Buggy Driving Week in Millersburg, Ohio, is a unique adventure that invites you to engage with one of America’s rarest immersive cultural experiences. Set in Holmes County—home to the largest Amish community in the country—this week-long event transforms quiet country roads into routes bursting with history, tradition, and the gentle rattle of horse-drawn buggies pushing steadily onward. The landscape itself dares you to slow down and adopt the pace of a simpler time.

From the moment you arrive, the air carries the distinct scent of fresh hay and leather harnesses, while farm fields and rolling hills keep company with tree-lined lanes that curve with quiet assurance. Unlike the rush of highways or the predictable rhythm of city sidewalks, the buggy paths coax an entirely different engagement with the environment—one demanding patience, respect, and curiosity.

Planning your visit means considering the practical details. The event typically runs in late spring through early summer, offering temperatures that hover between 60° to 80°F—ideal for exploration without the burden of intense heat. Routes vary but generally span 5 to 15 miles on mostly flat terrain with occasional gentle inclines that your horse—and you—will handle with ease. The roads are mostly paved country lanes, marked clearly for buggy drivers, but expect occasional gravel shoulders that test your footing if you decide to walk alongside.

Local guides recommend sturdy but comfortable footwear—closed-toe shoes, preferably waterproof—as fields can be damp from morning dew or recent rain. Hydration is essential, with water easily carried in a small backpack or cooler wagon. Driving a buggy yourself requires more than physical readiness; awareness of Amish customs is critical. Respect their privacy and avoid direct photography unless explicitly permitted. Horses have their own temperament, so patience and calm interaction go a long way toward keeping the journey smooth.

Beyond the driving, the event offers opportunities for short hikes along adjoining trails where forests stretch long arms overhead and nearby creeks murmur, daring you to pause and listen. Watch for red-winged blackbirds as they dart aggressively near waterways, or catch the flash of wildflowers swaying like quiet applause beside stone fences.

For first-timers, the early morning hours present the crispest light and most stable weather, with the added bonus of lively farm activity unfolding around you. Afternoons can bring sudden showers that command respect—pack waterproof gear and consider timing your drives to avoid these bursts of nature’s unpredictability.

Ultimately, Buggy Driving Week isn’t just about transportation; it’s a tactical immersion in landscape, history, and pace. You'll find that nature here is fiercely itself: steady, watchful, and patient, inviting real connection rather than conquest. Whether you're behind the reins or simply walking beside, your adventure in Millersburg promises a tangible link to a world moving deliberately, quietly, and with profound purpose.