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We took a road trip to visit Shipshewana, and I was excited. I hadn’t been there for a very long time, but remembered all the handmade treasures.
This area in Indiana is known for its Amish community and shopping. We also found delicious food while wandering around.
I’ll tell you about our experience, what to know and expect, and share personal photos from our trip. You might want to spend the day there too!
Getting There
I was staying in a hotel in Michigan, and we began our trip by taking the I-80/I-90 East. We paid toll, but this was a fast route.
Then we took the IN-13 to the IN-120 East. We ended up on North Main St. and followed that down past many stores. The whole trip was about 50 miles, or a 1-hour drive.
We parked across the Blue Gate, where there was a big parking lot. We visited during the week, and it wasn’t crowded, but on the weekends it might get tight.
Visiting Shipshewana
If you want to visit the area in one day, I recommend getting there early. Many of the stores close before 3 or 4 p.m.
We got there in the afternoon, and some stores were even closing at 2 p.m. If you plan on doing a few activities, you might want to start in the morning.
The outdoor flea market is only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 8 a.m. To 4 p.m. The open season is from spring to fall, and on some weekends.
Historic Land
Before parking, we drove around to get the lay of the land. You’ll notice lots of farmland and people in horse-drawn buggies.
In the early days, the Potowatomi Indians were the first inhabitants of this land, before they were pushed out by the government. The Native Americans were led by Chief Shipshewana, which became the name of this town.
The European settlers came in the early 1800s, with the Amish eventually building much of the area you see today. And you can find many people continuing to live the preserved lifestyle.
It’s a different pace, and so opposite of the hustle and bustle I’m so used to. You might see big families and notice people living a more simple life.
We found many family-owned stores and historic buildings in the area. The horses waiting patiently amid cars refueling at the gas station were a beautiful contrast of past and present.
By the way, we passed many of them while driving on the road. So, you’ll want to slow down and give them space.
Shopping
A big thing to do in Shipshewana is to shop. If you’re looking for hand-crafted items, it’s the place to go.
Besides going to the flea market, there are many family-owned businesses with unique items. In one store, we spoke to a lady who recommended seeing all the nice, handmade furniture in the area.
She even took out a directory to show us places to go. Well, we saw many nice things in her store too. But being the crafty person that I am, I wanted to see the places she recommended.
Now, the woodworking and leather crafts are really something to see. We saw accessories, clocks, and art pieces.
I spoke to an employee at a furniture store, and he said that their locally-made furniture was shipped all over the world. They even do some custom orders if you want pieces modified.
So, if you want a durable, rustic, show-stopper for your house, you might find it here.
Besides that, we found many stores selling knick-knacks and decorations for the home. They weren’t all locally made, so you’ll want to check the tags or ask.
Blue Gate Restaurant and Theatre
Another thing that’s popular to do in this area is dining. People recommended that we eat at the Blue Gate Restaurant.
They also have a theatre where you can watch live shows, but we just came for dinner. You can either get the buffet or order a plate.
When I walked in, I spoke to the hostess, and she said it’s pretty busy all the time. I had mentioned my food allergies, and she talked to the staff.
They told me how they could make some menu changes for my needs. I was so grateful for that!
Well, I ordered the turkey dinner, and it was delicious. It felt like Thanksgiving, as our plates were loaded with food.
And by the way, our server was as kind as could be.
After eating, we stopped by the bakery, where they had more homemade sweets. I wanted to take some honey back home, but was concerned it might not survive in my luggage.
Other Activities
While walking around, we went to found more by the “Welcome to Boardwalk” sign. Over here, they had which we bought some shaved ice and saw buggy rides.
The man at the stand said they have packages where you can ride based on time. I read about other buggy rides where you can explore all over the area, plus enjoy a show and dinner.
We didn’t ride this time because of the heat, but I’d like to take when the weather is cooler.
Some other things to explore in the area are the dairy farm, animal park, carousel, and museum.
While driving around, we also stumbled upon a campground, so that might be another adventure.
Travel Notes
The best time to visit would be when it’s not so hot. However, if you’re looking to go to the flea market, be sure to check the dates.
Once you park, there’s plenty to see within walking distance. But there are other stores spread out on Main Street.
I’d wear some good walking shoes and bring a hat if it’s sunny outside.
Also, I saw some signs at stores that said “no pictures.” I’m sure they don’t want people posting their one-of-a-kind arts and crafts on social media. I don’t blame them!
That being said, you’ll want to respect the community when visiting. This is a deeply religious area, and you don’t want to disrupt their lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
We had a relaxing time visiting Shipshewana. It’s a great place to go shopping and grab a hearty meal.
Next time, I’d like to catch a buggy ride and maybe check out the dairy farm. If you’d just like to walk around and view the craftsmanship, you’ll see some amazing things!
More Travel Adventures
I have many other related blog posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- Another place we enjoyed was Indiana Dunes State Park, for strolling by the beach and relaxation.
- We spent some time in Dowagiac, which is another historic town in Michigan with Potawatomi history.
- We like visiting downtown St. Joseph, another charming town off Lake Michigan.
I’d love to hear about your fun travel adventures!
Originally published: October 20, 2025
