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Amish Heritage along the St. Joseph River
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Explore Amish Heritage, scenic roads and byways, Quilt Gardens, outdoor recreation, one of the nation’s largest flea markets and unique factory tours as you travel along the St. Joseph River in northern Indiana and southern Michigan.
St. Joseph River
The St. Joseph River, known locally as the St. Joe, is a tributary of Lake Michigan with a length of 206 miles. The river flows in a generally westerly direction through southern Michigan and northern Indiana, to its terminus on the southeast shore of the lake. It drains a primarily rural farming area in the watershed of Lake Michigan. It was enormously important to Native Americans and greatly aided in the colonial exploration, settlement and administration of New France and the nascent United States as a canoe route between Lake Michigan and the watershed of the Mississippi River. The St. Joseph River is an exciting trout and salmon sport fishery, encompassing 47 miles of river in Michigan and 16 miles in Indiana. The economic benefits to local Michigan and Indiana communities are estimated at several million dollars annually. Canoeists can travel the entire length of the main stem, if they are prepared to portage. Many of the larger tributaries offer excellent opportunities for paddling, hiking, hunting, and fishing.
It’s easy to explore by local history by visiting the Elkhart County Historical Museum and Ruthmere Campus where Dr. Havillah Beardsley made the treaty for the City of Elkhart at the confluence of those rivers with Chief Pierre Moran. Today these historic homes are open for touring, sharing their story. The Elkhart County Historical Society collections represent almost 12,000 years of human history in the area. It ranges from stone tools to 21st-century pharmaceuticals, band instruments to vehicles, textiles to commercial artwork, all covering a wide range of the material culture of Elkhart County.
The Heritage Trail
Make road-tripping easy. The 90-mile route allows you to enjoy the Elkhart County area from the safety of your vehicle while giving you the flexibility to stop and enjoy attractions, shops, restaurants and more at your leisure. This scenic winding loop takes you through the communities of Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury, Nappanee, Bristol, Wakarusa, and Shipshewana. It’s easy to explore, easy on your budget and you’re sure to discover fun at every turn. Take the Heritage Trail Audio Driving Tour, which begins at the Elkhart County Visitor Center, 3421 Cassopolis Street, Elkhart. The driving tour gives
you timed, turn-by-turn directions on this scenic winding loop as it takes you through these vibrant communities.
Amish Heritage Quilt Gardens
The Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail joins quilting, gardening, and art into a one-of-a-kind event featuring more than a million vibrant blooms, 17 gigantic gardens, and 25 hand-painted, super-
Discover stunning views, historical sites and Amish heritage along the scenic backroads. Explore country lanes dotted with inviting Amish-owned shops showcasing handcrafted and homemade items. Shop and get creative at boutique and artisan shops along charming downtown Main Streets. You’ll feel like you’re at a Thanksgiving meal whenever you eat in Amish country. Portions are generous and the homemade goodness comes through with every bite. You can dine family-style or order from the menu at Das Dutchman Essenhaus Restaurant & Bakery. They have 31 kinds of pie on the menu! Please Note: Many attractions, shopping and dining establishments in Elkhart County are closed on Sundays. Please contact individual businesses to confirm days and hours of operation.
Byways 26
sized murals. This colorful patchwork of quiltinspired gardens and hand-painted, quilt-themed, super-sized murals deliver dazzling views in the communities of Bristol, Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury, Nappanee, and Wakarusa. It’s the only experience of its kind in the world and it’s free!
Entertainment Options
It’s not all eating and shopping in Amish country. Every seat in the house is a good one at the Blue Gate Theatre, where you can catch a well-known musical act or see an original stage production. Check out the 1906 Dentzel Carousel. It is located inside the Davis Mercantile in Shipshewana.The original part of the carousel includes the center pole, gears and mechanisms and was originally in Germany.
Shipshewana Flea Market
There are all kinds of places to shop for handcrafted items in Amish Country. Shipshewana Trading Place Flea Market is home to the Midwest’s largest outdoor seasonal flea market, where 700 vendors cover 40 acres of land, selling everything from home decor and clothing to plants and tools. If you love the spirit of competition felt at a live auction, you’ll want to visit on Wednesdays for the Shipshewana Trading Place Auction. There is no other place with as many bargains or cool finds. Come browse vendor booths located in Indiana’s Amish Country on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from May through September.
Be sure to shop the “farmer’s market” for a selection of in-season plants and local produce. On Wednesdays, place a bid at the weekly, year-round Antique & Miscellaneous Auction where 6 to 10 auctioneers simultaneously sell thousands of antiques, collectibles, primitives and more. Restaurant on site serving up delicious Amish/ Mennonite cooking.
Factory Tours in the Nation’s RV Capital
If you’ve run out of things to do here, there’s more. In fact, Elkhart County Indiana is called the RV Capital of the country. That’s because 80 percent of the nation’s recreational vehicles (RVs) are manufactured in Elkhart County. Names like Winnebago, Jayco, Renegade, Gulf Stream, Heartland, Alliance and more are all here. And many offer factory tours for both groups and individuals. RV enthusiasts will enjoy touring local RV factories. They can also visit the RV/MH Heritage Museum. Its mission is to recognize, preserve, and honor the
history, pioneers, and individuals who have been instrumental in making the Recreational Vehicle and Manufactured Housing industries what they are today. To learn more, visit:
www.VisitElkhartCounty.com/groups
