Embark on a one-of-a-kind street journey via Indiana’s Amish nation and uncover the sweetness and appeal of the Hoosier state like by no means earlier than. From picturesque farmlands to quaint villages, this journey provides a glimpse into the timeless traditions and craftsmanship of the Amish group.
Spend a weekend strolling via stunning gardens, biking the countryside, perusing artisan retailers, visiting a number of breweries, and getting acquainted with Indiana Amish Nation.
What an unforgettable journey and solely two hours away from Chicago!
READ NEXT: THE BEST WEEKEND TRIPS IN INDIANA
Greatest Time of 12 months to Go to Indiana’s Amish Group
Though you possibly can plan your street journey any time of 12 months, I recommend visiting when the Quilt Gardens are in bloom alongside the Heritage Path. Vibrant floral shows are meticulously organized to create gorgeous quilt patterns that stretch throughout a 90-mile driving tour of scenic landscapes from late Might to mid-September.
Native communities be a part of forces to placed on this colourful occasion with over 1,000,000 blooming flowers. You’ll see 13 quilt-inspired gardens and 12 hand-painted quilt-themed murals.
2024 Quilt Gardens Dates: Might thirtieth – September fifteenth
TIP: Please make a remark that a few of the space sights and eating places are closed on Sundays so plan accordingly.
Indiana Amish Nation Itinerary
Begin your weekend in Elkhart on Friday night time, the place you possibly can decide up maps of the Heritage Path and Pumpkinvine Bicycle Path on the Customer Heart. Additionally they provide a free audio driving tour CD or USB.
TIP: If you happen to don’t have time to cease in, it’s also possible to go on their web site to stream the audio tour on-line.
Discover the City of Elkhart
Subsequent head over to downtown Elkhart, a small city located on the St. Joseph River. Stroll down Fundamental Road the place the perimeters of the brick buildings are adorned with quirky murals and some shops and eating places dot the road.
Pizza and Craft Beer
Cease at Iechyd Da Brewery, pronounced Yah-key-Dah. Unsure how that works! It means good well being in Welsh.
The pizza is sweet and so they have a big collection of beer: the hubby tried the Revolution IPA and American Black Ale (our bartender’s favourite) and I had the Tatarosa Razz Berliner Weisse and Summer season Wheatley Hoppy Wheat.
They provide half pints which is a good choice so you possibly can pattern a number of completely different beers in your go to.
TIP: No children allowed. 21+ solely. In case you are on the lookout for a family-friendly restaurant, try Per Bacco Ristorante Italiano or Heinnie’s Again Barn.
Different Issues to See and Do in Elkhart County: Time Was Museum, The Lerner Theatre, Nationwide New York Central Railroad Museum, Midwest Museum of American Artwork, New Paradigm Brewery, and the RV Corridor of Fame.
Saturday
Get an early begin this morning as a result of you might have a protracted day forward! Start the day with espresso and breakfast at The Moringa Tree Natural Kitchen.
Wellfield Botanic Gardens
Begin with Wellfield Botanic Gardens, your first official cease on the Heritage Path, a novel spot for a backyard because it sits on the location of the wells that provide town with its consuming water.
What an amazing concept to show a useful area into a wonderful and peaceable strolling space!
The backyard can be the beginning of a set-your-own-pace stroll or experience on the RiverWalk Tradition Path, a path that brings you to all of the highlights of Elkhart.
Admission: Small payment with discounted charges for youngsters below 12 and free for youngsters below 3.
Ruthmere Mansion
From Wellfield head to Ruthmere Mansion, a Beaux-Arts historic house in-built 1910. You’ll discover a pleasant quilt backyard out entrance and a possibility to take a self-guided tour of the within.
TIP: The museum is closed on Mondays.
Linton’s Enchanted Gardens
I’m unsure describe the subsequent quilt backyard cease, Linton’s Enchanted Gardens. It’s a house and backyard middle however with a wierd and genius twist.
Coming into the shop you’re thrown into sensory overload with presents galore. They’ve jewellery, wall artwork, garments, house decor, and lots of different gadgets.
The small cafe subsequent to the trickling waterfall is the proper place to seize a snack or lunch.
The Enchanted Backyard space is enchanted alright and a genius method to get further earnings from random sights; it has a small petting zoo, gemstone mining, an actual tree home (high of a 200-year-old hollowed-out tree), paddle boat, and prepare rides all among the many large collection of crops, flowers, and timber.
It’s undoubtedly value a cease as we now have by no means seen something fairly prefer it.
