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Group Bus Tours & Step-On Guides

Who better to give a tour of Amish country than a local?

Shipshewana is one of the most popular Group Tour destinations in the U.S.   Visitors choose Group Bus Tours for a number of reasons! No driving, and no navigating. You can travel with friends. No decisions to make: the trip is already fully planned! You’ll experience a curated adventure. You can meet new people and […]

Group Bus Tours & Step-On Guides

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…

Do-It-Yourselfers Love Shipshewana! Here’s why:

It's a Pickers Paradise!

Are you a Picker? A Home-Improvement Guru? Landscaper? An Antique-Hunter? A DIY’er? Whatever the hands-on hobby, if you like to get your hands dirty, Shipshewana’s for you! Everyone knows that Shipshewana is home to the Midwest’s Largest Flea Market (opening for the season on April 30th.) Fewer people know that the Flea Market location (Shipshewana Trading […]

Do-It-Yourselfers Love Shipshewana! Here’s why:

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!

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!

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!

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

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

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

Happy Salt is a Shipshewana Tradition

Happy Salt has been around since since 1985, a Shipshewana staple for almost 40 years! Kevin Horn is the owner of Shipshewana Spice Company, and Happy Salt was created by his parents. Kevin’s father worked as a professional in the food industry for many years, and created the Happy Salt blend using pepper, onion, garlic, […]

Happy Salt is a Shipshewana Tradition

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
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

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

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

Purple Martin Nesting Boxes are an Amish Tradition

The beneficial relationship between Purple Martins, a type of sparrow, and humans goes back hundreds of years in North America. Purple Martins are voracious consumers of insects, especially mosquitoes, and early Native Americans figured out that attracting them to their land was beneficial to all the people and animals that lived there. Historically, Purple Martins […]

Purple Martin Nesting Boxes are an Amish Tradition

LaGrange Habitat Hosting Annual Auction

The 27th annual benefit auction begins on Friday, in Shipshewana, starting at 4 p.m.

The LaGrange County Habitat for Humanity is hosting its 27th annual benefit auction on Friday in Shipshewana, starting at 4 p.m. Funds raised from the auction will go toward funding for the organization’s operation, and will in part go toward putting a family in a new home. While the Habitat for Humanity in LaGrange does […]

LaGrange Habitat Hosting Annual Auction

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’?

Yoder’s Meat & Cheese Celebrates ‘Cowboy Day’

3 Key Elements You could say that the family farm behind Yoder’s Meat & Cheese has been ahead of the curve for decades. Four generations of cattle farmers and smart farming practices have culminated in both a popular retail space and a successful agri-business. Yoder’s Meat & Cheese is located at 435 S. Van Buren […]

Yoder’s Meat & Cheese Celebrates ‘Cowboy Day’
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