The Longaberger Homestead in Newark, Ohio is a Unique Attraction

Located near the basket-shaped headquarters of the Longaberger Basket Company in Newark, Ohio, The Longaberger Homestead is a shopping, dining, and entertainment area that capitalizes on the popularity of the company's attractive handmade baskets.

Longaberger Homestead is built to resemble a small village and encompasses about 24 acres in the town of Frazeysburg, Ohio. The buildings in the complex are old-fashioned, as are some of the experiences, and the homestead seems to be a hit with young and old alike, especially collectors of the high-priced, attractive baskets made by Longaberger.

For visitors, there are a number of activities, attractions, and events to enjoy. One of the most popular attractions is Make a Basket, which allows guests to weave their own basket. Participants choose from one of three creations in warm or rich brown. To give it their own personal touch, they can choose the trim and chain weave colors and tack jackets, with several colors and themes available. Special colors may be available for particular times of the year, such as red-white-blue for the Independence Day holiday. Both adults and children can participate in the activity; the children's basket costs less money and is easier to craft. Discounts are available for pre-scheduled groups.

A visit to J.W.'s Workshop allows guests to make other woven creations at a much lower price. Butterflies, flowers, fish, or other small objects can be fashioned from recycled basket materials and cost just a few dollars. This is an excellent children's activity but is also enjoyed by adult guests.

Guests who prefer to buy pre-made creations can visit the onsite Longaberger Factory Store, where they can browse and buy the company's popular products, collected by many throughout the United States. In addition, guests can leave the Homestead area and travel to the factory where they can watch skilled artisans make the baskets. Tours are generally arranged through independent Longaberger consultants and guests must be registered for them before arriving at the factory.

There are several dining options available at the Longaberger Homestead complex. The Homestead Restaurant is just as old-fashioned as the rest of the town and sells comfort food like pot roast, broasted chicken, meat loaf, roast turkey, and country fried steak as well as desserts such as apple pie and bread pudding. The Barn BBQ serves breakfast and lunch including classic egg dishes, sandwiches, soup, and salads. The Barn Loft is a good place to relax, watch TV, and enjoy a snack, including small pizzas, nachos, smoothies, and ice cream. Also, The Bakery offers breakfast pastries, fresh fruit, and other baked treats. There is also a Starbucks inside The Bakery.

The Longaberger Homestead is open daily from late March through the week before Christmas, except Wednesdays (with some additional closures for holidays). The attractions, restaurants, and shops generally close by 5 or 6 pm. The Longaberger Homestead offers some special shopping days throughout the year, including Terrific Tuesdays, which includes specials for two such as Make a Basket, Get One Free, and discounts on a variety of other items, door prizes, and more.