Shipshewana featuring The Temptations at The Blue Gate Theatre

Depart Southgate, MI for a 2 night stay in Shipshewana, Indiana. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at the Auction Barn Restaurant before free time at the iconic Shipshewana Flea Market. This outdoor flea market the size of 30 football fields. Find bargains on home decor, clothing, produce, plants, tools, crafts, books, beauty supplies, accessories, handmade items, vintage items and everything imaginable. Dinner this evening is a traditional Amish Thresher’s Dinner. Our hosts will also teach us how to make our own peanut butter spread to take home. The hotel for the next two nights is the Van Buren Hotel. (L,D)

After an included breakfast at the hotel, we will have a local guide join our group and take us around the area for a tour of the Quilt Gardens. The annual, award-winning Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail joins quilting, gardening and art into a one-of-a-kind event featuring super-sized hand-painted Quilt Murals and more than one million vibrant blooms in gigantic Quilt Gardens. This colorful patchwork of quilt-inspired gardens and hand-painted, quilt-themed, super-sized murals deliver dazzling views in the communities of Bristol, Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury, Nappanee, and Wakarusa. It’s the only experience of its kind in the world! We will also visit Teaberry Wood Products, a small, family run, Amish-Mennonite, woodworking shop\ located in Middlebury, Indiana. They specialize in handcrafted wooden baskets, puzzles, cutting boards, inspirational words items, and gifts. Enjoy lunch and shopping at Linton’s Enchanted Garden. Often referred to as “the Disney of Garden Centers,” Linton’s Enchanted Gardens looks as though it is right out of a fairy tale. It’s filled with spectacular garden designs that spark the imagination. This afternoon you will have free time in Downtown Shipshewana for Shopping. In the evening, enjoy a special visit to the Blue Gate Theatre for dinner and show featuring The Temptations! The group may have added some newer (and younger) members, but they are still singing your favorite hits! (B,D)

After an included breakfast, we will have a local guide take us around on the backroads of Amish Country for a “Maker’s Tour.” Visit Silver Star Leather, the rustic rural shop of Loren and Dorcas Yoder and the first thing that greets you is the irresistible aroma of finely cured leather. This Old Order Amish couple work with expertly tanned cowhides to rare skins like shark, python, eel and alligator. Next, we‘ll roll our own homemade pretzels at Ben’s Pretzels followed by a visit to Carolyn’s Kitchen featuring no sugar added jams and jellies. Visit Cook’s Bison Ranch for a tour as well as a bison burger lunch. (B,L)