In Shipshewana, one of the main stops in Northern Indiana’s Amish Country, carriages pulled by horses take visitors through the heart of this small farming community starting at the Blue Gate Restaurant. Travel the country roads and then return to the restaurant which offers traditional Amish fair like fried chicken, mashed potatoes and homemade noodles. Don’t forget to try one of the wonderful pies such as Bob Andy and sugar pie.

Forget that diet. Amish cooking is based upon the caloric needs of hard working farm people who don’t use mechanized machinery. They need a lot of food fuel to keep going, supposedly 8000 calories per day for men, 4000 for women.

Part of this complex, crafted to look like gleaming white farmhouses—albeit very large ones—is the Blue Gate Theater, which offers well known gospel singing groups and plays, all family friendly.

Walk off some of those mashed potatoes by visiting some of the 80 stores in downtown Shipshewana. Many of these stores once were farmhouses and all are festooned with lights and ornaments for the holidays. Inside, a variety of Amish products ranging from furniture to crafts can be found. A must stop is the 50 foot brightly decorated Christmas tree in front of Riegsecker Market Place.