Amish Acres Attractions Include Guided House and Farm Tour
Take the Guided Home and Farm Tour at Amish Acres in Nappanee, Indiana and you’ll see how the Old Order Amish lived and worked back in the 1800’s.
I previously went into detail about the history of the home and farm featured on the Amish Acres tour. There are plenty more options available at this Amish-themed attraction.
Fun Things to Do at Amish Acres in Nappanee
Amish Acres Attractions Include a Farm Wagon Ride
It all begins with the purchase of the PastPort. It is a ticket that allows access to the documentary Genesis and Exodus of the Amish, the guided tour of the Stahly-Nissley_Kuhns farmstead, and the farm wagon ride around the pond.
The website states that the wagon also makes stops at the one-room German schoolhouse where a school marm will teach you about Amish manners, as well as a visit to the blacksmith, but that didn’t happen on our ride. It was skipped for reasons unknown to me. Maybe we’ll see it next time.
You will see the eighty acre farmstead up close and personal where three generations of Amish worked the land. It has been an attraction since 1970.
Amish Attractions
Amish Acres Features Authentic 1800s Amish Buildings
Supremely interesting for those of you, like me, who like to poke around old homes, it’s really fun to hear how the Amish lived. Well, maybe fun isn’t the right word for it. It’s so…rigid. Strict. I mean, they didn’t even use buttons or zippers to hold their clothing closed–they use pins!
Keep in mind that the Amish then are not necessarily like the Amish now, just like we don’t quite line up to the practices and beliefs of our pioneer ancestors. Things change and even the Amish have modernized. Want an example? They will use the computers at the public library to market their businesses.
But it all depends on the Bishop. To learn more about present-day Nappanee Amish, you can learn more about them by following that link.
On this Nappanee, Indiana tour we learned that they did not believe in the use of lightning rods for their homes. Why not? Well, if they were struck and caught fire, it was viewed as God’s will–and who were they to tamper with it?
It makes me wonder if neighbors view it as a punishment laid down on that family or if it is just something that happens sometimes.
What to Bring to Amish Acres
Amish Acres Quilt Maker
Bring your camera. You’ll want to take pictures of some of the things you see. The farmhouse is wonderful and you’ll want to show your family and friends images of it all later. Just remember not to take pictures of any actual Amish while in the area.
You’ll need sturdy walking shoes. Wear layers if the weather is “iffy.” While the area to wait for the horse and buggy rides is covered, it is also open. There are no set schedules. It is more of a first come, first served type of deal.
If you can plan ahead a little, bring something small to do in case you need to wait. I know a good book to read if you need one, you know, my book (affiliate link) Little Indiana: Small Town Destinations
If there are younger children in your group, I highly recommend bringing along a few of the Imagine I Can series by Manhattan Toy Company. They are small enough to easily fit inside a jacket pocket or a purse. We’ve always carry along a small pad of paper and a couple of crayons too. Unfortunately, we didn’t plan ahead for a wait, so when I took the boys alone, it was agonizing. We couldn’t walk away and do something else because, if another family walked up, they would take our place. You just have to sit. Try to make the best of it by planning ahead.
Wheelchairs and strollers aren’t going to work at some parts of this attraction. Due to its historic nature, that’s just the way it is. Try not to overdo it and make good use of the occasional bench of picnic table located around the property.
Spending money? Yeah, you’ll probably want that too. In addition to the tours and things, there are lots of items available for purchase, from food to quilts. In fact, when you visit the Gross Daadi house, the grandfather house, you might just see a quilter at work.
Visit Amish Acres
Amish Acres: Nappanee, Indiana: There’s Real Animals Here. Use Common Sense.
Check out this Amish Acres attraction if, like me, you like your Indiana history–and enjoy learning about the Old Order Amish.
With a Tasting Loft, an Inn, and the Round Barn Theater (now that’s a great time!) all conveniently located right there, you can really make a day of it.
Just don’t forget to tell them that Little Indiana sent you.
Amish Acres
1234 W Market Street
Nappanee, IN 46550
574.773.2011
Thanks again to Elkhart County and Amish Acres for the comped tour. Opinions, as always, are mine and mine alone.
Targeted. Relevant. Affordable! Little Indiana advertising.
