Skip to Main Content

A Barn Quilt How-To Guide

Driving the scenic country backroads of Northern Indiana, you’ll likely see Barn Quilts adorning historic barns, family homesteads, Amish farms, and public spaces. Similar in design to fabrics quilts, traditional Barn Quilts are constructed using wood, and painted with heirloom or newly designed quilt patterns chosen by the owner or artist. Barn Quilts are either geometric […]

A Barn Quilt How-To Guide
Farmstead Inn & Conference Center

Shipshewana Spring Break STAYCATION Fun!

For when you need a break from your Break...

Sure, our kids love the carefree days of Spring Break! And we love having them home and spending time with them! But Spring Break can start to feel a little bit LONG sometimes. And LOUD. But don’t worry, we can help! Whether your kids or young or older, whether the temps cooperate or not, we […]

Shipshewana Spring Break STAYCATION Fun!

Pajama Sales Day 2024 Photo Gallery!

SHIPSHEWANA — Another Shipshewana tradition is quickly gaining traction and its become a yearly getaway for many from around the area. Pajama Day was held on Saturday (Feb. 3rd) throughout the town of Shipshewana. The day-long event features sales at many of Shipshewana’s locally-owned businesses. This year, over 30 storefronts participated in the pajamas only […]

Pajama Sales Day 2024 Photo Gallery!

2024 Ice Festival and Chili Cookoff Results

And the Winners Are: The weather this past Friday & Saturday was made for ice carving! Visitors were able to watch carvings of all sizes being created most of the day on Friday, by part-time professional ice carvers from all over the Midwest. Then they could head over to the the area behind Smokehouse Grills […]

2024 Ice Festival and Chili Cookoff Results

Gear Up for This Weekend’s Annual Ice Festival & Buy Your Official 2024 Shipshewana Ice Festival Pin!

This weekend is the Annual Ice Festival & Chili Cookoff! And NEW this year is the addition of a Friday evening Icy & Spicy Wing Competition! Plan to bundle up and get out of the house for some cool family fun! Here’s the official schedule:   Fri. January 19th 10am: Ice Carvers begin creating their […]

Gear Up for This Weekend’s Annual Ice Festival & Buy Your Official 2024 Shipshewana Ice Festival Pin!

Shipshewana CVB to Host #INindiana Selfie Sign Ice Sculpture!

The CVB will host an #InIndiana Ice Sculpture this year! The 17th Annual Shipshewana Ice Festival is this Friday and Saturday, (Jan. 19th & 20th) in and around the popular Downtown Shopping District in the wintry wonderland of Shipshewana, Indiana. We invite you to join us for both fun days! Get the most from your visit […]

Shipshewana CVB to Host #INindiana Selfie Sign Ice Sculpture!

Make & Takes Make Group Tours Fun & Educational!

Shipshewana, Indiana is a beloved destination for a variety of travelers due to the kinds of attractions, events, and experiences available. It’s a unique location in the U.S. because although the official population of Shipshewana is under a thousand, it is still the 3rd largest Amish population in the country, as most residents live in […]

Make & Takes Make Group Tours Fun & Educational!

Meet Barn Quilt Project Manager Karen Weiland

Karen Weiland is a local Artist and the Project Manager for the Expansion of the Barn Quilt Trail throughout LaGrange County in 2024. You can read more about the project here. We asked Karen for a quick interview so people can learn a little more about her, and she kindly agreed. Q: Can you tell […]

Meet Barn Quilt Project Manager Karen Weiland

Fun Winter Activities in Small-Town Shipshewana

In Shipshewana, there are places to shop, food to eat, and fun things to do all year round! The winter time is actually a perfect time to visit for a getaway, family time, downtown shopping, or a relaxing weekend with friends. Locals and frequent visitor’s are probably already getting ready for the annual Ice Festival […]

Fun Winter Activities in Small-Town Shipshewana

Expanding the Barn Quilt Trail for 2024

Local artist Karen Weiland is busy this winter season, working with the all the local farm and business owners who applied to host all new Barn Quilts in 2024. As both Project Manager and Artist, she collaborates with them to choose sizes, patterns, and colors to design a one-of-a-kind Barn Quilt for prominent display on […]

Expanding the Barn Quilt Trail for 2024

Dolls & Amish Culture

Amish individuals do not possess photos of themselves because it’s believed that they may encourage vanity, which runs counter to their  religious ideals of community and equality. The dolls played with by Amish children are faceless for the same reason. The lack of a face or any other distinguishing characteristics also make the dolls “less […]

Dolls & Amish Culture

Gingerbread House Contest

For almost 20 years, the annual Gingerbread House Competition has been a holiday tradition at Davis Mercantile in Shipshewana, IN. They have two age groups, 16+ and 15 & Under, so everyone can participate! The contest typically receives up to 15 entries, which can make it hard to choose winners. This year’s winners are truly […]

Gingerbread House Contest

Find the Perfect Nativity Scene in Shipshewana

Nativity Scenes are a lovely and decorative reminder of the reason for the season this time of year, and being that Shipshewana is a special place that appreciates both faith and craftsmanship, it is the best place to find the perfect Nativity Scene for you and your home. There are more options than are possible […]

Find the Perfect Nativity Scene in Shipshewana

The Lighting of Shipshewana & Light Parade

Sat. Nov. 11th, kick-off your holiday season with us!

