Amish Country Along the Heritage Trail

Learn first-hand the tried and true cooking secrets to homemade goodness in an Amish kitchen. This tour is a journey to the past that’s loaded with plenty of modern-day fun. This tour is a journey to the past exploring a unique culture that exists with plenty of modern-day fun.

DAY ONE Arrival Shipshewana, Indiana

2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Shopping at the Shipshewana Flea Market & Auction

The Shipshewana Flea Market is a do-not-miss Hoosier tradition with nearly 700 spaces in an open-air market on 40 acres. The vendors are open 8:00 am-4:00 pm every Tuesday and Wednesday, May through September. Vendors offer a variety of products and truly have something for everyone - fresh seasonal produce, crafts, home decor, dollar items, clothes, garden supplies, cleaning supplies, beauty essentials, antiques, paper goods, jewelry, snacks, accessories, games, books, toys, furniture, vintage items, baked goods, signs, silk flowers, t-shirts, handmade items, pet supplies and everything in between. Open rain or shine. There are food courts, a sit-down restaurant and rest areas throughout the market. Plus, don’t miss the weekly Antique Auctions taking place at 9 am each Wednesday, year round.

Check-in at your host hotel 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Evening fun on the Das Dutchman Essenhaus campus [enjoy the following anytime until 8 p.m.]

Welcome to Das Dutchman Essenhaus, home of Indiana’s largest restaurant and a peaceful escape in the country which offers a unique combination of dining, lodging, and shopping opportunities. The attractive Amish style restaurant seats 1,100 and is the largest restaurant in the state of Indiana. Manicured grounds invite a leisurely stroll or perhaps a carriage ride through a quaint covered bridge. Tonight, enjoy the following at your own pace:

Buffet dinner at Das Dutchman Essenhaus & shopping

Dine on traditional family recipes passed down through generations in Indiana’s largest restaurant now seating over 1,100 guests. Enjoy the all-you-can-eat Buffet Dinner which includes 2 soups, salad bar, 4 entrees, numerous sides, and cobblers/ puddings for dessert. Beverages are included with your meal. (Buffet on arrival, followed by shopping until departure for return to hotel.)

DAY TWO

6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast at your host hotel & meet your guide in the hotel lobby

8:45 a.m. Meet your guide in the hotel lobby

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Brown Bag Backroads Tour

Travel scenic backroads passing horse-drawn buggies, tidy farm homes and white-washed barns. Learn about the fascinating lifestyle of the Amish as your knowledgeable guide tells all about the area and the history, traditions, and customs of the Amish. You’ll stop at a variety of welcoming country stores and quaint shops as you load up your Brown Bag with goodies.

Get to know local Amish entrepreneurs and see first-hand how they operate their unique enterprises. Hear the backstory of friendly, hardworking people who use their special talents to create products and build businesses that serve the local community and beyond. These stops are fun, authentic, appealing to every age and gender and sure to be a hit with your group.

Choose 4 Brown Bag Stops, additional stops can be included for no fee or for extra gifts

• Amish bakery
• Amish leather shop
• Amish noodle maker
• Amish/Mennonite Basket maker
• Popcorn Shop
• Amish Cheese factory
• Amish wind chime maker
• Amish Toy Maker
• E&S Bulk Food Store

Lunch on your own to be determined by guide.

Personal tour and presentation in an Amish home

Your group visits a modern Amish family homestead where you can meet the family, learn all about their large quilt auctions, see the family farm and get inside their home for insights on how the Amish live today. There will be time for questions and answers.

Amish rug weaving demo & Whoopie Pie break

Leo & Lorene Miller welcome you to their Old Order Amish home where Leo has been handweaving rag rugs for years. Taught by his family, Leo will demonstrate how he weaves and creates his beautiful and functional rugs. Meanwhile Lorene, his wife, will serve you her famous whoopie pies and cold lemonade as both the Miller’s welcome your group and answer questions about their personal Amish lifestyle.

Your group is invited to Elaine Jones and her son Seth’s “neighborhood lunch”, where you become one of the new friends who pull up chairs at their tables. This “neighbors’ lunch” is what they would serve their Amish neighbors as they get together to chat, play games and enjoy each other’s company. Now your group becomes their neighbor with all the food and fun. Vegetables fresh from the garden and fields, delicious simply sides and their popular baked parmesan chicken, homemade bread and delightful dessert complete the meal. Each neighbor’s luncheon meal is different from the next based upon what’s available that time of year, but your group is guaranteed to walk away full on delicious homecooked and fresh baked. After your meal, the neighbor experience continues as you enjoy the “Jones” Bingo game where everyone is a winner of prizes.

5 p.m. Say goodbye to your guide

NOTE: Prices subject to change without advance notice.

5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Buffet Dinner and Blue Gate Musical (TBD)

Return to your host hotel following your evening of fun

DAY THREE

6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast at your host hotel

8:45 a.m. Meet your guide in the hotel lobby

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Meet the Amish Makers Nappanee Backroads Tour

The warmth of a hometown welcome awaits your group in beautiful Nappanee. Your Amish guide will share her faith, culture, and knowledge of this very close-knit community. Hear the steady clip-clop of horses on peaceful country roads connecting groups to a simpler time. Your day will be filled with authentic experiences as you visit businesses necessary to Amish settlements. Loads of group friendly options, tasty treats and a hearty two meat Thresher meal will round out your experience. Together with your guide you will come to see why their town motto is “Embrace the Pace.” Lunch is on your own during this day long tour with a magnificent traditional Threshers Meal served at the end of your day on an Amish farm as your dinner.

NOTE: Many of these Amish businesses do NOT accept credit cards for payment. Please inform guests on your tour PRIOR to arrival for shopping. Lunch will be on their own today at a location determined by the guide based upon route.

• Standard stops for the Amish Maker Tour
• Shopping at Rentown, an Amish Bulk Food Store
• Amish clock maker demo & workshop tour
• Amish Quilt & Fabric Shop demo & shopping time
• Amish Country Variety Store
• Nappanee Center Historical Museum
• Coppes Commons Hoosier Cabinet display & shopping

NOTE: Prices subject to change without advance notice.

Options on the Embraceable Tour for additional cost:

• Amish Dairy Farm & Apple Orchard & Cannery Tour
• Pretzel Tasting at the Perfect Twist at Coppes Commons
• Ice cream treat at Rocket Science
• Amish one-room school
• Amish Wood Carver demo & workshop tour
• Amish Buggy Maker
• Upgrade option touring an Old Older Mennonite AND Amish Buggy Maker for an additional higher fee

5:00 p.m. Say goodbye to your guide

5:15 p.m. Dinner at Yoder's Homestyle Cooking

Return to your host hotel following your evening

DAY FOUR

Breakfast at your host hotel and depart for home

Group Tours

Email: sayhi@eccvb.org
Phone: 574.262.8161
Fax: 574.262.3925