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The best Amish Attractions in Indiana Amish Country are tucked away in the northern part of the state, just a few minutes South of Michigan’s border. In Shipshewana and the surrounding communities, time seems to slow down, and the hustle and bustle of modern life give way to a simpler, slower pace. Because I live a quick 2 hours from this area of the country, I have been many times and would love to show you around! So buckle up while we take a trip to the Amish community and explore some of my favorites among Northern Indiana’s Amish attractions.
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Step into Amish Culture
In the heart of Indiana’s Amish Country, you’ll find a charming blend of small towns, family-owned businesses, and a community that embraces a lifestyle built on simplicity, hard work, and tradition. The Amish population is concentrated in Elkhart County, LaGrange County, and Shipshewana. No matter how short your stay, visiting this area offers you a chance to experience an authentic slice of Amish life.
Menno-Hof Amish and Mennonite Center
A great starting point is the Menno-Hof Museum in Shipshewana. Please don’t do what I did and skip over this great stop. Sadly, I visited many times before stepping into the Menno-Hof Center and missed an opportunity to understand what makes the Amish tick. A visit only takes an hour or so and will answer many questions you didn’t even know you had!
The interactive museum provides a deep dive into the Amish lifestyle, Amish and Mennonite history and culture and offers insight into these peaceful communities’ traditions, beliefs, and way of life. You’ll learn about their religious heritage, reasons for shunning modern technology, and the meaning behind their distinctive dress and horse-drawn Amish buggies.
Take an Amish Buggy Ride
Now that you have a few basic questions answered, it’s time to get up close and personal with some of your new Amish friends. Head for the Blue Gate for an Amish Buggy Tour. For a reasonable fee, you can hop aboard a genuine Amish buggy with a driver who will take you clip-clopping through the town and countryside. The Amish are humbly devoted to their lifestyle and will answer reasonable questions about it.
Side Note About Photos in Amish Country
Generally, the Amish people don’t care to have their photos taken. I have experienced folks across the spectrum with this rule, but it always pays to be respectful and avoid snapping their pictures. If you MUST, the general rule is to avoid capturing faces and have the courtesy to ask first. And if they decline, please respect that request.
Dine in True Amish Style
Dining in Amish country is one experience I know you will love. The Amish housewife sure knows how to cook up a feast! And when you think of that feast, be prepared for down-home cooking. You will not find elite or elevated dishes here, but you will find good, solid, stick-to-your-ribs meals. Expect dishes like fried chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetable salad, and more varieties of pie than you can imagine! Check out one of these places to try it for yourself.
The Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery
The Blue Gate Restaurant and Theatre in downtown Shipshewana is a must. This Amish family-owned establishment serves hearty meals featuring recipes passed down through generations. Indulge in chicken and noodles, roast beef, and mashed potatoes, or save room for a slice of peanut butter or rhubarb pie.
Das Dutchman Essenhaus
You will find another delicious Amish dining experience at the Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury, a 15-minute drive from downtown Shipshewana. This iconic restaurant is the largest in Indiana and offers a dining experience that showcases the heart of Amish cooking. Picture long tables filled with platters of fried chicken, homemade bread, and fresh sides, all served family-style in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
The Blue Gate and the Essenhaus have excellent bakeries, so grab something (think pie) to take on the road with you before heading out!
Dine in an Amish Home
Consider an in-home Amish meal for an authentic taste of homemade Amish goodness, served in a family-style atmosphere. I have enjoyed this experience twice, and both times have left me with a full belly and a warm heart. You will need to plan ahead for this experience. Call for a reservation and be prepared to leave a message and receive a return call from your host, as the Amish do not have phones inside their homes. You may find that you’ll join another group of hungry diners for your experience! The perfect way to make a new friend.
For more information about where this experience is available, check with the Shipshewana Visitor’s Center where they will be happy to provide more details. Two of the the best places I have enjoyed this experience are at Eden Meadow Banquets and Yoder’s Homestyle Cooking.
Scenic Drives and Amish Shopping Adventures
You must take time to take a drive through the pastoral countryside in Northern Indiana. Lucky for you, I’ve researched this subject and spent plenty of time driving Indiana’s numbered roads. I’ve found a few deals along the way, so let me share a couple of secrets with you.
Off the Beaten Path Audio Tour
The Off the Beaten Path Audio Tour is a guided tour that takes you on a scenic drive through the heart of Amish Country, LaGrange County. I love that you can cue up this audio tour on your cell phone and listen to over two hours of fantastic narration of the area from your phone or through your car’s stereo system. You can listen on Spotify (Download the Spotify app on your iPhone HERE or your Android HERE).
Once you’ve downloaded the app, you can hit the little magnifying glass symbol and search for “Off the Beaten Path Shipshewana,” and it will pop up for you. You can also open the Visit Shipshewana website HERE on your phone and click the LISTEN ON SPOTIFY button to take you directly to the audio tour. Scroll up and down on the page until you see the Purple circle with the arrow.
Finally, click HERE to download the map of the area right on your phone, so you have a handy reference.
If all that is too “techy” for you, I’ve got an even easier solution! Drop in to the Shipshewana Visitor’s Center, pick up a map and CD or USB, and pop it in your car stereo.
This tour will take you to over 100 Amish shops and businesses outside the downtown area. These cottage shops offer the perfect selection of handcrafted Amish goodies. Look for Silver Star Leather and Sonshine Baskets, both of which I have spent some of my hard-earned money.
The tour will also take you along the route of the Quilt Gardens, where you’ll see over 80 Barn Quilts scattered throughout the county. Bring your spending money to bring a little remembrance home and a camera to capture all the fun!
