Stories

FROM HOBBY TO BUSINESS – MEET JESSE WOODWORTH In the heart of downtown Shipshewana, Riverwood Pottery stands a beacon of artistic perseverance and community harmony. Founded by Jesse Woodworth, whose journey from hobbyist to business owner encapsulates the essence of turning passion into livelihood, Riverwood Pottery is not just a shop. It’s a story of […]

Shipshewana Awarded Destination of the Year by the Midwest Travel Network During the Midwest Travel Network’s Conference, members voted for a variety of prestigious annual awards. For the first time, Shipshewana was awarded Destination of the Year.   For 2024 the winners are: Destination of the Year: Visit Shipshewana FAM Trip of the Year: Visit Fairfield […]

Artisans & Craftsman Patience and craftmanship are prized in LaGrange County, which helps explain why these communities are known for well-crafted furniture, quilts, hand-loomed rugs, wood crafts, leather goods, and pottery, as well as hand-made foods, ice cream, and candy and so much more. A visit here means a unique opportunity to go behind-the-scenes and […]

Brian Wilson is the friendly and enthusiastic owner of Cariloha in Shipshewana, located at 133 Harrison St. Cariloha specializes in products made from bamboo, like incredibly soft mattresses and bedding, as well as a large selection of clothing and performance gear. Find out more about Brian below! Q: Can you tell us a little bit […]

MEET THE AUTHOR OF SHOW ME SHIPSHEWANA: A GUIDE TO INDIANA AMISH COUNTRY Meet Emmy-winning author Theresa L. Goodrich on Saturday, June 15 at Davis Mercantile. She will be there signing copies of Show Me Shipshewana: a Guide to Indiana Amish Country. Also available will be her books Planning Your Perfect Road Trip, Midwest Road […]

LOTS OF BIKES ON THESE ROADS You’ll see bikes everywhere in LaGrange County. Both Amish children and adults alike frequently utilize them as their daily transportation, and the traffic on all the country roads is sparse enough to make recreational biking a common hobby here as well. When you add to that the new sidewalks […]

Barn Quilt Trail Expansion Driving the scenic country backroads of Northern Indiana, you might see something called a Barn Quilt adorning historic barns, family homesteads, Amish farms, and public spaces. Similar in design to traditional quilts, Barn Quilts are constructed using wood, and painted with heirloom or newly designed quilt patterns,  chosen by the owner […]

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.  1. Rules of the Road Travel Tips:  Understand the Grid! Road names and numbers can be confusing. Road names are based on the distance in miles from US 20 […]

Menno-Hof Museum The Menno-Hof Cultural Museum shares a narrated history of Anabaptism and how the religion eventually became the Amish and Mennonite cultures that we know today. See and hear the Amish-Mennonite story through multimedia presentations, historical environments, and colorful displays. Step into a 16th century courtyard where Anabaptism began, then board a ship of […]

You’ve never taken selfies like this before! Photo Mirror Selfie Stations have become a huge trend at weddings and events because you can program them with custom and specific text, digital frames, and digital backgrounds. And then visitors can mix it up to produce a one-of-a-kind selfie showing off where they’ve been! The Shipshewana/LaGrange County […]

Carrie Miller is the Store Manager of Rise’n Roll Bakery located at 1065 N. 1150 W. (right on the corner of 1150 & SR 20.) The incredibly popular bakery is a Middlebury institution, located right outside of Shipshewana. A favorite of visitors and locals alike, Rise’n Roll is the home of the beloved Cinnamon Caramel […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Amish, Mennonite, and other Christian denominations all regard Good Friday and Easter as important days in their religious calendars. On Good Friday you’ll find that many government entities, banks, and offices are closed for the holiday, and Amish businesses will be closed as well. Amish who work outside of the Amish community may take Good […]

Sara Patrick is the Executive Director of the LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce. In that role, she’s proven a passionate and knowledgeable advocate for the organizations and people of LaGrange County. For more about Sara and the Chamber of Commerce, read on:   Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? A: I […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]