Giggles and Gifts Getaway

See exquisite quilts and award-winning Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail. Watch artisans at work in their studios. Visit Amish homes and discover secrets to making melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon rolls. Sniff and sample at a perfumery. Enjoy wine tastings and cooking classes. Take a delightful evening theatre production. Bag some fun and lots of goodies on an Amish backroads shopping excursion. That's just a sampling of the fun in store on this tour designed for girls of all ages.

NOTE: Prices subject to change without advance notice.

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Ice Cream Treats & Historical Feats at Coppes Commons, Nappanee

Nappanee’s colorful history comes alive when touring Coppes Commons. Originally the factory for Coppes Cabinets that once produced the famous “Hoosier Cabinet,” the 100,000 s.f. renovated factory now houses a variety of small businesses perfect for shopping for locally made, hand crafted and fresh baked. Groups are given a fascinating historical glimpse into the Coppes Kitchens on this self-guided tour, once ordered by Frank Sinatra and President John F. Kennedy, while touring this rustic and rambling brick structure. Then enjoy an “out of this world” ice cream that is flash frozen right before your eyes at over 320 degrees below zero from Rocket Science.

3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Paint an Amish Quilt Barn Art piece inside the Nappanee Center

Sit down with local artist, Linda Pieri and be shown painting secrets developed throughout the ages. Linda has taught over 1000 people in the art of acrylic painting encouraging them to “not just look at what you are drawing or painting, but to see what is really there.” You will be able to observe a demonstration and follow step-by-step instructions that will help you create your own masterpiece. This is not a paint by number situation.

Linda helps each person discover the creative artist inside of each of them. Everything is provided including: easel, canvas, acrylic paints, brushes, brush basins, palettes, and paint clothes. Acrylic paintings are on 5” x 7” canvas board postcards. Everyone leaves with a finished painting that they will be proud of. Class takes place inside the Nappanee Center which is a site of an official Quilt Garden PLUS historical Nappanee exhibits. Time will be included to explore the Quilt Garden and exhibits.

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

6:15 p.m. Depart for the evening

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Haystack dinner with Amish buggy rides

The Amish often host fund-raisers to help families pay for unexpected hospital bills or other needs. The Haystack Meal originated for this type of event because families could donate vegetables grown in their gardens and beef raised on their farms without having to purchase many ingredients. The goal is to create a haystack shape by layering the ingredients into a hearty blend of flavors and textures. It may not sound like it goes together, but trust us, it’s delicious. Your meal this evening is at Yoder’s Homestyle Banquets, the home of Henry & Carolyn Yoder. Following your meal you will have an opportunity to ride in the Yoder’s personal buggies down the country gravel lanes for an enjoyable summer evening. Return to your host hotel following your eveningNOTE: Prices subject to change without advance notice.

Guide to determine timing and routing for the following stop:

Amish bakery

Amish sugar free jelly maker

Amish leather shop

Amish noodle maker

Popcorn Shop

Amish Cheese factory

Amish wind chime maker

Amish Toy Maker

E&S Bulk Food Store

- Amish rug weaving demo & Cookie 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 fresh from the oven cookies and cold lemonade as both the Miller’s welcome your group and answer questions about their personal Amish lifestyle.

- Lunch on their own at a location determined by the guide

- Great Life Tours “Meet & Make” program - Create a “Square in a Square” Wooden Quilt Block at Teaberry Wood Products

- Fruit Hills Winery Wine Tasting PLUS Old Hoosier Meats Appetizer Trays

David & Michelle Muir invite you to join their family inside their wine tasting room at Fruit Hills Winery in the scenic fruit hills of Bristol. Featuring several varieties such as Riesling, Cabernet and Traminette (Indiana’s signature wine). Your group will be seated under the new open-air pavilion sampling 5 different wines (1/2 ounce each) while hearing direct from David, the Vintner, as he shares the history, tones, and notes of each wine. Buckets will be on each table for those who wish to discard any wine they wish not to taste or finish. Assorted Cheese, cracker and meat trays will be offered to compete the experience. After your tasting, shop for a bottle to take home, buy a glass of your favorite, or simple enjoy the view and the conversation.

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

6:00 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.

- 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.)

Return to the hotel following your evening

- Shopping in downtown Shipshewana at the Davis Mercantile Visit downtown Shipshewana where the streets are filled with shops & stores filled with crafts, apparel, food, quilts, jewelry, handbags, home décor and art. Wander and explore for your favorite find and “must have” memory to take home.

- Homemade Cinnamon Roll Making Demonstration & Soup/Salad Luncheon at The Carriage House, an Amish family farm

Enjoy a homemade cinnamon roll, just out of the oven, plus coffee or tea as you watch Elaine, the Amish baker, demonstrate how she makes her special delicacy. Take home some of the rolls to share with your family or friends. Cost includes a cinnamon roll, beverage, demonstration and rolls for taking home. While in Elaine’s Carriage House, enjoy her fresh-picked-from-the-garden (seasons vary) homemade soups & salads served to the table with fresh baked bread, homemade apple butter and of course, delicious pie.

3:00 p.m. Say goodbye to your guide

Depart area for home - OR - ask for other touring options to extend your tour

Pizza Night Dinner at Hoosier Banquets, an Amish farmstead

Hoosier Banquets - Amish homemaker Linda Miller welcomes you to her farmstead for her family favorite Pizza Night. She’ll make her homemade pizza sauce and dough and serve your group the following tasty evening meal at your table in her banquet hall perfect for groups.

Your Pizza Night includes:

- Fresh Strawberry, Pecan, Romaine Salad served with a vinaigrette dressing on the side

- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza

- Supreme Pizza

- Veggie Pizza

- Fruit Pizza made with a cookie dough crust topped with a cream cheese base and covered in fresh fruit

- Key Lime Cheesecake

- Homemade Chocolate Cake

- Coffee, Ice Tea, Water

Casual Fun Food (lunch or dinner) at South Side Soda Shoppe

Dine in a restored diner with dining car & a 1940s soda fountain on classic American eats, shakes & malts. Featured on The Food Network “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” and in Gourmet magazine. In-house bakery, daily specials, fresh seafood, chili, homemade soups, sandwiches & pie.

- Option 1:

Choose two from: 1/2 salad (choose from tossed, Greek or spinach salad) OR 1/2 sandwich (choose from tuna, egg or chicken salad) OR mug of soup (choose from chili, snapping turtle or soup of the day) served with assorted pie slices and beverage

- Option 2:

Cheeseburger & fries, served with pie slices and beverage

- Option 3:

Full Sandwich (choose from turkey club croissant, Veggie Pita, Breaded Pork Tenderloin, or Reuben) served with dish of ice cream and beverage

- Option 4:

Full Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich served with dish of ice cream and beverage

- Option 5:

Full Sandwich (choose from turkey club croissant, Ham & Cheese, Veggie Pita, Breaded Pork Tenderloin, or Reuben) served with EITHER 1/2 salad (choose from tossed, Greek or spinach salad) OR mug of soup (choose from chili, snapping turtle or soup of the day) served with pie and beverage

Amish Wedding Feast

It’s a once of a lifetime experience feasting on a traditional Amish wedding dinner in the charming setting of “The Carriage House”. Elaine and her son Seth explain what an Amish wedding day is like complete with this special meal that would be traditionally served by the Amish to their wedding guests. Groups see an Amish bride’s wedding dress up close and hear the customary German Wedding song sung at an Amish wedding.

Elkhart County Visitor Center

Group Tours

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