New Philadelphia
Around New Philadelphia
Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Ohio · 92k people
New Philadelphia
Locals say Twin Cities · “Twin Cities”
New Philadelphia · Dover
Local rooms for Twin Cities.
Kent State GoldKent State Navy Blue
Welcome to the Twin Cities, where the Tuscarawas River runs through and the hills are rolling. Whether you're here for the cheese, the history, or just passing through, you'll find a friendly wave and a good broasted chicken dinner.
Clubs for New Philadelphia
No clubs for New Philadelphia yet.
The room
One room for everyone around New Philadelphia. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around New Philadelphia. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Warther Museum Famous for intricate carved wood trains and history of the Warther family.
- Reeves Victorian Home and Carriage House Museum Victorian-era home with carriage collection in Dover.
- Tuscora Park Family park with a pool, carousel, and picnic areas in New Philadelphia.
- Dennison Railroad Depot Museum Historic depot known as 'Dreamsville, USA' with railroad memorabilia.
- Schoenbrunn Village Reconstructed 1772 Moravian mission village, Ohio's first settlement.
- Tuscarawas River Flows through the Twin Cities, popular for fishing and walks.
- Outdoors Walk the riverfront trail
- Outdoors Swim at Tuscora Park pool
- With kids Ride the carousel at Tuscora Park
- With kids Tour the Warther Museum
- Evenings Catch live music at downtown bars
- Evenings Dinner at a Swiss-style restaurant
- Locals love cheese factories
- Locals love buggy trails
Through the year
The climate is continental with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be out, with mild temperatures and colorful foliage.
Getaways
Local flavour
Rooting for Cleveland Browns (NFL), Cleveland Guardians (MLB), Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL), Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Shoofly pie
- Whoopie pies
- Swiss cheese Sugarcreek is known as 'The Little Switzerland of Ohio' and produces local Swiss cheese.
- Broasted chicken Pressure-fried chicken, a local diner and restaurant favorite.
Where people go
- Swiss-style villages like Sugarcreek
- Rolling hills and farmland The landscape is defined by gentle hills, cornfields, and winding country roads.
- Cheese factories Local dairies and cheese producers, especially around Sugarcreek.
- Buggy trails
- Tuscarawas River A key waterway running through the area, offering scenic views and recreation.
- Warther Museum Iconic woodcarving museum in Dover, showcasing intricate carvings and local history.
Heritage and traditions
The Twin Cities are proud of their Swiss and German heritage, their deep Amish roots, and their role as the site of Ohio's first Christian settlement. They celebrate a unique blend of history, craftsmanship, and rural hospitality.
This time of year in New Philadelphia
- Zoar Harvest Festival October October event with historic crafts and food.
- Zoar Harvest Festival October 19th-century harvest activities in the historic Zoar Village.
Say it like a local: “buggy” — A horse-drawn carriage (Amish)
Festivals
- Sugarcreek Swiss Festival September Celebrates Swiss heritage with yodeling, cheese, and a parade.
- New Philadelphia First Town Days July Community celebration with a parade, craft vendors, and fireworks.
- Newcomerstown Cy Young Days August Honors baseball legend Cy Young with games and a parade.
- Zoar Harvest Festival October 19th-century harvest activities in the historic Zoar Village.
- Dover Christmas in the Park December Holiday lights and displays in Tuscora Park.
Landmarks with a story
- Zoar Village A 19th-century German religious communal settlement, now a National Historic Landmark.
- Alpine Hills Museum Showcases Sugarcreek's Swiss heritage with artifacts and a miniature Swiss village.
- Schoenbrunn Cemetery Burial site of early Moravian missionaries and Native American converts.
- First Moravian Church Continues the Moravian tradition that began at Schoenbrunn.
- Tuscarawas County Courthouse A grand 19th-century building in New Philadelphia's downtown.
Food traditions
- Amish chicken and noodles A hearty dish served at church suppers and community gatherings, reflecting Amish home cooking.
- Apple butter Slow-cooked in copper kettles during fall, a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition.
- Chow chow A pickled vegetable relish brought by Swiss and German settlers.
- Pork and sauerkraut Eaten on New Year's Day for good luck, a German custom.
Music and arts
- Swiss polka and yodeling Performed at the Swiss Festival and local events, reflecting the area's Swiss roots.
- Woodcarving Inspired by Ernest Warther, a tradition kept alive in workshops and the museum.
- Amish quilting Handmade quilts are both a craft and a cultural expression.
- Community theater Local groups stage plays and musicals throughout the year.
A little history
- 1772 Schoenbrunn founded as first Christian settlement in Ohio
- 1804 New Philadelphia founded as first town in Tuscarawas County
- late 1800s Coal and clay mining boom brought immigrants and industry
- 1940s Dennison Depot served as a servicemen's canteen during WWII
- 1950s Ernest Warther opened his museum of carvings in Dover
Rivalries
- New Philadelphia Quakers vs Dover Tornadoes High school football rivalry, huge local event.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Tuscarawas County Fair demolition derby
- Outdoors Bike the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail
- Outdoors Drive the Amish country back roads
- With kids Visit the Alpine Hills Museum in Sugarcreek
- With kids Attend the Sugarcreek Swiss Festival
Residents speak with a typical Midwestern accent, but you'll hear Pennsylvania Dutch expressions like 'redd up' and 'outen the light' due to the strong Amish and Swiss German heritage. Locals say 'pop' for soda and refer to the county fair simply as 'the fair'.
Only here
- The area is known as 'Little Switzerland' because of Sugarcreek's Swiss-style architecture and heritage.
- Schoenbrunn Village is the first Christian settlement in Ohio, founded by Moravian missionaries.
- The Dennison Depot was a famous 'Dream Train' canteen that served thousands of troops during WWII.
- The Warther Museum houses Ernest Warther's incredible carved train models, including one made from ivory.
New here? A few tips
- Drive carefully on country roads – you'll often share them with horse-drawn buggies, especially in Amish areas.
- Try the local specialties: Swiss cheese, broasted chicken, and shoofly pie.
- Visit the Warther Museum and the Dennison Depot to understand the area's history.
- Don't miss the Sugarcreek Swiss Festival in September – it's a great introduction to local culture.
- Be prepared for snowy winters; the area gets significant lake-effect snow.
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Part of Cleveland area
Nearby
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New Philadelphia-Dover, OH. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.