The Amish community in northern Indiana is the third largest in the United States.
There is a wide variety of fun activities to try out during your stay, from browsing the treasures at the famed auction and flea markets to relaxing in the beauty of the patchwork gardens.
Beautiful drives through Northern Indiana's Amish Country will remind you of the good things in life. Also, experience the Amish way of life in ways you never imagined while enjoying a home-cooked supper and swinging on a front porch.
Tips for Visiting Indiana Amish Attractions
The majority of Amish people prefer not to have their pictures taken. Asking permission to take someone's picture is the courteous thing to do.
In every way, the Amish are regular folks like the rest of us. Take care. They take a dim view of anyone trespassing on their land.
Neither you nor they would like outsiders entering your home and snapping pictures of your loved ones. Also, Amish stores and vendors do not take credit cards, so ensure you carry a lot of cash.
Sundays are business free in the majority of Amish towns. Many attractions, places, and businesses are closed.
What do Amish do for fun? Click to read.
Where to Stay while in Indiana
A variety of hotel options are available to visitors in Indiana Country, including hotels, bed & breakfasts, and Airbnbs. The Van Buren Hotel, the Blue Garden Inn, the Farmstead Inn, and Amish Acres are some of the most recommended locations to stay in the area.
Blue Gate Garden Inn should be on your list of places to stay. You will not find a nicer, more comfortable, or cleaner hotel in all of Shipshewana than this one.
There are a variety of accommodation configurations available at the hotel, making it suitable for both large families and romantic getaways. The Blue Gate Garden Inn, with its resort-like patio and fire pits, spacious indoor pool, and complimentary breakfast, is an excellent option for a relaxing vacation.
Enjoy some sweet sweets from the Ice Creamery while relaxing in one of the spacious standard rooms.
Attractive Places to Visit or things to do while in Indiana
Shipshewana Flea Market
An experience at the Midwest's Largest Flea Market is on the "must-do" list of many people who enjoy antiquing and shopping for deals.
Beginning in May and continuing through September, the Market is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays of each week.
Remember that the Market is held outside and is quite large, so you should be prepared to do a great deal of walking there.
On Wednesdays, in addition to the horde of sellers that can be found at the Market, live auctions take place throughout the day.
Also. Check out: What are the Differences between Amish and Mennonites?
Kayaking Down Pigeon River
A peaceful morning can be spent kayaking on the beautiful Pigeon River. You can find your next outdoor adventure at the Trading Post in Mongo, Indiana, just outside of Shipshewana.
You can take a kayak or canoe trip from the Trading Post that lasts anywhere from an hour and a half to the whole day.
The owners are amazing and take great pride in ensuring every guest has a great time. You should rent one of the waterproof boxes you can attach to the kayak.
It is essential to bring along sunscreen, drinks, bug spray, and a snack because it may take longer than expected to get down the river. Lastly, bring a towel or a change of clothes to put on after the river ride.
Shop and Eat Local
When you go to Amish Country, one of the best parts is going into the charming shops that are full of things made locally.
Not only do these shops help local families, but they also often sell better products. There are a lot of great places to shop, whether you're looking for quilts, furniture, or tasty Amish treats.
When you're in Shipshewana, you must stop at the Davis Mercantile and Yoder's Red Barn Shoppes.
Pumpkin Vine Nature Trail
Sunday is a holy day for the Amish people, so the town of Shipshewana closes down. The Pumpkin Vine Nature Trail is one thing that is open in Shipshewana on Sunday.
Fall is a great time to ride a bike because the trees are all brightly colored. At the Farmstead Inn, people can rent bikes every day of the week. The beautiful Amish farms, countryside, and small towns are all along the Pumpkin Vine Nature Trail.
If you want to bring your own bike, many trailheads with parking are close to the trail and make it easy to get there.
The trail is about 25 miles long, so people ride their bikes the whole way. But people who lived there say there was a Dairy Queen at the trail's end, which would be the best way to end a bike ride.
Buggy Ride around Indiana's Amish Country
A lot of horse-drawn buggies in Indiana Amish Country is a sure sign that you are there. Along with bikes, these black buggies can be seen on the roads and streets.
Many families offer "Buggy Tour Rides" for people who want to see what riding in one is like. Amish Buggy Ride in Amish Country, Indiana There are many kinds of buggy rides, from a 15-minute tour to a trip to an Amish farm and back.
The buggy drivers know a lot about the area's history and are usually happy to answer any questions you might have.
Keep in mind that many Amish prohibit photography. It is polite to ask permission before taking photos.
The Menno-Hof
When you go to Indiana Amish Country, your first stop should be at the Menno-Hof. Ensure you find out about the Amish religion and the culture that they follow.
A museum tour will show you how the Amish live and what they believe in. Part of the museum tours is led by videos and displays you can interact with.
There are parts of the museum where people can look at the collections on their own whenever they want.
Visit Cook's Bison Ranch to feed the Bison.
While in Shipshewana, people go to Cook's Bison Ranch to feed a herd of Bison for a unique experience. Board a wagon to the fields where there are more than fifty Bison.
The Bison have learned that tractor wheels mean it's time to eat. Soon, the whole herd gathers around the wagon.
You can feed the Bison by hand by giving them food pellets. Although, leaving the wagon is not recommended as you will get run over. Since the Bison's teeth are in the back of its mouth, there is not much chance it will bite you.
It is a pretty slimy, funny, and memorable event.
The Old Bag Factory in Goshen
Since 1896 Old Bag Factory building has become an excellent place to find all kinds of handmade goods from local artists and merchants.
Inside, you'll discover Goertzen Pottery, which sells one-of-a-kind hand-glazed and fired ceramics Quilt designs.
Also, it sells the beautiful work of John Mishler Sculptures, Shirley Shenk, and Carriage Barn Antiques, all of which are worth a look.
Yoder's Meat & Cheese Company, Shipshewana
You have not lived until you have tried the meats and cheeses from your neighborhood store. Meats from Yoder's are as fresh as they come because the family has been in the cattle business for four generations.
And if you are a cheese addict, the Amish Mennonites of Indiana and Ohio have more than a hundred distinct kinds to select from.
Also, if you have never had homemade butter, you are in for a real treat; it's not like the store-bought kind. This is a fantastic spot to enjoy the Amish culture of Indiana.
Das Dutchman Essenhaus
Being Indiana's most prominent restaurant Das Dutchman Essenhaus has been serving tasty Amish and Mennonite food since 1971.
It is in Middlebury, Indiana, a short drive from Shipshewana. After a good home-cooked meal, you will not want to miss a trip to the bakery, where you can choose from various bread, rolls, cookies, and 30 kinds of pie.
Near the restaurant are a bunch of village shops with unique gifts, the Heritage Hall Theater, and fun things to do, like mini golf, carriage rides, and renting bikes.
From Memorial Day to the middle of September, the Annual Quilt Gardens Along the Heritage Trail Tour stops at Essenhaus. Also, see gardens and murals based on quilts with more than a million flowers.
Rise N' Roll Bakery
Visit the Rise 'N Roll Bakery & Deli in Indiana Amish Country to satisfy your sweet tooth and wake up your sense of smell.
The tasty foods at this Amish bakery are made with family recipes that have been used and improved for generations. There are many fresh doughnuts, candies, cheeses, jarred goods, and deli items made by the Amish.
They also have a range of gluten-free options. Rise 'n Roll is recognized for their cinnamon caramel doughnuts, which are yeast doughnuts with homemade caramel icing and cinnamon sprinkled on top.
Their delicious, high-quality baked goods are out of this world. The store also has a deli where you can get a hearty breakfast or lunch to eat there or take away.
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