Northern Indiana Amish Experience

Take a journey to the past while experiencing modern day fun when your Plus 60 Club and Tri-State Travel goes to Northern Indiana for a four-day trip to Amish Country! The dates scheduled are from July 30 – August 2, 2019. This trip promises to be everything you want, from getting a look at the history of Amish lifestyle to meeting Amish business owners who make the products and crafts which are revered around the world. You will learn the history and culture of our Amish neighbors, and savor honest to goodness Amish style fare. You will also laugh, sing, and be entertained with family friendly entertainment and Broadway musicals in local theaters.

A brief overview of this exciting trip includes three nights at the Essenhaus Inn and Conference Center, seven meals, entertainment, which includes shows to Amish buggy rides, a camel dairy farm, an in-depth history of the Amish traditions and way of life, a visit to a home where a family weaves hand-made rag rugs from designs brought down through the family, a visit to a wood and basket making business (this is the most requested stop on the itinerary), and a haystack dinner. The story and fun facts surrounding the haystack dinner will be told to you as it is presented.

The area in Indiana where we will visit is the home to 80% of the world’s inventory of Travel Trailers, 5th Wheels, Class C and A Motorhomes, Truck Campers and Fold=Downs. You will have the opportunity to visit one of the manufacturing plants while we are here! These facilities are the main employer of the Amish community.

Not to be outdone, the next most requested stop is the one we make to the Amish Acres Arts and Craft Festival. If you have never experienced this, prepare to be amazed! Approximately 300 juried artists and artisans from all over the country are here to display and sell their wares. A large tote bag is recommended to carry your purchases.

Next, while you have an opportunity to relax a little, is the guided house and farm tour, documentary films, and a wagon ride on the nation’s only Old Order Amish farmstead listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Relaying the simple life of the Amish community, a sixteen foot covered farm wagon (with padded seats) is pulled by an International Harvestor H tractor, and gives you an overview of this historical farm as it takes you down the gravel lanes, around the pond, past the historical buildings and through the woods. Included is a stop at the one-room Amish School where you may experience an old-fashioned spelling bee! After that workout, spend time shopping in all of the shops, bakery, and fudgery! The Broadway musical “TBD”, performed in the 1911 Round Barn Theatre is on tap this afternoon followed by a Threshers Dinner at the old barn restaurant. Authentic Amish food, with platters and bowls filled to the brim, is served family-style. Back at the hotel you can enjoy a classic car cruise which is a blast from the past!

The next morning, before departing to Elkhart, once again ejoy breakfast at the hotel. Our last Amish attraction is a visit to Linton’s Enchanted Gardens. This huge garden center, with many themed gardens, includes the Japanese Tea House, Dutch Gardens, and the Grist Mill. You may also wish to visit the humongous gift emporium.

This unique trip will satisfy all your wants and needs regarding the Amish way of life, their history, customs, and beliefs. The price of the tour is $799 per person, double, $1029 single. Rates are also available for triples and quads. Call Tri-State Travel at 1-800-779-4889 to make your reservations, or to ask for a detailed flyer. The absolute deadline is June 15, 2019, but I will bet it is all sold out long before then!