WHAT TO DO DURING YOUR STAY

Did we say, "Escape to the Middle of Nowhere."? Perhaps we should change that to say "Escape to the Middle of Everywhere". There are so many choices of things to do that you'll have a hard time deciding.

Of course the biggest attraction close to the inn is Ohio's Amish area. Holmes County boasts the largest Amish population in the U.S. The Amish are renowned for their handmade quilts, fine woodworking, cheeses and baked goods. There are farmers' auctions, quilt shops, cheese factories and furniture stores. Antique stores and flea markets. Bulk food stores and gift shops. See a blacksmith at work, or farmers plowing the fields with teams of horses. Taste the local cheeses, home-made candy, and local wine. Let us arrange a guided Amish Tour during your stay. This is a wonderful way to learn more about why the Amish live the way they do, and meet Amish people one-on-one. Experienced local guides take you through the backroads of Holmes County, explaining the Amish lifestyle and beliefs, and stopping at several cottage industries along the way. For the ultimate experience, we can arrange a private visit and meal with an Amish family for 2 - 6 people.

The restored village of Roscoe Village is a short drive from the inn. It features costumed craftspeople and shopkeepers demonstrating the working crafts and history of the 1830's.

South of the inn, Longaberger Homestead offers a different experience. Tour the factory and learn the fascinating history of this Ohio business. Take a lesson in basket weaving in the restored Crawford Barn. See the world's largest basket. Enjoy one of the restaurants or shop in the Longaberger At Home shops. Bring your own basket to have signed by a Longaberger family member.

Fifteen minutes from the inn, Gambier is home to the Kenyon College campus. In the 1800's Lord Kenyon imported some of Europe's finest stonemasons and wood carvers to create the original buildings on this beautiful campus. The Kenyon bookstore has a wonderful selection of books and is open 365 days a year. Grab a bagel and coffee and curl up on a sofa with your favorite! Also open to the public is the Kenyon College Brown Family Environmental center. The center features a bluebird trail, seven-acre prairie, butterfly garden, wetlands, birdfeeding area and hiking trails. It offers nature walks and workshops.

For some of the finest outdoor experiences, look no further than Knox County. Canoe or fish on the scenic Kokosing River, reportedly the best small-mouth Bass river in the state. Try to catch a glimpse of the bald eagle nest close to the inn. Walk, cycle or rollerblade on the Kokosing Gap Trail, a rails-to-trails project running from Danville to Mount Vernon. East of Danville, the Mohican Valley nature trail features the 370 foot long covered "Bridge of Dreams" over the Mohican River.

Knox County has 9 different golf courses, including Apple Valley Golf Course. Just 20 minutes from the inn The Olde Mill in Utica is home to Ohio's family-run Velvet Ice Cream. You can tour the factory, visit the ice-cream museum and enjoy a sweet treat from the soda parlor.

There are several wineries within an hour's drive of the inn, most of which offer wine tastings to the public. For a fun day's outing pick up a copy of our wine tasting tour during your stay. The White Oak Inn can also arrange private wine tastings or wine pairing dinners at the inn for groups of 4 or more people.

For more information about these events and attractions visit the following websites:

Apple Valley Golf Course

Amish Country Visitor Information
Kenyon College and Brown Family Environmental Center
Roscoe Village
The Longaberger Company
Velvet Ice Cream
 Knox County Visitor's Bureau
Raven's Glenn Winery