How to Spend an Active Fall Weekend in Shipshewana, Indiana

I’d been to Shipshewana in the summer, but when our autumn road trip brought us back through Indiana, I wanted to do more than take another quick walk around downtown.

This time, we got on bikes, explored the backroads, and found a few places I’d happily revisit again and again. Let’s just say, you won’t leave hungry, but you might leave tired.

We visited on a Sunday and Monday, but you can turn these stops into a Saturday–Sunday getaway with one important adjustment: rent your bikes, shop, and visit indoor attractions on Saturday.

Sunday is a day of worship, rest, and family time for the Amish residents, so many businesses in and around Shipshewana are closed. Check hours before you go, and save Sunday for a slower drive through the countryside.

If this is your first visit, I’ve shared more tips for visiting the Shipshewana Amish community, including road etiquette and what to know before you shop.

Visit Shipshewana hosted our overnight stay and some of the experiences on this return trip. As always, the opinions and recommendations here are my own.

Saturday: Coffee, Bikes, and Downtown Shipshewana

Start with coffee and breakfast at Fawn River + Morton. Check the seasonal specials on the counter before you order. You can’t go wrong with a pastry, either. It’s an adorable shop, so take a little time to enjoy it!

If you want to browse the antique stores and other shops along Morton Street afterward, ask for your coffee in a to-go cup.

Next, grab your bikes. We didn’t have room to bring ours on this road trip, so we rented a couple of e-bikes from Otto’s Bicycle Repair and Water Shop, which has a pickup location at 2 Chicks and a Chair and headed for the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail. The rental process was seamless, and before long, we were on the trail.

We rode all the way to Middlebury, which was about seven miles one way, then turned around and headed back. The section we travelled was in excellent condition.

Aside from crossing a couple of dirt roads, it was smooth and flat, with no technical challenges to worry about. Go as far as you’d like; you don’t have to ride the whole way to Middlebury… or you can ride further if you choose. The trail keeps going to Goshen!

Note: If you bring your own bikes, you can ride the Pumpkinvine on Sunday instead. If you need to rent them, plan your ride for Saturday.

Back in Shipshewana, return the bikes and walk over to Davis Mercantile. Browse the unique shops, grab a soft pretzel from JoJo’s Pretzels, or stop for an afternoon coffee at Kitchen Cupboard Coffee.

I’d also recommend making time for Menno-Hof if you’re interested in learning more about Amish and Mennonite history and beliefs. The tour includes several videos and takes a little over an hour to go through, so give it more time than a quick pop-in.

For your evening meal, head to Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery. You can order from a menu in the main dining room, or head downstairs for a buffet full of homestyle foods. Whatever you do, save room for pie at the end. I’m a peanut butter pie person myself, but they have so many flavors that you’ll surely find one you like, too.

Your final stop is to check in for the night; we stayed at Blue Gate Garden Inn, and we’d easily recommend it. The amenities include hot breakfast, an outdoor patio, local tour information, and a comfortably modern room.

If you’d like to see a show, check what’s on when you plan your trip. There’s a theater upstairs from the restaurant, and the performing arts center is right next to the hotel. They host everything from tribute bands and Broadway shows to Amish productions and, from time to time, well-known country music artists.

Check the Blue Gate Event Schedule.

Pro Tip: The Blue Gate Theatre and Blue Gate Performing Arts Center are separate venues. I didn’t realize this the first time that I visited. The theatre is more intimate, with seating for around 300, while the performing arts center has a 1,500-seat capacity.

Wondering about the famous Shipshewana flea market? Its regular market days are Tuesday and Wednesday, with select weekend dates. If your trip lines up with a market day, read my Shipshewana Flea Market tips before you go.

Sunday: Explore the Countryside

Sunday is a good time to enjoy a leisurely day exploring beyond downtown. During our visit, we followed the Giant Straw Bale Art Trail, a seasonal route through Shipshewana and the surrounding countryside. You’ll likely have seen quite a few wandering through town, so it’s time to head toward LaGrange and make sure you swing by to see the Wonky Donkey!

Check for a current map if you’re visiting during straw bale season, and give yourself time to enjoy the drive. Pull over only where it’s safe and permitted, and respect private property along the route. Most of the art is on shop and business property, but make sure you find good places to park. If it is raining, like it was for part of the time we were exploring, many of the straw bale art displays can be seen from your car. You just might not have the best angle for a photo.

While you’re out on the east side of the county, we’d recommend a stop at Coody Brown’s Lakeside Grill, just south in Wolcottville. Nestled between Westler Lake and Witmer Lake, it had quite a different feel from most of our other stops in downtown Shipshewana.

Bonus: they’re also open on Sundays for lunch (just make sure you check their page for the most recent hours before you go)!

If you go on a nice day, you can enjoy your meal on the back patio by the water. You might see fish swimming and turtles sunning nearby. Whether you eat inside or out, make sure you take a peek at the mural on the wall in the family dining room. You can get a sense of what the area looks like by checking out an artist’s re-creation of an old paper map. You might miss it if you only come for the patio, but it’s a unique touch for the area.

For a perfect Sunday evening dinner in Shipshewana, grab a pizza from East of Chicago. While it’s not necessarily unique to Shipshewana, it is one of the few spots where you can get food on Sunday evenings, right next to the visitor center. They offer both carryout and dine-in options, with a pizza and salad buffet.

Why I’d Spend Another Weekend in Shipshewana

I thought I knew Shipshewana from my first visit, but this trip gave me even more ways to experience the town. Riding the Pumpkinvine Trail to Middlebury was my favorite part of this weekend. The trail was smooth and flat, and we could enjoy the countryside views, with clothes hanging out on the line to dry, and farm animals out in the pasture. Add coffee and a pastry at Fawn River + Morton, a little time browsing downtown, and a drive through the countryside, and the weekend filled itself.

We got a quick look at a few LaGrange County parks on our previous visit, and I’d like to spend more time exploring those next time. I’d also love to rent a kayak and see the area from the Fawn River. Between the parks, the trail, and the water, I’m realizing we still have plenty to do on another trip to Shipshewana.

Looking for more ideas? Here are more things to do in Shipshewana from our visits.