Explore Indiana Amish Country: A Perfect Weekend Itinerary

posted in: City Guides, Indiana, Midwest | 14

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! 

Purple flowers and a walking bridge at Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Elkhart, Indiana.
Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Indiana’s Amish Country.

READ NEXT: THE BEST WEEKEND TRIPS IN INDIANA

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.

Ruthmere Mansion Quilt Garden on the Heritage Trail.
The Ruthmere Mansion is one of the places on the Heritage Trail that has a quilt garden.

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.

A large quilt mural on Bonneyville Mill on Indiana's Heritage Trail.
A quilt mural at Bonneyville Mill, Indiana’s oldest grist mill.

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. 

Elkhart, Indiana Visitor Center
Start your northern Indiana road trip with a detour to the Elkhart Visitor Center.

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.

Downtown Elkhart, Indiana
Main Street in Downtown Elkhart, Indiana.
Mural in Downtown Elkhart, Indiana
Elkhart County mural map.

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.

Pizza at Iechyd Da Brewery
Pizza at Iechyd Da Brewery

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!

Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Elkhart, Indiana
Stretch your legs at Wellfield Botanic Gardens on the Heritage Trail.

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.

Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Elkhart County.
Wellfield Botanic Statue

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. 

Ruthmere Mansion in Indiana Amish Country.
Ruthmere Mansion in Northern Indiana.

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. 

Linton's Enchanted Gardens Quilt Garden
Linton’s Enchanted Gardens is Indiana’s largest home and garden center.

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.

Linton's Enchanted Gardens- Shop
Inside Linton’s Enchanted Gardens shop.
Tree House at Linton's Enchanted Gardens
There are numerous family attractions including this cool tree house!

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. 

The deep red Bonneyville Mill with purple flowers and a picnic table out front.
Bonneyville Mill combines regional history with natural beauty.

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. 

Old grist mill equipment
In the 1800s flour was made by using water-powered grinding stones.

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.

Fall color at Bonneyville Mill County Park
Hiking at Bonneyville Mill County Park.
Buggy Parking in Amish Country
You know you’re in Amish country when…

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!

Pumpkinvine Bike Trail
The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail runs 18 miles between the towns of Goshen, Middlebury, and Shipshewana.

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.

An Amish homestead on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail.
An Amish homestead with clothes drying on the line and beautiful garden in the yard.
Amish Countryside
It’s a reminder of how simple things used to be and I guess still could be.

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.

Krider Garden in Middlebury.
The Krider Nursery display was created for 1934 World’s Fair exhibit.
Giant mushroom at Krider Gardens
Don’t miss the giant mushroom, a fun photo op, at the Krider Gardens.

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.

Rise 'N Roll Bakery
Rise ‘N Roll Bakery began in 2001 when a young Amish couple began baking recipes handed down for generations.
Cinnamon Roll at Rise 'N Roll Bakery
Cinnamon Roll at Rise ‘N Roll Bakery

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.

Shipshewana
Downtown Shipshewana

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.

Shipshewana in Amish Country Indiana
Shipshewana is one of the best small towns to visit 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. 

RELATED: WHY YOU NEED TO SEE THESE 5 AMISH TOWNS IN PA

Amish Buggy
There’s something you don’t see every day!

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.

The Old Bag Factory in Goshen

Unique Finds

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.

Nappanee Center Garden - Amish Country

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:

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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A unique road trip through Indiana's Amish Country. Discover picturesque countryside landscapes dotted with charming Amish farms, traditional craft shops, and historic sites that showcase the authentic way of life of the Amish people.

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Angela E. is a travel writer from the Chicagoland area who has visited all 50 states in the US and has traveled extensively around the world. She is passionate about exploring the great outdoors and hiking in particular. Her love for nature has taken her to some of the most beautiful locations on the planet. She has written extensively about her travels on her own website, Dang Travelers, and has been published in collaboration with other travel websites and multiple visitor bureaus around the country.

14 Responses

  1. 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

  2. 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!

  3. 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!!

  4. 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!

  5. 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!

  6. 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 🙂

  7. 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!

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