The idyllic fields of Indiana Amish Country are filled with culinary and theatrical experiences groups will never forget. From 19th century history to classic cars, there’s attractions of interest for every member in your group.
Duration: 5 Days
Available: Year-round
This Itinerary is Ideal For: All ages
Itinerary Details
Day 1
Morning: Start the day at the Shipshewana Flea Market. With over 1,000 vendors, it’s the largest outdoor market in the Midwest. Visit the nearby Menno-Hof Amish-Mennonite Information Center and learn about the history behind the Amish faith and settlements.
Afternoon: Enjoy lunch and a matinee show at the Das Dutchman Essenhaus. This complex features scrumptious family-style dining and original musicals and plays, created by its very own production company.
Evening: Travel south to Amish Acres, where accommodations and a threshers- style dinner await.
Day 2
Morning: After a hearty breakfast, start the morning at Amish Acres Historic Farm and Heritage Resort, which offers craft demonstrations, extensive shopping, wagon rides, and a music theater. Later this morning, travel the scenic backroads of Amish Country, passing horse-drawn buggies, tidy farmhouses and whitewashed barns on the way to Elkhart where a tour awaits of the impressive Recreational Vehicle Motorhome Hall of Fame. The expansive facility features a walking tour of the history of recreational vehicles as well as vintage models.
Afternoon: After lunch in Elkhart, travel to South Bend’s Studebaker National Museum. The museum is dedicated to preserving the legend of this iconic 20th century automobile, which was both headquartered and manufactured in South Bend. The museum displays the first and last cars the Studebaker corporation ever made and boasts the largest presidential carriage collection in the world.
Evening: Explore downtown South Bend, a vibrant place for dining and shopping. In season, catch a game at the South Bend Cubs stadium, located right downtown with a hint of Chicago’s Wrigley Field, or visit the new Four Winds Casino South Bend. Alternatively, catch a Broadway-caliber performance at the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts in Warsaw. This 800-seat theater amazes visitors with musicals and concerts at
appealing group rates.
Day 3
Morning: Before departing the area, visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the University of Notre Dame campus. Built in the late 1800s, the church features
one of the largest collections of 19th century
French stained glass in the world.
Afternoon: Traveling west on I-80/94, make a stop for the men at one of two iconic outdoor retailers, Bass Pro Shops or Cabela.
Evening: After checking into your Hammond-area hotel, enjoy a Broadway-style performance at the Theatre at the Center. This is a Northwest Indiana institution with five mainstage productions each year in a theatre-in-the-round setting.
Day 4
Fair Oaks Farms
Morning: Visit the Shrine of Christ’s Passion, an outdoor spiritual journey through the Stations of the Cross, plus experience the 10 Commandments in one of the most realistic depictions of Mount Sinai in the
world.
Afternoon: Turning south onto I-65, stop for lunch at the Farmhouse Restaurant at Fair Oaks Farms and an afternoon tour of their facilities. Take in the Dairy, Pig or Crop adventure or pick apples from the 6,000-tree orchard (seasonal).
Evening: Arrive in the Lafayette area. Enjoy food and spirts at O’Bryan’s Nine Irish Brothers, which serves premium Irish food and spirits with Irish favorites such as Guinness stew, shepherd’s pie and fish & chips. Live entertainment is featured on most weekend nights.
Day 5
Morning: Visit Wolf Park, an educational facility dedicated to improving public understanding of wolves. Tour members have the opportunity to see wolves, foxes, coyotes and bison as well as hear a lecture on the animals. Then stop by Tippecanoe Battlefield & Museum and learn about the famous 1811 battle between William Henry Harrison’s U.S. forces and Chief Tecumseh’s Native American confederation.
Afternoon: After lunch, take some Hoosier goodies home with you from the Inspired Fire Glass Studio and Gallery in Lafayette. One-of-a kind Friendship Balls are created by area artists.
