Get ready for miles of smiles on a tour with a

Bristol
Elkhart
Goshen
Middlebury
Nappanee
Get ready for miles of smiles on a tour
... with a distinctly
Shipshewana
Wa k a r u s a
feminine flair.
See exquisite quilts and Quilt Gardens. Delight in nature at a botanic garden and watch artisans
at work in their studios. Visit Amish homes and discover secrets to making melt-in-your-mouth
cinnamon rolls and dine on a traditional Amish wedding feast. Sniff and sample at a perfumery,
enjoy wine tastings and a tea party. Take in a delightful Broadway style musical. Bag some fun and
lots of goodies on an Amish backroads shopping excursion.
That’s just a sampling of the fun in store on this tour
... designed for girls of
NOTE: Prices subject to change without advance notice.
all ages.
4 DAY / 3 NIGHT ITINERARY OPTIONS ON NEXT PAGE
Sonya Nash, CTIS | [email protected]
Amish Country of Northern Indiana | 219 Caravan Drive | Elkhart, IN 46514
574.262.8161 | 800.262.8161 | AmishCountryTours.org
GIRLS FUN IN AMISH COUNTRY 4 DAY / 3 NIGHT SAMPLE ITINERARY
DAY ONE
(Depart for Amish Country of Northern Indiana)
10:00 a.m. Arrival, Elkhart
10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Elkhart County Visitors Center “Quilt Gardens Tour” video and Quilt display by Diana Bennett
and Lina Zerkle [no admission fee]
Stop at the Amish Country Visitors Center. Begin with a brief overview/DVD about the
unique, one-of-a-kind Quilt Gardens Tour to get to know the people behind the gardens.
Then you’ll be given an opportunity to browse beautiful, handmade works of art by fiber
artists Diana Bennett and Lina Zerkle on your own.
11:00 - Noon
Norman Rockwell Exhibit at the Midwest Museum
of American Art, Elkhart [$5 pp]
Bring art to life for the visitors in the “Norman Rockwell: The Making of an American Legend” presentation which gives visitors
a chance to explore both the myth and the reality of this American icon while viewing the largest Rockwell print collection in
Indiana.
12:15 - 1:45 p.m.
Lunch & Shopping at “b” on the River [$15 pp incl]
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Wellfield Botanic Garden [$5 pp incl]
Sit by the stone fireplace or take in the RiverWalk view from the patio at this delightful bakery café and gift store. Enjoy a
beautifully prepared luncheon salad or specialty sandwiches made on flaky croissants or artisan breads. The tempting desserts
are pure bliss! Shop for unique home décor, Vera Bradley, gift items and artwork while enjoying a Latte or Cappacino.
Wellfield Botanic Gardens accepts as truth that mankind is inseparable from nature. Therefore, the Gardens will provide a
shared natural and man-made environment of unique beauty that attracts, inspires, and educates in a setting dedicated to the
celebration of nature and art. The Gardens is situated on 36 acres including 18 acres of water, six blocks north of downtown
Elkhart on a historical piece of property known as the North Main Street well field. This site has been a source of hydraulic
energy and drinking water for the City of Elkhart since the middle 1800s. Currently the City’s Department of Public Works
operates 13 wells on the site and Wellfield Gardens is the City’s largest source of drinking water.
3:15 - 5:15 p.m.
Ruthmere Celebrates Downton Abbey
Afternoon Tour & Tea [$30 pp incl]
Ruthmere is pleased to offer a real-life “Downton Abbey” experience for larger tour
groups of 25 to 50 persons. These tours bring the early 20th century to life and create
unforgettable memories for our guests. Enjoy Ruthmere’s grand tour and finish up with
a period tea in the Game Room, or if weather permits, outdoors under the covered
Piazza. Brief exhibit presented on the history of tea. Service of hot tea, cold lemonade,
tea sandwiches and fresh fruit included.
Check-in at your host hotel
NOTE: Prices subject to change without advance notice.
