Amish Country Blog

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.

This contest is over. Check back soon for our next giveaway!

A $25 Gift Certificate to the American Countryside Farmers Market Could Be Yours!

Each month this summer we’re giving away a special prize to someone who posts a comment on this blog post. This month’s prize is a $25 gift certificate to the American Countryside Farmers Market located in Elkhart, IN.

Beneath the beams of this 51,000-square-foot Amish built barn, you find farm fresh produce, hormone free meats, Amish baked goods, melt in your mouth cheeses, spices, flavored oils and more. The second floor features artisan shops, gift vendors and a state-of-the-art test kitchen.

Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 9am – 5pm
State Road 19 & County Road 26 / Elkhart
AmericanCountryside.us/877.782.7386

Update! Thank you all for the wonderful comments! Today is the last day to enter so tell your friends and family. Multiple entries do not increase your odds of winning.

I went to the Shipshewana Flea Market for the first time in a few years. I didn’t realize that the entrance was only on SR 5. That was a little strange. And then they have signs to show you which way parking is, but no exit signs. I realize that most people don’t want to exit the Flea Market, but they should have an exit path.

I don’t mind going to the Flea Market, but finding the bargains isn’t my idea of fun.

However, I did stumble on the flowers and the fresh produce of the market. I didn’t realize that the Flea Market had flowers and fresh produce. I bought red, yellow and orange peppers for a dollar. I found grapes the size of golf balls. There was fresh rhubarb, although a little late in the season, and Michigan asparagus. I was impressed with the quality and quantity of the fresh produce.

I also loved the plants. There were lots of hanging plants, and I loved seeing all the geranium and pansies in the baskets. Earlier in the season, I was looking for a hanging plant, but I couldn’t find any. But I found four different baskets I liked, but couldn’t decide what one would work best. I’m going to go back soon and actually buy one.

So when you visit the Flea Market, take some time to find the produce and the plants. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

I was pulling out my purse yesterday, and noticed that I should switch bags. I have a couple for fall and winter, and one for summer. Looking at my summer bag, I realized that I need a new summer purse. My summer one is a little dirty—there was stuff I tried to get off, and ruined a patch of fabric. So, I started my search, and found out about the Elkhart Bags.

These bags are beautiful, and the price is great! The average bag sells from $35 to $45. In order to help employees keep their jobs, Decorator Industries has started making handbags from cancelled orders of fabric. And since the fabric is from cancelled orders, the bag you fall in love with will probably be a limited edition, or one of a kind. I can’t wait to get one!

With Mother’s Day coming up, I can’t imagine a better gift than an Elkhart Bag. Right now, I know you can find them at the Cinnamon Stick, the Das Dutchman Essenhaus Country Store in Middlebury, and the Wakarusa Dime Store in Wakarusa. So when you are out and about in Amish Country, buy an Elkhart Bag. Send us a picture of the new bag you bought, and let us know where you found it.

Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana contributor and Visitor Center Travel Specialist

I went to the Wakarusa Dime Store on Saturday. I love the Dime Store. There is nothing better than going somewhere that has candy everywhere. The west wall has all different kinds of salt water taffy. I haven’t seen that much taffy since I was in upper Michigan. I picked up a bag and started filling. I ended up with a lot of pink and blue and tropical taffy. Just beside the salt water taffy is the Jumbo Jelly Beans. If you have never had a Jumbo Jelly Bean, I suggest you to the Dime Store and try them. This year’s mix is John Deere.

As you move towards the middle of the building, there are the old fashioned candies. The Nesco wafer—that are a lot like giant Smarties, and bubblegum. I love bazooka bubble gum, and the Dime Store has them! At the candy counter, they had the chocolate candies, the rock candy, the gummy bears, the giant jaw breakers that even if you cut in half would be hard to fit into your mouth, the sour candy-which is my favorite! I wanted a pound of it all, but I finally showed some restraint and bought a pound of gummy bears.

A nice surprise was the jelly bean mural behind the counter. It is done with orange jelly beans, and shows a garden with flowers and butterflies. It is a great thing to look at.

So when you’re out and about in Amish Country, go to the Wakarusa Dime Store for your sweet tooth. I know that you’ll smile the minute you walk through the door. And for our readers who have been there before, could you recommend what you liked best at the Dime Store? I’m sure all your candy needs will be met by the Wakarusa Dime Store.

