Free Things to Do in Elkhart County
Fun doesn’t have to come with dollar signs attached. The Heritage Trail Driving Tour is proof of that!
Fill your day with adventure and your camera roll with memorable snaps, all without spending a dime.
Heritage Trail Audio Driving Tour
An Experience for all Seasons. Let the Heritage Trail audio driving tour be your personal guide to must-see attractions, special finds and behind the scenes glimpses of Amish life. Traveling along lively Main Streets and scenic backroads you’ll find surprises at every turn and soon discover why it was voted the top USA Today Reader’s Choice and editors of LIFE® consider it one of “America’s Most Scenic Drives.” Best yet, the Heritage Trail audio driving tour is absolutely free!
Nappanee Art Path
Artistry in Nature, the Nappanee community’s creativity shines no brighter than on the Nappanee Art Path. Sculptures in various themes lead you on a journey of discovery, from the Flower Garden to Woodland Creatures to the Apple Orchard and everything in between. It’s all thoughtfully and creatively integrated into Nappanee’s largest park off County Road 7, (Enter McCormick Creek Golf Course).
Inside the cabinet
They were once all the rage, but now you can peer into the history of the Hoosier cabinet. The Coppes factory where they were made has been converted into shops, eateries and an event space, but there’s plenty of room for museum displays of these kitchen tools that were the envy of homeowners. Coppes Commons, 401 E. Market St., Nappanee, (574) 773-0002
Evelyn Lehman Culp Heritage Collection at the Nappanee Center
Take a trip back in time with Emma Schrock, "the Grandma Moses of northern Indiana." The Evelyn Lehman Culp Heritage Collection at Nappanee Center, 302 W. Market St., Nappanee, has the vast collection of Schrock's paintings depicting Old Order Mennonite farm life.
Story time
Elkhart County’s history is dotted with colorful characters, quirky stories and nostalgia. The Elkhart County Historical Museum gets you behind the scenes of the area’s earliest days and its transformation into an urban-rural fusion of eclectic downtowns and pristine countryside.
Elkhart County Historical Museum, 304 W. Vistula St., Bristol, (574) 848-4322
Quilt Gardens (May 30 - September 15 annually)
The Quilt Gardens stitch together gardening and quilting into a one-of-a-kind experience. Start anywhere along the Heritage Trail, pick up a free map, and take on the challenge of seeing as many of the Quilt Gardens as you can. They’re in each of the downtowns, in parks, and at businesses.
Night for car lovers (May - September)
Soak in a little nostalgia at the Classic Car Cruise-In at Das Dutchman Essenhaus. On Thursdays from 4:30 to 8 p.m. (May - September), stroll Essenhaus’ immaculate grounds for glimpses of roadsters, hot rods and touring sedans (and everything in between!). Das Dutchman Essenhaus, 240 U.S. 20, Middlebury, (800) 455-9472
Sweatin’ to the sights (as weather permits)
Get out your bike (or rent one along the way) and take a spin on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail. Starting in Goshen, Middlebury or Shipshewana, you’ll be up close and personal with the rural farms, rolling countryside, and woodlands so prominent here. Every season offers its own picturesque pleasures when you head outdoors.
Picture yourself here (Park year-round, the historic Mill open seasonally: 10 AM - 5 PM (Tue - Sun), April 18 - November 12.)
Want the quintessential Elkhart County photo? Look no further than Bonneyville Mill County Park. The red mill building is the most-photographed spot in the county. There are many great places to take a selfie, or you can capture the gorgeous flowers or the river for an unbelievable landscape photo. Go for a hike on the many trails, or enjoy a picnic at one of the shelters, and you have a perfect afternoon. Bonneyville Mill County Park, 53373 C.R. 131, Bristol
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