One of the best times to experience the HERITAGE TRAIL is when the leaves begin to turn.
Gold, Red, Orange, brilliant warm colors to balance the chill in the air. Experience the best of autumn in Northern Indiana Amish Country. Travel scenic backroads frequented more by horse and buggy than car.
ALONG THE WAY YOU’LL MEET THE MAKERS, ENJOY HANDS ON ACTIVITIES AND TASTE RECIPES HANDED DOWN THROUGH GENERATIONS.
FALL FUN EXPERIENCE ... 3 DAY / 2 NIGHT SAMPLE ITINERARY
NOTE: Prices subject to change without advance notice.
DAY ONE
Arrival Middlebury, IN
Check-in at your host hotel
3 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Afternoon and evening fun on the Das Dutchman Essenhaus campus [enjoy the following anytime until 7 p.m.]
Welcome to Das Dutchman Essenhaus, home of Indiana’s largest restaurant and a peaceful escape in the country which offers a unique combination of dining, lodging, and shopping opportunities. The attractive Amish style restaurant seats 1,100 and is the largest restaurant in the state of Indiana. Manicured grounds invite a leisurely stroll or perhaps a carriage ride through a quaint covered bridge. Tonight, enjoy the following at your own pace:
Horse Drawn Carriage Ride and Shopping inside the Village Shops
Enjoy the beautiful Essenhaus grounds! Relax on horse drawn carriage ride around the immaculate grounds, play a round of miniature golf, or go shopping in one of several Village Shops (coupons provided) all on the same facility grounds. Shop for quilts, baked goods, home décor, ladies’ apparel, Vera Bradley, jewelry and more.
Buffet dinner at Das Dutchman Essenhaus & shopping
Dine on traditional family recipes passed down through generations in Indiana’s largest restaurant now seating over 1,100 guests. Enjoy the all-you-can-eat Buffet Dinner which includes 2 soups, salad bar, 4 entrees, numerous sides, and cobblers/puddings for dessert. Beverages are included with your meal.
Return to your host hotel in the evening
DAY TWO
6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast at your host hotel & meet your guide in the hotel lobby
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. NEW Quilty Note Cards hands-on program at The Quilt Shop at Das Dutchman Essenhaus
Find creativity inside a restored chicken barn by creating Quilty Note Cards at The Quilt Shop at the Essenhaus! This activity will make one special “Quilty” note card that is blank inside. Basic quilt block components in various colors are precut and ready for you to arrange them into a creative quilt block for the front of your card. A short introduction talks about the history, technique, construction, and sample of a locally sourced quilt.
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Fall Treats & Color Backroads Tour
Travel scenic backroads passing horse-drawn buggies, tidy farm homes and white-washed barns. Learn about the fascinating lifestyle of the Amish as your knowledgeable guide tells all about the area and the history, traditions, and customs of the local area. You’ll make several stops at a variety of welcoming country stores and quaint shops as you get to know local entrepreneurs and see first-hand how they operate their unique enterprises. Hear the backstory of friendly, hardworking people who use their special talents to create products and build businesses that serve the local community and beyond. These stops are fun, authentic, appealing to every age and gender and sure to be a hit with your group.
Choose 4 Fall Treats & Color Backroad Stops, stops subject to availability and step-on guides routing
- Amish bakery
- Amish leather shop
- Amish noodle maker
- Amish/Mennonite Basket maker
- Popcorn Shop
- Amish Cheese factory
- Pumpkin Themed Event
- Amish Toy Maker
- E&S Bulk Food Store
- Fully-operational grist mill
- Family-owned orchard
- Whoopie Pie & Apple Cider Break
Lunch at The Carriage House with their “Neighbors Lunch”
Your group is invited to Elaine Jones and her son Seth’s “neighborhood lunch” at The Carriage House, where you become one of the new friends who pull up chairs at their tables. This “neighbors’ lunch” is what they would serve their Amish neighbors as they get together to chat, play games and enjoy each other’s company. Now your group becomes their neighbor with all the food and fun. Vegetables fresh from the garden and fields, delicious simply sides and their popular baked parmesan chicken, homemade bread and delightful dessert complete the meal. Each neighbor’s luncheon meal is different from the next based upon what’s available that time of year, but your group is guaranteed to walk away full on delicious homecooked and fresh baked.
ALL NEW The Art of Traditional Quilt Making
Elaine welcomes you to her homestead for an inside talk and look at the art of traditional quilt making by hand. No fancy machines, software systems, computerized programs, or gadgets are used in her quilts. She’ll discuss the process and the creativity required in choosing patterns and colors used in traditional Amish quilting. She’ll demonstrate how she marks, cuts, and sews her quilts all by hand from beginning to end. Quilting the way our grandmothers did with a few expert tricks learned along the way. There will be numerous quilts, solid fabrics, and related quilt items available for sale.
5 p.m. Say goodbye to your guide
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Dinner & Jesus Donkey, Homespun Hands-On Experience & Meal at Meadow Brook Farm
Do you enjoy the sights of antique tractors, the touch of a furry donkey nose, or the smell of warm spiced cider? These are all things that can be found at Meadow Brook Farm and Historic Home in Northern Indiana. Come take a tour of the 1860 vintage home that was constructed during the Civil War. Hear documented stories from the farm’s Author and Storyteller from visitors that traveled the nearby Pumpkinvine Railway, while sipping on some cider and munching on a homemade donut. Enjoy hands-on fun with a make-take homespun donkey craft followed by the story of the Jesus Donkey with opportunities to pet and take a fun fall photo op which is just
irresistible! Your experience at Meadow Brook will be filled with memorable experiences and one you will not forget! Complete your experience with a festive catered BBQ buffet served in the carefully restored barn.
Return to your host hotel following your evening of fun
DAY THREE
6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast at your host hotel
8:45 a.m. Meet your guide in the hotel lobby
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Meet the Makers and shopping in Downtown Goshen
The warmth of a hometown welcome awaits your group in beautiful downtown Goshen. Americana with a twist … this city is a magnet for creative young entrepreneurs. Your day will be filled with unique experiences, shopping and great food.
Makers stops include
- Shirley’s Popcorn
- Soapy Gnome
- Imagination Spot
- Lunch at the Southside Soda Shop
Dine in a restored diner with dining car and 1940s soda fountain on classic American eats, shakes and malts. Featured on The Food Network “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” and Gourmet Magazine. In-house bakers, daily specials, chili, homemade soups, sandwiches & pie. You will choose a lunch option for your group from a pre-determined menu. 2:00 p.m. Say goodbye to your guide & depart for home.
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