Amish Country Blog

Last weekend was beautiful. The weather was perfect, low 60’s, with lots of sun.  Mina, Michael and I went to a pumpkin farm on Saturday with some friends. The kids had a great time. We had three toddlers, who liked running around the farm and patting pumpkins. At the farm, they had a box of mini pumpkins, and Mina picked up one, said “ooh” and the put it back, and repeated the process about 20 times. We went through the farms pumpkin fantasy land, which dressed pumpkins up as nursery rhymes.  The kids had fun looking at the dressed up pumpkins. We laughed at all the ways pumpkins could be dressed. They even had jailed pumpkins.

Then we went to the Essenhaus.  I didn’t make a reservation, because I thought we wouldn’t need it on a Saturday afternoon, however, it was packed. Thank goodness we only had a 10 minute wait for 6 adults and 3 toddlers. The waitress was very quick.  Even with the kids keeping us busy because they were sleepy, we really enjoyed the food and the time there. I had the chicken and noodles and it was wonderful . I love their chicken and noodles because it tastes so yummy.  Mina loved her noodles, and although the Essenhaus isn’t known for it, she ate a lot of ketchup. The other two toddlers loved the bread, and the apple butter and peanut butter for the bread.  Our meal and service was wonderful. 

By the time we made it home, Mina was asleep, and she slept for 3 hours. It was a great way to spend our day.

Mindy - Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor

I have a great babysitter. She took my 16 month old daughter, Mina, and her 3 kids, ages from 4 years to 9 months to Kercher’s Apple Orchard. Mina picked up every stick she could find. She loves saying words, and lucky for my babysitter, apple is a new word, which she said every time she saw an apple. (Can you imagine how many times she said apple?) It was also reported to me that Mina also liked to pick up the apples off the ground, as close to the tree as possible. I don’t know how many bites of apple she had to eat, but she wasn’t hungry for the rest of the night. The kids had a great time.

So in return for her taking Mina out to Kercher’s, we’re going to take my babysitters family to another pumpkin patch in October. I can’t wait to see the kids faces when they see pumpkins dressed up and decorated. We’re going to let them pick up their jack-o-lanterns too. Since Mina’s babysitter is new to the area, we are then going to Das Dutchman Essenhaus to eat lunch…dinner… Do you really eat another meal after going to the Essenhaus?

Fall is a great time. There is so much to do, and it’s nice that our attractions focus on the outdoors. So before you go hibernate for the winter, get out and enjoy the outdoors. If you have a fun pumpkin patch story or photo comment now and share it!

-Mindy, Northern Indiana Amish Country Contributor

It is chili time in Northern Indiana Amish Country. The American Countryside Farmer’s Market is having a chili cook-off this weekend, and I feel the need to talk chili.

I brought out my dutch oven, and thought about what I wanted to make. I usually have the same two ingredients in my chili, no matter what I’m trying to do with it. I love onions and garlic. I will always have onions and garlic in my chili. Then, it’s a matter of how prepared of I am for my pot, or if I just decided in a minute that I wanted to make chili. I love adding beef, and haven’t made any recipe with pork or chicken yet. I have used wine, and mushrooms, and turned it into curry, and have made a more pot roast like dish than chili, but it always starts out the same, with onions and garlic. I love chopping my veggies and meat, although sometimes I’m more in a hurry than others, and instead of chopped pieces we get julienned pieces. Sometimes, I use fresh tomatoes, sometimes, I use canned. It all turns out well. My husband, who hated chili until I cooked it for him, loves it when he sees my pot. I can be sure that it will all be eaten in a few days, even though I start out with hopes of freezing some for later.

Mina, my 17 month old, hasn’t had soup or chili yet, but I give her a bowl and a wisk to “help” me out when I’m taking the time to make my pot. She gets bored after 3 minutes, and then goes and plays with other things that are more interesting. But soon, I’m sure that when she’s older, she’ll have memories of onions and garlic, and wonder what why she loves chili so much.

So make a batch of chili, and share it with friends, neighbors or family. Don’t forget the cornbread–I’ve also put that in the pot once too, not sure I’ll do that again, but it does give it a different texture. So while the temperature is dropping, make sure you go to the Farmer’s Market this weekend and see what chili makers are putting in their chili, and try the chili that vendors are selling to see what flavors and taste you like.  Hopefully, you’ll come home with a need to make chili.

-Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor

Fall is my favorite time of year.  The leaves start turning, and going home, I get to drive down east Jackson St., and enjoy the beautiful color. It’s that time when we need sweaters at night or early in the morning, and I get to start dressing my baby in ‘jammies’ that need footies. (They are my one of my favorite things.) 

The morning air is crisp, but doesn’t assault your mucus membranes when you inhale, like January and February air.  You can keep your windows open in at night, put on an extra blanket, snuggle up to your favorite bedtime buddy, and just enjoy the fact you’re not spending money on cooling the house down, or heating it yet.   

There is The Best of Autumn Outing driving tour on the Amish Country website.  Download it from the Special Tours tab, and go to all the places that celebrate fall. Take a walk down E. Jackson St. and sit for awhile at Martin’s Landing. The ducks are use to people feeding them, so when you go, expect to surround by a group or two. Go to Bonneyville Mill, take your last picnic of the year, and enjoy being outside before you have to stay in for the winter. 

Go to Middlebury and find Dutch County Market, Miller’s Apple Cider Mill and Pumpkin Patch Market– buy some pumpkins.  Then head to Goshen and walk the Mill Race, and then go to Kercher’s Sunrise Orchard. Or go to Amish Acers and see all the great things they do for fall and end your day by watching Kiss Me Kate at the Round Barn Theatre. Whatever you do, it will be fun.

If you live here, take all season and discover autumn in our area.  If you’re visiting, take a couple of days to explore the Best of Autumn Outing - it will be worth your time.

Mindy - Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor

Just pack the kids and go! That’s my motto! Okay not really, but I strive for that LOL. Actually I was very excited to pack up the family and drive the brand new Heritage Trail audio driving tour this year. My daughter just turned 5 and my son is almost 1 year. I knew, if nothing else, they would love the food stops and they did!

Armed with a handheld computer game for my daughter and lots of cheerios and wet wipes for my little guy, my husband and I started our journey on a Saturday morning.The first food stop we came to was Deutsch Kase Haus. I knew my husband would love this place since cheese is one of his favorite foods. We pulled up and it’s just the cutest little shop. They have a water fountain outside as you walk up the stairs. Once inside, it’s like a cheese wonderland…very exciting for the cheese lover! They have tons of things for sale, Amish noodles, cooking items, old fashioned candies (which my daughter went straight for), Amish Country souvenirs and of course tons of cheese for sale and best of all…lots and lots of cheese samples! We saw a window where you can see the cheese being made, but production wasn’t going that day. By the time we left we were searching for cooler space to put our yummy purchases.
Tip #1 - Bring an extra cooler for all the cheese you will buy!

Our next food stop came when we got to Shipshewana. I knew my daughter would love JoJo’s Pretzels just based on what I had heard about it, but I had never been there. It was lunch time, perfect! JoJo’s was busy but not too crowded. It’s a really neat place, casual with a window where you can watch them roll out their handrolled pretzels. You can also buy hot dogs, really good looking sandwich wraps and more! We all loved the pretzels! They really were the best soft pretzels I had ever tasted. So good, in fact, my daughter tried to eat mine after she finished hers!

Tip #2 - Take your kids to ride on the carousel and see the puppet show at the Davis Mercantile!

Next, we followed the Heritage Trail along to Yoder Popcorn in Shipshewana. We pulled up and there weren’t any cars there, which was good because it was almost naptime. If you have kids you understand what that means. We walked in and, oh my, the smell was wonderful. They had all sorts of corn poppers, oils, salts, tons of popcorn in all kinds of flavors including the carmel corn and even microwavable popcorn, of which we purchased both. And samples! Yes, more samples, cute little bags of freshly popped corn. Yum!

Tip #3 - If your kids love popcorn, make this a must-stop. This popcorn is delicious!

Finally, my daughter’s much anticipated finale came when we had dinner at Das Dutchman Essenhaus that night because her #1 wish for the trip was to have a piece of banana cream pie! My little guy fell asleep on the buggy ride we took right before dinner, perfect timing. My husband and I ordered fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy and a side salad. Let me tell you…that chicken was so good. It really reminded me of my Grandma’s fried chicken a lot. They have a great kid’s menu too. Madison ordered chicken fingers, mashed potatoes a fruit cup and of course her banana cream pie. Can you tell how much she enjoyed it?

