Goshen sights? Honestly, the city is a bit like a well hidden node in the Indiana network, emerged in 1831 when pioneers from New York colonized the country in Elkhart Township, Elkhart County, and planted a piece of New England there. I have the feeling that the story does not live here in dusty plaques, but in the old brick houses and the wide avenues – a bit like a film set that has never been completely shot.
If you come from South Bend by car, follow I‐80/90 until exit 84; the sign “Goshen” is hardly overlooked because the city pushes a bit too much into the flat landscape. I rarely take the train because the train here is a nostalgic pastime, but for those who prefer not to drive themselves there are regular connections from Elkhart to Goshen.
A walk through the city centre feels like a museum from 19. Centurie stores that happen to work. I don't understand the hype about modern cafés, but the little diner on Main Street has the best milkshake I've ever drank – no joke. And as you torture yourself through the local shops, in the background you hear the quiet rat of an old mill that once was the backbone of the economy.
A short trip to the neighboring Elkhart brings you to the famous RV manufacturers, but I prefer the quiet green of the parks here in Goshen – a place where you can ask yourself why you have even gone to Chicago. And yes, the word “Goshen Sights” reappears here because I think you don’t want to forget that if you plan your route next time.
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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 Goshen, 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 put to every visitor is that Amish Farm and House close to Shipshewana – a bit outside, but that's just the beauty if you want to escape the hustle. Here you can sit in a real farmhouse that still smells like wood and hay, while watching how the Amish children with their old wooden sleds roam around the corner. I once tried to get a piece of homemade apple cake; the result was rather a piece of bread that smelled like cinnamon, but the smile of the hosts was unpaid. Parking is a small adventure on the weekend, because the families abuse their tractors as parking spaces – a bit of patience and a good feeling for free gaps are usually enough.
A short trip to South Bend leads to Studebaker National Museumthat celebrates the history of the legendary automobile company. I have to admit, I don't understand the hype about old cars, but the shiny bodies from the 50s have something hypnotic attracting. The “Studebaker Champion” is particularly impressive – a car that has more stories to tell than a politician. The museum is located directly on the campus of the university, so that after the tour you can take a quick look at the impressive Notre Dame-Building can throw without paying the entrance. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don't come to the graduation party of the students.
If you have enough of asphalt, the path continues to Indiana Dunes National Park on the southwest coast of Lake Michigan. I spent an afternoon wandering over the dunes while the sun dipped the water into a liquid gold. The sand is not only a sand, but a living ecosystem – a bit like a mini wonderland for nature lovers who do not want to camp in the forest every weekend. The entrance is free, but parking can quickly become a small fight for the last free places on hot summer days. A tip: Get up early before the families move with their picnic baskets.
Back in the interior of the country, but still not in the heart of Goshen, this is Elkhart County Historical Museum. There are more than just dusty relics here; the interactive exhibitions about the musical instrument industry – yes, Elkhart is the “music instrument headquarters” of the USA – are surprisingly alive. I remember sitting in an old piano as a child and trying to press a few buttons, just to realize that the instrument was more snoring than sounding. The museum has a small car park right in front of the door, and the staff is so friendly that they even offer a glass of water when you catch up after a long guided tour.
A little further north, in the tranquil city of Ligonier, awaits the Ligonier Historical Museum. It's not exactly a tourist magnet, but that's what makes the charm. The exhibition on the railway, which once went through the valley, makes one hear almost the whistle of the old steam locomotives. I found an old roadmap there that made me explore the whole city on foot – a walk that betrayed more about local history than any brochure ever could. Parking is a children's game because the museum is located in a quiet side street.
For those who prefer to travel on the water, St. Joseph River around Elkhart ideal conditions for kayaking. I rented a kayak on a lousy autumn afternoon and I paddled up the river while the trees changed their colors. The river is wide enough to enjoy a bit of speed, but not so wild that you have to be a professional. In most places there are free docks, and parking on the shore is usually easy – except for weekends when the local anglers are laying out their boats.
A last secret tip I like to keep for adventurous travellers is that Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend. It is not the largest zoo in the world, but the mixture of domestic animals and exotic species is surprisingly well curated. I once saw a peacock that had a magnificent wheel hit in the middle of winter – a sight that reminded me that life can sometimes be just a bit more colorful. The zoo has a generous parking space, and the staff is always ready to share some insider information on animal habits.
Whether you are looking for the quiet idyll of the Amish Farm and House, the shiny oldtimer at the Studebaker Museum, the wild dunes at Lake Michigan or the small treasures such as the Ligonier Historical Museum – the surroundings of Goshen offer a colourful range of experiences. And while some of these places are a bit away from the usual tourist trails, that's what makes the appeal. So next time after Goshen Attractions search should not only stay in the city centre, but dare the wide arc to these unique highlights.
I must confess that my favorite place in Goshen Goshen College is – not because I am an academic fanatic, but because the campus is just a bit like a secret garden that you happen to discover when you look for a café. The old brick buildings, the small Arboretum with local trees and the occasional marbles of the students complaining about their next homework, give the place a charm that you can find only in movies. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you are not on Friday night after the weekly concert Goshen Center for the Arts arrive – then the small garage will be filled faster than you can say “studium”.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Goshen Center for the Arts, a place where I tried several times to visit a play, just to find out that I was in the wrong room and instead attended an art exhibition by local hobby artists. This is actually the beauty of Goshen: The Goshen Attractions are not always what one expects from the tourist brochures. There are no overpriced tickets here, just a bit of patience and the willingness to read the next sign that leads you to a pop-up concert in the backyard.
If you're in town on Saturday, you'll be allowed to Goshen Farmers Market do not miss. I bought a piece of pumpkin bread there that was so dry that I almost wanted to use it as a decoration for my living room. But the fresh strawberries and the self-made cider were a real comfort. The market is located directly at the town hall, so parking is almost always a small adventure – you just have to park a few blocks further and enjoy the way to walk, which is by the way a nice way to admire the historic brick building of the city.
Another jewel I always like to mention is the St John the Baptist Catholic Church. The church is a real piece of history, built in 19th. Century, and her interior is so impressive that sometimes I wonder why I shouldn't just be a priest. The sound of the organ is so deep that it almost sends you back through time – at least it feels like you get there after a long day in the car. Parking is a bit tricky here, because the road around the church is often blocked by vans, but a short walk from the main road solves the problem.
For those who prefer to see something more modern, there is Elkhart County Historical Museum. The museum is located in the old court building and offers a collection of artifacts that remind you that Goshen was once a centre for furniture production – yes, that is why you can find wood chips everywhere if you look closely. I found an old typewriter there that was still working; I tried them and immediately noticed that I prefer to rediscover my handwriting because taping on such a device is simply too satisfying. The museum has a small café that serves surprisingly good coffee, and parking is almost always free thanks to a small backyard.
A short detour to Goshen Public Library is also worth it. The library is not only a place to read, but also a meeting place for local book clubs, who argue about the latest novels, as if it were a political referendum. I took part in a Poetry Slam where a 70-year-old pensioner introduced a poem about his lost sock – that was a real highlight. The building has a modern design that stands in contrast to the historical facades of the city, and parking is almost always easy thanks to a spacious underground garage.
A small secret tip: The Goshen Skatepark behind the community center. I've never skated there myself, but watching the young people who are flying over the ramps has something liberating. The park is well maintained, the grass around the edges is always short cut, and parking is a children's game because the center has its own parking lot, which is usually empty when the kids don't train right there. So if you want to feel a bit of youthfulness without blaming yourself, this is the perfect place.
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