Group Tours and Group Rates
Bus tours, group meals, banquets and group rates at Rockome Gardens and the Illinois Amish Interpretive Center.
Groups and Organizations
Rockome is 208 acres of rural splendor. It’s a slow paced piece of yesterday where you can learn how things were, in a family friendly atmosphere. We are happy to entertain and educate church groups, school groups, Girl and Boy Scout groups or any other organizations.
Rockome offers your bus a tour through the Amish countryside. You can learn some area history while getting a view of local farming. The tour lasts about an hour and our guide is happy to answer any questions you may have.
Special group rates are offered depending on the size of your group for both park entry and meals. Please contact Rockome for rates.
Rockome Gardens Official Website
Arthur Illinois Website
Illinois Amish Country
Group Tours
Booking Information
Amish Country Tours is a subsidiary of the Illinois Amish Interpretive Center, working cooperatively with the Amish Country of
Central Illinois Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chambers of Commerce in Arthur, Arcola, Sullivan, and Tuscola, and all attractions,
Mennonite in the area from parents that were born and raised Old Order Amish. In fact, my Great-great Grandfather, Moses Yoder,
was one of the first Amish settlers in this area back in 1865. I know all the ins and outs here, including how to get you the best deal.
Whether you are planning to visit the Amish, or partake in our guided tours, meals, lodging, or other attractions during your stay, I
can help plan every minute and detail of your visit, and assist with stopovers to the area. Please contact me if you wish to receive
promotional materials for your tours, including brochures and pictures. I would be more than happy to customize a trip for you. Please
keep in mind the following:
Group rates are only available to groups of 12 or more.
Groups have three payment options. 1) Cash, check, or credit card upon arrival.
2) Check mailed at least five working days prior to arrival.
3) Credit card by phone and charged the day of your tour.
Two week cancellation notice required.
Final counts are due two weeks prior to activities.
Tip is not included for meals in an Amish home. The tip may be added at the Interpretive Center or left on
the table in the home.
All activities and attractions are coach accessible.
Prices are subject to change without notice.
Enclosed you will find itineraries, rates, and descriptions of our tours. This will be helpful for you in planning your trip to the area, but
please don’t hesitate to call with questions. I’m happy to help create this memorable experience for your group.
Amish Country Tours 125 N CR 425E Arcola, IL 61910-3756
2010 Group Rates Amish Activities
Guided Tour of the Amish Countryside
As you travel through the Amish countryside, a knowledgeable step-on guide will highlight the farms,
homes, schools and businesses in the area while explaining their faith and lifestyle. You will also be able to
stop at one of the Amish businesses, such as Wilson’s Kitchens and More or Family Health Food Store, to
shop during this tour.
$3.50 per person (Age 5+)
Meal in an Amish Home
The meal is held in the home of your Amish hostess and served family style. It consists of a salad, fried
chicken and one other meat, mashed potatoes and gravy, noodles or dressing, vegetable side, homemade
bread and jams/jellies! After the meal you will be served your choice of the fruit or cream pie of the day.
Allow 1 1/2 hours.
$15.40 per adult $7.70 per child (5-12)
Amish Home Tour
A member of the Old Order Amish community will guide you through her home while she explains the
Amish lifestyle. She will show you her laundry facilities, kitchen, bedrooms and living area. You will see how
she goes through her every day tasks without electricity. Allow one hour.
$3.75 per person (Age 5+)
Amish Dairy Farm Tour
An Amish dairy farmer will take you through his dairy barn and milking parlor while discussing aspects of
the business from breeding to milking. You will be able to pet his cows and newborn calves and see how he
milks without the use of electricity. He will also show you one of the farm’s draft horses on this tour. Allow
one hour.
$3.75 (Age 5+)
Amish Woodworking Tour
The use of diesel engines to produce power is the highlight of this woodworking tour. An Amish
woodworker explains how he makes furniture from start to finish as you walk through his shop. Allow one
hour.
Amish Buggy Shop Tour
See what goes into making one of the buggies that you see in the countryside. Learn how LED lighting has
changed the Amish way of traveling and where groceries are stored as our local Amish buggy maker and his
sons explain and demonstrate how they make the finished product. Allow one hour.
