The Top 10 Things to Do at The Inn at Honey Run!
The Inn at Honey Run truly is an Ohio gem! With its perfect country location nestled in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country, there are many wonderful ways to experience the tranquility of nature and to revive your senses at the Inn. So without further ado, here are my top 10 favorite things to do at The Inn at Honey Run!
1. Nature Walks:
With over 50 acres of secluded woodlands, guests at The Inn at Honey Run, can explore the wooded countryside on a series of trails throughout the property. Seven trails lead nature enthusiasts through lovely landscapes which overlook farmlands, meadows, woodlands, the Inn’s pond, and the newly established Holmes County Open Air Art Museum (OAAM). A walk amidst nature is the perfect way to get some fresh air and to revive your senses! (even with the clouds and rain, we ventured out to explore the trails!)
Along with the nature trails on the property, guests can enjoy nearby area hiking at Mohican State Park, The Wilderness Center, Brown’s Bog Preserve, and Killbuck Marsh.
2. Bird Watching:
Bird lovers will delight at the many species of birds that make The Inn at Honey Run their home. With several different habitats found throughout the Inn’s property (mature woodlands, meadows, a pond, and numerous bird feeders scattered about the property), the Inn is the ideal home for our aviary friends. So many bird species live near the Inn that each room has binoculars and a birding guide to encourage guests to spot their favorite bird from their private retreat. Species such as bluebirds, cardinals, blue jays, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, wrens, and many more are found at the Inn, making The Inn at Honey Run one of the best places in Ohio for bird watching! Guests can borrow the Inn’s night vision goggles to try spotting nocturnal species like a Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, or Northern Mockingbird (sad to say, I didn’t find any nocturnal species while wearing the night vision goggles, but maybe you will have better luck!). Whether you are a bird watching enthusiasts or just enjoy hearing their melodies, it is wonderful to see so many bird species thrive at the Inn!
3. 3. Making Friends with the Local Critters:
I tend to make animal friends wherever I go, and my visit at the Inn was no exception! Although it was nice visiting with the sheep and wildlife (squirrels and chipmunks), my favorite new animal friend was Satchmo. This butterball turkey, aka plump cat, is the Inn’s unofficial greeter! He adores attention, and was constantly asking guests for affection and I happily obliged!
4. 4. Visiting the Inn’s Flock of Sheep:
One of the most unique features about this country Inn is their flock of sheep! The Tunis sheep are not only friendly, but are also award winning sheep at several national livestock shows. With the sheep barn located just off one of the walking trails, the sheep are eager to receive visitors and will follow you along the fence line. Grab a handful of “snacks” (grain) from the dispenser along the fence and you will makes lots of new sheep friends! These docile creatures are the perfect addition to the peaceful surroundings.
5. The Holmes County Open Air Art Museum (OAAM):
The newly established, and Ohio’s only open air art museum, the Holmes County Open Air Art Museum (OAAM) is a must visit when staying at the Inn. Situated along the 1.5 mile long OAAM trail, this unique art museum permanently displays artwork amongst the beautiful landscape. The outdoor art museum has two installments thus far, with plans to install several more large-scale pieces. The artwork is unprotected from the elements, thus constantly changing with the seasons.
The first art exhibit to debut along the OAAM Trail was the tranquil Haiku Walk-Poets Along the Trail. Dispersed throughout the wooded trail, the Haiku Walk (in partnership with the Haiku Society of America, members from Ohio and the Midwest wrote the poems specifically for the art museum) encourages visitors to read a series of Haiku poems engraved onto metal plaques which are embedded on large stones along the trail. The Haiku poems tells the story of the seasons of a full Midwestern year, the poems are the perfect addition to the tranquil natural scenery!
The second art exhibit to debut on the OAAM Trail is the steel structure “Face the Nations.” This nine-foot tall steel sculpture is shaped like a Native American Totem Pole. Designed and hand-crafted by local metal artists, Jan and Vince Bowden, this piece of artwork is a tribute to the spirit of the lands, the beauty of the natural world, the history of Holmes County, and the Native Americans whom inspired this piece. This piece of artwork is the first metal sculpture for OAAM, sitting raw in the elements, the changing seasons will constantly evolve the metal structure.
6. Tarragon:
Dining at Tarragon is an artisanal experience. This premier fine dining restaurant offers guests an exceptional meal with hints of Southern and French cooking styles. The dining atmosphere is casual and modern, with lovely windows allowing guests to dine overlooking the beautiful scenery. The delicious cuisine, casual atmosphere, and the friendly staff makes dining at Tarragon a wonderful experience!
7. Relaxing:
Relaxation isn’t the easiest thing to achieve, especially in today’s high-tech world, where we can’t seem to go anywhere without our smartphones. But the Inn’s peaceful surroundings, reminded me to put away my phone and enjoy the great outdoors. Taking time to leisurely stroll along the nature trails, sitting on the balcony overlooking the beautiful scenery, viewing the last remaining fall leaves clinging to the trees, hearing the birds and squirrels scurrying about, and marveling at the natural beauty of Ohio’s landscape, these things just make you slow down and take the time to appreciate being alive!
8. Reconnecting with your Loved One:
Sometimes a quick getaway is the best way to reconnect with your loved one. The peace and quiet of the Inn allows for guests to become more relaxed. Being relaxed in a peaceful setting with your partner, you can spend quality time creating a stronger relationship. Having alone time to talk, holding hands while walking the trails, enjoying delicious meals, and having a drink at the lounge, was the perfect escape for my husband and I!
9. Bicycles and Fishing:
The Inn has numerous outdoor activities that we didn’t get to experience during this visit. Along with the nature trails, bird watching, and many spots to marvel Ohio’s beauty, other outdoor activities include bicycling and fishing. With numerous trails and state parks located nearby, bicyclists can take a spin on two-wheels around Holmes County (ask guest services about nearby bike trails). And if fishing relaxes you, guests can fish in the pond located on the property (guest services have fishing poles available for guests to borrow).
10. Area Attractions:
You really could just “escape” to The Inn at Honey Run and never leave the property. But one of the highlights of the Inn is its location in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country. Whether you are looking for Amish cooking, furniture, history, shopping, or flea markets, the sights, sounds, and tastes of Amish country are just around the corner from the Inn. If you are interested in local artists and their workshops, golfing, museums, outdoor adventures, restaurants, or wineries, there are numerous nearby activities that will allow you to explore more of Holmes County. **Read Ohio Amish Country Activities!**
The Inn at Honey Run really is the idyllic Ohio getaway. With the perfect location in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country and beautiful surrounding landscape, guests can take advantage of visiting Amish Country or experience the numerous outdoor activities at the Inn. Whether you are looking for a relaxing and comfortable retreat, superb cuisine, outdoor artwork, marveling at Ohio’s natural beauty, or looking to reconnect with your partner, The Inn at Honey Run is the perfect Ohio getaway!
*Read The perfect Ohio getaway at The Inn at Honey Run!*
Have you visited The Inn at Honey Run before? If so, I would love to know your favorite thing about your visit! (Please comment below)
A special thanks to Jason Nies, the Inn Proprietor, and the lovely staff at the Inn! I was an invited guest of The Inn at Honey Run in exchange for writing a post about my experience. As always on Ohio Girl Travels, all opinions are my own! I hope I encourage you to book your next getaway at The Inn at Honey Run!