5 Family Friendly Things to Do in Shipshewana Indiana for an Unforgettable Trip
In the heart of Indiana’s Amish Country is the town of Shipshewana which is located in LaGrange County. It’s here where you can sit and watch the Amish, stroll the streets to shop quaint places, and go to the Shipshewana Flea Market for a day of deal finding. When bringing the kids along, you need to have a plan of things to do with them in between all the relaxing and shopping because we all know kids can make or break a trip. 🙂 We suggest these 5 family friendly Shipshewana, Indiana destinations for you, they will make your time here full of fun and family memories!
Dutch Creek Animal Park
Our kids loved Dutch Creek Animal Park. Pulling into the destination brought about excited cries from the family. Is that a zebra?! What other animals do you think we will see!? Do you really get to hand feed them? Coming to a park where you can touch, feel and feed the animals is a dream come true for kids.
When you pull in you are greeted by the Amish owner and pay for your wagon ride and walking tour of the park. Adults $12.95 Children (ages 3-12) $8.95 Seniors (age 65+) $11.50 Parking is easy and right as you enter.
If your kids are anything like mine they will tumble out of the car, snatch all your $1.00 bills and immediately buy carrots and Fruit Loops to feed the animals in the petting area. We feed a momma deer and twin fawns, a monkey and all different kinds of exotic animals. Sometimes you have to wait for your wagon ride depending on the crowd, however our wait was less than 30 minutes. They will call out your names for you to climb aboard the covered wagon pulled by two HUGE horses. You giddy-up your way into the fenced in enclosure where you begin your ride out the the larger animals that you hand feed. What a fantastic time! Be prepared to hold on tight to your bucket of feed some of those critters will be strong enough to pull it out of your hands.
Dutch Creek Animal Park is located right outside of Shipshewana, making it a destination that is easily accessible from the hotels and lodging in the area.
260-768-4416
In-Home Dining Amish Experience in Shipshewana, Indiana
If you’re in Amish country, why not take a ride in an authentic Amish buggy to a real Amish home? You’ll be treated to a Thrasher’s meal, which includes an all-you-can-eat feast featuring two meats, mashed potatoes, homemade noodles, vegetables, salad, homemade bread with jam, and delicious homemade pies served by your host Amish family.
We enjoyed this ride and meal while we were in Shipshewana with Miller’s Buggy Line. Admittedly, I was a bit nervous as we set off down the road in the buggy. Cars zoomed by, and the buggy swayed back and forth, an experience quite different from anything an Englisher is used to! However, after a few minutes, I relaxed and began to appreciate the eager anticipation of my children. They excitedly opened and closed the sliding doors on the sides of the buggy, asked our driver questions, and then settled back into their seats to listen to the rhythmic clip-clop of the horses’ hooves on the road.
Dining in an Amish home is a unique experience. They have no electricity, so it was fascinating to see how they managed to prepare a meal for so many guests without it. Every bite of food melted in my mouth, and by the end of the meal, there were so many pie options that I felt compelled to take a sliver of each one. I tried something called Bob Andy Pie, a spicy custard-style pie that was absolutely delicious, unlike anything I had ever tasted before. Our host family was warm and engaging, making us feel truly welcomed into their home for dinner.
This trip offers an experience like no other, providing your family with memories to talk about for days and years to come. Our kids have shared their delightful time in an Amish home with everyone they know.
To make reservations, call 260-350-9528.
Trading Post Canoe and Kayak in Indiana’s Amish Country
As someone who loves the outdoors, I believe no trip is complete without experiencing what the destination has to offer outside. I was pleasantly surprised to discover a canoe outfitter in the Shipshewana Amish area, and my excitement skyrocketed when I was invited to enjoy this fantastic kayak adventure outpost.
Trading Post Canoe and Kayak is a top-notch destination for outdoor enthusiasts. They offer a selection of canoes, single and double kayaks, a well-stocked store, and even a lovely campground where you can stay! Our kayaking experience included a 3-mile trip down the beautiful Pigeon River. Andy, the owner, took us to the drop-off point and launched us into our adventure down the river. As we paddled leisurely along, we took in the area’s beauty and abundant wildlife.
My family is very eco-conscious, and we are always looking for ways to contribute to #pick up America. While at Trading Post Canoe, we learned that they are proactive about keeping the Pigeon River clean. Trey provided us with a reusable mesh bag, which allowed us to collect a significant amount of trash from the river. Not only did we enjoy our time on the water, but we also left the river cleaner than we found it.
This is a must-do activity for any outdoor adventurer. You will feel refreshed and relaxed, and the kids will be worn out after a paddle down the Pigeon River.
Trading Post Outfitters
7525 E 300 N, Mongo, IN 46771
260-367-2493
Blue Gate Theater and Dinner
Shipeshewana Blue Gate Restaurant and Theater was one of our favorite evening activities. Where else can you go to feed your family a delicious Amish Buffet and then settle back into a theater for an evening of entertainment and laughter?
The food here at the Blue Gate Restaurant is prepared to perfection. Since it is a buffet, you can go back again and again until you are entirely stuffed to your gills! The selection of pies on the dessert buffet was excellent, and everyone was able to get something they loved. At one point, I had to give the stern mom look and say that’s enough when one of the teenagers returned for pie slice #3. My motto is “Everything in moderation”.
After our dinner at the restaurant, we rolled ourselves on up to the beautiful theater, where we sat back to enjoy the live musical. You might wonder if your kids would enjoy a musical, and the answer is a resounding yes! All of our children stood to their feet, clapping at the end, and took the Play Bill to be autographed by the cast. They will make you laugh, they make you cry, and then they always give away a pie! (We hope you win it!)
105 E Middlebury St
Shipshewana, IN 46565
260.768.4725
Shipshewana Wooden Carousel at Davis Mercantile
Imagine my surprise when we stumbled on this 1906 Dentzel Carousel featuring hand-carved farm animals on the third floor of the Davis Mercantile. We had been enjoying the fantastic shops here in the Mercantile when we came to the 3rd floor. The music coming from the beautifully restored carousel immediately drew our family to it. Cries of, “Can we please ride it!” came from ALL the kids. Each ride is only $1.00, which makes this an extremely reasonable activity.
Davis Mercantile has 21 stores and 4 floors to explore. Make sure to visit The Red Wagon and JoJo’s Pretzels because both of these locations are kid-friendly. The Red Wagon is an adorable toy store where we dropped a few bucks on the kids and grandkids. We then took time to grab a snack at JoJo’s pretzels; trust me when I say the housemade pretzels are to die for! You will definitely be able to spend an afternoon here browsing through Davis Mercantile and checking out everything they have to offer!
Davis Mercantile
225 N Harrison St.
Shipshewana, IN 46565
Other Indiana Destinations
Gleason Family APPROVED locations!
Our family was hosted by some of these destinations, but as always, all opinions are ours.
