Stories from the Heart of Amish Country

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 […]

Every year the Intro to 2D Art class taught by Jesse Martin at Westview High School is invited to submit designs for that year’s Ice Festival Pin. The students begin designing in early October and 26 designs were submitted in total. The Ice Festival Committee chose the design of Peyton Hargrove, an 8th grader from […]

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 […]

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 […]

Whether you like soaking up the summer heat or playing in the snow, there’s something to enjoy every season in Shipshewana & LaGrange County. While events, attractions, and activities dot the calendar year-round, we summed it up with 10 reasons why you should visit us! Live Entertainment Every year the level of entertainment we host […]

What’s better than waking up to peaceful serenity and the smell of a freshly made breakfast? Whether you’re visiting for a girl’s weekend, a romantic getaway or even quilting retreat, a bed & breakfast will make your stay in Amish country even more memorable. LaGrange County is lucky enough to have several Bed & Breakfasts […]

Typically when you roll into Shipshewana, you’re greeted by endless farms and open fields. The natural beauty here in Northern Indiana can often be underappreciated: many people aren’t aware of hidden gems like the Pigeon River Fish & Wildlife Area or our many lakes. Follow this scenic fall drive in Shipshewana & LaGrange County and […]

Shipshewana brings simple living, Amish hospitality, amazing shopping, and fun activities to Northern Indiana. Take in the area’s best attractions including shopping the Midwest’s Largest Flea Market, catching a musical at the Blue Gate Music Hall, or eating a home-cooked Amish meal (all group-friendly!). You’ll want to spend more than a day exploring this town, […]

“We are an adventurous family! While only 5 of us travel together these days….we have 8 children, 2 sons-in-law, and 3 grandbabies and of course, Matt and I. We try to go adventuring as often as possible and find new things to be doing and learning. Creating meaningful family time and making memories is what […]

Shipshewana was excited to host Tanya Shelburne, from Traveling Tanya, along with her family for a weekend of activities. Their time was filled with cultural experiences, shopping, wine tasting, and even a concert. She has shared her experience in the blog below so you can what visiting Shipshewana is like first hand! With full days […]

Make the most of your visit to the Shipshewana Flea Market by reading these tips about hours, vendors, lodging and Amish food. We hope it will help you get the most out of your shopping experience! Flea Market Hours The Shipshewana Flea Market is open 8am to 4pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from May to […]

It’s common curiosity to compare our normal traditions to those of another culture, which is why we get asked this question often: Do Amish celebrate Easter? The short answer is yes, but their activities and traditions may be different than what your family is used to. On Good Friday, you’ll find Amish families taking a […]

There’s one thing you’ll find in the kitchen of every Amish home, as a matter of fact, most homes in LaGrange County: Amish noodles. They’re a staple around here since they’re easy to add to any dish. But where do you buy them? What can you make with them? Can you make them yourself? The […]

You probably won’t find decorated trees, hanging wreaths, or wrapped presents in an Amish home during the holidays, but you will find the spirit of Christmas alive and well. As I was out and about these last few weeks visiting Shipshewana/LaGrange County retailers, I asked some of the Amish about whether they celebrate Christmas. Everyone […]

Memorial day is always the last Monday in May, and its become the unofficial start of the summer season. The Shipshewana Flea Market is open every week (seasonally) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so it just makes sense to turn it into a 3-day Flea Market for Memorial Day, when many people have the day off […]

You know you’re a history buff when you love to know the story behind each destination you travel to. Shipshewana, Indiana has a rich Amish and Mennonite heritage that is fun to learn about. History buffs can bring Shipshewana’s past to life by visiting the following events and attractions. Menno-Hof Amish/Mennonite Museum One of the […]

It’s rare to find a restaurant with such a history (and such amazing pie!) The Shipshewana Auction Restaurant, located at Shipshewana Auction & Flea Market, is a charming sit-down eatery that serves the buyers, sellers and visitors to the auction and flea market. Customers love to fill up on Amish & Mennonite favorites including chicken & […]

Shipshewana rolled out the red carpet for these young ladies for a birthday party in Amish Country! I recently had the pleasure to attend a beautiful young lady’s Birthday Party, hosted at Kids Kreations in downtown Shipshewana on Harrison Street. When we arrived balloons, cookies, and all the fixings to make a doll were appropriately […]

Many Shipshewana & LaGrange County visitors are fascinated by the Amish culture in our area, and are often curious about the reasons behind the Amish lifestyle and traditions. Here are answers to 10 common Amish questions: In this blog, Loren Beachy, a resident of Goshen, Indiana and member of the Old Order Amish Church, seeks […]

It’s fall, yes, but it’s not cold yet. That means you still have time to get those last minute summer plans in that you didn’t have time to do before. I know somewhere on that list of things you want to do is to take a road trip to Shipshewana, so what’s stopping you?! Gas […]

I’ve lived here most of my adult life and there is one thing I never get tired of: Amish Peanut Butter!  It’s crazy to think that this little condiment can literally be used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!  If you are unfamiliar with this gooey smooth rich yummy treat, let me tell you a little […]

Of all the articles I have written on lodging in Shipshewana & LaGrange County, almost all the places featured provide access to the local culture. Hollow Ridge Lodging is the most unique for numerous reasons, and one of the 10 reasons listed below might just be why you choose to stay there. The Cabins are owned […]

Der Ruhe Blatz Motel is noted on Trip Advisor as a fine place to rest. That’s a very good thing, because the name literally means “The Rest Place” and for the millions of visitors that come to Shipshewana each year it is a great option to stay right in the center of it all! Der […]

“Our campers here are just good down-home folk,” explains Missy, the office manager at Atwood Lake Campground in rural Wolcottville. “We watch everybody’s children, everybody watches your children. The families eat dinners together. It’s a down-home, low-key campground.” “We’re not just Atwood campers, we’re Atwood family,” she said.Atwood Lake Campground is surrounded on three sides by Amish […]