The first settlers to arrive in Shipshewana, Indiana, were in search of a new place to call home. This group grew to become the third-largest Amish settlement in the U.S. The sustainable lifestyle is rooted in agriculture, with over 79% of the county devoted to working the land. The county boasts 2,144 farms, 300 Hoosier Homesteads, over 17,000 horses, and numerous dairy, sheep, poultry, and egg producers, along with a wide variety of crops, produce, and flower growers. This tour will give a glimpse inside a treasure trove of fascinating insights, access, and daily farm life.
IMMERSE IN THE CULTURE
Begin your Shipshewana journey with a visit to the Menno-Hof Amish Mennonite Interpretive Cultural Center, giving you a proper introduction to the rich culture and slower-paced lifestyle in the Amish community through multimedia presentations and hands-on exhibits.
Visit an Amish working farm with Harry Stutzman of Stutzman’s Dairy Farm. Watch daily milking from the comforts of their upstairs viewing room, learn how modern dairy cows live their lives and how much milk a cow can produce, sample the award-winning flavored milk, plus meet and feed the animals! For dinner, enjoy a buffet “thresher-style” meal at Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery followed by a world-class stage show at the Blue Gate Theater.
TASTE FARM LIFE
Your group can experience the day-to-day realities of farm life by scheduling an Amish farm tour, or see how horses are raised at Jones Family Horse Farm. Bloomfield Schoolhouse Lavender Farm & Apothecary offers a farm experience of a different type—one with sweet scents that will linger long after the tour.
But perhaps the best way to experience farm country is to taste it. Taste the iconic popped goodness at Yoder’s Popcorn Store, serving famous tiny tender popcorn since 1936. Stop into the Carriage House for a real “haystack” lunch— a topsy-turvy, unique dinner resembling an iconic haystack of 13 layers including seasoned meat, rice, fresh vegetables, toppings, and covered with warm melted cheese. Don’t miss the chance to mix up your own jar of Amish-style peanut butter to take home. And for dinner, Chef Shawna Rae’s The Black Sheep restaurant offers a dining experience like no other: farm-to-table ingredients, generous helpings, and warm hospitality coming together in a memorable evening.
EXPLORE FURTHER
On your last day in Shipshewana, be sure to bring a cooler to take home some goodies from Yoder Meat & Cheese Store before heading out to experience the beautiful and unique Quilt Gardens of LaGrange County. These intricate gardens combine the designs of quilting with vibrant, blooming flowers in a one-of-a-kind creation. Then, experience Springfield Acres, a beloved destination in summer or fall to pick your own sunflowers and pumpkins.
Travel to Cook’s Bison Ranch for a covered wagon ride on this family’s farm, with opportunities for petting and feeding a bison herd, amazing photo ops, and memory-making fun! Enjoy a mouth-watering Chuckwagon Bison Buffet Lunch experience to end the trip.
Amish Country Shipshewana, IN
260-768-4008
visitshipshewana.org/groups
Lead Photo:
Fried pies
Photo courtesy of Visit Shipshewana
