There is so much more to Shipshewana, Indiana, than you might expect! Located in the heart of Northern Indiana’s Amish Country, this charming small town is filled with locally owned shops, delicious homemade food, horse-drawn buggies, and opportunities to experience the area’s rich history and traditions.
Here are a few experiences you’ll want to include during your visit!
Start Your Morning at Das Kaffee Haus
Before heading out for a day of exploring, stop by Das Kaffee Haus for a coffee and a bite to eat.
Located on Berkshire Drive, this welcoming coffee shop offers a variety of specialty coffee drinks, teas, blended beverages, and breakfast options.
What makes Das Kaffee Haus especially interesting is the mission behind the business. The coffee shop was founded with a focus on giving back, with profits supporting charitable causes locally and abroad.
It’s a lovely opportunity to enjoy a local business while supporting a meaningful mission.
Shop Your Way Through Downtown Shipshewana
Shopping is a huge part of the Shipshewana experience, and you could easily spend an entire day browsing the stores around town.
Downtown Shipshewana is lined with independently owned boutiques, specialty shops, furniture stores, and businesses selling handmade goods. You’ll find everything from beautiful Amish-crafted furniture and home décor to clothing, quilts, toys, kitchen accessories, and unique gifts.
One of the most popular shopping destinations is Davis Mercantile, a four-story shopping destination on Harrison Street. Inside, you’ll discover an assortment of specialty stores selling clothing, fabrics, puzzles, candy, and much more.
Families will especially appreciate the Shipshewana Carousel, located on the upper floor of Davis Mercantile. This historic 1906 carousel features beautifully carved animals and makes a wonderful break from shopping for younger visitors.
While you’re there, grab a fresh soft pretzel from JoJo’s Pretzels or visit one of the candy shops for a sweet treat.
Beyond Davis Mercantile, take some time to walk along Harrison and Morton Streets, popping into whichever storefronts catch your attention. Part of the fun is exploring without a strict schedule!
Enjoy a Meal at the Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery
No visit to Shipshewana feels quite complete without enjoying some traditional Amish-style comfort food.
The Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery is a longtime favorite among visitors, known for hearty homemade meals, generous portions, and an impressive selection of baked goods.
The menu features familiar Midwestern favorites, including fried chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes, homemade noodles, and other comforting dishes. You can order from the menu or enjoy the restaurant’s popular buffet.
And definitely save room for dessert! The bakery offers an assortment of pies, cookies, breads, and other sweet treats. Indiana’s famous sugar cream pie is a particularly fitting choice.
Blue Gate offers more than just dining, too. The Blue Gate Theatre and Blue Gate Performing Arts Center host live concerts, musicals, tribute performances, and other entertainment throughout the year.
For families planning an overnight trip, checking the performance schedule before visiting is a great way to add something special to your evening.
Take a Horse-Drawn Buggy Ride
You can’t visit Shipshewana without noticing the horse-drawn buggies traveling along the roads. This area is home to a thriving Amish community, and horse-and-buggy transportation remains part of everyday life.
For visitors, taking a guided buggy ride provides an opportunity to learn more about the region while enjoying its beautiful surroundings.
Shipshewana Buggy Rides, located along Harrison Street, offers several experiences ranging from shorter rides through downtown to longer outings into the countryside.
During a longer tour, you may pass working farms, Amish homes, and peaceful country roads while learning about the local community from your guide.
A short ride makes a fun addition to a family day trip, while a longer countryside experience is worth considering if you have extra time.
Explore Amish Country on the Off the Beaten Path Tour
While downtown Shipshewana has plenty to offer, we highly recommend making time to explore the surrounding countryside.
One of the most interesting ways to experience the area is through the Off the Beaten Path Tour, a free, self-guided audio driving tour offered through the Shipshewana Visitors Center.
This experience takes you beyond the busy downtown streets and along the scenic backroads of LaGrange County, where you’ll discover a different side of Amish Country.
The complete audio tour covers more than 90 miles and includes over two hours of narration, stories, directions, and local history.
Along the way, you’ll have opportunities to discover Amish cottage shops, roadside markets, working farms, and colorful barn quilts scattered throughout the countryside.
Unlike the larger stores downtown, many of these cottage shops are small businesses operated on family properties. You might discover handcrafted furniture, handmade items, baked goods, honey, or locally produced foods.
The audio narration also shares regional history and folklore, helping visitors understand more about the communities and traditions that make this area special.
Our favorite thing about this experience is that you can explore at your own pace. There is no need to complete the entire route in one day. Stop when something interests you, browse a roadside stand, or spend a little extra time shopping at a cottage business.
To get started, visit the Official Amish Country Visitors Center at 350 S. Van Buren Street to pick up the tour map. The audio experience is also available to stream.
Be sure to drive carefully, watch for horse-drawn buggies and cyclists, and remember that many Amish-owned businesses have limited hours and are closed on Sundays.
Pro Tip: Bring cash! Most places don’t accept credit or debit cards.
Planning Your Visit to Shipshewana
Shipshewana is a wonderful destination for both day trips and weekend getaways, but a little planning will help you make the most of your time.
Best days to visit: Monday through Saturday. Many Amish-owned businesses, shops, and attractions are closed on Sundays. If the flea market is a priority, plan around its seasonal market schedule.
How much time should you allow? You can enjoy downtown shopping, a buggy ride, and a meal in a single day. However, we recommend a full weekend if you want to explore the Off the Beaten Path Tour, visit several countryside shops, and take your time experiencing the area.
Is Shipshewana family-friendly? Absolutely! Between the carousel, horse-drawn buggy rides, sweet treats, and opportunities to learn about Amish life, there is plenty for families to enjoy. Children may especially love seeing the horses and exploring the shops.
Where should you begin? The Official Amish Country Visitors Center is an excellent first stop. Pick up brochures, maps, local recommendations, and a free coupon book to help plan your adventure.
For more information about local attractions, upcoming events, and accommodations, visit Visit Shipshewana.
Make Shipshewana Your Next Indiana Adventure
Shipshewana is a wonderful reminder of how much there is to experience right here in Indiana.
Between the locally owned businesses, delicious food, beautiful countryside, and opportunities to learn about the area’s Amish and Mennonite communities, there’s plenty to enjoy beyond the usual shopping trip.
Spend the morning browsing downtown, enjoy a homemade meal at Blue Gate, take the family on a horse-drawn buggy ride, and then venture into the countryside for an afternoon of exploring.
Looking for more family-friendly adventures around Indiana? Follow along with Indy Family Fun as we explore destinations, attractions, and local businesses worth checking out!
– Brittany | Indy Family Fun