If you are passing through Shipshewana, Indiana and only have one night and one day to spend, this itinerary is for you.
Warning: after a short stay in Shipshewana you will want to extend your stay or schedule a return visit. There is so much to experience in Shipshewana and the surrounding countryside.
Think of this itinerary as an introduction into the Amish culture. Visitors will enjoy delicious Amish food, conversation with community members, an evening at the theater, a good night’s rest, and a shopping experience at the community’s decade-old flea market which started in the 1940s with people selling their wares out of the trunk of their cars.
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Blue Gate Garden Inn & Conference Center
The first stop is the Blue Gate Garden Inn. No matter the season, the colorful and whimsical decorations placed strategically around the property create a warm and an inviting atmosphere.
The lobby’s centerpiece is a warm golden brown wooden staircase and a comfortable sitting area at the base of the staircase. There was a stunning harvest display depicting Shipshewana’s rich farming community when I visited in the fall.
The hotel sleeping room was equipped with a small refreshment bar that includes a refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot, sink, cupboards, and plenty of counter space for preparing a quick snack or a four-course meal.
The spacious and well-lit bathroom contained all the amenities one would expect in a 4.6-star hotel. (Source: Travelocity.com)
The spacious room has a large window that looks out over the town and a couch for relaxing. The room decorations reflect the community’s farming industry. Left on the table was a bottle of water, perfect after a long-day drive. A new bottle appeared every day.
Tonight’s highlights are dinner and an evening at the theatre.
After returning from the theatre, the queen-sized bed was inviting and made for a restful night. I love all the fluffy pillows!
After an evening at the theatre and a good night’s sleep, the following day started with a down-home breakfast at the restaurant’s buffet, which is included in the room fee. The breakfast buffet included a made-to-order omelet station, freshly baked goods from The Blue Gate Bakery, and locally made yogurt and granola.
The tables in the restaurant are covered with 50-60’s style oil tablecloths, and the walls are decorated with barn quilts and farm-inspired decorations.
The service is helpful and eager to help and answer questions.
Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery
After settling in at The Blue Gate Garden Inn, it’s off to dinner at The Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery.
Diners have two choices: stay upstairs and order off the menu, or go downstairs and enjoy a buffet dinner. I decided to go downstairs and enjoy the buffet as I wanted to sample everything.
The country style buffet consists of three food stations. One features a large selection of desserts, including various fruit pies, which the Amish are known for. There is a salad bar and o bar featuring main dishes. Try the noodles, a mainstay of every Amish meal. The fried chicken was my favorite.
I noticed that the tables were covered with decorative oil cloths reminiscing of the 50s and 60s era. Diners are waited on by women dressed in blue Amish-style dresses, white aprons, and comfortable-looking chunky black shoes.
There are so many tasty options to choose from. It was hard to choose. Dig in!
Blue Gate Theatre
After a delicious dinner at The Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery, it was upstairs to The Blue Gate Theatre for a first-class performance of ‘Home Game’. A story about an Amish boy, his love for baseball, and life as a professional ball player in Sin City, Las Vegas, Nevada. Baseball is a favorite sport of Amish kids. There seemed to be a ball diamond at every Amish school.
The performance is as entertaining as any I have seen on Broadway or in Las Vegas, Nevada; Branson, Missouri; or London, England.
The 300-seat theatre guarantees everyone a perfect seat. Being up close to the stage makes it much more personal, as if the actors are talking just to you.
Upcoming performances include: The Christmas Candy Caper, Blackberry Smoke, Three Dog Night, Doug Church: Elvis Beyond ’77, The Return Of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Gatlin Brothers Christmas, Wheel of Fortune Live, Daniel O’Donnell Christmas, Kenny G, Sawyer Brown, Celtic Angels Christmas. Visit for an up-to-date schedule, https://www.thebluegate.com/shipshewana/blue-gate-theatre/schedule/
Theatre goers will not be disappointed.
Shipshewana Flea Market
The Shipshewana Flea Market is billed as “Midwest’s Largest Outdoor Flea Market.”
It is an experience that should not be missed. With 40 acres and 700 open-air booths, you will need a plan as there is no way to visit all 700 booths in one day, much less a week.
Pick up a map at the Visitor Center located near the entrance. The flea market is open May through September from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. The 2024 season opens on April 30.
The greeters at the onsite visitor center are super informed. One of the greeters is a former vendor.
Next to the visitors center is a people mover shop where visitors can rent shopping carts, wagons, and electric scooters.
One of the first shops sells licorice, perfect for snacking on while you shop. In addition to black licorice, they also sell a variety of flavors, including strawberry and cherry. Besides being delicious tasting, the licorice does not stick to your teeth.
There is something for everyone at the flea market: metal signs, crafts, Amish jellies, antiques, kitchen utensils, wood crafts, clothing, plus more.
If you are visiting on a Wednesday, check out the antique auction from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., year-round. If you plan on bidding, pay attention, as there are anywhere from 6-10 auctioneers chanting simultaneously. The auction moves fast!
Hungry? There are a variety of food vendors on site. For an authentic Amish experience, enjoy a Fried Pie or a tasty pretzel from Ben’s Soft Pretzels.