Photo © Courtesy of Visit Shipshewana County
Get Off the Beaten Path and explore a small-town gem that blends tradition and excitement. With its slow-paced charm, Shipshewana, in the Heart of Amish Country, Indiana, is the perfect place to make new memories. Located just three hours from Chicago, this close-knit community is a dreamy weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Make the most of your time in Amish Country, with a local guide! Call the Visitors Center to help plan your trip, customized with private tours for those who want to see the countryside, discover new places, and learn more about the Amish culture. Check out these six can’t-miss activities in Shipshewana to create unique and memorable family experiences in Amish Country.
1. Shipshewana Auction & Flea Market
You’ve never seen shopping like this. The Midwest’s Largest Flea Market is one of the top 10 things to do in Indiana, and Leisure and Travel says it’s one of the best flea markets in the country! Open Tuesdays and Wednesdays, May through September, with 700+ vendors, the possibilities are endless: landscaping, fresh produce, art, home decor, furniture, crafts, antiques, purses, jewelry…and so much more!
2. New Audio Driving Tour
Discover Off the Beaten Path with the NEW Audio Driving Tour in May! Travel 100+ miles through six towns and learn about the history of LaGrange County. Find out why this small town is named after Chief Shipshewana of the Potawatomi tribe and why the Pumpkinvine is called the Pumpkinvine. Learn the legends and folklore of our small towns and hear the kinds of stories that only the long-time locals know, like the odd story of the Skunk Lady of Howe, Indiana. Plus, explore 120+ Amish Cottage shops and 80+ barn quilts along the trail.
3. Fun at the Farms
A few minutes from downtown Shipshewana is Stutzman Dairy Farm, a sixth-generation family-owned farm. Watch daily milking and learn what you can make from milk. Looking for a zoo experience? Check out Dutch Creek Animal Farm to interact with Domestic and Exotic animals first-hand. Take a wagon ride and feed the bison at Cook’s Bison Ranch in Wolcottville. Don’t forget to check out the locally-grown produce stands along the way!
4. Shop Local
Not only can you taste Amish cooking, but at stores like Yoder’s Meat & Cheese or E&S Bulk Sales, you can find ingredients to take home and make your own. If you’re a quilter, visit Yoders Department Store, The Cotton Corner or Lolly’s Fabrics for top-quality supplies. Discover upcycled pieces at 2 Chicks & a Chair or vintage pieces, antiques, and collectibles at Cherry Pickers and the year-round Shipshewana Trading Place weekly Wednesday auctions. These and so much more offer exciting shopping opportunities filled with fun in Shipshewana/LaGrange County.
5. Explore the Outdoors
On a slow Sunday, take a selfie with every mural along the Art in the Heart trail, or rent a bike and ride where the Amish ride on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail. With 86 lakes and rivers, LaGrange County has something for everyone. Spend evenings around a campfire at one of 10 local campgrounds, cabins or RV parks. Walk or bike the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, which winds through scenic countryside, farms, and forests. Rent a watercraft for fishing from T&L Country Canoes in Shipshewana or Trading Post Outfitters in Mongo.
6. Experience Thrilling Entertainment
Catch a live concert or musical at the Blue Gate or witness thrilling rodeo performances at the Michiana Event Center. With abundant family-friendly shows and events, there’s never a dull moment in Shipshewana.
With so much to do and see, Shipshewana should be at the top of your destination list—and there’s no better time to plan your visit! Make your first stop in town at the Visit Shipshewana Visitors Center for a Free Coupon Book, and while you’re there, get insider information from the locals for even more to explore in the Heart of Amish Country, IN.
Request a guide and book a tour today at visitshipshewana.org
Get your free copy of Global Heroes, jam-packed with positive news, straight in your inbox.
Shipshewana & LaGrange County are known as a one-of-a-kind destination for visitors to experience the simplicity of Amish culture as well as the delicious foods and quality products they produce.