Although the South Bend suburbs have expanded right up to Elkhart's doorstep, the Elkhart County towns of Goshen, Middlebury, Shipshewana and Nappanee remain far enough away from Indiana's fourth largest city to retain their country charm. Elkhart County is Amish country and is best experienced along its Heritage Trail, a four season scenic drive. This north-central Indiana area is well known for its skilled craftsmen, luscious Amish style foods and endless miles of picturesque farmland.
   Elkhart County is the heart of the third largest enclave of Amish in America. The more conservative Amish broke away from the Mennonites in 1693 and set up their own religious communities in Europe and United States. Although the Amish have settled in 28 U.S. states as well as Canada, most American Amish are concentrated in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. An offshoot of Anabaptist Christians, the Amish are best known for their views that restrict worldly conveniences, their distinctive clothing, and a reliance on a horse and buggy. The Amish place a high value on the community, the group and their families. Using the American legal system in order to retain their way of life, Elkhart County's 20,000 Amish continue to serve up some of the area's best foods, offer heirloom-quality quilts, fine furniture and present some of the most photogenic landscapes in the state.

     Heritage Trail Driving Tour Map
     Area Map