Getting Away to Northern Indiana's Amish Country

Much of northern Indiana has been known for years as Amish Country. At one point, Amish were found almost everywhere in this area but it appears that some of that lifestyle is fading. The quaint lives that the Amish lead, though, still influences the area's tourist attractions, as it has for many years.

One of the bigger Amish communities, Nappanee, Ind. invites tourists to "embrace the pace" that many of the Amish in this town enjoy. Amish Acres Historic Farm and Heritage Center, just outside of town, is a well-known as a stopping place for Amish tourism. This village boosts a family-style restaurant with servers who dress as the Amish do. Also taking on part of the simple life, their is a gift shop with various country items, a bakery, wagon rides and farm animals. A big attraction at Amish Acres is the musical theater, held inside of a round barn, which produces several high quality shows each season. One note is that some of Amish Acres attractions close down for the winter months.

Also in Nappanee, visitors will find many bakeries with fresh homemade goods, places with Amish handmade furniture, plenty of quaint shops in town and plenty of home-style lodging options.

Just about 45 minutes away from Nappanee is Shipshewana, known as the "heart of Amish country". This town has hundreds of shopping options that reflect the country lifestyle. A good thing to keep in mind is that because many who work in this community are Amish, most of these shops will closed on Sundays.

Probably the biggest highlight is the Shipshewana Auction and Flea Market. The grounds of this attraction are open May through October and feature dozens of vendors selling everything from baked goods to handmade furniture to crafts to everything in between. They also have auctions of antiques, livestock and horses and other items on various days of the week.

Yoder's Department Store in Shipshewana is the place to find fabrics, shoes and many other items. It is one place that many Amish in the community go to for their needs. The Amish can also be found at the several bakeries, butcher shops and