$3.75 per person
Historic Amish Wagon Ride Tour
Explore one of our historic Amish farms by a draft-horse driven show wagon. As you meander through
the farm and orchard, your Amish guide will explain the history of the farm and its purposes today. He will
also drive by a local Amish cemetery where he will explain its history and Amish funeral customs. After
your tour, step inside his retail facility to taste fudge and cider slushies and peruse the many locally grown
products.
$6.50 per person
1 1/2 hours
Hotels
Baymont Inn & Suites- Tuscola
The Baymont Inn & Suites recently completed a renovation featuring Sealy Posturpedic Plush double beds and comfortable
surroundings for your total comfort. They offer an indoor heated pool, free high speed wireless internet access, and a cable lineup of
more than 60 channels including HBO and pay per view movies.
Holiday Inn Express- Tuscola
The Holiday Inn Express Hotel just completed a $1.5 million renovation. The hotel now features queen beds, 32” flat screen TV’s in
every room, brand new fitness facilities, high speed internet access, and a HOT breakfast.
Comfort Inn- Arcola
This hotel is conveniently located on Illinois Rte. 133 and just off Interstate 57. They offer affordable, friendly accommodations in the
heart of Illinois Amish Country. They boast all comfortable amenities, including double beds.
Hotel rates vary.
Yoder’s Kitchen
This restaurant features buffet and menu items made from Amish and Mennonite recipes. In fact, many waitresses are Amish or
Mennonite. A gift shop is located in the restaurant as well.
$12.50/person Buffet ($13.50 if your group includes 35+ people and you wish to have your own buffet in the back)
Dutch Kitchen
This restaurant in downtown Arcola serves Amish and Mennonite recipes and a friendly atmosphere. Shoo Fly Pie, common in many
Amish communities is always a treat. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Prices vary.
Amishland Red Barn Buffet
Cottage, Country Heritage Gallery, Christmas Country Cottage, Grapevine Cottage, and Prairie Peddlers… all under one roof!
$13.50/person Buffet
Flesor’s Candy Kitchen
Flesor’s Candy Kitchen is a recently renovated, turn-of-the-century soda fountain and confectionery. They also have a bistro featuring
mouth-watering sandwiches that pair nicely with their made from scratch candies.
Free candy demonstration
Meal prices vary.
2010 Group Rates Attractions
Illinois Amish Interpretive Center
This museum, on the grounds of Rockome Gardens, provides visitors with accurate information about the Amish faith and way of
life. Various exhibits include artifacts that focus on the Amish history in Europe and their immigration to America as well as buggies,
barns, homes, and weddings from the past and present. Here you will view a new 18-minute video about the Old Order Amish
community of Central Illinois. Allow one hour.
$4.50 per adult $3.50 per senior (60+) $2.50 per child (5-12)
“New Attractions” at Rockome Gardens
Although, a portion of Rockome Gardens will be closed in 2010 for renovations we are excited about what is ‘New’ this year at
Rockome Gardens. The excitment is about Rockome Gardens Foods, where there will be demonstrations, sampling, and shopping.
Inside Rockome Gardens Foods, all under one roof, will be the Rockome Gardens Cheese Factory, Grist Mill, Bulk Foods & Deli
Meats, a working bee hive, plus long-time favorites, the Rockome Bakery and Rockome Candy Store. Stroll the flower gardens with
their rock formations and visit the Antique Barn, and take the train to the Illinois Amish Interpretive Centrer where you will be able
to view an 18 minute video about the Old order Amish of East Central Illinois. New shops have become part of the Rockome family,
like Amish Country Heirlooms with Thomas Kincade prints and the P. Graham Dunn store.
Buggy ride $4.00 per person. Mouth watering cinnamon roll & coffee or hot chocolate. $4.50 per adult.
The Great Pumpkin Patch & Homestead Bakery
Between September 15 and October 31 the Pumpkin Patch offers a straw maze, pumpkins, squash, gourds, gifts, crafts, and Wonda the
Witch in the Corn Crib. Recently, the Homestead Bakery has been added to the facility and now offers squash demonstrations and
hands-on cinnamon roll making demonstrations with bus groups.
$3.50 per adult $2.50 per senior
Buxton’s Garden Farm
This unique farm carries annuals, perennials, herbs, geraniums, pumpkins, gourds, mums, Christmas wreaths, poinsettias, and cemetery
decorations. They have many special events planned each year for September and October, including Mum Fest and Pumpkin Chuck’n
Days.