DAYTIME EVENT STARTS 10:00 am & food trucks start opening at 11 am. Tips for enjoying the day’s events: Use the map to find all the available parking options. If you can, park further away and walk to the center of town to avoid traffic. Don’t worry about meals! Food trucks will be open from […]

The Lighting of Shipshewana & Light Parade
winter scene neighborhood night

Shipshewana is Magical at Christmas

Plan your holiday visit today!

Shipshewana is magical at Christmas… The entire small town of Shipshewana is lit up with beautiful Christmas lights during the holidays and looks like something straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie! The Christmas celebrations here truly showcase the towns small-town charm and kind-hearted people, as well as its bright and sparkling Yuletide joy. We’d […]

Shipshewana is Magical at Christmas

New Shipshe Sculpture Puts You In the Picture

This 3D Metal Sculpture is interactive!

Smile! The newest art piece in Shipshewana is a special one. The astounding 3D metal sculpture constructed by local artisan and metalsmith Christy Miller, of Countryside Creations, was made possible by a grant from the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) and is the third public art project to result from it. The first two are […]

New Shipshe Sculpture Puts You In the Picture

Artist Cassi Graber Completes New Shipshewana Mural

Greetings from Shipshewana

Thanks to a grant from the Indiana Destination Development Corporation, Shipshewana now has another beautiful mural to admire in the Downtown Shopping District. It’s called “Greetings from Shipshewana.” Completed recently by artist Cassi Graber, the gorgeous and colorful design shows off the vivid local colors, as well as a few things that help make Shipshewana […]

Artist Cassi Graber Completes New Shipshewana Mural

Top 15 Fall Selfie Spots in Shipshewana, Indiana

Can you find them all?

Every fall the town of Shipshewana decorates for the season, and no two years are ever exactly the same. If you’re looking for a fun fall activity for you and your friends, or the family, try to find all of the Top 15 Fall Selfie Spots in Shipshewana! The following are photos from every spot […]

Top 15 Fall Selfie Spots in Shipshewana, Indiana

MEET SHAWNA RAE!

The genius chef and baker behind Shawna Rae's gives us a peek behind the kitchen curtain!

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your life here in Shipshewana? A: What most people don’t know is that not only do I have a catering business and bakery but I also live on about 300 acres in Lagrange where I raise Beefalo and bale 110 acres of hay with my husband […]

MEET SHAWNA RAE!

A Day at Davis Mercantile

Explore the four-story Shipshewana landmark that has a little something for everyone.

The origins of the Davis Mercantile building can be traced back to 1891, when original owner Hezekiah Davis built a hotel near the train station to house travelers. What followed was more than 130 years of prosperity, growth, new ownership, relocation, the addition of retail enterprises, a devastating fire, uncertainty, rebuilding, ingenuity, new growth, and […]

A Day at Davis Mercantile

Time for the Annual Shipshewana Fall Crafter’s Fair

Don't miss one of the greatest craft-shopping events of the year!

The Fall Crafters Fair, located inside the Michiana Event Center, is an exhibition and celebration of our talented local artists and craftspeople, as well as the slower-paced culture of Shipshewana and the surrounding countryside. You’ll find artisans, vintage sellers, hand-made items, personalized gifts, and much more! Vendors surround talented musicians and entertainers, while on the […]

Time for the Annual Shipshewana Fall Crafter’s Fair

Indiana Hannah Visits Shipshewana and Mongo

Check out her cool videos.

There’s one from Dutch Creek Animal Farm.   And there’s one from Trading Post outfitters in Mongo.  

Indiana Hannah Visits Shipshewana and Mongo

The MEC

The Michiana Event Center is Built For Big.

When the MEC (Michiana Event Center) built it’s new facility in Shipshewana, the motto was Bringing BIG to Michiana, and boy, they weren’t kidding. The multi-purpose venue hosts everything from the concerts of world-class musicians to rodeos, and from enormous craft fairs to holiday spectaculars, it’s become a true destination for big events and entertainment. […]

The MEC

The Moonlight Ride, Rides Again

2023 is the fundraiser's 12th successful year.

A treasured Shipshewana tradition hit the road again for its twelfth year on Friday, July 23rd, 2023. The Moonlight Ride is a yearly fundraiser to benefit local families, and is always well attended, and full of riders of all types. And it’s not just a ride, the entire event encompasses entertainment, meals, games, and demonstrations. […]

The Moonlight Ride, Rides Again
Sponsored