Northern Indiana Amish Country – CANCELED

Ready for a convenient 3-night / 4-day travel experience to the scenic countryside of nearby northern Indiana?

You’ll arrive in Indiana by mid-afternoon of your tour’s first day in time to enjoy a hay-wagon ride into a pasture to hand-feed American Bison and learn about these animals from your guide before continuing on to Middlebury for three nights at the Essenhaus Inn. No repetitive unpacking and packing of your luggage! The evening dinner at Das Dutchman Essenhaus will feature traditional family recipes followed by evening entertainment in Heritage Hall.

The next morning, after an included breakfast at the Inn, a local guide will escort our group on a Grab Bag Backroads Tour and Quilt Gardens Tour. Travel scenic backroads passing horse- drawn buggies, tidy farm homes and white-washed barns. Learn about the fascinating lifestyle of the Amish as our guide tells all about the area’s history and customs. We will stop at a variety of welcoming country stores and quaint shops as you load up your brown bag with goodies. We will meet local Amish entrepreneurs and see first-hand how they operate their unique enterprises. Hear the stories 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, and appealing to every age and gender. We will visit the Old Order Amish home of Leo and Lorene Miller, where Leo has been hand-weaving rag rugs for years and Lorene will serve cold lemonade and cookies fresh from her oven as they answer our questions about their Amish lifestyle.

A Haystack dinner on an Amish family farm with Amish buggy rides is our evening activity. 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. Following your meal, you will have an opportunity to ride in the Yoder’s personal buggies down the country gravel lanes.

Our third day begins with included breakfast at the Essenhaus Inn before heading out to Goshen, Indiana. We will split into two or three groups as we visit the Courthouse Quilt Garden, view the Elkhart County Courthouse, visit the historical Police Booth, and meet with the Courthouse clock caretaker. Afterwards, there’s time to visit the Goshen Historical Society (for a donation) or do some shopping on your own. Next, it’s on to Shipshewana, for an included lunch stop followed by the “Josiah for President” show at the Blue Gate Theatre. After a stop at Yoder’s Popcorn Shop, we will return to our Inn and relax during a free evening.

On our last day, we enjoy an included breakfast before departing the Inn for a stop in Elkhart to explore Linton’s Enchanted Gardens. Our Amish tour comes to an end with our arrival back home by early evening.

Tour pricing for two to a room is $859/person with other pricing options for single, triple, or quad room Inn accommodations.