Christmas Cookie Tour of Inns

They had us at cookies, but when it’s benefitting a good cause, there’s even more reason to hit the road. On Dec. 14 and 15, Holmes County hosts its annual Christmas Cookie Tour of Inns — a progressive, self-guided trek that invites travelers to visit a dozen different locations in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country.  

Participants will receive a Christmas cookie at each location to enjoy on the spot or box up for the trip home, as well as a commemorative cookbook so they can replicate the sweet creations they’ve sampled in their own kitchens as the holidays roll around. 

“It seems to bring a lot of groups and different generations of families together,” says Tiffany Gerber, group tour and lodging council coordinator for the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau that hosts the event. “Folks have kind of built their winter escape around this experience they can have together as they collect cookies.” 

Two-day tickets are $45, with proceeds from this year’s event benefitting LifeCare Hospice and the Holmes County Education Foundation. Here’s a preview of a handful of the inns on this year’s tour. christmascookietour.com

Carlisle Inn • Sugarcreek
This Dutchman Hospitality inn will feature a Coffeehouse Flats Cookie, a twist on the classic shortbread that gets its name from its extremely flat appearance. The inn will also have a hot chocolate bar for tour patrons to enjoy as well as a spot to hang out and relax for a bit. dhgroup.com

Hotel Millersburg • Millersburg
This historic hotel located in the heart of downtown Millersburg is offering a Chocolate-drizzled Shortbread Cookie on this year’s tour. Built in 1847, Hotel Millersburg is one of the city’s oldest buildings. Participants can tour a few of the hotel rooms, complete with their vintage decor. hotelmillersburg.com

Guggisberg Swiss Inn • Charm
This inn located just north of Charm is offering tour-goers a Citrus-glazed Spiced Cookie, an old-time variety crafted with the help of one of the inn’s most frequent patrons. The inn will also offer live entertainment from guitarist Brad Fuller, who will be singing and playing Christmas carols. guggisbergswissinn.com

Wallhouse Hotel • Walnut Creek
This stylish and sophisticated hotel tucked among the rolling hills of Walnut Creek is serving travelers a Peppermint Bar — a treat concocted as a mixture of several staff members’ favorite cookie flavors. Mrs. Claus will also be on hand to greet cookie-tour participants. wallhousehotels.com