Only Sunrise Earth would be able to capture the absolute stillness and beauty of an early morning in Walnut Creek.
View of the early-morning mist as it veils Goose Bottom Valley.
The morning mist slowly rises.
A distant farm comes into view.
Closeup of the distant farm.
Watching morning rise in Walnut Creek is like catching a glimpse of what our world was like before man and technology started to interfere.
Patchwork farms, in vibrant shades of green, dot the landscape.
Walnut Creek lies in the heart of Ohio’s Amish country. Tom and I love it for its pastoral beauty and peacefulness. The pace is slower there. Old ways and new live side-by-side in harmony. We think it’s the perfect place to go for a weekend to get away from it all.
A Weekend in Walnut Creek
Friday thru Sunday (2 nights/1 day)
The Carlisle Inn
Tom and I always stay at the Carlisle Inn. There are other hotels in the area, but for us the Carlisle Inn is the epitome of peace and comfort.
The inn sits high on a ridge on the main road that leads into Walnut Creek. Views of the Ohio countryside from the hotel are remarkable. To the north is the patchwork landscape of Goose Bottom Valley’s bustling Amish farms. To the south is picturesque Mud Valley with its fertile, green pastures.
The Carlisle Inn has a wrap-around porch, small-town charm, and warm hospitality.
4949 Walnut Street
Walnut Creek, Ohio 44687
Toll-free: (855) 400-2275
website | facebook
Featuring 52 guest rooms with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside, the Carlisle Inn feels more like an upscale bed-and-breakfast than a hotel.
It has three floors and a lower level and space for meetings, banquets, spa services, and a fitness room. There is an elevator, but a grand staircase will take you from the lobby to the second floor.
Décor throughout is a comfortable mix of traditional and country Victorian. There is a lot of polished brass. Dark cherry trim. Rich velvets. Stripes and patterns. Wallpaper. Country curtains.
Grand staircase to second floor.
Common areas are warm and inviting. Hallways are wide with cozy places to sit. Everything is well-maintained and clean, which is a huge plus when you’re traveling.
Hallway sitting area just outside guest rooms has comfortable furniture. Pastoral scenes, captured by local photographer Doyle Yoder, brighten the walls. (Photo: Dutchman Hospitality)
Guest rooms are large and comfortable. Each is unique in style and décor. Furniture is hand-crafted locally. Beds are covered with beautiful Amish quilts. We usually ask for a room on the second floor with a balcony facing north. This gives us an ideal place to sit and watch the morning sun rise over Goose Bottom Valley.
Our room was large, clean, comfortable, and quiet. Who could ask for anything more?
A complimentary continental breakfast is served country-style in a lovely wicker sitting room on the second floor. Breakfast includes cinnamon rolls and breads, sausage, waffles, bagels, hard boiled eggs, yogurt, cold cereals and oatmeal, assorted fresh fruit, juices, coffee, and hot chocolate.
Second-floor breakfast room . . . a lovely place to linger and plan your day.
recommended reading
Simple Secrets to a Beautiful Home: Creating a Place You and Your Family Will Love
By Emilie Barnes (Author)I found this gem in the lobby at the Carlisle Inn. If you haven’t already read it, be sure to get a copy. Written by best-selling author and home-management expert Emilie Barnes, it’s a fabulous little book full of inspiration, great ideas, and useful tips on how to easily weave beauty and happiness into the fabric of your daily life. BUY THE BOOK
Scenic view from the parking lot of the Carlisle Inn.
Der Dutchman Restaurant and Bakery
Next door to the Carlisle Inn is Der Dutchman Restaurant. Founded in 1969, this is the first of several Der Dutchman restaurants established in the area. It is a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike, and is famous for its Amish kitchen cooking, bountiful buffets, and family-style dinners.
It’s always a good idea to eat where the locals eat. Der Dutchman is everyone’s favorite.
4967 Walnut Street
Walnut Creek, Ohio 44687
Phone: (330) 893-2981
Closed Sundays
website | facebook
The Der Dutchman menu is loaded with true comfort food. On it you will find simple, straightforward classics like broasted chicken, country-cured ham, meatloaf, slow-roasted roast beef and turkey, fried trail bologna, and grilled liver with sautéed onions.
A table with a view.
Hearty side dishes include real mashed potatoes, homemade egg noodles, and the “freshest tasting creamed corn you’ll ever have the good fortune to eat.” Portions are large. Bread and rolls are fresh-baked daily. The cakes and pies are to die for. It is authentic Amish cooking at its finest and exactly what you would expect from an Amish farmhouse kitchen.
