What makes Elkhart landmarks so special is the unique mix of industrial heritage and small-town charm that you can immediately feel when walking along the old railroad tracks along the St. Joseph River. I remember driving my grandfather over the dusty streets of Concord Township as a child and telling me that Elkhart was founded in 1830 by French-American fur dealers before the city was officially convened in 1850. The early settlers not only brought their tractors, but also an involuntary desire for progress – a spirit that is still felt today in the huge RV factories and countless workshops of the county.
To be honest, most of the guides praise the heart of Indiana, but I think the true heart beats here in the small cafes where Barista art looks more like home use than Instagram filters. When you arrive by train from Chicago, just get to the bus that brings you through the green maze of Concord Township – don’t worry, the GPS works better here than the memory of some city guides. And yes, I don't quite understand the hype about the big fairs, but the local crafts markets next to the old town hall are really great because they show that Elkhart is more than just a production site. So those looking for an authentic piece of Middle West find the ideal setting to experience the true Indiana.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance – taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
Here's how it works:
Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Elkhart, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first stop I never miss is that Larkin State Park on the edge of Goshen – a piece of unspoiled nature that surprisingly fits into the industrial environment of Elkhart. The way to the main lake is a narrow gravel path that looks more like an improvised hiking path than after a planned park. I once tried to start a picnic, just to realize that the only available table was a crashed tree trunk – perfect for those who love the rustic flair, but not for those who expect a clean place. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the field becomes a small battlefield of cars and strollers.
A short trip to Shipshewana leads directly to the heart of the Amish community, and the Amish Farm & House is what I call the “Living Museum” – not a museum, but a real house that is still inhabited by people who know the word “Internet” from a distance. I remember looking at an older woman at bread making; She was so proud of her sourdough bread that she offered me almost one piece before I told her I wouldn't take a bite because I was afraid that the bread could send me back to the past. Parking is free, but the visitor centre has only a small sign that “Don’t park if you want to enter the field” says – a hint that you’d better consider when you’re not suddenly in the middle of the corn field.
The St. Joseph River Trail is another one of my favorite strips that swell through the surrounding area. The way follows the river, and I have seen several times the moment when the water was so clear that you could count the fish, while at the same time I thought if I should swap my running shoes for rubber boots, because the weather suddenly changed. The trail is well marked, but the signage is not always unambiguous – a hint for those who do not like to tap in the dark. A small parking lot at the beginning of the trail is usually free, but on sunny weekends you can quickly get the feeling that you landed in the middle of a pop-up festival.
Only about 30 miles southwest is this Indiana Dunes National Park, a place I like to call the forgotten coast of the Middle West. The dune landscape is a contrast to the flat fields you otherwise see here, and I once tried to start a Sandburg project that was immediately destroyed by a passing wind wheel – a good example of the fact that nature does not always cooperate here as desired. Parking is free as long as you do not use the main camping area; There, however, there is a few meters away from the trails, so you do not stumble into a bird reserve inadvertently.
Another secret tip is that Nappaneous Antique Mallhidden in a former factory hall and offering more than 200 stands of curiosity. I found an old gramophone there that was still working and wondering why I shouldn't just add a bit of vinyl nostalgia to my car, while I thought if it wasn't better in the museum. Parking is right in front of the entrance, but the places are limited – an early appearance is worthwhile if you don't want to be in traffic all day.
Last but not least a short trip to Studebaker National Museum, that is in the city area, but for everyone who loves the history of automobiles is a must. The exhibition of classic vehicles is impressive, and I saw an old Studebaker there that was so well preserved that I was almost trying to buy it – a thought that quickly flew when I realized that the museum has no sales department. Parking is directly at the museum, but on weekends it can become a small mess because the visitor numbers suddenly shoot up.
Whether you are now calming Larkin State Park search the authentic land life in Amish Farm & House want to experience along the St. Joseph River Trail jogging, the coast in Indiana Dunes National Park enjoy, after treasures in Nappaneous Antique Mall or the automobile history in Studebaker National Museum admiring the surroundings of Elkhart, Concord Township, offers a colourful mix of nature, culture and history that surprises every traveler. This selection Elkhart Attractions shows that the region has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through the rather inconspicuous but surprisingly charming Concord Township where I discovered my favorite places in Elkhart – and yes, I know that the word “sights” sounds almost overstretched here, but some places really deserve a bit of praise.
I like to start with Ruthmere the magnificent mansion that looks like a Victorian millionaire decided to build a museum because it was too lazy to sell his art. The interiors are a bit like an Instagram filter for the 19. Century: stucco ceilings, original preserved furniture and a garden that looks almost like a small, wild golf course in the summer. Parking is usually a Klacks at the main entrance, as long as you don't arrive with the whole city on Saturday night – then parking becomes a small adventure.
A short walk leads you to Midwest Museum of American Art. I must admit, I was skeptical because “Midwest” and “art” in my head always brought together a bit like cornflakes and ballet. But the collection is surprisingly versatile, from contemporary sculptures to regional landscape paintings that capture the light of the Indiana sky. The museum is located directly on the Riverwalk, so you can immediately enjoy the fresh breeze of St. Joseph River after the artificial pleasure – a perfect contrast to the dusty halls.
The Elkhart Riverwalk itself is my personal favorite place, if I just want to “do nothing” without acting lazy. The path stretches along the river, past old factory buildings that today host chic lofts. I once made a picnic with a friend, while a canoe tour boat shouted loudly “All aboard!” – a bit cheesy, but honestly, that was the highlight of the day. And the best thing: Parking at the end of the Riverwalk-Promenade is almost always free as long as you are not there at noon in the high season.
If you want to swallow a bit of history, that is Elkhart County Historical Museum That's right. It is not the largest museum, but the exhibitions about the RV industry and the production of musical instruments give you the feeling that Elkhart actually has something to offer that goes beyond corn fields. I found an old ad there for a 1950’s poppy, which had more style than my first car – a real eyebrow for nostalgic.
A little off the mainstream lies Elkhart Civic Theatre. I was there at a local production of “Our Town”, and although the piece sounds old-fashioned, the stage has a surprisingly modern technique that totally banished the audience (and me). The seats are comfortable, the staff friendly, and parking behind the theater is a small secret that only locals know – a few empty places when you come after 7 pm.
For those who prefer outdoor activity, I recommend a few hours kayaking on the St. Joseph River. The rapids are hardly present, so ideal for beginners, and the view of the Elkhart skyline from the water perspective is somehow soothing. I wanted to paddle the last time in the autumn, because I thought the foliage would dye the water red – that didn't work completely, but the cool breeze was still a pleasure.
Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is the Elkhart Farmers Market Saturday morning. Here are fresh products, handmade soaps and occasionally some local bands playing in the background. I once tried a piece of apple cake that was better than anything I've eaten in school since my childhood – no joke. The market is located in the heart of downtown, so parking is a bit tricky, but a few free places you will always find when you park a few blocks further and walk.
And because I must not forget, here is a short hint for the search engine optimisers among you: If you follow Elkhart Attractions googles, you will quickly realize that the city has more to offer than you suspect at first glance. From historic manor houses to art museums to relaxed river promenades – Concord Township has something in the sleeve for everyone, even for those who usually only look for the next Fast Food Drive Throat.
At the end of the day, when the lights of the city centre flicker and the last kayak drivers go back to land, I feel that Elkhart is not the glamorous metropolis that you find in guides, but that's exactly what makes the appeal. I pack my stuff, grab a piece of cake from the market and get on my way to the next little adventure – and you?
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
