Shopping

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

If you’ve met Lora, than you know that she is hardworking, kind, and fun. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure, you can learn more from our quick interview below. Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your life here in Shipshewana? A: I relocated from my hometown 9 years ago to join […]

Need a great story idea? We’re here to help! Choose from the categories and suggestions below and contact us for the info and illustrative pieces you need. Need info on a topic that you don’t see here? Contact us and we’ll assist with whatever you need!   Historical: The History of Shipshewana The Story of Davis […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]