Embark on a one-of-a-kind road trip through Indiana’s Amish country and discover the beauty and charm of the Hoosier state like never before. From picturesque farmlands to quaint villages, this journey offers a glimpse into the timeless traditions and craftsmanship of the Amish community.
Spend a weekend walking through beautiful gardens, biking the countryside, perusing artisan shops, visiting a few breweries, and getting acquainted with Indiana Amish Country.
What an unforgettable adventure and only two hours away from Chicago!

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Best Time of Year to Visit Indiana’s Amish Community
Although you can plan your road trip any time of year, I suggest visiting when the Quilt Gardens are in bloom along the Heritage Trail. Vibrant floral displays are meticulously arranged to create stunning quilt patterns that stretch across a 90-mile driving tour of scenic landscapes from late May to mid-September.
Local communities join forces to put on this colorful event with over a million blooming flowers. You’ll see 13 quilt-inspired gardens and 12 hand-painted quilt-themed murals.
2024 Quilt Gardens Dates: May 30th – September 15th
TIP: Please make a note that some of the area attractions and restaurants are closed on Sundays so plan accordingly.
Indiana Amish Country Itinerary
Start your weekend in Elkhart on Friday night, where you can pick up maps of the Heritage Trail and Pumpkinvine Bicycle Trail at the Visitor Center. They also offer a free audio driving tour CD or USB.
TIP: If you don’t have time to stop in, you can also go on their website to stream the audio tour online.
Explore the Town of Elkhart
Next head over to downtown Elkhart, a small town situated on the St. Joseph River. Stroll down Main Street where the sides of the brick buildings are adorned with quirky murals and a few stores and restaurants dot the street.
Pizza and Craft Beer
Stop at Iechyd Da Brewery, pronounced Yah-key-Dah. Not sure how that works! It means good health in Welsh.
The pizza is good and they have a large selection of beer: the hubby tried the Revolution IPA and American Black Ale (our bartender’s favorite) and I had the Tatarosa Razz Berliner Weisse and Summer Wheatley Hoppy Wheat.
They offer half pints which is a great option so you can sample a few different beers on your visit.
TIP: No kids allowed. 21+ only. If you are looking for a family-friendly restaurant, check out Per Bacco Ristorante Italiano or Heinnie’s Back Barn.
Other Things to See and Do in Elkhart County: Time Was Museum, The Lerner Theatre, National New York Central Railroad Museum, Midwest Museum of American Art, New Paradigm Brewery, and the RV Hall of Fame.
Saturday
Get an early start this morning because you have a long day ahead! Begin the day with coffee and breakfast at The Moringa Tree Organic Kitchen.
Wellfield Botanic Gardens
Start with Wellfield Botanic Gardens, your first official stop on the Heritage Trail, a unique spot for a garden as it sits on the site of the wells that supply the city with its drinking water.
What a great idea to turn a functional space into a beautiful and peaceful walking area!
The garden can also be the start of a set-your-own-pace walk or ride on the RiverWalk Culture Trail, a trail that brings you to all the highlights of Elkhart.
Admission: Small fee with discounted rates for children under 12 and free for children under 3.
Ruthmere Mansion
From Wellfield head to Ruthmere Mansion, a Beaux-Arts historic home built in 1910. You’ll find a delightful quilt garden out front and an opportunity to take a self-guided tour of the inside.
TIP: The museum is closed on Mondays.
Linton’s Enchanted Gardens
I’m not sure how to describe the next quilt garden stop, Linton’s Enchanted Gardens. It is a home and garden center but with a strange and genius twist.
Entering the store you are thrown into sensory overload with gifts galore. They have jewelry, wall art, clothes, home decor, and many other items.
The small cafe next to the trickling waterfall is the perfect place to grab a snack or lunch.
The Enchanted Garden area is enchanted alright and a genius way to get additional income from random attractions; it has a small petting zoo, gemstone mining, a real tree house (top of a 200-year-old hollowed-out tree), paddle boat, and train rides all among the huge selection of plants, flowers, and trees.
It is definitely worth a stop as we have never seen anything quite like it.
Bonneyville Mill County Park
Bonneyville Mill County Park is one of my favorite stops on the Heritage Trail. Built in 1832, it is Indiana’s oldest continuously operating grist mill.
Tour the timber-frame building and discover how stone-ground flour is made. You can even purchase some to take home as a souvenir!
Open 10 AM to 5 PM Tuesday through Sunday April 18th to November 12th.
With seven miles of hiking trails, the Bonneyville Mills property is also a great spot for outdoor recreation. Mountain bikers can also enjoy a six-mile designated trail through wooded terrain.
End your day with dinner at Das Dutchman Essenhaus, Indiana’s largest family restaurant. Pick a single entree off the menu or indulge in the robust buffet.
Sunday
Middlebury
For breakfast, stop in The Legendary Grind, a local gem featuring delicious food and beverages.
Next, plan to bike or walk a portion of the Pumpkinvine Bike Trail. The path from Middlebury to Shipshewana is about 10 miles round trip. The paved trail is great!
You’ll see wildflowers and working farms as you pass through the countryside. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself sharing the path with an Amish person in old-timey clothes making their way to or from town.
If you need to rent bikes, check out Pumpkinvine Cyclery here. Reservations are not required but are a good idea.
