Amish Country Blog

Sweet Creams Soda Shop
700 S. Main @ State Street / Elkhart / 574.970.5568
-Step back in time
-Try the lunch-time grilled cheese with sautéed peppers & onions
-Best noon ‘till 1:30 pm

Michael’s Italian Restaurant – since 1957
Corner of 6th & Harrison / Elkhart / 574. 522.3664
-Great local feel with “Wednesday night regulars”  – mayor, former police chief
-Best Wednesdays 7 – 8:30 pm

Tabletop Soignee at Flytrap’s
505 S. Main Street / Elkhart / 574.295.1400
-Check out the beef “brutzli” served on a cooking stone @ table
-Great a-la-minute Swiss methods
-Cool original art

Thirsty Thursdays @ The Vine
214 S. Main Street / Elkhart / 574.970.5006
-50% off wines by the bottle each Thursday, free tastings – very popular
-Great retro interior

Power Lunch Fridays
McCarthy’s on the RiverWalk / Elkhart
333 NIBCO Parkway @ Elkhart Avenue bridge / 574.293.2830
-The place for bankers/ developers/ players to launch deals
-Best  Fridays 12 – 1:30 pm

It was a drizzling, wet day on Saturday, and I almost didn’t want to go out, but Arts in Bloom and Taste of the Garden was happening at Wellfield Botanical Gardens, and so I went.  I figured since it was raining, I would quickly look at art, and then go home. I love art shows.

The event started at 11am, and at 11am, parking was already getting full.  Some of the artist were getting out their rain gear, but they were happy to see everyone still showing up despite the rain.  I looked at most of the booths.  Dismas House of South Bend had bracelets and key chains that residents made, and I now have a new keychain.

Then after the art booths, I took walk around the pond at Wellfield.  It is a lovely place, with the creek running on the backside. A lot of work has gone on the east side of the pond to make it a beautiful resting place. With waterfalls, walk paths, and a flower garden, it is an ideal spot to spend time outside.

I did not eat, but by noon, most of the table seating under the tent for the Taste of the Garden was full.  I know the food was great, but I was a more soaked than I wanted, so I decided to go home.  It was a great event, and I can’t wait for it to happen again next year.

It’s not so surprising to see travel research ranking visiting small towns tops the list of desired vacation activities. Elkhart County is especially blessed with terrific cities and towns with vibrant main streets.

The ECCVB is showing them off in exciting new ways to motivate travelers and keep them interested by launching a series of video clips promoting our cities and towns on our  new YouTube Channel.

Take a look. This is just the beginning!

Let us know what you think of these videos, leave your comment here.

I went to the Jazz Festival on Saturday with my two year old and my husband.
The music at the free stage was wonderful. I don’t know who was playing, but they were very good. The crowd really enjoyed listening. My husband Mike and I would have danced, but our toddler prevented that from happening. Having the free stage on grass this year made the concert feel a little more intimate and I felt like people were more relaxed in the park like setting.

The food was great too. I had a soft pretzel, chocolate ice cream and a cheeseburger. Thank goodness I have a two year old that shares food with me. It was delicious. Also from the food court, I could see the lots of people who were at other venues, strolling onto wherever they wanted to go next. It was nice to see people out and about downtown.

It was a great way to spend our time, and I can’t wait till next year.  So as you plan next year’s trip, think about coming at Jazz Festival time. I’m sure it will add a great addition to your Amish Country experience.

-Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

This weekend is the Elkhart Jazz Festival. I love Jazz Festival weekend. The city seems a little happier. I love going downtown– seeing people that I haven’t seen for awhile,  watching people dancing, and knowing there are kids who are getting exposed to music that they may not be use . I also like seeing the new faces from people who travel from all over to be here for the Festival.
For those of you who don’t know, the Elkhart Jazz Festival is in it’s a three day festival that has over 100 world class jazz artist in 6 unique venues. You’ll hear sounds of classic, swing, big band, contemporary, Latin jazz, beepob, ragtime and Dixieland coming from downtown Elkhart. There is the free stage in Central Park, but you’ll need to buy tickets for the rest of the venues.
Call the Jazz Hotline at 800.597.7627 to order tickets or more information, or go to the Jazz Festival website at ElkhartJazzFestival.com. Come on out to the Elkhart Jazz Festival and enjoy the music.

Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

Start Planning Your Trip Today
by Finding a Great Place to Stay!

Gather the whole family for a summer break that’s loaded with fun and easy on the wallet. The $87 Package – Pizza, Pool, Pop, at the Ramada Inn, Elkhart, gives the kids plenty of time to splash and play and gives you the chance to relax and not worry about what’s for dinner.

Even the food is family-friendly in Amish Country. Das Dutchman Essenhaus is famous for its pass- the-plate meals and 29 varieties of pie. At Amish Acres their popular family-style Threshers Meal is served in a huge renovated barn. Don’t be surprised when turkeys and geese waddle by the restaurant windows of this historic farmstead. Every season is jellybean season at the Wakarusa Dime Store– really big ones!

