Looking for a few things to do in Shipshewana? Well, there is plenty to choose from and here is a list of 10 things you can do in Shipshewana!
The Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery is a great spot to grab an authentic Amish and Mennonite meal, or to grab some sweet treats from the large bakery located inside the restaurant. Enjoy home cooked Amish food such as fried chicken and mashed potatoes, and don’t forget to grab a fresh pie! There is a theatre in the same building, that seats around 300, which shows musicals and small concerts year-round! There also is a theatre just down the street that has larger concerts and shows, and this theatre seats around 1,500 people.
2. Menno-Hof
Make sure and check out Menno-Hof, a museum that focuses on teaching others about the ways and traditions of the Amish and Mennonites. Located across the street from the Shipshewana Flea Market it is a great spot to stop in after a long day of shopping. They offer tours of the museum on Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Be ready to see a tornado simulation and an Amish room, set up like a real Amish house!
Plan your visit to the Shipshewana Flea Market which throughout 2023 is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays, May 2 through September 27, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. The flea market contains over 700 vendors with a huge variety of items to choose from, from antiques and Amish crafted items to fresh produce! Make sure and wear tennis shoes as there is plenty of walking involved if you’re planning to explore all the booths!
4. Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park
The Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park is a great spot if you have kids, or if you would just like to visit an animal park yourself! Located on the outskirts of Shipshewana this Amish owned and operated animal park is a great spot to spend a few hours during a day in Shipshewana. They offer a horse drawn wagon tour to see the exotic animals and farm animals, the option to take your own vehicle through the farm, or the option to walk through the park. There also is a petting zoo where you can see, touch, and feed some of the animals up close!
5. Downtown Shopping
The Davis Mercantile is one great spot to do some downtown shopping and to see the variety of shops and small businesses that Shipshewana offers. The mercantile includes a soft pretzel restaurant, candy shops, clothing stores, a toy store, a carousel, and so much more! Take a walk down Harrison Street and Morton Street to see a bunch more shops! Don’t forget to stop by the 4-way stop in town to enjoy multiple retail and furniture stores, a popcorn shop, and an ice cream shop!
Satisfy your meet and cheese cravings at Yoder’s Meet & Cheese, located right next to the Shipshewana Flea Market. Featuring 150 cuts of meat, over 100 varieties of cheese, smoked meats, a deli, lots of jams and jellies, candy, and so much more! Yoder’s has been serving Northern Indiana with premium meats and cheese for 50 years. This meat and cheese shop is a spot you can’t miss when visiting Shipshewana.
7. Carriage Ride
There are multiple places in Shipshewana that offer carriage rides, most of which are led by Amish buggy drivers. Explore the town of Shipshewana and its beautiful countryside from the comfort of an Amish carriage. This will be something that you won’t forget and don’t want to miss when visiting Shipshewana. A few places that offer carriage rides in Shipshewana are:
- Buggy Lane Amish Tours
- Blue Gate Carriage Co.
8. Explore the Countryside
Hop in your vehicle and take a slow drive through the outskirts of Shipshewana on the backroads. See lots of local Amish houses, barns, and businesses. Depending on what day of the week you take a drive you could possibly see local Amish people setting up tents for church on Sunday. Take in sights of horses, cows, sheep, and other animals.
Check out Yoder’s Red Barn Shoppes located right next to the Shipshewana Flea Market, and in the same parking lot as Yoder’s Meat & Cheese. The barn features 10 stores with handcrafted Amish furniture, handmade jewelry, ladies clothing, home décor, and more! Stop in here after you have satisfied your hunger at Yoder’s Meat & Cheese.
10. Murals
Shipshewana recently painted 16 wall murals throughout the town, that tie into the town’s unique history. Take a walk or bike ride around town and try to spot them all! A few of the murals are located on the Davis Mercantile, Shipshewana General Store, and Fork’s County Line Grocery Store. These unique murals are a great addition to Shipshewana, and you don’t want to miss seeing them!
Shipshewana is a small town but has so many great things to do. There is a lot more than just 10 things to do in Shipshewana, but this list is a great way to start off your trip!