(cont)
DAY ONE (cont)
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Dinner with Lace & Linens at The Wood & Gage [$30 pp incl]
Step into The Wood Gage, a cozy neighborhood restaurant favorite filled with gifts, baked goods and home décor, for an
afternoon that’s “laced” with fun. Sit down to a house specialty dinner of creamed chicken in a potato basket served by the
friendly staff. After lunch spend a fascinating afternoon with Dot Hansen, an antique dealer specializing in vintage linens.
Dot goes way beyond just putting grandma’s doilies on the dresser and tells how to take treasured vintage linens out of hiding
in the linen closet to enjoy and show them off. See and learn about the various kinds of handwork found in vintage linens
including drawn work, embroidery, tatting and cut work. Hear the secrets to using and taking care of these treasures including
safe techniques for stain removal and discover fun, new ways of repurposing linens and lace.
DAY TWO
Continental Breakfast at your host hotel
8:45 - 9:45 a.m.
Homemade Cinnamon Roll Making Demonstration
& Tasting at an Amish family farm [$6 pp incl]
Take a “breakfast break” at an Amish home. Enjoy a homemade cinnamon roll , just out
of the oven, plus coffee or tea as you watch Elaine, our Amish baker, demonstrate how
she makes her special delicacy Take home some of the rolls to share with your family
or friends. Cost includes a cinnamon roll, beverage, demonstration and rolls for taking
home.
10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Annie Oakley Perfumery Studio Tour [$5 pp incl]
Learn the enchanting story of how a fragrance and its brand is born on this fun
adventure through this perfumery. Meet perfumer and owner Renee Gabet as you take a walking tour thru the perfumery
process including the bench lab where fragrances are created and blended to bottling and distribution. See perfumes being
hand-made and have an amazing sensory experience including some rare and vintage essences. Sample more world class
fragrances and essences in the gift shop after your tour and perhaps even create your own signature personalized fragrance
just for you!
12:15 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch on your own at the South Side Soda Shop, Goshen
The South Side Soda Shop features homemade sandwiches, salads, and desserts. We
feature over fifty varieties of pie as well as old fashioned Green Rivers, malts, and shakes.
A variety of fresh seafood is delivered weekly, we always feature fresh Atlantic Salmon,
Middleneck Clams, Jumbo Shrimp, and fresh Oysters. Our Philly Cheesesteak, Chili, Swedish Limpa Bread, and Seafood Feast were featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins,
and Dives. With old standards and new creations we are sure to have one of your past or
present favorites.
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
The Richness of Chocolate & Fabric at the
Lavender Patch Fabric & Quilt Shop [$15 pp incl]
This yummy class is all about brown. You’ll see and learn about some great applications for this rich color during a trunk show
featuring fabrics and quilts, wall hangings, table runners & gifts all made with brown fabrics. To satisfy any cravings, everyone
gets a cup of coffee and a piece of chocolate to go! 1 hour in length. Minimum of 10 people. Maximum of 30 people at a
time. Class can be rotated for larger groups with other activities in Bristol.
(cont)
NOTE: Prices subject to change without advance notice.
DAY TWO (cont)
3:45 - 4:30 p.m.
Fruit Hill Winery Tasting [$5pp incl with 5 tastings each]
David & Michelle Muir invite you to join their family on their family orchard where you will be greeted warmly inside the
brand new wine tasting room in the scenic fruit hills of Bristol. Featuring several varietals such as Riesling, Cabernet Franc and
Traminette which has been designated as Indiana’s signature wine. Sample different wines, see the process of wine pressing
and preparation, shop for a bottle to take home or step outside onto the large deck, or front porch, and enjoy the view.
Freshen up at your host hotel
6:00 - 10:30 p.m. Amish Acres Wine Tasting, Threshers Dinner
& Round Barn Theatre, Nappanee [$49.90 pp incl]
Discover the fruits of Indiana and Lake Michigan shore wines with 20 varieties of wine in
The Barn Loft Wine Tasting Room. Then sit down and enjoy Amish Acres famous family
style Threshers Dinner in the century old barn restaurant. Top off the evening with live
musical theatre in the majestic 1911 Round Barn Theatre offering a repertoire of
Broadway style musical productions through the ten month season.
