Food scene
Checker Records
28 S Howell StBest place for coffee in Hillsdale. Old fashioned atmosphere. Unique. Family owned.
Johnny T's Bistro
171 E South StItalian and American cuisine
Handmade
78 Hillsdale StNice deli in a historic building
Here's To You Pub & Grub
45 North StSmall local pub; mingle with the locals
Olivia's Chop House
205 E Chicago StGood food; seating more open than intimate
Quaint roadhouse in the neighborhood with great food and atmosphere. Interesting fact: we bought our farm from the owners family.
Rosalies Roadhouse
417 West Chicago StreetQuaint roadhouse in the neighborhood with great food and atmosphere. Interesting fact: we bought our farm from the owners family.
Good food, local beer in a historic old hotel by the old depot. They have a game room in back and trivia on Tuesday evenings. Every second Saturday 10 AM to 1 they host the Hillsdale Winter Market where you can buy breads, eggs, cookies, and many local artisan items.
Hillsdale Brewing Company
Good food, local beer in a historic old hotel by the old depot. They have a game room in back and trivia on Tuesday evenings. Every second Saturday 10 AM to 1 they host the Hillsdale Winter Market where you can buy breads, eggs, cookies, and many local artisan items.
Sightseeing
Sauder Village
22611 OH-2Outdoor farm museum—great for kids and the whole family.
Historic Hillsdale College is known for its strong values, conservatism and classical education. This is also the local source for music, theater and art. See their website for events and performances.
7 locals recommend
Hillsdale College
33 E College StHistoric Hillsdale College is known for its strong values, conservatism and classical education. This is also the local source for music, theater and art. See their website for events and performances.
This is the old fashioned county fair. Heartland USA. You must see it if you are here the last week of September. 4H kids show their animals. All the schools are closed in the Monday so kids can go to the fair.
Hillsdale County Fair
115 S Broad StThis is the old fashioned county fair. Heartland USA. You must see it if you are here the last week of September. 4H kids show their animals. All the schools are closed in the Monday so kids can go to the fair.
See their website for live performance schedule. Amazing community theater. I have never been disappointed!
The Sauk (Hillsdale Community Theatre)
240 E Chicago StSee their website for live performance schedule. Amazing community theater. I have never been disappointed!
Ice cream shoppe
Best ice cream in the county!
Best ice cream in the county, and if you are staying in The Rupp House or the Garden House, it is half a block away
The Udder Side
121 W Chicago StBest ice cream in the county, and if you are staying in The Rupp House or the Garden House, it is half a block away
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Hillsdale County Farmers Market
Vibrant, Saturday mornings 8:00-1:00pm. See you there!
Customs and culture
Amish
There are many Amish living in Hillsdale County. They are unassuming, friendly farmers, and not into the tourist scene at all. If you want to visit a genuine Amish farm store, visit Anna’s store at 9671 Carpenter Road, Camden. Anna is a delightful person. “No Sunday sales” as is typical for Amish.
Traveling with kids
Bring walking shoes and/or boots for farm walks
If you want to accompany me while herding you will need walking shoes or boots, depending upon the weather. You should always bring rain boots for your kids.
Don't miss
Our own Bluebird Meadows Farm products
Check with me for fresh produce in season, frozen lamb and other goodies. Sourdough bread is available on Saturdays May-October and November-March by special order.