Northern Indiana Girls Trip

I just got back from my annual girls trip to Northern Indiana. If you have never been, let me enlighten you on a few tips/trades I’ve learned along the way:

1. Flea Market – Held every Tuesday and Wednesday from May 1 until the end of October. This is a must see. There are booths and booths of antiques, goose clothes, collectibles, food, paper products … need I go on?  
2. Downtown Shipshewana. With two streets full of unique shops you have to spend time walking around and shopping. Make sure not to miss Davis Mercantile. Four floors of shopping and dining and a beautiful building!
3. Cash is a must. Many vendors and shops (particularly at the flea market) will only take cash. A few will take checks with restrictions. Cash is the best way to go.
4. Hidden gem – E&S Sales. A local grocery store that sells bulk items of pancake mix, flour, sugar, jello, herbs you name it. A fun experience and I end up doing quite a bit of grocery shopping while I’m there! 🙂
5. Be flexible. This year we hit a few off the beaten path places that we haven’t been to in years past. If you see a store that is interesting, stop in. You never know what you might find and you may be pleasantly surprised! This year’s winner was Rise’ n Roll Bakery. Oh my goodness … their cinnamon caramel doughnuts are one of a kind!
6. Enjoy the simplicity. You will experience a slower pace of life and it is refreshing. If you get a chance to learn more about the Amish and Mennonite heritage (Menno-Hof is an excellent museum located in Shipshewana) you will appreciate the experience all the more.
7. Watch where you are driving … and where you step! Buggies abound all around. Make sure you are aware of them as they travel down the road and look out for the evidence of the horses as you cross the street.
8. Eat – Plan to this A LOT!! We have several must hit restaurants including (but of course not limited to) the Essenhaus and Blue Gate. If you love carbs like I do, then this is the place for you!
9. Have fun. For the six of us girls that meet every year, it is a tradition we don’t want to miss. We shop, eat and spend a lot of time talking, but the summer wouldn’t be complete without the trip.