Return to your host hotel following the theatre production
DAY THREE
Continental Breakfast at your host hotel
Meet your guide in the hotel lobby
9:00 a.m. - Noon
Backroads Brown Bag Frolic [$185 total for guide (tip optional) plus $16 pp for items included]
12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Tea Party Luncheon at The Tea Pot & More, Nappanee [$15 pp incl]
2:45 - 3:30 p.m.
Visit the Quilt Garden in Wakarusa & Shopping at the Wakarusa Dime Store
for old-fashioned candy treats.
Sit back, relax and observe the Amish lifestyle as you travel picturesque back roads of Northern Indiana. Step back in time and
learn of the fascinating lifestyle of these “plain people”. With a knowledgeable guide hear about the area and the history, traditions, and customs of the Amish. Bag some fun for your group by adding a new twist to your Amish Country Tour. We’ll give
each tour group member a “Brown Bag”. As groups visit select, unique, locally owned shops along the scenic Amish Country
backroads, they will get a special treat to fill their “Brown Bags”.
The shelves of Karla Miller’s shop in Coppes Commons are filled with charming hand-painted china tea sets and place settings
lovingly decorated by two Amish sisters, plus a variety of teas and tea making equipment. Step into her cozy tea room for a
delightful “Tea Party Luncheon” complete with cucumber sandwiches, freshly made scones served with lemon curd, creamy
pasta salad, chicken noodle soup, Angel Cream pie, plus tea of course. After shop for quilts, bath products and kitchen items
or take an optional horse-drawn buggy rides provided by Karla’s family members for $3 pp (advance reservations required).
The Wakarusa Dime Store Jumbo Jellybean has become “World Famous” shipping over 35 tons per year throughout the world.
Free samples of their most popular treats are offered. Which is your favorite? Firey hot cinnamon? Black Licorice? Orange?
Grape? Or is it the new 2012 flavor Cotton Candy? in addition to the Jumbo Jellybeans groups love the huge variety of
nostalgia candy including Necco wafers, Chuckles, Buns, and Boston Baked Beans just to name a few. Explore additional
downtown shops as time allows.
(cont)
NOTE: Prices subject to change without advance notice.
DAY THREE (cont)
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Hands of Clay Tour [$10 pp incl]
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Amish Wedding Feast [$24 pp incl]
Meet the clay people and explore the creative. Step into the working studios of the area’s
finest ceramic artists and get to know the people behind the potter’s wheel. Watch talented artists turn simple clay into a thing of beauty. Hear their stories and learn from the
best. Soon your group will be sharing their passion for clay. Hands-on clay activities can
be arranged too.
It’s a once of a lifetime experience feasting on a traditional Amish wedding dinner in the
charming setting of “Miller’s Country Kitchen.” Levi and Esther explain what an Amish
wedding day is like. Groups see an Amish bride’s wedding dress up close, and hear the customary German Wedding song
sung at an Amish wedding. The family has even compiled a cookbook of favorite recipes available to purchase and take home
as a memento.
The Amish Wedding dinner is served family-style and includes:
Homemade Bread with Apple Butter and Jelly, Real Mashed potatoes and gravy, Homemade chicken
dressing, homemade noodles, salad with homemade special dressing, coffee and water PLUS:
**Choose two meats:
Chicken, Roast Beef, Pizza Loaf, Baked Ham, Baked Steak with Mushroom Sauce, Pork Roast, BBQ Meat Balls
**Choose three types of pies:
Pecan, apricot pineapple, chocolate cream, banana cream, cherry, oatmeal coconut, raisin cream,
lemon cream, peach, pumpkin, apple, raspberry, coconut cream, custard, coconut macaroon,
peanut butter cream, Seasonal Fresh Strawberry, Seasonal Rhubard Custard
**Choose one dessert:
Date pudding, angel food cake, graham cracker pudding, lemon delight, Ice cream sundae with
one topping (chocolate, caramel or strawberry), Tapioca Pudding (caramel, strawberry or orange)
**Choose two buttered vegetables:
Corn, Mixed Vegetables, Green Beans, Peas & Carrots
DAY FOUR
Continental Breakfast & Check out of your host hotel
8:30 a.m. - Departure
Shopping at the Shipshewana Flea Market & Auction and in downtown
Shipshewana [no admission fee]
Shop ‘til you drop at the famous Shipshewana Flea Market or quaint downtown Shipshewana shops! Known as “the trading
place of America”. Shipshewana is home to the Midwest’s largest outdoor flea market – over 800 vendors filling 1,000 booths
covering 60 acres – open every Tuesday and Wednesday, May thru October. The downtown Shipshewana area is a short few
blocks from the Flea Market and offers over 100 specialty retail stores, gift shops, home décor outlets, cafes, bakeries and candy
stores. There is something for everyone to shop and enjoy in Shipshewana!