Kinder Gardens
There are a few parking options for the trail including Krider Gardens, originally designed for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. It’s a small area filled with flowers, a fountain, a windmill, and sculptures.
Afterwards, stop at Rise ‘N Roll, an Amish bakery, for some much-needed sugar. The cinnamon roll was good but the cinnamon caramel donuts and the apple fritters stole the show. SO GOOD!
Don’t forget to pick up a free 8 oz coffee with your snacks. They had many samples so even if you’re not in the mood for a donut, stop by and try all the other goodies.
Shipshewana
Shipshewana is a quaint and charming town rich with Amish heritage.
From horse-drawn carriage rides to artisan shops and museums, there are endless opportunities to immerse yourself in this fascinating culture.
While in town, visit the historical Menno-Hof Interpretive Center, which provides insights into Amish and Mennonite history and beliefs, as well as museums that showcase artifacts from the early days of Amish settlement in Indiana.
The town is also home to one of the largest flea markets in the Midwest, where you can find everything from antiques and handcrafted items to fresh produce and baked goods.
In addition, Davis Mercantile has four floors of unique gifts and souvenirs.
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Goshen
Goshen was another delightful, small town. The Elkhart County Courthouse, a stately brick building with a large clock tower, sits at the heart of town. We didn’t eat there, but heard Olympia Candy Kitchen was a great place to stop for lunch or ice cream. The Old Bag Factory, built in 1896, is another great stop for specialty shops.
Wakarusa and Nappanee Amish Indiana
We didn’t spend much time in the last two towns on the Heritage Trail, but we did find our favorite quilt garden at the Nappanee Center. It is a recreated Amish garden with stepping stones, a water pump, and bench. Make sure to stop by the Wakarusa Dime Store, it’s every child’s fantasy with countless candy options.
Where to Stay
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When exploring Indiana’s Amish country, there are several accommodation options to consider for a comfortable and authentic experience. Here are some recommendations on where to stay while immersing yourself in the rich culture and history of the Amish community:
- An Inn in one of the most adorable towns on the trail.
- A cute hotel with a buffet breakfast and an indoor pool.
- A cozy country cabin on a lake.
If you are looking for budget-friendly options and like camping, here are some campgrounds in the area:
Elkhart Campground, Middlebury KOA, Shipshewana Campground South, and Pla-Mor Campground.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Indiana Amish Country Heritage Trail offers a glimpse into a simpler way of life that is increasingly rare in our modern world. It’s a chance to slow down, disconnect from technology, and connect with nature while learning about one of America’s most fascinating cultural communities.
We had a wonderful weekend exploring Northern Indiana and we hope you do too!
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mark wyld
This is the sort of travelling i love . Discovering real town America would right up my list if i ever visit the USA. Amazing pictures make it look even better
Dang Travelers
Thanks Mark! It was a real eye-opener to witness such simple living…loved it!
Kate
This made me want to go to America! Thank you for sharing us this wonderful place
Dang Travelers
Then I did my job right Kate! Thanks for commenting.
Marge Gavan
The botanical garden is wow, the landscape is amazing. The other places that you want to are also just as beautiful like the Middlebury.
I have never heard of tramping before but I’d love to give it a try. I am really not that picky about where to sleep so long as it’s safe and clean. Sleeping in a truck can be a unique experience.
Dang Travelers
Thanks Marge! The pictures at the botanical garden turned out so good, I wanted to publish them all. Oh yea, tramping isn’t so bad. We’ve actually turned a few family members and friends onto it-even though they thought we were nuts at first!
Marta
I would love to see this part of America. I got glimpses of it on tv and movies and it would be really interesting to experience it in real life. The gardens look wonderful: the enchanted houses would be my favourite!!
Johna
Lovely photos! This looks like such a lovely place. My favorite would have to be the Botanical Gardens! So pretty! My mum would really enjoy this place hehe. I should try “tramping” soon with some of my friends hehe, sounds fun! 😛
Dang Travelers
Thanks Johna! Yes, the botanical gardens was a highlight for sure. The pictures turned out amazing from that stop!! LOL Tramping is a must-do too!
Voyager
The towns of Amish Country are really so charming and what beautiful gardens, and top it all, you were tramping which would have added to the excitement. I am sure you enjoyed the trip, would love to do something similar too!
Darlene
WoW! Amazing pictures! I have heard and seen tramping before from my friend when he and his gf went around Australia and NZ. They even have a kitchen onboard. Haha. I would like to experience that even just once. Although I’m not a big camper myself. Hehe. I’ve also always been interested in the Amish. I used to watch about them in Discovery.
Dang Travelers
Thanks Darlene! I wouldn’t say I’m an avid camper (I’ve come along way in the last 10 years), but it’s actually better than tent camping. No noise, no hard ground and I feel much safer in the truck. We are heading out on a 3 month camping road trip in a pop up camper so I’ll let you know how it compares 🙂
Vickey McCue
We are headed that way 4th of July. Thanks for the info. We love the Amish area in Berlin Ohio & Lancaster Pa. I wish all children today could witness their lifestyle & how simple they live. No electricity, plowing the gardens using horses, etc.
Dang Travelers
That will be so much fun! How many days? We could have easily added another day. Great idea, it could be a summer camp! All kids could spend a week with the Amish…no cell phones, games or tv!