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Amish convertible carriage
Photo by Charoenkwan Blacharski The greatest joys of travel involve experiencing people and cultures who are different from us, eating food that we’re not used to eating, and reveling in the unfamiliar.
As the United States becomes more homogeneous, it is becoming more difficult to find vacation destinations that truly offer something off the beaten path. Northern Indiana’s Amish community offers one such destination.
Amish communities are scattered throughout Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania, but perhaps one of the most colorful is in LaGrange and Elkhart Counties, Indiana. The third largest Amish community in the country just behind Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this northern Indiana enclave is just about 100 miles east of
Chicago , and is home to travel opportunities that can be found in only a very few parts of the country.
The food. It’s easy to go on vacation and eat the same things you eat at home, but who wants that? Vacation is the time to expand your horizons, break away from old habits, and experience something new. There’s one caveat though, if you’re going to try Amish food, you’ll have to leave your diet at home. It’s meat-heavy, very fattening and with lots of butter, and there are always plenty
of sweets for dessert. The center of the LaGrange community is in
Shipshewana , and in the center of town you’ll find the biggest Amish-style restaurant called the Blue Gate. The food is comforting and familiar, reminds you of grandma, and there is lots of it. Along with your meal, you’ll enjoy freshly made bread topped with apple butter and a peanut butter spread sweetened with marshmallow crème. After stuffing yourself, take a stroll to the Blue Gate bakery and take home a box of whoopie pies, a uniquely Amish dessert that consists of two chocolate cake-like pieces with a creamy filling. Nobody knows for sure why it’s called a “whoopie pie,” but one story says that it came to be known as that because Amish children would shout “Whoopie!” when they found it in their lunch bags at school.
The chores! In a peculiarly Tom Sawyeresque offering, some Amish farmers offer tourists an opportunity to work on an authentic Amish farm for an afternoon, and pay for the privilege. You’ll get a chance to milk cows, bale hay, run a horse-drawn plow, and they may even put you to work whitewashing the fence. But it’s not all work, you’ll get to stay in an Amish guest house, enjoy an authentic Amish dinner with the family, and learn more first-hand about what the Amish people really believe and how they live. Although most of the Amish live without electricity, most of the guest houses cater to visitors and will include modern amenities.
Simple pleasures. Strolling through Shipshewana, you’ll find an abundance of small shops, ranging from antique vendors to more authentic Amish grocery stores. Grocery stores aren’t usually on the list of tourist must-go sites, but this should be an exception, just to get a sampling of some of the more unusual items being offered.
Retail therapy, Amish style. There’s no shortage of shopping opportunities, but just don’t expect Shipshewana to be a place to pick up a Prada handbag. You won’t find Macy’s there, but you will find plenty of smaller, locally-owned shops, where you can find one-of-a-kind items, locally-made treats, and handcrafted furniture. Davis Mercantile is the Amish version of a shopping mall, just a short walk away from the Blue Gate Restaurant – full of small shops, it’s a delightful place to pick up some special items you won’t be able to find anywhere else.
Go to the big city! Just about twenty miles from northern Indiana’s Amish country is South Bend, Indiana. Unless you’re a Notre Dame fan, you’ve probably never considered this city as a travel destination, but it’s a worthwhile stop on your travels if you’re close by, especially to pay a visit to the Studebaker Museum. Once home to this flourishing auto manufacturer, the museum is home to a fascinating collection of antique Studebakers in prime condition. Once you’re done there of course, you can go to an even bigger city, and spend an afternoon in Chicago, only about 90 miles to the West.
Learn where they came from. Why are the Amish like they are? Where did they come from and what do they really believe? How were they persecuted in Europe? Pay a visit to the Menno-Hof Museum in Shipshewana, and you’ll get all your questions answered.
Yes, you can ride in a horse and buggy. You’ll know when you’re getting close to Amish country just by looking at the sides of the road, where you’ll find, er, evidence of horses. Pretty soon, buggies will appear on the road, and once you get into the town of Shipshewana, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to hitch a ride. The Amish men who drive the tourist buggies are friendly and full of information, and happy to chat and answer all of your questions while you enjoy your ride through town.
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