Depart for home or area options
NOTE: Prices subject to change without advance notice.
OPTIONS:
Ruthmere Jazz Club Cocktail Hour & Tour [$40 pp incl]
Bring the early 20th century to life and create unforgettable memories for your guests at Ruthmere’s Jazz Club event. Enjoy a
late afternoon grand tour of Ruthmere and conclude with a swinging 1920s Jazz Club in Ruthmere’s Game Room. Live music
entertainment, light hors d’oeuvres and a variety of seasonal vintage cocktails start your evening on a good foot.
Wine & Canvas “Artsy Party” [$45 incl 2 glasses of wine OR beer with event pp. $65 pp
with a catered dinner buffet . $30 incl cookies & milk or coffee with event pp or $35 incl with a
catered lunch.]
Grab a paintbrush, grab a libation and let the paint party begin! The world is your canvas
at this “Artsy Party” where everyone has a great time expressing their inner Renoir. Sip a
favorite drink while a talented artist gives step by step instructions on how to complete
the night’s featured painting. All materials plus instructor are supplied – canvas, easels,
paint, brushes, even the artist’s smocks. And when it’s over, everyone takes home their
own masterpiece. For groups wanting the fun and art without the alcohol, try “Cookies &
Canvas.” Either way, this party is a brush stroke of genius for groups!
Munch a Bunch in Amish Country [$45 pp incl, full day tour, guide for 8 hours, lunch, snacks, gifts and demos.]
Groups delight in every bite and no one goes home hungry on this tour that samples the culinary specialties of Amish
Country. Begin at a bustling Amish bakery famous for its addictive cashew crunch candy and cinnamon- caramel donuts that
satisfy every connoisseur’s sweet tooth. A stop an Amish cheese factory is awarded with tastings of Baby Swiss and Colby
Jack cheeses among others. At a nearby country market watch the Lehman family roll-out made-from-scratch noodles and
put them on racks to dry. They also specialize in fresh-from-the-hive honey and rich nut butters. Top off this food foray with a
cooking demo and hearty meal in an Amish home complete with a hefty slice of just-baked pie.
Real Indiana Amish Country Housewives
[$50 pp incl, full day tour, guide for 8 hours, lunch, snacks, gifts and demos.]
Forget reality TV and meet the real housewives of Amish Country. Get a first-hand look
and earn how these ladies do household chores without electrical appliances and run
their businesses without modern technology. Enjoy a cinnamon roll demo with Elaine or
Mary Lou. Visit Carolyn’s home for a haystack lunch and a peanut butter crumb pie demo.
Chat with a basket weaver about her thriving business. Meet an Amish school teacher and
and find out how she manages her classes in a one-room school. Everyone gets an after
school treat too - a whoopie pie to take home. Groups go home with a renewed respect
for these women who live a simple life, yet they’re anything but simple.
Amish Acres Candy Kitchen [$6 pp incl]
Amish Acres is best known for their historic farm and education on Amish beliefs fostering a tolerance among different
religions and cultures, but did you know the fudge shop makes over 50,000 lbs of fudge and candy a year? Learn how to make
your own delicious candies from one of our expert candy makers and have a treat to enjoy later.
NOTE: Prices subject to change without advance notice.