These 14 Places In Indiana Amish Country Are Unique And Worth Visiting
By Meg Archer|Updated on July 11, 2023(Originally published June 10, 2023)
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Meg Archer
Author
Meg Archer is an Editor & Newsletter Editor who has called Oregon home for nearly 30 years. She spent her childhood exploring the mountains, forests, and high desert of Central Oregon before relocating to Portland after a brief stint out-of-state for college. She holds an B.A. in English from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo and a B.S. in Psychology from Portland State University. Meg has worked in writing, editing, and media-related fields for over 10 years and joined the team at OnlyInYourState in 2015. When she’s not writing or exploring the West Coast, Meg enjoys playing tabletop games, working on visual media projects, and can always be found in the front row at Portland Timbers matches.
Indiana has famously beautiful Amish communities in the Northeastern part of the state but there are several Indiana Amish towns to explore in the Southern region as well! We’ve gathered together a list of can’t-miss places across the state where you can enjoy the laid-back lifestyle (and delicious baked goods!) of the Indiana Amish Country. Here are some of the gems to visit in the Amish towns in Indiana:
It’s hard to beat handmade candy, and you haven’t truly lived until you’ve tasted the chocolates from Veni’s. The business first opened in Niles, Michigan in 1910 but it set up shop here in Nappanee and brought its centuries' worth of sweet-making practice with them.
Editor's Note: Dutch Village Market is permanently closed. This massive marketplace is impressive; there is so much to see! We love the laid-back pace here, and it's fun to stroll past hundreds of different vendors selling their unique wares. From snacks to crafts, from vintage glassware to beautifully handcrafted furniture, the Dutch Village Market is one very relaxed adventure.
You may not find baked goods this delicious anywhere else. Nappanee’s Bakery makes its sweet treats the traditional way and its deli specials are sure to fill you up. The bakery's pies and cinnamon rolls are heavenly! It's one of the best Amish places in Indiana.
Visit the Nappanee Bakery & Treat Shoppe website for more information.
The Old Bag Factory building has been around since 1896 and has become a cool spot to find all sorts of handmade goods from local artists and merchants. Inside, you will find Goertzen Pottery, selling one-of-a-kind hand glazed and fired ceramics, Quilt Designs, offering the beautiful work of Shirley Shenk, John Mishler Sculptures, and Carriage Barn Antiques — all definitely worth checking out! Visit the Old Bag Factory for more information.
This flour mill was built in the 1830s and has produced high-quality stone-ground flour since day one. There are visitor guides to lead groups through the history of the mill and allow you to see the massive grist stones in action. The Mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. You can pick up some of their delicious products at the nearby Barn Gift Shop. It's one of the best places to visit in Indiana Amish Country.
Visit the Elkhart County Parks website for more information.
This cool little market has an awesome deli and bakery, as well as tons of specialty items - including gluten-free goods. Grandma’s Pantry is a great spot to stop for a bite to eat and pick up some homemade sweet treats. Visit the Grandma's Pantry website for more information.
This 110-year-old hardware store is truly amazing—you must see their floor-to-ceiling "Wall of Drawers" (there are over 1000!). A hardware store might seem like an unusual stop, but it's a sight you won’t see anywhere else!
Visit the Wakarusa Pro Hardware website for more information.
Dinky’s is a central piece of the local community and a truly fascinating event to watch, even if you aren’t shopping for anything specific. Auctions are held every weekend in the heart of the Amish communities in Indiana. Visit the Dinky's Auction website for more information.
If you’ve only ever tasted meats and cheeses from your local supermarket, you really are missing out. Yoder’s has four generations of family history in both raising cattle and professional custom-cut meats — it really doesn’t get any fresher than this. And if you are a total cheese addict like me … they have more than 100 different varieties to choose from, all made by Amish Mennonites in the Indiana and Ohio area. Oh, and if you’ve never tried fresh, handmade butter, you’re in for a treat — it’s nothing like what you’ll find in stores! This is one of the best places you can visit in the Indiana Amish Country. Visit the Yoder’s Meat & Cheese Company website for more information.
Shipshewana’s Flea Market is the largest in the Midwest — with more than 700 vendors covering 100 acres — and has been offering farm-fresh foods and handmade artisan crafts since 1922. Alongside the amazingly fresh produce, you will also find tons of unique antiques and tasty homemade treats … and the auctions are fascinating to watch, even if you aren’t in the market for livestock.
Yoder’s has so many cool shops that it should really be declared its own village. You can find traditional handcrafted Amish furniture, beautifully decorated gifts and collectibles, handmade body products, and more delicious treats than you can ever eat in one sitting. Prepare to stock up on the homemade pretzels, kettle corn, and tasty candies!
Visit the Yoder’s Red Barn Shoppes Facebook page for more information.
This beautiful carousel was built in 1906 and is still running over 100 years later! All of the animals were hand-carved by Al Bontrager and were styled after the animals you can find in the area: horses, cows, chickens, dogs, and more. The attention to detail is absolutely stunning. It's one of the best places to visit in the Indiana Amish Country.
Visit the Davis Mercantile website for more information.
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13. The Blue Door, Montgomery
6659 E Gasthof Village Rd, Montgomery, IN 47558, USA
The Blue Door has a huge collection of antiques, vintage glassware and jewelry, pottery, Amish rugs, and cast iron products. It’s easy to get lost among these awesome items that are packed with local and cultural history.
Editor's Note: The Pig & Fiddle is permanently closed. This Amish gift shop has beautiful home items including handmade candles, soaps, and lotions, natural baby products, children’s toys and books, and beautiful antiques. This is a great spot to spend an afternoon poking around the beautiful treasures!
We love to pop into the Amish stops to poke around, and we’ve brought many treasures home with us on our visits. Whether it’s an Amish restaurant, general shop, or flea market, there is something really cool about taking a step back in history and slowing the pace of life down for an hour or two.
Also, the baked goods. We really, really love the Mennonite baked goods.
Have you been to any of the Amish towns in Indiana or to any of the hidden gems in the Indiana Amish Country? Do you know some places that we should check out? Tell us about it in the comment section!
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More to Explore
Amish Towns In Indiana
Melissa M.|May 09, 2022
Can I take a horse and buggy tour in Indiana’s Amish Country?
Why, yes you can! Head to Shipshewana where you can take a carriage ride with Buggy Lane Tours. You’ll get an inside look at life in Indiana’s Amish Country along the way. There’s truly no other tour quite like it!
Where can I purchase Amish goods in Indiana?
Knepp’s Amish Kountry Korner is where you’ll find plenty of homemade Amish goods in Indiana. From soaps to furniture and from baked goods to canned goods, this is your one-stop-shop for Amish-made products.
Is there a scenic drive through Indiana’s Amish Country?
Yes, there is a scenic drive through the state’s Amish Country. Elkhart County’s Heritage Trail leads travelers through the landscape that’s at the heart of Amish Country. It’s a beautiful drive through backroads and you may encounter a horse and buggy along the way!