Guides and Receptive Tour Operators
Our local step-on guides strive to provide the highest quality group experiences along the Heritage Trail. They are professionals who provide themed backroads tours and customized activity planning.
Down the Road Tours
Contact: Karleen Richter
51231 Shady Lane
Elkhart, IN 46514
t: (574) 266-0048
c: (574) 215-8687
e: downtheroadtour@yahoo.com
w: http://www.downtheroadtours.com
Description: Welcome to Northern Indiana Amish Country - “Remember, travel enhances our life experience”
Down the Road Tours invites you to explore our popular Amish country. With unique itineraries and knowledgeable guides we provide a memorable experience for your tour group. Let us be your contact to arrange an adventure in our Northern Indiana area.
The simplicity of the Amish lifestyle and family ethics brings visitors to our area to explore their way of life. Northern Indiana Amish Country offers a respite from our hectic fast paced daily life. We invite you to learn about the heritage and lifestyle of our industrious Old Order Amish and Mennonite friends, as you travel the scenic backroads.
The diversity of this area offers many entertainment opportunities for the varied interests of your group. Our nationally recognized Quilt Garden Tour with stops along the Heritage Trail has been designated one of the Top 100 Events by the American Bus Association for the third year in a row.
Begin your next adventure today!
t: (574) 266-0048
Brown Bag Backroads Tour of Amish Country
NEW stops added for 2012
Brown Bag provided for all participants
$25.00 per person for step on guide and 5 gifts
$19.00 per person inclusive additioinal for a meal at an Amish home
Get to know local Amish entrepreneurs and see first-hand how they operate their unique enterprises. Hear the stories of friendly, hardworking people who use their special talents to create products and build businesses that serve the local community and beyond. Get a behind the scenes look at how horse blankets and horse collars are made and gain a new understanding of their uses. Peek inside an Amish coffin, empty of course, and learn the differences between coffins and caskets. These stops are fun, authentic, appealing to every age and gender and sure to be a hit with your group.
Official Participant of: Quilt Gardens Tour and Brown Bag Tour
- Brown Bag Tour Info Sheet
- Quilt Gardens Along the Heritage Trail Info Sheet
- Delicious Stitches Info Sheet
Tours Plus
Contact: Esther Farmwald
1414 Hampton Circle
Goshen, IN 46526
t: (574) 971-8195
e: ejfarmwald@myexcel.com
Description: A life-long resident of the area, Esther offers in-depth knowledge of Amish beliefs and traditions. Backroads tours, visits to Amish businesses and dining in Amish homes.
Shingle Shoppes Backroads Tour
- $100 for 2 hours
- $130 for 3 hours
- $160 for 4 hours
- $200 Over 4 hours
- PLUS $5 for working Amish farm and $2 for Amish school
Groups delight in new experiences as step-on-guide, Esther Farmwald, takes them on excursions along backroads surrounding Nappanee. They'll stop at a working Amish farm, chat with the family and witness traditional Amish farm life first-hand. In fall, it's fun to watch the cider/sorghum press rumble into action. It's a rare treat as groups shop along side local Amish women at an Amish version of a super-market or discover things found only in Amish Country in a rural general store. And groups step back in time visiting a one-room Amish schoolhouse. Meet your guide at The Nappanee Heritage Center
Buggy Lane Tours
Contact: Kenny Stutzman
Address: 0320 S 1150 W, Middlebury, IN, 46540
t: (574) 825-5474
c: (574) 238-4498
e: KSTU369@aol.com
Description: We invite you to visit beautiful Indiana farms in our Amish Country of Middlebury and Shipshewana, the gateway to Amish Country. Since 1985, Buggy Lane Tours has been showing people like you the wonders of the Amish-Mennonite traditions. Join us for fun filled days of rest and relaxation! Watch the horses and buggies trotting by, or maybe even take a ride in one. We would love to show you our Amish/Mennonite community. Please give us a call to plan your itinerary. We have over 22 years of experience in touring and planning special events. With one, two, and three day tours, we can plan anything you would like. There is nothing that would please us more than to show you our beautiful Northern Indiana Amish Country.
- 10 to 15 minute buggy ride or wagon rides…$5 pp
- Thrasher's Dinner with 2 meats, dessert and beverage….$18 pp incl
- Step on guide backroads tour. Visit furniture store, cheese and noodle factories and Yoder's popcorn….$3.50 pp for 1.5 to 2.5 hours….$6 pp for 3 to 5 hours
- Amish Church Lunch….$10 pp incl
- Amish Farm Visit….45 minute tour…$5 pp
- Buggy Shop Tour…45 minute tour….$1 pp
- Buggy Lane Tours Information
(PDF 291KB)
"Millers" Buggy Line Tours
Contact: Sandi Miller
Address: 300 S. Van Buren St, Shipshewana, IN, 46540
Mailing Address: 54415 CR # 37, Middlebury, IN, 46540
t: (888) 442-8449
Alt. t: (574) 825-2730
e: mbuggyline@aol.com
w: http://www.buggyline.com
Description: Buggy rides, country tours, Amish farm tours, and Thresher meals inside Amish homes. Full service trip planning and receptive services available. Admission: $33 pp incl for buggy ride and in-home Amish meal. $3 pp for three hour step-on tour, $2 pp for buggy shop tour and $5 pp for farm tour.
Charter Buses
Cardinal Buses, Inc.
Contact: Sheila Dodd
Address: 202 E. Winslow, Middlebury, IN, 46540
t: (800) 348-7487
e: sdodd@cardinalbuses.com
Description: Motorcoach transportation throughout US and Canada. Serving Indiana, Michigan and Greater Chicago area. We're here to help if you need motorcoach service or repairs during your visit to Amish Country. Cardinal Buses offer reliable and professional full service maintenance facilities. Our well trained mechanics with ongoing training make Cardinal a trusted stop in the northern Indiana region.
Specializing in:
- Senior Adults
- Future Senior Adults
- Student/ Youth Groups
- Business / Bank Groups
- Faith Based Groups
- Social Organizations
- Sports Enthusiasts
- Cardinal Buses Inc. Brochure
(PDF 1.29MB)
