Amish Country Blog

The Elkhart County Historical Museum’s temporary exhibit “Beyond Necessity: Folk Art from the Permanent Collection” will be extended to December 17!  This popular exhibit features folk art made by area artists.

Several Russian Orthodox decorated towels have been added to the exhibit.  Recently donated from the Holy Virgin Protection Orthodox Church of Goshen, the towels were used to adorn icons on the walls of their sanctuary.  Each one is a very long white towel featuring colorful designs at each end, as well as crochet work and fringes.  The towels are a very important addition to the museum’s collection, which has few items representing non-English immigrant groups in the county.  Come check out the beautiful artifacts!

The Elkhart County Historical Museum’s hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 9:00am-5:00pm.

-Rebmecca Oestreich Elkhart County Historical Museum

I know.  You’ve called us for the Travel Guide, and you’ve mapped out your entire stay.  You have the map in the middle of the guide, and you go on your way.  Coming to the Visitor Center is not on your list of things to do.

The great thing about the Visitor Center is that everyone here is knowledgeable about the area.  We can give you easy directions to anywhere you want to go in the area.  We know about events that are happening in the area, and we can pass that information along to you to enhance your trip.  We have some regional information here so if you are here for a few days, you can find more options for your stay.  We also have a great quilt exhibit for your enjoyment in the Visitor Center.

We are the most knowledgeable about the Heritage Trail Route and the Quilt Garden Tour, and can give you tips about both tours.  We have maps and plenty of information.  We’re also very friendly and love talking to visitors.  So when you’re in the area, come and visit us.
The Visitor Center is located at 219 Caravan Drive, Elkhart, IN, and I hope to see you soon.

I was at First Friday’s in Goshen last Friday and we ate at Durangueneze -113 West Washington Street.  What a wonderful casual restaurant.  I loved the industrial look of this building.  It felt much more contemporary than the other restaurants in Goshen.

The food was delicious.  First, the chips and salsa were great.  I loved their salsa, not spicy but just lot of great favor.  I had tacos and my husband had the chimichangas.  The tacos did not come with anything other than the meat in them, but the plate had lettuce, tomatoes and rice and beans that could be put in the taco.  They were smaller than the big tacos I’m use to, but 3 came on my plate, and it was enough to make me fill full.  I loved them.  My husband’s chimichangas were very lightly fried and tasted great.

I can’t wait to go back and try the Cuban sandwich, and the burritos.  It was a great experience, and we’ll have to go back again.
So if you’re in need of a great Mexican meal in Amish Country, try Durangueneze.

Lots of great family friendly events are going on this week in Amish Country.

Amish Acres Arts and Crafts Festival August 5-8

Goshen First Fridays August 6

Meet me in St. Louis presented by Elkhart Civic Theater August 6-7

Linton’s Enchanted Gardens Hawaiian Luau August 7-8

So get out and have fun in Amish Country this week, and let me know which family friendly event is your favorite.

Where can you find a buggy ride in Amish Country?  I am asked that question often, so here are the places in Amish Country where you can find a buggy ride.

Das Dutchman Essenhaus

Amish Acres

Buggy Lane Tours
I hope you enjoy this  Amish experience.  And if you have had a buggy ride in Amish Country, where did you go?

My favorite time is year start July 23rd.  Yes, it’s the Elkhart County 4-H Fair.  9 days of great, fun filled family activities, rides and food.

The best part of the 4-H Fair is that the grandstand price in included in the admission price.  They have track seating- you can pay extra, but what’s the fun in that.  This year is there is a great line up, the best show by fair is going to be CMA winners Lady Antebellum .  Now, the secret to getting great grandstand seats is showing up early, and I mean about 2pm for a 7pm concert.  Bring cards, food and water, but don’t leave once you get that perfect spot.  I know, there’s a whole fair going on and you want to explore, but don’t expect to find much seating after 5pm.

Another secret to a great fair experience is going early on free day.  The first Sunday of the Fair is free admission.  But if you wait till after noon, expect lots of traffic.  I usually try to get there between 8-9am.  Not much is open at that time, so eat a leisurely breakfast, go through all the animal exhibits, and then explore the rest of the fair as it opens.

I love 4-H Fair time in Elkhart County.  So if you happen to be in Amish Country during July 23-31, visit the Elkhart County 4-H Fair.  You won’t be disappointed.  And if you’ve been to the fair, let me know what you like doing.

July is National Hot Dog Month, National Ice Cream Month, National Horseradish Month, National Grilling Month, and National Blueberry Month.  Wow, that’s a lot to pack into one month, but here are our tips to help you celebrate this month in style.

Try the blueberry pie at Das Dutchman Essenhaus.  You can’t go wrong with pie at the Essenhaus.

For Ice Cream, go to Yup’s Dairyland in Middlebury.  I know there are lots of people in Middlebury who swear by Yup’s.

Mattern’s Deli in Goshen serves a wonderful London Broil Sandwich with a horseradish sauce that is wonderful.  Our group tour leader, Sonya Nash, personally recommended it.

Old Hoosier Meats will have everything you need for grilling, from ribs to steaks.  Tell Randy you need help celebrating National Grilling Month.  He’ll help you all month long.

Goshen and Elkhart now have great hot dog stands.  You can find Goshen’s hot dog stand on the corner of Lincoln and Main, on the side of Lake City Bank.  Elkhart’s hot dog stand is on the Civic Plaza.

I’m dying to try the London Broil Sandwich at Mattern’s.  I just found out about it today.  I hope find something on this list that you enjoy, and if you find somewhere to celebrate that isn’t on my list, let me what you prefer.

I went for a ride on The Elkhart River Queen.  It was a nice, relaxing ride on the upper St. Joe River.  There is beautiful scenery, lots of friendly boaters and natural wildlife to look at while taking this two hour cruise.   You also get to learn a little about Elkhart’s history on the water, something I didn’t know before.

So if you have a couple hours on a Sunday afternoon, and want to relax, take a ride on the River Queen. And while we’re talking about relaxing, let us know how you like to relax on a Sunday afternoon.

Its summer and everyone needs to find more ways to stay active.  Here are a few events that will get you moving.

11th Annual Pumpkinvine Bike Ride June 19

30th Annual Great Race July 2-3

The E Mazing Race July 24

I’m sure one of these events will help you start thinking about summer fitness.

If you love theater, now is the time to go.  Five different plays are opening up this month in Amish Country.

The Rock, The Redeemer, and Resurrection Morning at the Blue Gate Theater

Thoroughly Modern Millie at The Bristol Opera House

A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline at the Round Barn Theatre

Monetizing Emma at New World Arts

The Same Amazing Water that the Cows Drink at Menno-Hof

Hope you find something that interests you while supporting our local theater groups.  Let us know where you like to see local theater in Amish Country.