The Little Theatre on the Square
This theatre is a professional quality theatre that entertains audiences with musicals, plays and children’s theatre productions. Famous
stars that have performed on its stage include Mickey Rooney, Ann Miller, Don Ameche, Betty Grable, John Carradine, Ann
Southern, and Forrest Tucker.
$26 per person
Okaw Valley Orchard
The Okaw Valley Orchard features orchard fresh apples, raspberries, peaches, plums and pears. Groups can get a tour of the orchard
complete with an educational information session on apple trees, bees and pollination. You can also see an apple packing line, apple
storage coolers, and watch cider making.
The Flower Patch Bed & Breakfast. Tea in the Garden Photography Tour
The Flower Patch Bed & Breakfast is host to this unique photographic opportunity. Any level of photographic ability is invited to
capture the beauty of the gorgeous flower and herb gardens. Be delighted with the beauty, and quietly awe-struck by the marvelous
variety of textures, leaves, colors, and shapes. The potpourri garden amazes with its contrasts and appeals to birds, butterflies, and, when
the timing is right, humming birds. Our local photographer will help you capture these scenes as you partake in light refreshments and
tea in the garden. Allow two hours.
$25 per person
Amish Businesses
More than 150 Amish farm-based shops around the countryside sell quilts, handcrafted furniture, bicycles, baked goods and much
more. Some favorites for motor coach groups are Wilson’s Kitchens & More, The Family Health Food Store, Melrose Quilts, and
Tools Plus.
Arcola
Many shops line the brick streets of Arcola-- famous for being the broom corn capital of the world! The Visitor’s Center even houses
a broom collection. The world’s only Hippie Memorial greets the downtown streets. Arcola offers a patchwork of unique shops with
Amish crafted furniture and quilts, crafts, antiques and clothing. The Emporium carries Vera Bradley and the Cooks Collection. At the
Old Brick Wall, My Favorite Things, and the Primitive Goose, you will find the perfect gifts and home décor.
Arthur
The quaint shops of Arthur’ s ‘Vine Street Merchants’ have Amish made goods and… collectibles! Crafts, antiques, local art work,
quilts, fudge, can be found at the Calico Shop, Stitch & Sew, the Pewter Spoon, Woodloft Pantry and many more! Dicks Pharmacy
has an old fashioned soda fountain and hand dipped ice cream and Country Cheese & More has famous cheeses and other delicacies.
Arthur’s surrounding Amish settlement, established in 1865 by a handful of families, has grown to over 4,000 members. In the village
of Arthur, a primary Amish trading center, horse-drawn buggies are a common sight.
Tanger Outlet Mall
Tanger Outlet Center houses 45 brand name manufacturer and designer outlet stores, including Gap, Bass, Coach, Dress Barn, Polo
Ralph Lauren, Maurices, Vanity Fair. The VF Store offers coupon books available just for groups.
Tuscola
Whether your groups are on the hunt for a one-of-a-kind item, or more interested in tracking down great savings, Tuscola offers the
complete spectrum of shopping. Imagine finding high-fashion, one-of-a-kind specialty stores, antique shops, authentic Amish wares,
and shopping outlets—and then imagine it being in one place.
Sign up!
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER:
The Illinois Amish Interpretive Center and Rockome Gardens e-newsletter with news blasts of what is
happening throughout the year. Rockome Gardens “Grand Reopening” will be May 1, and from then on will be
opened year round.
To sign up please go to either one of these websites: or.
Itineraries
Amish Culture Tour
This tour is a favorite for groups! Immerse yourself in the Amish culture for the entire day to get a glimpse of what it would be like
to live in a different world. Start with the Illinois Amish Interpretive Center museum and video where you will learn who the Amish
people are and what they believe before heading to their homes and farms. At the Center, pick up your guide as you head into the
countryside to see significant homes, schools, farms and businesses along the way. You will even stop in at one of these businesses to
do some shopping before heading to a meal in an Amish home. This meal is complete with fried chicken, homemade bread, hearty
sides, all the fixin’s, and of course, pies! Then, head to an Amish dairy farm where you will learn about milking and breeding and see an
enormous draft horse used on the farm. Before heading home for the day, tour an Amish home, woodworking shop, or buggy shop to
learn more about your favorite aspects of the Amish lifestyle.