Downtown Shopping
If you want to keep your shopping to one reasonably sized walking area, consider shopping in downtown Shipshewana. You’ll find every knick-knack you could desire, along with clothing, home goods, shoes, leather goods, jewelry, and quilting supplies. My favorite small shops are Riverwood Pottery, Cherry Pickers, and Kidz Kreations, where you can build and dress a doll. I can’t wait to bring my granddaughter there when she’s old enough!
While wandering downtown, stop in the Davis Mercantile, another top stop. This gorgeous, wooden-floored building spans several floors and includes a collection of local businesses. Shop for Amish-made goods, stop and sip a cup of coffee, and treat yourself to a Jo-Jo’s pretzel. Before you leave, head to the third floor to enjoy a ride on the 1906 Dentzel Carousel, a sight to behold, even if you’re not into a ride!
Family-Friendly and Seasonal Attractions
You will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy family-friendly attractions throughout the community! And know this: Shipshewana, the center of Amish Country, knows how to celebrate the many seasons of Indiana.
The Blue Gate Theater
Are you looking for an afternoon of climate-controlled, relaxed entertainment? You will love the live entertainment at the Blue Gate Theatre. This local theater hosts a variety of family-friendly performances, from musicals to concerts. The performers, whether known names or local talent, will knock your socks off with their musical talents, and the shows change throughout the year to suit the season.
Autumn Adventures
My most recent trip to Amish Country included a scavenger hunt around the countryside, hunting and finding creatively decorated hay bales! What a brilliant way to spend a pretty fall day. Each season, Shipshewana rises to the occasion and provides an opportunity to get out and explore.
Like fun roadside stops? Check out the Quirky Roadside Facebook Group!
Christmas in Amish Country
If you have one choice of where to spend a holiday weekend, choose Shipshewana. Trust me when I tell you that this small town does Christmas right! You will feel like you’ve stepped into a wholesome Hallmark Christmas movie at the Lighting Up Shipshewana event that kicks off the holiday season. If you can’t make it on that weekend, no worries! You’ll find plenty more to do throughout the community, including the Christmas Lights of Joy and the excellent Christmas shopping opportunities you’ll see.
Explore Shipshewana’s Famous Flea Market
When the weather begins to warm and the sun starts to shine in Spring, locals and visitors alike look forward to the annual opening of the Shipshewana Flea Market, the Midwest’s largest flea market. This sprawling outdoor market features over 700 vendors selling everything from fresh produce to handcrafted goods. Yep, I have purchased many items from the market over the years.
Wear good walking shoes and plan to be on your feet in the hot sun for a long day. The flea market is on gravel, so expect rough and dusty walking conditions. Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated, and consider a wagon or wheeled basket if you plan to do a lot of shopping!
The Shipshewana Auction, located next to the flea market, is a fun experience where you can observe lively livestock sales and bid on antique treasures. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you witness local Amish men and women expertly maneuver through the process each week.
Non-Amish Activities in Amish Country
In the midst of Amish Country, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy the countryside and attend events that are not so focused on the Amish way of life. Here are just a few things to do when you’re in the area and ready for a non-Amish adventure!
Cook’s Bison Ranch
I enjoyed my first Cook’s Bison Ranch tour in Amish Country this summer. I had no idea we had such a treasure right in Indiana. The tour took us to the field where we observed and fed the bison, with babies beside them. We also enjoyed a catered lunch of, yep, bison. What an exciting way to spend the day. I loved this experience and will do it again! There’s something really unique about getting up close and personal with this fantastic animal.
Dutch Creek Animal Park
Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park is a must-stop! The park is home to a wide variety of exotic and farm animals from all over the world! And you get to feed just about all of them! Imagine a place where you can visit up close and personal with zebras, tortoises, lemurs, baby chicks, horses, emus, goats, pigs, and so many more that I can’t possibly list them all. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy this unique experience.
Blue Gate Performing Arts Center
Check out the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center schedule if you’re into a bigger venue and a splashier night out. This gorgeous facility seats 1500 and is located right next to the Blue Gate Garden Inn. It opened in 2020, just as COVID-19 ravaged the world. No worries – it has risen to fantastic success since, and you won’t find a cleaner and better-run venue anywhere! I promise. I’ve enjoyed more than one concert in the Blue Gate PAC and intend to enjoy many more. Join me?
Tour the Stone Horse Factory
Finally, the Stone Horse Factory perfectly fits this horse-loving Amish community. Stop in to purchase a collectible Stone Horse and take a factory tour to watch the artisans at work. I promise you’ll be impressed! There is no need to schedule the tour; just arrive before 1 p.m. on a weekday and ask for it! Oh! And tell them the Hip Grandma sent you!
Need a Place to Stay in Shipshewana?
Wrapping Up Your Amish Country Adventure
From charming Amish buggies clip-clopping along country roads to the warm aroma of fresh produce and baked goods wafting from Amish stores, a visit to Indiana’s Amish Country is truly a feast for your senses. Whether you’re enjoying home-cooking at the Blue Gate Restaurant, exploring the unique treasures at the Shipshewana Flea Market, or simply taking in the stunning views on a scenic drive, Indiana’s Amish communities offer a refreshing break from the everyday.
So pack your bags, take a deep breath of that crisp Amish area air, and set off on a journey through one of the United States’ most unique and inviting regions. Indiana Amish Country is the best place to have a unique shopping experience, enjoy the fresh air of Amish farms, and experience the Amish way of life. This community is waiting to welcome you with open arms, delicious food, and unforgettable memories. Look around when you’re there for this pink-haired Hip Grandma. You may see me wandering; I love this place so much!
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