Bonneyville Mill County Park
Bonneyville Mill County Park is one in every of my favourite stops on the Heritage Path. Inbuilt 1832, it’s Indiana’s oldest constantly working grist mill.
Tour the timber-frame constructing and uncover how stone-ground flour is made. You’ll be able to even buy some to take house as a memento!
Open 10 AM to five PM Tuesday via Sunday April 18th to November twelfth.
With seven miles of climbing trails, the Bonneyville Mills property can be an amazing spot for out of doors recreation. Mountain bikers may take pleasure in a six-mile designated path via wooded terrain.
Finish your day with dinner at Das Dutchman Essenhaus, Indiana’s largest household restaurant. Choose a single entree off the menu or indulge within the sturdy buffet.
Sunday
Middlebury
For breakfast, cease in The Legendary Grind, an area gem that includes scrumptious meals and drinks.
Subsequent, plan to bike or stroll a portion of the Pumpkinvine Bike Path. The trail from Middlebury to Shipshewana is about 10 miles spherical journey. The paved path is nice!
You’ll see wildflowers and dealing farms as you cross via the countryside. Don’t be stunned if you end up sharing the trail with an Amish particular person in old-timey garments making their method to or from city.
If you could lease bikes, try Pumpkinvine Cyclery right here. Reservations are usually not required however are a good suggestion.
Kinder Gardens
There are a number of parking choices for the path together with Krider Gardens, initially designed for the 1933 Chicago World’s Truthful. It’s a small space stuffed with flowers, a fountain, a windmill, and sculptures.
Afterwards, cease at Rise ‘N Roll, an Amish bakery, for some much-needed sugar. The cinnamon roll was good however the cinnamon caramel donuts and the apple fritters stole the present. SO GOOD!
Don’t overlook to select up a free 8 oz espresso together with your snacks. They’d many samples so even for those who’re not within the temper for a donut, cease by and check out all the opposite goodies.
Shipshewana
Shipshewana is a quaint and charming city wealthy with Amish heritage.
From horse-drawn carriage rides to artisan retailers and museums, there are countless alternatives to immerse your self on this fascinating tradition.
Whereas on the town, go to the historic Menno-Hof Interpretive Heart, which supplies insights into Amish and Mennonite historical past and beliefs, in addition to museums that showcase artifacts from the early days of Amish settlement in Indiana.
The city can be house to one of many largest flea markets within the Midwest, the place you could find every little thing from antiques and handcrafted gadgets to contemporary produce and baked items.
As well as, Davis Mercantile has 4 flooring of distinctive presents and souvenirs.
RELATED: WHY YOU NEED TO SEE THESE 5 AMISH TOWNS IN PA
Goshen
Goshen was one other pleasant, small city. The Elkhart County Courthouse, a stately brick constructing with a big clock tower, sits on the coronary heart of city. We didn’t eat there, however heard Olympia Sweet Kitchen was an amazing place to cease for lunch or ice cream. The Outdated Bag Manufacturing facility, in-built 1896, is one other nice cease for specialty retailers.
Wakarusa and Nappanee Amish Indiana
We didn’t spend a lot time within the final two cities on the Heritage Path, however we did discover our favourite quilt backyard on the Nappanee Heart. It’s a recreated Amish backyard with stepping stones, a water pump, and bench. Be certain that to cease by the Wakarusa Dime Retailer, it’s each baby’s fantasy with numerous sweet choices.
The place to Keep
Full Disclosure: The hyperlinks beneath are affiliate hyperlinks and we obtain a small fee at no further cost for those who ebook via them.
When exploring Indiana’s Amish nation, there are a number of lodging choices to contemplate for a cushty and genuine expertise. Listed here are some suggestions on the place to remain whereas immersing your self within the wealthy tradition and historical past of the Amish group:
In case you are on the lookout for budget-friendly choices and like tenting, listed here are some campgrounds within the space:
Elkhart Campground, Middlebury KOA, Shipshewana Campground South, and Pla-Mor Campground.
Last Ideas
General, the Indiana Amish Nation Heritage Path provides a glimpse into a less complicated lifestyle that’s more and more uncommon in our trendy world. It’s an opportunity to decelerate, disconnect from expertise, and join with nature whereas studying about one in every of America’s most fascinating cultural communities.
We had a beautiful weekend exploring Northern Indiana and we hope you do too!
Different Indiana Adventures
Wish to learn extra about our adventures, enroll beneath!
Prefer it? Pin It and Put it aside For Later!
