Location: Shipshewana
Top Things to do in Shipshewana
Top Restaurants in Shipshewana
10 Things to Do in Shipshewana That You Shouldn't Miss
Shipshewana is a town in Newbury Township, LaGrange County, Indiana, United States. The population was 658 at the 2010 census. It is the location of the Menno-Hof Amish & Mennonite Museum, which showcases the history of the Amish and Mennonite peoples.
Restaurants in Shipshewana
1. Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 200 reviews
Reviewed By mlr0yer - Goshen, Indiana
I was so surprised by this attraction! I lived 30 minutes from it, and didn't know about it until a friend recommended it. We have taken two trips there recently with different family members and they all loved it. Plan for 2 hours. Included in the entrance is a walk through the animal farm (you can enter all pens), you can hold rabbits and ducklings, and slide into the goat pen. The kids loved it. Then, your entrance includes a wagon ride and food through the exotic animals. There are zebras, ostriches, a musk ox, llamas, camels, elk, etc. The list goes on.
It costs about $13 for adults and $8 for children -- but you get a lot for that. Then bring a lot of $1 bills to buy carrots and baggies of fruit loops to feed the animals. Also, the $5 pony/horse rides are worth it, and the "train" pulled by a pony is a hoot for $1 a rider.
2. Hostetler's Hudson Auto Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 114 reviews
World's largest collection of Hudson, Essex, & Terraplane automobiles. Ranging from 1909 to 1956 the collection houses some of the finest examples of the autos produced by the Hudson Automobile Company. Both pristine restorations and pristinely preserved examples walk you through time while you reminisce about America's love affair with the automobile.
Reviewed By Charlene P
My friend and I left our wives shopping and went to the Hudson museum, a great value for the price. They have a "cherry" Hudson from the first year they were made, 1916 I think, up to 1956. Nicely displayed and the guide was able to tell us about some of the cars.
3. Blue Gate Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
The Blue Gate is best place for evening entertainment in Shipshewana and is fast becoming a household name in the Midwest, featuring over 280 shows per year with 75 different performers, 3 hit musicals and much more. This year will feature the new musical "The Home Game" based on the new book by Martha Bolton. Also enjoy concerts by multiple Grammy winning performers, hilarious comedians, Southern Gospel favorites and other family-friendly entertainment.
Reviewed By kseam6259 - Franklin, North Carolina
The environment in this Blue Gate Theater has a very professional look to the place. It is easy to set up for large groups or easy to separate for smaller groups. The equipment and stage present also makes the groups performing or speaking able to operate very easily it seems from my observation.
4. Menno-Hof Mennonite - Amish Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 259 reviews
Amish and Mennonite museum and visitor center.
Reviewed By goseedo - South Dakota
The Menno-Hof Visitor Center is a superb way to learn about Anabaptist principles, the beginnings (and persecution) of the Amish, Hutterites, and Mennonites nearly 500 years ago, and how they made their way to America. There is a imaginative mix of teaching tools -- videos, reading, displays, semi-interactive rooms, guided, on your own -- which makes learning easy (albeit some are not oriented for children). The emphasis is on the history of the Anabaptists and is from their perspective; there is no focus on current living styles, although there is an Amish home/kitchen display at the end of the tour.
We spent more than the anticipated 1.5 hours as we were quite fascinated by the stories and read most of the placards.
Parking was easy. Guides were friendly. Admission cost was very reasonable and is listed, along with hours, on the website. Always closed Sundays. Highly recommend if you are interested in history, religions, and cultures, and wish to understand others' beliefs, even as they may differ from your own.
5. Davis Mercantile
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 148 reviews
Reviewed By Sweetie27265 - High Point, North Carolina
Three floors of interesting stores and restaurants, but there are elevators at each end of the building. I spent a lot of time in Lolly's Fabric Shop. Great source of quilting supplies. Lots of groups of women in there shopping together and having a great time.
6. E&S Sales
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
Reviewed By Sweetie27265 - High Point, North Carolina
Lots of Amish shop here. What I liked best is that they had plenty of help. There were workers in nearly every aisle. They had teenagers taking purchases to your car or buggy. Great to see a business support their local economy and give lots of people jobs.
7. Buggy Lane Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By Andy810 - Telford, United Kingdom
We booked and paid for the 5-star tour and were advised to show up at 3:45 the following afternoon. When we did it was like a scene from a Keystone Cops movie. Disorganised doesn't come close.
When we booked they were not sure they would have enough guests to run the evening dinner as they needed 6 minimum. By the time we all congregated there were 22 of us. So, not enough buggies. Not enough room at the planned dinner venue etc.
We were unsure if it was going to work out and their disorganisation was comical.
Anyway, it all worked out and we had a great time. The farm tour was excellent and dinner at John and Elaine's house was a delight. Great food and super hosts.
Overall we had a lovely 5 hours in the company of Buggy Lane Tours.
Special thanks to Marvin who was very good company at dinner.
8. Blue Gate Amish Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 44 reviews
On this Amish adventure, participants will not only sight-see through the beautiful farm dotted countryside, but will make three stops along the way to visit with our Amish neighbors. Each host at these stops is anxious to meet you and introduce you to their unique culture. An evening Tour is also available now, see the beautiful countryside and spend an evening visiting in an Amish home.
Reviewed By Cheryl H - Lakeland, Florida
First time tour of this type..Enjoyable and informative visits at 3 stops. Driver/ guide very professional, knowledgeable and considerate of maintaining families privacy and culture. Would recommend this to others.
9. Shipshewana Auction & Flea Market
Overall Ratings
4 based on 461 reviews
The Shipshewana Auction & Flea Market is a do-not-miss Hoosier tradition in Indiana's Amish Country. The flea market is the Midwest's Largest with nearly 900 vendor spaces in an open-air market. The Miscellaneous & Antique Auction on Wednesdays offers a huge barn full of hard-to-find items with up to 10 auctioneers simultaneously selling. Find bargains on bags, cell phone accessories, jewelry, leather goods, sunglasses, collectibles, primitives, vintage items, boxed cards, dollar items, party supplies, books, games, puzzles, pet supplies, toys, clothing, food, home decor, gifts, kitchen items, beauty supplies, tools, sporting goods, handmade items, silk flowers, crafts and everything in between. The flea market also has a Farmer's Market aisle with fresh flowers, plants and produce. The Flea Market is open every Tuesday and Wednesday, May through September, from 8 am - 5 pm. The Miscellaneous & Antique Auction is year-round on Wednesdays starting at 9 am. Visitors enjoy great food on site at one of our 4 Food Courts or the indoor, sit-down Auction Restaurant and can stay overnight at the Farmstead Inn, our Amish-inspired hotel. Call us for specific hours and special holiday flea market dates. (Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day)
Reviewed By 613marthah
We attended the flea market on a Tuesday morning. The parking was very organized and was only three dollars per car. When we first walked in there were tables and tables of produce and beautiful flowers like chrysanthemums to buy. The prices were very reasonable. Throughout the fleamarket there were booths that had every type of item that you could ever possible want.... Fun! Bought lots of STUFF!
10. Buggy Line Day Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By Gla_Rangers - British Columbia, Canada
Attending an RV Rally at the local campground we had a large group, and were picked up and dropped off at the campground.
We had a variety of buggies, all covered, with windows. Seating for 5 plus the guide. Our guide was an Amish gentleman who provided an almost continuous commentary as we slowly navigated the local back roads. He discussed their history, lifestyle and identified the various crops in the fields.
Also visited an Amish home where we were served exceptional pie for dessert.
Great trip, will definitely sign up again on our next visit.
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