country road. An old, two-story barn has been painted canary yellow where it sits overlooking a most majestic view of Tuscarawas County. If the wow factor and the view isn’t enough, you can wander down to check out the alpacas or just relax on the tiered deck.
The main floor, as well as the lower level, are great spots for gathering with friends to try out the unique blends. Grape wines, fruit wines and slushies all make the list for a variety of flavors.
Yellow Butterfly Winery 11661 Blue Ridge Rd. Newcomerstown, OH 43832
Educational Destinations in Tuscarawas County
World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock
Tuscarawas County’s mammoth cuckoo clock holds not only the world record, but is known as the gateway to Ohio’s Amish Country. With five counties to explore, Sugarcreek is a great place to begin. The clock chimes and the Alpine characters come out to dance every half hour. It’s definitely something to see when you are in the area.
Parking is across the street in a small parking lot. Be sure to check out the brick mural art wall that runs the length of the parking lot. It pays tribute to not only the brick makers of the region, but also the history of the Swiss as they’ve settled into Ohio.
Alpine Hills Museum
This museum a hidden gem in my opinion. From the outside, it’s quite a showstopper with its blue gingerbread trim that replicates the Alpine architecture. Inside, you will find a wonderfully curated collection of items from the past all relating to the area’s Alpine Heritage. The huge copper kettle that was used to make cheese, the ornate copper bells that hung around the cows’ necks, early firefighting equipment and SO much more.
Everything is so nicely displayed with informational cards depicting the history and use of the item are found throughout the museum. A short movie plays in the front room to give you a brief historical overview.
If you really want to gain an appreciation for the area, this is a must. The museum is self-guided, but the staff is full of information and happy to answer any questions you may have. You’ll have access to three full floors with the price of admission.
Alpine Hills Museum 106 W. Main St. Sugarcreek, OH 44681
Schoenbrunn Village
Did you know the first church west of the Allegheny Mountains as well as the first schoolhouse in the Northwest Territory were both started in Tuscarawas County? This all took place before the United States was even declared an independent nation. Schoenbrunn Village, settled by David Zersberger, was a Morovian Mission settlement. Extensive research and excavation has revealed where over 60 homes once stood and who lived in them.
Many of the homes have been rebuilt and can be viewed with admission. You can also go in the rebuilt schoolhouse and church. Many events take place throughout the year to showcase what life was like during the 1770s.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: The entire village is run by volunteers. The staff wears period costumes and helps to answer questions to those taking the self-guided tour. On active festival days, you’ll be able to watch ladies dipping candles, making baskets and other trades. These are all positions that need filled on a yearly basis. Drop in volunteering is also appreciated for those able to help do general ground maintenance.
Shoenbrunn Village 1984 E. High Ave. New Philadelphia, OH 44663
Trumpet in the Land
Oh, the thrill of an outdoor theatre drama. All of your senses are ignited, and the temperature of the air adds layers upon layers to the overall effect- warm at the beginning and then cooler chills as the story line builds. If you have not been to a live, outdoor drama, you are missing out.
Since 1970, people have made their way to Tuscarawas County to take in a show. Trumpet in the Land is performed throughout the summer months along with various other shows popping up on certain days of the week. Ohio’s Official State Play, Trumpet in the Land, tells the story of early settlement among the Native Americans and the struggles both sides faced. The audience will get a bigger sense of what was happening at Fort Laurens, Fort Pitt, and Fort Detroit during the settlement period.
The outdoor theatre seats around 1500 people. This year Grease, Winnie the Pooh, and Dracula are features to enjoy. The cast of typically 25-45 children and adults are filled by locals along with some who travel in from other states.
Trumpet in the Land 1600 Trumpet Dr. NE New Philadelphia, OH 44663
Performing Arts Center at Kent State University
Those that live in and around Tuscarawas County are so fortunate to be able to take advantage of the wonderful performances that take place throughout the year at the Performing Arts Center at Kent State University. Broadway Shows and big name concerts keep the 1000+ seats full month after month. This musical venue has become a place for community gathering since it was built over ten years ago.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: If you would like to volunteer at the center, you can apply to be an usher. This is a sought after position as ushers get to watch the concert for free as part of their job.
If you get a chance to see the autograph wall, take advantage of it. Big name comedians and musicians have written on the wall along with lesser known artists. It will be so fun to see the names grown in ‘value’ as these young musicians and actors/actresses build their careers.
Performing Arts Center at Kent State University 330 University Dr. NE New Philadelphia, OH 44663
Train Lovers Paradise in Tuscarawas County
There are SO many cool places for train lovers in Tuscarawas County. You can read about additional train destinations in my previous article.
Dennison Railroad Depot Museum
This history that happened in Dennison is a story for all Americans to know. It’s a story of fear, hope, and anticipation. In the small town of Dennison, over a million soldiers made one of their final stops before heading off to Europe to fight in WWII. The community welcomed them with open arms by providing sandwiches, cookies and drinks. This might seem like a small gesture, but to those young military members, it meant the world.
At the time, Dennison housed two huge roundhouses and a very active train depot. Unfortunately, both round houses were lost over time. The depot was next on the wrecking ball list, but thankfully was saved by dedicated citizens who brought new life to the building. Now, you have the pleasure of going through this museum and being able to experience a small glimpse of time. You’ll read about individual’s stories, how the war impacted those at home along with those around the world, and see a replica of what Dennison used to look like from above.
The museum is great for children as many of the displays are hands-on. There is even a scavenger hunt that creates even more fun for young and old alike.
You will get to walk through a refurbished hospital car which is quite a rare experience. At the end of the train car line, you’ll come to the newly opened AirBnB. Yes, you can actually stay overnight in a Pullman Car!
Dennison Railroad Depot Museum 400 Center St. Dennison, OH 44621
Dennison Around Town
As an added bonus, there are fun, WWII poster murals around town that make great photo ops.
Holy Moly will be opening soon in one of the historic churches downtown. The brewery’s play on words and mascots is too cute.
Tuscarawas Recap
Are you with me when I say, ‘WOW’!? So much to see, do, eat, drink and experience in one Ohio county. The diversity is great for families because there is something for everyone. I haven’t even touched on the Amish culture that plays such a big part in the area. Sampling award winning cheese and shopping for homemade furniture is only the tip of what is offered.
And don’t forget to check out the murals all around New Philadelphia. They are so fun and creative!! A free activity for all ages. You can download a digital map or get a paper version from the Visitors Center.
If you need help planning your next trip, the staff at the Tuscarawas Visitors Center will be more than happy to help assist you. They are absolutely fantastic and such a joy to work with. A HUGE thank you goes out to them for our wonderful stay.
Additional articles to help you plan your Ohio Amish vacation:
