Nothing says Amish Country of Northern Indiana like an exquisitely handcrafted quilt. Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau (ECCVB) has combined both to create the 2010 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail, a tour of 17 quilt-patterned gardens bursting with colorful annuals and 17 outdoor quilt art murals—a colorful patchwork “sewn” across seven welcoming communities—Nappanee, Middlebury, Elkhart, Bristol, Goshen, Wakarusa, and Shipshewana, all communities where RVs are manufactured.
The tour, inspired by quilt designs, celebrates the heritage and artistry of Northern Indiana Amish Country. Planned activities will include specialty hands-on programs, gardening seminars, quilt exhibits, quilt shop hops, and Master Gardener step-on guides. The Quilt Gardens Tour begins this Memorial Day weekend and continues to October 1. All sites are viewable free of charge, according to a news release.
To learn about the 2010 Garden and Mural Patterns, click here.
To download 2010 Quilt Gardens Tour Map (PDF), click here.
“The Quilt Gardens… along the Heritage Trail” was recently (May 21) recognized as a creative, emerging cultural tourism initiative as the Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau received the 2010 Efroymson Award for Excellence in Cultural Tourism Development for the project. The award is bestowed to nonprofit organizations to encourage and share exceptional practices with Indiana leaders in cultural tourism development. ECCVB will utilize the $25,000 award money to support continued product development activities, in addition to showcasing the artisans, crafters, culinary specialists, and growers along the nationally recognized Heritage Trail route.
The event has also been recognized by a national organization, the American Bus Association, and designated a Top 100 Event in 2009 and 2010.
Amish Country attractions
American Countryside Farmers Market
One-stop destination in Northern Indiana for gifts, food, and entertainment
Open year-round; summer hours Wednesday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Thursday 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.,
Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., and Saturday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Located 27751 County Road 26 (on the south side of the U.S. 20-Bypass, at the corner of State Road 19 and County Road 26 south of Elkhart)
Amish Acres
Slow down to a simpler way of life where time stopped over a century ago; come for the Amish cooking, baking, and shopping
Located 1600 West Market Street in Nappanee
Das Dutchman Essenhaus
Das Dutchman Essenhaus offers an Amish style restaurant, lodging, and shopping
Located 240 U.S. 20 in Middlebury
Menno-Hof
Mennonite-Amish Visitor Center provides an explanation of the traditions of the different Anabaptist movements including Amish, Hutterites, and Mennonites
Located 510 South Van Buren (State Road 5) in Shipshewana
Old Bag Factory
Merchants showcase a vast range of creative skill, including woodworking, ceramics, bread baking, candle-making, and graphic design
Located on Chicago Avenue off U.S. 33 in Goshen
RV/MM Hall of Fame
Preserves the history and honors the individuals who have made significant contributions to the RV industry
Located east of Elkhart (I-80/I-90 Exit 96 to County Road 17, then just past the east bound Toll Road entrance turn left/east on Executive Parkway)
Shipshewana Auction & Flea Market
Trading Place of America, Midwest’s largest flea market, held every Tuesday and Wednesday from the first of May through the end of October, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Located 345 S Van Buren Street (State Road 5) in Shipshewana
RV parks and campgrounds
Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground
Located 14583 State Road 120 (I-80/90 Exit 101, south 1 mile on State Route 15 to Bristol, and 3 miles east on State Route 120)
Full hook-up sites with 20/30/50-amp electric service
Big rig friendly
Wireless internet available fee
Facilities: 3W
Recreation: 4W
Rates: $26.50-$39.75
Middlebury Exit KOA
Located 52867 State Route 13 (I-80/90 Exit 107, south 1.5 miles on State Route 13)
Full hook-up sites with 20/30/50-amp electric service
Big rig friendly
Free wireless internet
Facilities: 4W
Recreation: 4W
Rates: $26.00-$45.00
Play-Mor Campground
Located 2162 U.S. 6 East, Bremen
Full hook-up sites with 20/30/50-amp electric service
Big rig friendly
Free wireless internet
Facilities: 3W
Recreation: 4W
Rates: $24.61-$32.10 (including tax)
Shipshewana Campground-North Park
Located 1105 S. Van Buren St. (State Route 5), 3 miles north of Shipshewana
Full hook-up sites with 20/30/50-amp electric service
Big rig friendly
Wireless internet available fee
Facilities: 3W
Recreation: 2W
Rates: $27.00-$37.00
Shipshewana Campground-South Park
Located State Road 5, ½ half mile south of Shipshewana Flea Market
Full hook-up sites with 20/30/50-amp electric service
Big rig friendly
Wireless internet available fee
Facilities: 4W
Recreation: 1W
Rates: $27.00-$37.00
Shipshewana Trading Place RV Park
Located south side of Flea Market Grounds next to Gate 5
Full hook-up sites with 30/50-amp electric service
Big rig friendly
No reservations
Internet friendly
Rates: $12.00-$33.00
Worth Pondering…
We are all sharing every day of our lives. We share our ideas, our plans, our enthusiasm to those with whom we come in contact.
—Charles M. Schwab
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