Staff and servers, too, are members of the Amish community, which makes eating at Der Dutchman all the more special and meaningful.
Tom likes the roast beef and mashed potatoes. For me, the baked chicken—real Amish farm country chicken, naturally organic, moist, and juicy—is an absolute must-have. It almost melts in your mouth . . . it’s that tender.
Charbroiled Chicken with Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Dressing . . . grilled onion and peppers kick it up a notch.
(Photo: Der Dutchman)
Strawberry Crunch Salad . . . Romaine lettuce, fresh strawberries, toasted Ramen noodles, broccoli, pecans and onions with sweet vinaigrette dressing.
(Photo: Der Dutchman)
Dandelion Gravy . . . gravy with egg, bacon, and dandelion greens served over potatoes.
(Photo: Der Dutchman)
Mural by Tom Miller at Der Dutchman Restaurant in Walnut Creek.
People come from all over for the food. In fact, the only times Tom and I ever experienced a crush of tourists in sleepy Walnut Creek were the times we waited in long lines at Der Dutchman along with the busloads of people who arrived in time for lunch or dinner.
If there is a line, it moves quickly. The restaurant is large with plenty of tables. When the crowd thins, you have a better chance of getting a table with a view of Goose Bottom Valley.
Front porch of Der Dutchman. On quiet days, you can browse through travel brochures or sit in rockers and people watch. (Photo: Der Dutchman)
Der Dutchman Bakery
The Der Dutchman Bakery, which is in the same building as the restaurant, has a tasty selection of fresh-baked breads, dinner rolls, cakes, snickerdoodles, cream-filled éclairs, pies, and cookies. You will also find homemade fruit preserves, jars of Der Dutchman apple butter, and Amish peanut butter spread. Items are available prepackaged on the shelves or can be purchased individually from behind the counter . . . so you can take some Der Dutchman goodness home with you.
Der Dutchman Bakery has a wide assortment of baked goods that are prepackaged and ready to take home. (Photo: Living Our Dream)
Walnut Creek Country Store
4972 Walnut Street
Walnut Creek, Ohio 44687
Phone: (330) 893-2214
Closed Sundays
Directly across the street from therestaurant is the Walnut Creek Country Store. It’s small and quaint, with wooden floors and neatly stocked shelves. In it you’ll find a little bit of everything—prepackaged Amish foodstuff, inexpensive gifts, and souvenirs.
A fun place to shop and browse.
The food is sold in clear, no-fuss wrapping—bulk items, flour, baking supplies, spices, pastas, nuts, snack mixes, dried fruits, candies, dry goods, and more. All of the food is locally made. We always stop in for the homemade Amish pasta to take home with us—it is infinitely better than the name-brand stuff we find at our local supermarket.
Carlisle Gifts
Carlisle Gifts is also across the street from Der Dutchman, right next door to the Walnut Creek Country Store. It’s a charming three-story Victorian house filled to capacity with fine and unique gift items.
Gingerbread fretwork and a generous wrap-around porch adorn the stately Victorian that houses Carlisle Gifts.
4962 Walnut Street
Walnut Creek, Ohio 44687
Phone: (330) 893-2535
Closed Sundays
website | facebook
When you step though the leaded glass doors and into Carlisle Gifts, it feels like you’re visiting a gracious home.
First thing you notice is the fragrant scent of potpourri.
The shop is gorgeous and packed with items—china and pottery, collectibles, delicate lace, linens, tapestry throws, a variety of teapots, elegant lamps, treasures for the garden, framed fine art, floral arrangements, jewelry, rugs, colorful handbags by Vera Bradley, toiletries, scarves, fine clothing, cards and stationary, calendars, whimsical toys, and much more.
Brass chandelier above the center staircase.
At the center of the shop is a beautiful curved cherry staircase, much like the one at the Carlisle Inn. There is also an elevator that takes you to any of the three levels.
You are free to browse as long as you want, which is good. It takes a while to see everything.
Standing at the top of the staircase, looking down to the first floor.
Every time we visit Carlisle Gifts I see something I want. I have a weakness for faux floral arrangements that look real—the more real, the better—unique home décor, and kitchen gadgets. Also fun are the faux foods used in table setting displays, especially the life-like desserts that look good enough to eat.
Fine china, a variety of teapots, faux flowers, and beautiful Victorian lamps.
The faux cake on the table looks good enough to eat.
Tiffany-style lamp, more faux flowers and plants, and a gourmet dip and wooden spoon display.