There are so many other places we wanted to go…so many Amish bakeries, the Wakarusa Dimes Store, The American Countryside Farmers Market… But those will have to wait until next time! When you have small kids you just do a little bit at a time. There is another trip to Amish Country with my family in the near future and I’ll be back with more must-see stops for you and your family!

Do you have a favorite food place in Amish Country or a tip for vacationing in the area with your family? Post your comment here.

-Jessica Barnhart
Technology Marketing Manager, Elkhart County CVB
Family Travels in Amish Country

Early one weekday morning, I pulled into Bonneyville Mill Park. As soon as my car door opened, the smell of the clean and refreshing air filled my senses while my eyes took in the beauty of the scenery. After taking time to learn about the old-fashioned mill from which the park is named, I chose to walk along one of the many trails that wind through the trees and along the pond. Although it wasn’t lunch time, I wished that I had packed a picnic lunch because you couldn’t ask for a better location! Yet even without a picnic lunch, the bright morning sunshine and the cool morning breeze made for a perfect start to my day!-Tasha, Amish Country Northern Indiana contributor
If you’ve been to Bonneyville Mill - tell us about it by posting a comment!

Whether you’ve been to Amish Country before or this is your first time, our all-new Official Quilt Gardens Tour SM is absolutely something you can’t miss! Each gigantic garden and super-sized mural site is conveniently located along the nationally recognized Heritage Trail and takes you to 23 not-to-be-missed stops, many at our most popular attractions.

You’ll find plenty of dining and lodging options and lots of places to shop along way. Make a stay of it at one of our cozy country inns or hotels with names you know and trust! Our quilt-inspired overnight packages offer competitive rates (from just $54.99), and welcoming amenities!

Choose Your Package Here

Pick up your copy of the New Heritage Trail Driving Tour!

Newly updated audio tells visitors interesting facts and tidbits about the area while guiding them along the scenic driving route. Featuring some of Amish Country’s newest attractions as well as old favorites the new audio is something you don’t want to miss this year! The Heritage Trail has been featured twice by LIFE Magazine publications as One of America’s Most Scenic Drives and 100 Places to See in Your Lifetime.

Pick up your copy today at area lodging facilities or the Visitors Center located at Elkhart Exit 92. You may also download the audio online Free! Mp3 files can be uploaded to your Mp3 player or burned to a Cd on your home computer. Online you will also find Trail Tips and an interactive driving map at AmishCountry.org.

It might be chilly out right now, but Spring Break is just around the corner! And Spring Break time is the perfect time to visit Amish Country Northern Indiana. Spring flowers are in bloom, the weather is warm and Amish Country is blooming with fun things to do. If you’ve never been to the area, one of the easiest ways to experience it is by driving the Award winning Heritage Trail audio driving tour.

You just pop the free CD in your car and let it guide you on a winding loop along rural highways, quiet country lanes, through friendly cities and along small-town main streets. It’s especially nice if you like tours, but you want the flexibility of starting and stopping at your own pace. You can stop and eat or shop, and you can take the tour over several days if you like. There’s no tour guide, you can take your time and enjoy all the must-sees in the area. Experience our interactive Heritage Trail and get a taste of what’s on the tour here

Check out The Fantastic New Entertainment Line Ups!

Amish Acres Round Barn Theater promises a fun and exciting line up. The national home to Plain and Fancy will be hosting The Fantasticks, The Music Man, Carousel, Kiss Me Kate and A Wonderful Life in 2008. The theater season runs from April 15 to December 31st.

Subscribe to our blog feed to get up the minute information on shows such as:

Tom Netherton former Lawerence Welk show performer has found a home in Elkhart County. Tom will be performing exclusive shows at American Countryside Farmers Market. Beginning on Valentines Day Tom will perform his shows periodically throughout the year.

If you are interested in Gospel Music or Comedy you won’t want to miss a night out at the Blue Gate in Shipshewana, where they offer wholesome entertainment and great food.

Elkhart has a very talented community theater groups offering performances throughout the year at the Bristol Opera House and The Elco Performing Arts Center.