Spruce Forest Artisan Village

Mary

2023-11

I go to the village every time I come to Maryland for the Renaissance festival and/or go to DC. It is a beautiful setting with wonderfully talented artisans you can observe at work and interact with. I particularly admire the work of Gary Yoder, the bird carver. He makes the birds breathe and look like they are ready to take off. His carved feathers look so real, it is hard to believe they are wood. And they have 2 restaurants onsite. Penn Alps with more traditional Mennonite country food and Cornucopia, more modern and very tasty with a nice fireplace. I recommend a visit!

Dede King

2023-07

We just fell in love with the Spruce Forest Artisan Village! All the establishments are housed in rustic old log cabins and sell some unique handmade items. It makes for a very lovely shopping experience! Beautiful photos can be snapped around every corner! Will be back!

Eugenia Ziegler

2023-05

The village allows you to interact with the artists in historic cabin studios. The artists consistof pottery, bird sculpture, metal art, woodturning, weaving, and blacksmith. They encourage& support mountain crafts. The artists design top quality design work! The House of Yoderfeatures 1700’s architecture don’t miss it. You can eat at the Penn Alps Restaurant & Craft Shop. There is parking around the village and several steps at the cabins. The special event is the Christmas in the Village-Dec.2-3. Nice place to visit for several hours. PS. They have a herbal soap maker as well!

Cloressa Orr

2023-05

This is a wonderful little artist village. All of the historic homes are turned into little artist shops. They had a quilting shop, quilling shop, weaving shop, blacksmith, wood carvings, colored pencil art, and a soap shop. Penn Alps restaurant and craft store is located next door. Access to Casselman River bridge is just a few steps away.

Vasili P.

2023-05

One of the coolest places I have visited. The artisans that work there are engaging to speak to and really enjoy their craft.Will like to visit here again in the future.

RK Starkey

2023-08

This was such an amazing experience. The artisans were super friendly and nice. Some weren't open on Monday.

Robert Shrimpton

2019-05

Lovely place to spend a while, soaking up the local history, and watching some awesome artists at work. Hopefully my pictures help to convey some of the terrific work, and unique perspectives, which this place offers.

Sara Carper

2023-08

This was our second visit to the Artisan visit years apart, and it is always a great spot to stop. There are so many different crafts being worked on. We love to see the projects in progress and get to talk with the artists. There are gift stores and also a restaurant although we haven't eaten there yet. This trip we brought our 5 month old and it was a great little trip to practice traveling.

Wesley Ornick

2023-05

Amazing time. I got there after it closed but did show buddy the village and Casselman Bridge.

Shelia Wright

2023-09

Second time here many years apart. Both visits I greatly enjoyed the artisans. Not every artisan is always there and on the wet day we were there, we only got to visit the quiller and the potter. I enjoyed talking to them and buying handmade gifts! This is a unique setting for artist to work and sell their wares. Have never eaten at the restaurant, maybe next visit!

thundermuffins

2024-04

This place would be great if there were any way during the off season to obtain any information on what artisans are in. As is, the website and Facebook are very out of date.

Judy Matty

2021-05

Very sad how the tornado damage has ruined some of the older buildings in this mountain village. We have always enjoyed visiting this artisan village. Some of the buildings are completely ruined. Hopefully they will rebuild it to the best possible way that it will resemble they way it used to be.

Erik Lunde

2022-05

Don't miss this gem! The artists each have their own unique craft and many stories to tell of their work in the village. The metalsmith, Doug Salmon, even let us try our hand at welding! You can shop for some truly spectacular handmade goods as you learn about the history of the village and the wonderful people who helped create it.

Joan F.

2023-05

Marvelous visit for history and for perusing and purchase of exceptional artisan creations!

grant meyers

2023-05

Beautiful place, friendly artists with unique crafts.

Lauren Nelson

2023-07

Awesome accidental find on our drive home from Tennessee! The highway sign did the job… We saw the sign, pulled off the highway and had a fantastic time! This was a good stop! ….AND Gary, the bird sculpture is SUPER friendly and interesting, he is also clearly a magician! also, remember to visit Howard the famous rock, and do some silly pictures!

Patricia Rodriguez

2023-05

Absolutely enjoyed spending a couple hours here.

Joyce Bender

2023-08

A bit disappointing. Not all of the craftspeople were open when we went. The craft prices were very expensive. We did tour the Yoder house. The docent there was very informative and we enjoyed seeing the house.

Judy Jeffares (JJ)

2023-08

Loved visiting with fellow artisans and enjoyed their work very much. Great place to spend for lunch as well as visiting and purchasing quality handcrafted items at reasonable prices

Roxane Holmes

2024-01

Fun n interesting and great crafts. Also restaurants!

Christine Bacci

2018-05

Really cool village where you meet the artisans who sell their goods. The artisans love to converse about their craft. Super unique place.

Travis E

2020-05

CHECK THIS PLACE OUT!!! Amazing find! Very worth stopping! The village is a group of small very old log cabins with different craftsmen and women in each building. There is wood carving, quilting, pottery, iron sculptures, birds and feathers made out of wood (extremely amazing), soaps, a general store, a restaurant and bunch of other shops. Great place to buy gifts for people. We purchased very unique cutting boards as wedding present for friends. Even if you don't buy anything, then you should still check it out and talk to the artists. They are all extremely friendly and you can watch them work their craft. I live in NYC and have been to many flea markets and craft shows, but this one tops them all!

A.H.

2021-05

A very beautiful place to visit. The restaurant was excellent to eat at.

Larisa Catcott

2023-06

Nice variety of items and the artisans were fun to speak with. Nice place to walk around.

Brad Braddock

2019-05

This was a wonderful discovery! Could not believe how many times I had driven past this place, witnessed the Penn Apls sign, talked about it, but never stopped until a few days ago.First of all, we stopped to have lunch, and found what I'd call an old village, full of antique log homes. Folks are using these homes for there different specialties. They were mostly closed that day, but just to walk through and admire the cabins, with the enormous pines that surrounded them, not to sound corny, was enchanting.Then, we didn't even realize there was a second restaurant there ... what a beautiful, quaint place. Rustic design with a full bar and craft beers on tap ... who would like that!?Point simply stated, I'd take my family there for a half day visit when everything is open. And there is a creek that runs below the one restaurant/bar, and they have a deck that one can go outside and sit, or go down and sit on the benches that rest by the water.Can't wait to go back!Also, if you like this, check out the Savage River Lodge just 10 miles down the road ... another jem.

David Szmyd

2023-11

It's fine if you like crafts. For me it was just ok.

amy rhodes

2022-05

Love seeing artisans at work but disappointed so many buildings were closed on a Saturday.The metal artisan was so nice and let both kids make a bracelet and was excited to talk with us.

Shelly Dillon

2023-11

Fun little stop off. Got to see artisans at their craft.

Kolya “Nick” Tevosyan

2020-05

Out of this world. Everyone must come here at least once!

April Denning

2018-05

The area, the bridge, and the village are so beautiful and unique. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the histories and meeting the artisans that were there. Their skills amazed me. I WILL be returning at some point, probably more than once.