$30.90 per adult $29.90 per senior (60+) $22.45 per child (5-12)
Amish Country Treasures Tour
While we treasure our Amish neighbors, we also have other neighbors we treasure too! Then, shop in your favorite downtown
district to find treasured gifts, collectibles, antiques, and Amish made items. Eat lunch at Yoder’s Kitchen buffet, serving Amish and
Mennonite recipes. Enjoy an afternoon show at the Little Theatre on the Square where you will see a Broadway quality performance!
Finish your day at Flesor’s Candy Kitchen to see a candy demonstration in a 100 year old candy confectionery.
$40 per person
Taste of Amish Country Tour
It is no secret that our local community makes some of the best food in the world. This tour gives you the best of the area... all day
long! Start your day with Dutch sausage biscuits and gravy, followed by a candy demonstration and truffles. Then, drop by an Amish
home for soup, salad, homemade bread, and pie. Stop in at two local favorites for fudge and cheese samples. Before heading home, grab
a milkshake or malt beverage from our old-fashioned pharmacy. This day of culinary delights will not be one you will soon forget.
$27.50 per person
Shop Amish Country Tour
Some groups just don’t have enough time to shop. Some group leaders don’t want to hassle with directions all day. This tour is the
best of both worlds. Begin your day by picking up your friendly guide then head out to shop in one of our beautiful and unique main
street shopping districts. Then head into the countryside for your favorite Amish shops, such as Wilson’s Kitchens & More. Wet your
appetite with a meal in an Amish home for the kick start you need for the afternoon. Stop in the heart of Amish Country at the
Family Health Food Store, Melrose Quilts, and Tools Plus before heading home for the day. Shopping stops may be substituted to suit
your needs.
$20.90 per person
Mystery Trip
At our local Victorian Bed & Breakfast, learn the history and etiquette of the “high tea” while enjoying royal coconut cake amongst
the beautiful setting of flower, herb, and potpourri gardens. Move on to the Amishland Red Barn to enjoy their many shops featuring
Amish furniture, gifts, collectibles, and fine art before heading to the buffet line. Afterwards, travel to the heart of Amish country for a
historic wagon ride through a local orchard. Enjoy fudge tastings and cider slushies before moving on to the famous Rockome Gardens
to take in their new Rockome Cheese House & Bulk Food Store.
Amish Country Photography Tour
Whether your groups bear the advanced technology in digital cameras or they are novices with disposable cameras just purchased on
their way to Amish country, they are sure to learn how to capture the beautiful scenery of hay filled pastures and buggy-lined country
roads on this photography tour. Join our local Amish country photographer on a guided countryside tour as he shows how to capture
light, texture, composition and emotion through photography. Allow 1 1/2 hours.
$20 per person
banquets_meetings
If you are planning a(n):
*Off site meeting, *Seminar, *Training Program, *Reception, *Wedding, *Reunion, *Family Gathering
If you are tired of events in the same old hotel and restaurant settings, Rockome is the alternative. The event staff at Rockome can help you plan your next meeting, conference or banquet in a variety of settings that can include a catered meal from our kitchen here, prepared by our resident chef.
Our meeting rooms are not decorated hotel rooms with 7 foot ceilings we offer a barn, an event hall for major events and our Town Hall for smaller meetings, which will seat small groups up to 500 guests. The backdrop for your next meeting can be by a bonfire with a view of grazing horses and the beautiful countryside. Full audiovisual and sound services are available if you choose an indoor setting. Photography or video for your event is also available through Rockome.
( continued on pg 2 )
Other Features:
Picnics, Parties & Reunions
School Tours
Tea & Birthday Parties
Group & Motorcoach Tours
weddings
A wedding to remember at Rockome this special event will be a day that you and your guests will never forget. You can choose from a scenic outdoor setting in one of the many gardens or exchange your vows near the lake or by the river. Our one-room schoolhouse, the big barn or farm home also provide great settings for a smaller ceremony.Once you are married you can be taken by horse and buggy to the reception at our 1940's restaurant or one of our reception halls.
Your wedding and reception will be planned by our event planner, which could include a dinner prepared by our chef and his staff. The destination wedding Rockome is it. Call to set
up a site visit and consultation
Banquets & Meetings
Amish Country Tours
For Group Information: call.
email: [email protected]
or visit their website at