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National Tourism Week May 20-24th

National Tourism Week is May 20th thru the 24th!

The Shipshewana/LaGrange County CVB will be Promoting & Celebrating National Tourism Week.

The Shipshewana/LaGrange County area is a beloved destination for millions of visitors every year, and tourism is a increasingly large part of the local economy. National Tourism Week gives CVB employees the chance to go out to local establishments, meet people and employees, and share information about all the important things about Shipshewana and LaGrange County […]

National Tourism Week is May 20th thru the 24th!
Flea Market Trails

Discover Shipshewana Flea Market Trails.

Explore & Shop the Easy Way with the Help of Curated Vendor Trails!

DISCOVER SHIPSHEWANA FLEA MARKET TRAILS People who love to shop and hunt for bargains obviously love the Midwest’s Largest Flea Market. Sometimes, because it is THE LARGEST, the sheer size and shopping possibilities might seem overwhelming. Luckily! The smart folks over at the Flea Market, have solutions for that! There is, of course, a Vendor […]

Discover Shipshewana Flea Market Trails.
People looking at plants

5 Things to Do in Shipshewana in the Spring

Spring in Shipshewana offers a fresh and colorful array of fun and fascinating activities. As the weather warms and nature awakens, visitors are invited to explore the rich tapestry of experiences this quaint town has to offer. From strolling through the bustling aisles of the Shipshewana Flea Market to enjoying horse-drawn wagon tours through the […]

5 Things to Do in Shipshewana in the Spring
quilt main photo

Enjoy a Full Week of Quilt Events in June!

Quilt Shows, Raffles, Prizes, Markets and more! Hop to It!

In Amish Country, fabric creations are an art form. In Shipshewana you can find: knitting, macrame, hand-sewn clothing, weavings, hand-loomed rugs, but this area is well-known for beautiful quilting. Amish Quilts are beloved as decor, and so well-made that they can be handed down as family heirlooms. Not only that, but quilting as a past-time […]

Enjoy a Full Week of Quilt Events in June!

Best of the Best: Shipshewana’s Sweet Eats & Salty Treats

A fun foodie challenge you can really sink your teeth into...

One of the best parts of any visit to the Heart of Amish Country is the delicious food! There are a bunch of tasty bites this area is known for, so trying them all can take some time and planning. But what a great goal! We’ll tell you where to try all the signature Eats & […]

Best of the Best: Shipshewana’s Sweet Eats & Salty Treats
Blue Gate Restaurant with Horse and Wagon

Blue Gate

The Humble Beginning of a Hospitality Giant

How do you turn a leisure activity into an expansive hospitality group drawing millions to a town of under 700? Hard work. Craftsmanship. A welcoming spirit. For Blue Gate Hospitality Company in Shipshewana, IN, these same traits that define Amish Country also embody the quality goods and services they provide for the many who trek […]

Blue Gate
Couple with dog in a kayak

Canoeing the Scenic Fawn River

Paddling your troubles away with the help of T & L Country Canoes

One of the most attractive things about visiting LaGrange County is its wide-open spaces. The gorgeous landscapes, beautiful scenery, and large populations of both domestic and wild animals mean there’s always something new to hold your attention. And there are so many ways to experience your surroundings here: buggy, bike, walking paths, trails, but one […]

Canoeing the Scenic Fawn River

Spring has Sprung in Shipshewana…

& Shipshewana has your Horticultural Hookup!

It’s officially Spring in Northern Indiana! That means it’s time to get to planting and pruning and plotting and potting!   One of the first plant and gardening goods stops we always recommend is, of course, the Largest Flea Market in the Midwest. They have produce, plants, and gardening areas, and stock changes from week […]

Spring has Sprung in Shipshewana…

Meet Jessica Linder!

The hardworking co-owner of Trading Post Outfitters is a delight!

Meet Jess Linder! The hardworking business co-owner, wife and mom has made relaxation her business, literally! Read on to get to know her and her family a little better, and make a point of getting out to the Trading Post this spring and summer – you won’t be sorry!   Q: Can you tell us […]

Meet Jessica Linder!

National Agriculture Week

The importance of Farming in the Heart of Amish Country

National Agriculture Week is celebrated every year in March. National Agriculture Week is celebrated every year in March on dates announced by the Agriculture Council of America. This year the week-long event begins on March 17th and ends on March 23rd. The week acknowledges and celebrates the agricultural industry and the role it plays in […]

National Agriculture Week
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!

Meet Tobi Oxenrider: New Executive Director of the Shipshewana Retail Merchant’s Association

If you haven’t met the SRMA’s (Shipshewana Retail Merchant’s Association) new Executive Director yet, she’s a friendly, spunky spitfire who is kind to everyone, has a super cute dog named Augie (see above) and loves the people of Shipshewana. Here’s Tobi in her own words:   Q: Can you tell us a little bit about […]

Meet Tobi Oxenrider: New Executive Director of the Shipshewana Retail Merchant’s Association

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!

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

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

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!
Shipshewana Carousel at Davis Mercantile

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
Amish basket weaver

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

Amish Communities

A Short Overview of Amish Culture.

Indiana’s Amish Country Shipshewana and the LaGrange County area are known as Amish Country, Indiana, and are home to the third-largest Amish community in the United States. Although the comparative size of Amish Communities remains small compared to the rest of the United States, the Amish are one of our fastest-growing communities. It’s estimated that […]

Amish Communities

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

Mel Riegsecker and His Miniatures were the Beginning of Something Big

A brief history of the Blue Gate Hospitality Co.

When people hear the name Shipshewana, they associate it with Amish craftsmanship, buggies, good food, beautiful quilts, amazing shopping, and most likely at least one of the properties run by the Blue Gate Hospitality Company. Currently that list includes a bakery, a restaurant, a theater, a large Performing Arts Center, carriages, a resort-type hotel, and […]

Mel Riegsecker and His Miniatures were the Beginning of Something Big

What are ‘Cottage Shops’?

These out-of-the-way shops are an important component of the Amish way of life.

The term ‘Cottage Shop’ in LaGrange County refers to the many Amish-run businesses that you can find scattered throughout the beautiful backroads surrounding Shipshewana, LaGrange, Middlebury and almost any area where the Amish way of life is prevalent. They are typically small stores next to their homes and workshops, and the products they make and […]

What are ‘Cottage Shops’?
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