Visit Shipshewana LaGrange Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Experience the Amish community of Shipshewana in Indiana! Trust the traditional market, the Menno house and the lodges at the place. Enjoy a meal at the Amish Caf or a beer garden visit. Visit the art galleries or the Blue Gate Theatre. Walk in the Fremont Park or the Menallen Park.
What makes Shipshewana so special is the unique mix of Amish tradition and tourist self-confidence, which is immediately felt when you leave the dusty highway from Chicago and suddenly surrounded by fields and silver barns. I have always wondered why this small community in the Newbury Township, LaGrange County, has been a magnet for curiosity since the 1870s – perhaps because the founders, predominantly German immigrants, brought here a piece of “old Europe” to Indiana, creating a trade center around the railway hub around the then Lake Shore & Michigan Railway. Today it is best to drive by car via the US‐20, which leads directly to the main road; a rare bus service from Elkhart holds sporadic, but this is almost part of the charm.
I have to admit, I don't quite understand the hype about the annual Amish markets, but the authentic crafts stands and the undefeated smile of the sellers are really great. And yes, if you go to “Shipshewana Sights”, you can quickly find the famous Amish Country Playhouse – a place where you can combine the country life with a pinch of Broadway drama, which is the most beautiful example for me how tradition and modernity fight together a bit without tearing apart completely.
The history of Shipshewana begins long before the first tourist bus, which overwhelmed the dusty streets a few decades ago – it lies deep in the heart of the Amish culture, and you can immediately see that when you cross the crumbling wooden bridge over the small creek, which was still built by the first settlers.
I must confess that my first visit Shipshewana Amish Country Market more a coincidence was: I was looking for a good piece of apple cake and landed between rows of handmade wooden shoes, hand-spun ceilings and a stand where an older man spoke loudly about the advantages of maize flour. The market is the pulsating heart of the city – here you can find almost everything, from fresh vegetables to hand-made baskets, and all of this without the usual tourist cramp. Parking is usually a children's game as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then parking becomes a small Survival game where you better walk a few steps further along the road.
A short walk (or better a leisurely buggy ride if you have the money) leads to Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center. There is a museum that reveals more about the history of the municipality than you would find in every guide – old tools, photos of horse cars and even an original culinary heart from the 1800s. I was particularly reminded of the interactive exhibition where you were allowed to braid a piece of straw hat; that was a bit cheesy, but somehow also really great, because you immediately realize how much handwork is still being lived here.
If you have enough of dusty halls, it is worth a detour to Shipshewana Round Barn. This round barn construction from 1917 is not only an architectural curiosity, but also a popular photo pot for Instagram users who want to post their “rustic vibes”. I spent a few minutes there to test the acoustic characteristics of the round room – the echo is really something special, and if you happen to catch a local music ensemble that rehearses there, you get a mini concert for free.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Shipshewana Historical Museum. The museum is located in an old school house that still shows the chalkboards from the time when children learned with chalk and wooden rulers. I found an old diary that was written by a young man from the 1920s who reported about the first automobile in the city – a real treasure for those who like to dive into the past.
For those who want to refresh a culture after a long day of sightseeing, there is Country Playhouse. The small theatre offers regular plays performed by local Amische and Mennoniten. I was with a comedy that represented life in the community with an eye-catcher – not a joke, that was actually quite funny, and the spectators were a mix of locals and curious tourists who all laughed as if it were a family evening.
And because I don't just want to list sights, but also want to show where to eat something after all the hustle and bustle, I recommend Amish Bakery & Deli. There is the best cinnamon chick bag I've ever tried – crispy outside, fluffy inside, and the whole is served with a smile that is almost as authentic as the whole city. I talked to a local who told me that the bakery has been run by the same family for over 50 years; that explains the distinctive taste.
When you put all this together, you get a pretty good picture of why the Shipshewana Attractions so much more than just a few old buildings – they are a living mosaic of history, craftsmanship, humor and a portion of peculiarity that you only find here. And honestly, if you consider the next time you want to spend the next weekend getaway, Shipshewana is definitely a place worth a visit – even if you're just looking for a dazzling, a snoop or a snack.
The first stop is the **Amish Country**, which ranks like a silent film strip around Shipshewana – fields that extend up to the horizon, and horses that gently travel along the dusty paths. I took a small roundabout there, which led me past an old barn, where an older gentleman told me that the “building craft” is still the real economic miracle here. Parking is usually a children's game as long as you don't come after the flea market on Saturday night – then the field turns into a battlefield of cars and tractors.
A short detour to LaGrange brings you to the **LaGrange County Historical Society Museum**. The building itself is a piece of history, an old court building from the 19th century. Century filled with artifacts from the Amish and Mennonite culture. I had to smile when I saw an old typewriter that was allegedly still used by a local peasant – I don't understand the hype about such relics, but the dusty flair has something authentic that you rarely find in modern museums. The entrance is free, and parking is right outside the door, which is practical for spontaneous visits.
Next south, about half an hour drive, lies the **Kankakee River State Park**. There are more than just a few hiking trails – the water glitters, and the trees form a dense canopy that remains cool in summer. I rented a kayak there and felt almost like a discoverer from the 1800s until I realized that I did not fully control my grandmother's paddle technique. The parking lot is large enough, but it can be tight on weekends, so it's better to be there early.
A bit further north, near Culver, is **Lake Maxinkuckee**, the largest natural lake in northern India. The lake is a magnet for anglers, sailors and families who plan a picnic on the shore. I discovered a small café there that surprisingly serves good fish tacos – no joke, that was the highlight of my day. The shore is well accessible, and there are several public docks that can be used for free as long as you do not try to rent a boat that is larger than your own car.
A little off the beaten path leads the **St. Joseph River Scenic Byway** along the river that flows through the heart of LaGrange County. The road is lined with old bridges and small villages where you can still see real Amish-Kutschen. I stopped at a small café offering homemade apple cake – that was the only time I got something sweet in an Amish town that didn't come from a store. The path is well signposted, and parking is easily possible at most viewpoints.
At the end a short detour to the **LaGrange County Courthouse**, an impressive brick building dating back to 1878, which today still serves as a courthouse. Architecture is a little exaggerated, but that makes the charm. I made a tour there with a very enthusiastic historian who told me that the building once served as a meeting point for political discussions – a bit like an old café, just with more robes. Parking is right in front of the building, and the road is always free, unless there is a local event.
Whether you want to enjoy the quiet idyll of the Amish Country, browse the historic halls of LaGrange or relax on the banks of Lake Maxinkuckee – the vicinity of Shipshewana offers more than enough variety for the modern traveller. And if you have experienced all this, you finally understand why the Shipshewana Attractions earn your own place in each itinerary.
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