littleindiana.com » Middlebury

Four Tips to Remember When Knee Deep in Amish Country

Jessica Nunemaker — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:30:11 +0000

Nappanee, Bremen, Shipshewana, Goshen, Middlebury…these are just a few of the little places that boast an Amish population. If you have never been around the Old Order Amish before, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Buggy

Camera Shy – Old Order Amish don’t like to be photographed, period. While picture taking isn’t exactly against their religion, posing for a camera most definitely is. Horses, buggy’s, farms, homes, barns, wash drying on the line–all those items are fair game. Just try to keep Amish faces out of it.

Hold Your Horses! — Slow down there, buckaroo. You’re in Amish country now. While Amish horses are used to sharing the road, it just makes sense to avoid tailgating, speeding, and using the car horn around Amish buggies.

It’s Impolite To Stare – Yes, the sight of a sober black carriage clip-clopping down a car -filled street in a small Indiana town is jarring. Yes, the Amish dress differently, but keep in mind that they are still people, too. You wouldn’t like being continually gawked at so don’t expect them to jump for joy, either.

If You Can’t Say Anything Nice… — Don’t play the part of the obnoxious tourist! Asking intrusive questions is not a way to make friends, no matter who you are. The Old Order Amish people are not there for your enjoyment; they are going about their daily business just like the rest of us.

Keep off the Grass — Don’t be a pest. Unless a home advertises honey, baked goods, woodworking, and the like, don’t even think about stepping onto someone’s property, no matter how perfect a picture you think you can take. Trespassing is still trespassing no matter what your beliefs, so just. Don’t. Do it.

Elkhart County

View Larger Map

little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

New! Offering affordable online advertising for your small Indiana business! little Indiana Businesses is the online presence that you’ve been looking for.

Get into Something Good: Middlebury, Indiana

Jessica Nunemaker — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:30:58 +0000

Experience the good old days…today. With a slogan like that, you get that idea that Middlebury, Indiana has it together. Cute as a button and about as small, this little place is absolutely adorable.

Downtown Middlebury, Indiana

Middlebury, Indiana

We stayed at The Country Victorian Bed and Breakfast. Easy to find and right downtown, this was super convenient.

Unfortunately, I lost two rolls of film I had used on Middlebury (and even part of Nappanee and Monticello. Ugh.). Yes, I am still in mourning over the great shots that are most likely gone forever.

Downtown Middlebury Restaurants

While generally bumming around the town, we saw several options for dinner, including Middlebury’s well-known and super touristy Das Dutchmen.

Based on Lisa’s recommendation, innkeeper of a great Indiana bed and breakfast, The Country Victorian Inn,we went to the nearby Culinary Treasures.

We ate what is one of the best meals we have ever had in a small town so far (beating many pricey big city meals as well). No kidding! I sincerely wish we had had room for dessert.

Indiana Antiques

There’s more than just food in Middlebury! This Indiana town had a bunch of antique shops some of which were even open on Sunday. Hooray!

Of course, we completely ran out of time (it was a very leisurely breakfast and we did have to get back and pick up the kid from grandpa and grandma’s house) so we didn’t get to actually go inside anywhere!

They looked wonderful, too! These are great Indiana antique shops and not just flea market type places. You can bet that’s on the list for next time!

Things to Do in Middlebury, Indiana

Middlebury, Indiana: Windmill and Tulips

We both really enjoyed Middlebury. There is so much to do in the area as a whole that I think it would be very hard to get bored.

We’ve heard there are more than 75 antique, specialty, and crafty shops all found within a 10 minute drive.

It’s a shopper’s paradise–and you don’t even have to fight any traffic.

Find other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Middlebury, Indiana in Elkhart County

View Larger Map

It’s SO rare that I will ever use someone’s photos here (definitely not something I hope to ever have to do again) but in this case? I can’t use my own! Images courtesy of Flickr, Mark Bajek.

little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

New! Offering affordable online advertising for your small Indiana business! little Indiana Businesses is the online presence that you’ve been looking for.

Bed and Breakfast: Country Victorian Inn, Middlebury, Indiana

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:30:47 +0000

You really won’t want to miss out on Middlebury, Indiana, or, more specifically, The Country Victorian Inn. Unless you don’t like to wake up to the sound of horse hooves clip-clopping down the street!

Middlebury, Indiana: The Country Victorian Inn Bed and Breakfast

Country Victorian Inn in Middlebury, Indiana

Check out that fabulous front porch! The whole street is just full of great homes. Ring the bell. You won’t be able to hear it from the outside, but trust me, it works.

Give the innkeepers a minute and soon you will be warmly greeted and ushered into a cozy living room with comfortable seating and stunning woodwork.

Inside Country Victorian Inn

Hospitable and quick to laugh, Lori gave us the lowdown on her small Indiana town and her charming Victorian home (it really is the cutest thing). We checked out our room: The Victorian Suite.

Very clean and comfortable, it came with lots of yummy smelling soaps and extras.

We couldn’t decide between borrowing a movie, a book, or a board game. In the end? We made a beeline for the nicely stocked game cabinet, grabbed a game, and headed to the dining room.

Relaxing in an Indiana Bed and Breakfast

Seated at the table, surrounded by lovely antiques and a great built in cabinet original to the house, we snacked on yummy chocolate chip cookies the size of our hands.

I annihilated the hubby at Yahtzee yet again (whatever he says is a lie! A lie!). Lots of drink options: Plenty of coffee, hot chocolate, and tea from various brands made it fun! I love having choices! I picked the Pumpkin Spice flavored tea.

There was also a large basket of fresh fruit, but when there are ginormous cookies, who wants fruit?

Breakfast!

The next morning we shared breakfast with four other couples of varying age. Great meal and good conversation. It’s just one of the perks of an Indiana bed and breakfast!

The Country Victorian Inn Bed and Breakfast has so much to offer right in the heart of Amish country. What a great little Indiana town and a wonderful place to stay.

See other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

The Country Victorian Inn Bed and Breakfast
435 South Main Street
Middlebury, Indiana 46540
574.825.2568

View Larger Map

little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

New! Offering affordable online advertising for your small Indiana business! little Indiana Businesses is the online presence that you’ve been looking for.