P. Graham Dunn
Next door to Carlisle Gifts is the P. Graham Dunn gallery where you’ll find unique inspirational items that feature scripture passages and other thought-provoking sentiments beautifully crafted into the art.
P. Graham Dunn gallery in Walnut Creek. (Photo: P. Graham Dunn)
4952 Walnut Street
Walnut Creek, Ohio 44687
Toll free: (888) 893-0608
Closed Sundays
website | facebook
The gallery has framed prints, wrapped canvas art, and carved signs. Most amazing are the engraved hymns, music for each meticulously etched onto the face of a beautiful wooden plaque.
You can also get personalized gifts—photo frames, pen sets, plaques, pocketknives, key chains, desk accessories, and clocks—custom engraved on the spot with wording of your choice.
Tom and I enjoy browsing through the shop. In the bargain basement you can find slightly-scratched, discontinued, or unfinished pieces at discount prices.
Stunning inspirational staircase.
The carved staircase to the second floor is awesome.
The long and winding path
A winding brick walkway extends from P. Graham Dunn down the street. It’s a wonderful place for a leisurely stroll—like walking in a private garden—with lovely landscaping and gardens, gazebos, and plenty of quiet places to sit and relax.
Standing at P. Graham Dunn, looking down the walkway at the gazebo. It’s a charming path, winding its way past shrubs and flowers in full bloom during summer.
At the gazebo, looking up towards P. Graham Dunn.
Gazebo on the walkway . . . and a nearby barn. Views of Mud Valley from the walkway are beautiful.
Beyond the silo, the rolling landscape of Mud Valley.
Another, closer view of the rich farmland of Mud Valley.
An Amish buggy ride
No weekend in Walnut Creek is complete without a ride in an authentic Amish horse-drawn buggy.
Tickets can be purchased at the Carlisle Inn, which is right across the street . . . then, just sit back and enjoy.
The buggy ride is relaxing and takes you through town at a leisurely pace.
Lester, our driver and guide, was wonderful. We peppered him with all sorts of questions, and he happily answered each and every one of them. He was friendly, polite, knowledgeable, and engaging . . . a real pleasure.
Line for buggy rides starts here.
Coming up to Carlisle Gifts and the Walnut Creek Country Store with Der Dutchman on the left.
Lester, our driver and guide, provided a thoroughly enjoyable mini tour of the town.
Coblentz Chocolate
If you love gourmet chocolate, stopping at Coblentz Chocolate is a must. Even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, it’s worth a stop if only to browse and marvel.
Coblentz Chocolates in Walnut Creek.
4917 Walnut Street
Walnut Creek, Ohio 44687
Toll free: (800) 338-9341
Closed Sundays
website | facebook
Family-owned and operated, Coblentz Chocolates is an old-fashioned candy store. It’s housed in a beautiful Victorian building, just down the main street and a short walk from the Carlisle Inn.
Chocolate, chocolate. Everywhere. (Photo: Waymarking)
Nostalgic glass candy jars line the walls, gift boxes of chocolate and other delicious treats are stacked on tables, and the counters are loaded with the most-delectable concoctions.
Coblentz Chocolates has over 114 varieties of handmade candies, including creamy truffles, caramels, clusters, buckeyes, cream fills, peanut butter, meltaways, cordials, jellies, barks, and fudge. You can get milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and sugar-free. They also have gourmet nuts, sour gummy bears, saltwater taffy, and Smarties . . . something for everyone and everything you could ever want. I highly recommend the peanut butter meltaways—they are to die for!
There is also a production area with viewing gallery where visitors can watch the delicious confections being created.
The perfect end to a perfect day
As a guest at the Carlisle Inn, you have the luxury of indulging in one of their signature massages: 60-90 minutes of complete peace, rest, and relaxation to put your mind and body at ease, bring you back into balance, and restore your spirit.
In the morning you wake up to yet another glorious sunrise.
NOTE: Tom and I usually arrive in Walnut Creek early Friday evening, stay all day Saturday, and leave Sunday morning (2 nights/1 day). It makes for a great weekend getaway, and it’s all the time we need to relax and return home feeling refreshed.
There is a lot to do in and around Walnut Creek.
If you want to make it your home base while you explore the town and surrounding Holmes County Amish community, you’ll need more time. Just about everything is closed on Sunday, so plan accordingly. ♥
For more information on Walnut Creek, visit walnutcreekohio.org.
Copyright © 2013 Patricia Petro/Tom Schmidt. All rights reserved.
Ah, Walnut Creek is so beautiful.