The Best Things to Do in Amish Country Indiana: A Cultural Journey
Sometimes, we curate delicious travel adventures locally in the United States, like discovering the unique things to do in Amish Country Indiana. We took a journey to the past loaded with plenty of modern-day fun. We explored Indiana Amish country through local business owners who make the products and craft the wares for their culture. Delicious home-cooked meals, scenic back roads, peaceful people, and local products are what made our 3-day, 2-night visit to Amish Country so memorable.
Culinary Things to Do in Amish Country Indiana
Our journey began in Shipshewana, where we found that some of the best things to do in Amish Country Indiana involve getting your hands a little messy! We stopped at The Davis Mercantile for shopping and a private pretzel-making class with the owners of Jo Jo’s Pretzels, where we learned the history of the craft while working with the dough.
The evening brought a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience: a traditional Amish wedding feast served in a private home. Hearing Elaine and her son Seth discuss wedding traditions—and being serenaded with a customary German wedding song—offered a deep cultural connection you won’t find in a typical guidebook. For our stay, we chose the charming Inn at Amish Acres, a beautiful historic farm listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Exploring Cottage Industries in Amish Country
We started our second day bright and early to explore the “cottage industries” that define the local economy. If you are looking for authentic things to do in Amish Country Indiana, visiting these small-scale business owners is a must.
- Amish Baking Lessons: At the Carriage House, Elaine shared her secrets for the perfect cinnamon roll and her famous Amish peanut butter (the secret is marshmallow fluff!).
- Artisan Crafts: We visited an Amish schoolhouse to learn about local education and stopped at Sonshine Baskets to watch the intricate process of hand-weaving baskets.
- Traditional Transportation: After a “Haystack” lunch at the Yoder home, we enjoyed one of the most iconic things to do in Amish Country Indiana: a slow-paced buggy ride through the beautiful rolling scenery.
The last stop in our day was to a Camel Dairy Farm. We learned about farming and the uses of camel milk. The chance to chat with the family and pet the camels was a unique surprise to the day!
For dinner, we ate at the famous Blue Gate Restaurant. We love it when our guests share milestones with us. John and Dorothy celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary on our trip, and so did we! At the Blue Gate, we had a special dessert made for the special couple.
Exploring Amish Quilt Gardens in Indiana
Our final day highlighted one of the most visually stunning things to do in Amish Country Indiana: a tour of the Quilt Gardens and murals along the Heritage Trail. Local volunteers plant over 1 million blooms into 19 giant gardens shaped like traditional quilt patterns. It is an incredible fusion of quilting, gardening, and art that you simply have to see for yourself.
At the end of the trip, one guest shared that they picked this particular Indiana Amish Country trip because we went into real homes, and it allowed her to learn more about a culture that always interested her.
Looking for more Midwest inspiration? Check out our Chicago Chinatown guide or our guide to a perfect Milwaukee day trip for a mix of lakefront views and urban flavor!
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