Filed under: Activities & Attractions, Campgrounds & RV Parks, Destination Camping & RV Resorts, Family Camping, Family Weekend Trips, Historic Places & Landmarks, Nature & Wildlife, Roads & Routes, RV Campgrounds, Scenic Byways/Historic Routes, Tent Campgrounds

RVing destinations: Quilt Gardens, Elkhart County, IN

May 30, 2010 by Rex Vogel · 1 Comment

Print This Post ·

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: WWW

Recreation: WWWW

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)