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

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

I’m starting to see people coming back to Amish Country.  The pace is picking up in the Visitor Center and the  Heritage Trail driving tour CD and map are popular.  It’s fun to watch! I have a few things that I need to tell you about Amish Country before you come to help make your trip a little easier.

First is that you need to begin early and stop early.  Amish Country is a farming community at heart, and we get up with the sun, and close down as the sun is starting to set.  If you want to visit shops, or visit businesses, or go to a museum, plan your day for a 9am to 6pm.  You can always start earlier, but just keep that 6pm close time in your mind.  Restaurants do stay open later.

If you want to learn about the Amish, the best place to go is Menno-Hof in Shipshewana.  They are dedicated to telling the Amish and Mennonite story.

Great food is abundant in Amish Country.  Pack a cooler so you can keep all your food purchases fresh. Driving the Heritage Trail is the best way to take in Amish Country, and it takes 3 and a half hours if you follow the audio tour and don’t stop.  It will take most of your day if you want to make stops…and well worth it!  You should plan on making at least a few stops on your way.  And don’t forget to bring your camera.  There are lots of great photo opportunities in Amish Country.

So have fun when you’re out and about in Amish Country, and I hope you enjoy your stay.

Have you driven the Heritage Trail audio tour? Let us know. Leave your comment

Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor

It’s the holiday season in Amish Country. Everybody is getting ready for big holiday celebrations, and the snow is coming down to help keep us all in the holiday mood. There is so much to celebrate during this season, and when you come to Amish Country Northern Indiana, you’ll find a majority of handmade and homemade gifts. But there is one gift that I feel I really have to talk about.

I’ve heard several people who visited Amish Country say that handmade quilts are too expensive. They would rather buy something cheaper in a catalogue. I think that people don’t understand handmade quilts. The quilt you buy in the catalogue is a cover for your bed. Homemade quilts are unique pieces of artwork. With proper care they will last for generations.

A great quilt is a piece of artwork. You need to decide that what the function of the quilt is going to be. Is it going to hang on a wall or is it going to go on a bed?  What kind of statement are making with your quilt? Do you want a custom design, or a traditional design? Is it going to make a bold statement, or a simple statement? And what do you want the quilt to say about you? You should think a little bit about each of these statements before you look to buy a quilt. 

I am lucky that I own one of Shirley Shenk’s crib quilts from Quilt Designs, at the Old Bag Factory in Goshen. Shirley is one of the area’s gifted quilters. She does unique and custom designs for her quilts. My husband presented me with the quilt on our second anniversary, when we found out that we were going to have our first baby. (It just so happens the second anniversary traditional gift is cotton)  We put it up in the baby’s room, and it makes the room feel warm and inviting.  I love that quilt, and I know that Mina will love that quilt, and that her children will love that quilt. 

So when you come to Amish Country, look at our quilts, and talk to our quilters. They love their work, they take pride in their work, and they would be glad to piece a quilt together for you.  A handmade quilt is great gift to give someone (or yourself) this holiday season.

-Mindy, Amish Count Northern Indiana Contributor

If you love bidding on antiques and collectibles or hunting for that perfect treasure you need to head over to Borkholder Dutch Village in Nappanee! Don’t miss the weekly auction and flea market every Tuesday at 8am and the monthly Grocery Auction the first Friday of each month at 5pm. Other fun sales and swap meets including a Mega Garage Sale/Flea Market and Dutch Market Days take place on special date throughout the year!

While you’re there be sure to enjoy an Amish cooked breakfast and lunch at the world famous Dutch Kitchen. Its really fun to order one of their “old-fashioned” fountain drinks and get a scrumptious ice cream treat for dessert! More

It is Christmastime in Amish Country and Santa is stopping by to find out what all the good little boys and girls have on thier Wish Lists.

Santa will be visiting Shipshewana this weekend on Saturday morning. He will also be at American Countryside Farmers Market on Friday evening and Saturday during the day.

Sleigh Rides are available as well in both locations. Whether is snow or not you can get out there and enjoy a brisk ride in a horse drawn sleigh to catch a bit of the Christmas spirit. You may also catch a glimpse of Santa’s Reindeer, get your photo taken and feed them a few reindeer treats.