Other Family-Friendly Finds: Grab a blanket and take-in the free, outdoor Friday Night Flicks – a series of six G-Rated movies. Kids “slip n‘slide” to their hearts content at Ideal Beach Family Water Park. Green River® flows in phosphates and sodas at Goshen’s South Side Soda Shop. And the Elkhart County 4-H Fair promises nine-days of family fun. Better than Fruit Loops®– take home freshly picked blueberries, peaches, and melons from American Countryside Farmers Market and Kerchers Sunrise Orchard.

-Jessica, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor

Make room for lunch and dinner during your Elkhart County stay! Just travel down any Main Street in our hometowns and you’ll find a variety of “taste-full” dining choices.  At Culinary Treasures restaurant in downtown Middlebury, it seems like owner/chef Tami Osborn is always making something fabulous, like her tempting crème brulee bars.

Blending comfortable yet upscale décor with a creative, well-priced menu is earning brothers Tony and George Anagnos plenty of happy customers and compliments at their recently opened 523 Tap & Grill in Elkhart.
And on Goshen’s Main Street, an old-fashioned butcher shop/deli combo soon takes residence in a renovated historic building. Mattern’s, know for custom-cut meats, will be offering sandwiches, soups, and salads to enjoy in an inviting atmosphere that combines old and new. For sure, you won’t go home hungry! Start planning your trip today by finding a great place to stay.

-Jessica Miller
Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor

These days “What’s for dinner?” is never a problem when you’re in downtown Elkhart.  Another great restaurant, 523 Tap & Grill , has appeared on the Main Street scene.  I heard people talking about this place but was a bit worried that it may be more bar than restaurant — until I stepped inside.  The restaurant is larger than I expected, and I was happy to see it’s decorated to feel comfortable yet upscale. Owner, Tony Anagnos, greeted us at the door (his brother George is also an owner).  The menu, that was a nice surprise too.  Lots of well-priced selections. I always seem to end up with a filet, and I’m glad I did. And be sure to order the house salad – it’s delicious! We went on a Thursday night and called ahead.  Weekends, you’ll definitely need reservations. 574.523.1523.

Been there?  Then let us know what you like about 523 Tap & Grill! Leave a Comment

- Dave Azinger, General Manager, Ramada
President, Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Commission

Mike and I finally had a date last night – the first one in over three months. I’ve forgotten how nice it is to go out, talk with friends, and not having to worry about eating quickly so I can dash out of a restaurant before my two year old terrorizes everyone in the place.

We went to Mad Anthony’s Old State Alehouse in downtown Elkhart. They moved in three months ago. It is a very modern space. I loved the inside, with the big dining room. There are movie posters throughout, and two big screen TV’s at the stage end of the building. On the stage space, they had a couple of tables - but I bet it’s a great space for entertainment, which I’m sure they utilize. The staff was very friendly, and the service was wonderful.

The menu is huge. I arrived 10 minutes earlier than the rest of my party, and I made it to the salad page by the time our friends arrived. They have pub food, wraps, unwraps, and entrees. There was a page dedicated to the many different kinds of pizza they have. I ordered a cheeseburger, Mike ordered a portabella sandwich, and our friends ordered salads. The food was delicious! I know we’ll go back many times to try everything else.

So when you come to Elkhart, make a visit to Mad Anthony’s. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

-Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor

It’s snowing in Amish Country of Northern Indiana today.  It’s a beautiful snow, one that sticks to everything and it looks like an Ansell Adams photograph.  It’s coming down slowly, and gently, and looks wonderful.

Mina went out today and said “bubbles” when she saw the snow.  I love that she uses the words that she has to describe things that she doesn’t know about.  It’s going to be her first time playing in snow, and eating the snow.  I’m so excited to go home and play with her.  We’re supposed to accumulate a couple of inches.  And there is a lot to do in Amish Country when it snows.

There is cross country skiing at Bonneyville and OxBow Parks.  It’s a great way to work up a sweat and stay warm while outdoors.  There is plenty of sledding around the area.  Find any hill, and I bet there will be kids going down it.  I realize there is a faction of you reading this that would not want to sled, but just enjoy the sight of kids going up and down the hill, and listen to them laughing and giggling.

I have been thinking about a good winter date, and I think I have it.  Start by ice skating at the NIBCO Ice and Water Park.  Then take a walk over to Lexington Street and warm up with something hot from the Daily Grind Coffeehouse.  It’s only two blocks away.  After you sit there and can feel all your fingers and toes; go to the Vine, another block walk, and eat dinner.  Now if you want to add that special touch, go call Marshland Trail Riding and set up a sleigh ride before you start skating.  What a great way to spend some time with that special someone, and enjoy winter. 

I hope you enjoy the snow.
-Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor