11 Must-Do Family Adventures in Shipshewana, Indiana: A Guide to Unforgettable Experiences!
Our family had a fabulous trip to Shipshewana, Indiana! We did SO much here and learned a lot about the Amish community here. They were so welcoming and owned many of the attractions and businesses we visited. We shopped, we dined, we explored, we fed and encountered many animals, and we got to know the people here.
We visited for 3 days, 2 nights right in the middle of summer. However, we learned it has so much no matter what time of year you visit. Autumn is festive, winter is decked out for the holidays, and spring and summer are ideal for exploring outdoors, including the farms.
For this article, I am sharing things we did in the summertime, though many of these can be done year-round.
Also, my kids are teens, but everything we did was appropriate for all ages. They really enjoyed these adventures, and so did my husband and I.
We were hosted by Visit Shipshewana for this trip, so many of our expenses were comped.
However, all opinions are 100% mine.
Why Shipshewana?
Right in the heart of Northern Indiana’s Amish country, Shipshewana has a variety of relaxing, adventurous, and unique cultural experiences. Shipshewana is in LaGrange County, Indiana, which is 50% Amish. As soon as we arrived, we knew we were visiting a special destination. There were horse-drawn Amish carriages and Amish on bicycles, traveling peacefully alongside the cars, plus we drove by many Amish working on family farms. It’s scenic here, with beautiful green landscapes, and country roads with tourist destinations galore.
It’s such a different way of life here but we loved being immersed in it. Being frugal of course I appreciate the simple ways that the Amish live, and the relaxed pace of this community. But it was so worth spending some time here with our family and I’m glad my kids got to experience it too.
Shipshewana is only about 2 hours east of Chicago, and very close to many other cities like Indianapolis and Detroit. We knew it would be a nice, relaxing getaway, with many immersive experiences we can’t get at home.
Here’s my guide to making the most of your family trip to Shipshewana!
Psst…
There are coupons available for some things on this list. Go here to download the coupon book, or be sure to pick one up at the visitors center.
1. Visit the Menno-Hof Museum
(Check the coupon book to save $1/adult or $2/family)
The best place to visit first in Shipshewana is the Menno-Hof museum. It’s a must-visit for a deeper understanding of the local Amish and Mennonite cultures. This is an interactive museum with guided tours and exhibits that provide an insightful and engaging look into the lives, traditions, and history of these communities. We spent 2 hours here and learned so much! (Be sure to allow at least 1 hour here – we recommend 2-3.)
The guided tour was very impressive to my family, as the tour guide takes you from one historically immersive room to another, experiencing life as the Amish starting hundreds of years ago. There are lights, sounds, and videos, and one room – a tornado room – even shakes (it’s quite cool!). Here, families can learn about the simple yet profound way of life that characterizes the area. With a play area, detailed displays, and tour guides that explain life and answer questions, for us, it was both informative and enjoyable for both children and adults.
2. Feed Bison
One of the first places we stopped during our stay in Shipshewana was Cook’s Bison Ranch. Located in Wolcottville, near Shipshewana, it’s a 700-acre working bison ranch. Cook’s is a family-owned farm, owned since 1939, and they’ve been doing tours here for 25 years. They also own a ranch in North Dakota. They produce bison meat, sell hay, and even have an events center for groups.
We experienced their bison feeding tour which is affordable at $8 per adult, or $6 per senior or child age 3 – 11. If you have a big enough group, you can add a lunch to your tour.
It was an easy, relaxing tour that will definitely make memories for your family! We rode on a covered wagon out to the bison field, which wasn’t far away, and hand-fed the bison with provided food. They stick out their tongue and let you drop the food in their mouths easily (yes, it’s possible not to get slobbered!).
Cook’s Bison Ranch is open seasonally and reservations are required.
3. See and feed animals at an Amish Animal Farm
(Check the coupon book to save $1 per person off the wagon ride)
Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park is a must-see! We went here expecting an animal farm like any other, but it was nothing like any other we’ve experienced! We took the safari-style, covered wagon tour out to where they had a ton of animals, and we fed them! There were deer, camels, zebras, cows, water buffalo, antelopes and more. We saw the biggest horns on some of these animals. They approached us, one after the other, throughout the tour. They just kept coming and coming! I don’t think any of our family have gotten this close to such animals before. It was fun just to pet some of them.
You can also pet, feed, and hold other animals that were at the farm, like goats, ducklings, and monkeys. Be sure to allow plenty of time for this place. My teens actually wanted to spend all afternoon here! They truly loved it.
This animal park is open May through mid-October.
4. Explore the Shipshewana Flea Market
Don’t miss the Shipshewana Flea Market, the largest outdoor flea market in the Midwest. Open seasonally from May to September, this HUGE, bustling marketplace features hundreds of vendors selling everything from antiques and crafts to fresh produce and delicious homemade treats.
It’s a fantastic place to hunt for unique souvenirs, enjoy a variety of food options, and soak in the lively atmosphere. The market also offers a range of kid-friendly items and toys, making it a great stop for families.
Of course, as we strolled this market, my kids found some things they wanted, and I found some jellies and souvenirs to bring home, plus I had an iced coffee from an Amish vendor (some but not all vendors are Amish). This is another destination you’ll want to allow a lot of time at, as it’s truly massive. And wear comfortable shoes, cash, and bring large bags for your purchases.
This flea market is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays all summer long, plus some weekends. We were fortunate to be visiting on a weekend it was open. Check their schedule in advance.
5. Take a Horse & Buggy Ride
Experience the serene beauty of Amish country with a leisurely horse and buggy ride! Several local tour companies offer rides that take you through the picturesque town and countryside, giving you a glimpse into the daily lives of the Amish community. The slow pace and peaceful surroundings make this a relaxing and memorable activity for families. Be sure to ask your guide about the local landmarks and history as you enjoy the ride.
We did a 15-minute horse and buggy ride which is near the Blue Gate Restaurant, where we also had lunch. Our Amish driver gave us a lot of interesting information, and even took pictures of us for us.
The buggy ride company is currently owned by Shipshewana Buggy Rides. Learn more about them here!
6. Enjoy Shipshewana Mini Golf and Pizza
A fun family stop is Shipshewana Mini Golf and Pizza. Here they have tasty pizzas, and even a buffet. Our family split a pizza, I also had a salad, and my husband had the buffet. They have something for everyone here.
You can eat inside or outside by the Mini Golf, where you can play.
7. Explore the Davis Mercantile and Ride the Carousel
The Davis Mercantile is a tourist paradise! There are 4 floors with 21 stores, plus a carousel on the top floor! The carousel is a 1906 Dentzel Carousel with hand-carved farm animals. My kids enjoyed a fun ride.
Then we explored the shops. There’s a huge variety here, from clothing to candy shops to a music store. You can get a coffee here, candy, candles, t-shirts, toys, souvenirs and wind chimes (or even a mountain dulcimer), all in one visit! Plus you’ll find our favorite – Jojo’s Pretzels! The pretzels here deserve their own spot on my list…
8. Try Amish Pretzels!
There are different pretzel makers in Amish country, and these pretzels are all in hot demand.
On the first floor of the Davis Mercantile you’ll find Jojo’s Pretzels. They’ve been around since 1989 and are super popular. We went and it was so busy but so worth it. They make the pretzels right in front of you, and you can choose from a variety of flavors: Original, Cinnamon & Sugar, Ranch, Dill Pickle, Whole Wheat, and others.
We had the Original, Cinnamon & Sugar, and Whole Wheat flavors, plus the dips. Be SURE to try the Amish Peanut Butter dip! It’s free to enjoy with your pretzel, and you can buy a full container to bring home. Amish peanut butter dip isn’t regular peanut butter – it’s like a creamy, marshmallow-y peanut spread. It’s sooo good.
They also have other menu items like sandwiches, hot dogs, soups and more.
9. Savor Local Cuisine
No visit to Shipshewana is complete without sampling the local cuisine. Here there are a variety of restaurants that offer super yummy, home-cooked meals. Don’t miss out on trying classic Amish dishes such as fried chicken, homemade pies, and hearty stews. Many restaurants also offer family-friendly menus and casual dining settings that cater to all ages.
One is the Blue Gate Restaurant, which also houses a theater, can seat almost as many people as the number that live in Shipshewana. This place is an experience! There are two levels – one with a sit-down restaurant, and one downstairs that’s a buffet. There is also a gift shop and bakery worth visiting.
(Check the coupon book for $1 off a whole pie)
We ate at the buffet downstairs for lunch and it was good old-fashioned cooking with chicken, mashed potatoes, casseroles, salads, and an impressive dessert bar with Amish pies (don’t miss these).
Because we also stayed at the Blue Gate Garden Inn, we got a free breakfast every morning that included delicious omelets, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, casseroles, and pastries from the Blue Gate Bakery. (Read about our stay at the Blue Gate Garden Inn here.)
We also ate at Linder’s Tavern on Main which is located in LaGrange, just a short drive from Shipshewana. If you like anything smoked, you’ll love it here. They rub and smoke meat here, like Brisket, Pulled Pork and Corned Beef. They even make a Smokehouse Pizza, plus their own sauces.
My husband had the Smoked Combo Plate (above), I had Broiled Cod, and my kids had a hamburger and macaroni and cheese. It’s family-friendly and meat-lover friendly!
10. Enjoy a Free Driving Audio Tour
Shipshewana offers visitors a FREE guided driving tour that you can listen to in your car. It’s the “Off the Beaten Path Audio Tour” and it’s available on Spotify, CD and as a flash drive from the visitors center. It takes you all over the region and is informative and interesting, highlighting points of interest along the way along with historical and educational tidbits. It’s long at 1 hour and 43 minutes (allow more time for the actual drive), but it’s so worth it! If possible, start with this early on during your visit, but it’s good to do anytime. Even better, listen to it before you go to Shipshewana so you know what to expect.
11. Shop at the Unique Local Businesses
There are many shops with a lot of history here in the area. Right in Shipshewana are several we visited that have everything you could want or need, including many souvenirs of course. Yoder’s is well-known here for its department store and shoppes. As a frugal mom I was especially excited about the E & S Sales Bulk Foods store as the prices were very affordable! (Plus have your kids look up at all the little tractors above the aisles.)
All these stores were interesting to visit but there are many more all over the region.
These were my top 11 highlights but there is so much more – so much more than we had time to experience during this visit. Here are things I also recommend and hope to explore more on a future visit.
More family fun:
Discover the Shipshewana Quilt Gardens
From mid-May to October, the Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail bloom across the region, including Shipshewana. These gardens feature elaborate quilt-patterned flower beds that showcase the area’s artistic flair and horticultural skills. They also make for great family photo opportunities.
Enjoy a Family Night at the Blue Gate Theatre
A great place to visit is the famous Blue Gate Theatre, which offers a variety of family-friendly shows and performances. They have TOP performers here year-round. We didn’t have time for a show here during this visit, even their larger venue was right next to our hotel, but they have everything from musicals and comedy shows to live entertainment. Check the schedule ahead of your visit.
Of course, there’s more than I can list here!
Where to Stay
There are many options, but we stayed at the Blue Gate Garden Inn. I HIGHLY recommend this place! It had everything including a full free breakfast every morning, a pool, fitness center, patio, arcade, ice cream and pizza, and much more.
In fact, it was so nice I wrote a separate post about it here!
Summary
Shipshewana, Indiana, has quite the blend of family-friendly activities that are perfect for all ages. Whether you’re visiting for a day or planning a longer stay, Shipshewana provides a memorable experience for the whole family. Pack your bags and get ready to discover the warmth and wonder of Shipshewana!
Learn more about Shipshewana on their website here.
Be sure to watch my Reel about the fun we had!
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