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Last Updated on July 1, 2024
Goshen Indiana Attractions
Goshen is nestled in the heart of Indiana’s Amish country and is the county seat of Elkhart County. It is a quaint little town with a charming atmosphere that offers various attractions for different types of travelers.
Follow along as we explore the top six must-visit attractions in Goshen Indiana that will make your weekend trip unforgettable!
Our recent trip to Goshen introduced us to some of the Well-Crafted makers in Elkhart County as we visited the shops and eateries. We could feel the passion and drive behind each of the shops. We listened as they explained how the products were handcrafted, and we took note of exactly how many years ago their business ventures began – some of them family-owned for generations. Goshen Indiana has something special to offer if you take the time to explore the community.
What do they make in Elkhart County and Goshen Indiana? SO MUCH!! Let me tell you!
Top Goshen Indiana Attractions
A very special thank you to the Elkhart County CVB for sharing the Goshen Indiana community with me. As always, the opinions are my own.
1
Janus Motorcycles
The biggest item on the list of things made in Goshen is a MOTORCYCLE! One of the best things to do in Goshen Indiana is to visit the Janus Motorcycle shop where they specialize in building bikes for the everyday motorcycle enthusiast. What they do, they do well!
Janus caters to the joyrider and those who love to breeze along winding roads! They make small, lightweight bikes, not designed specifically to ride across the country or make waves at the racetrack, but to give the everyday rider a great time.
I asked about how well they are built for the FEMALE BIKER and they said that they are well-suited because they are so lightweight. Riders won’t have 800 pounds under them to control!
Each bike is built specifically for the rider, thoughtfully designed, and beautiful to behold. They sell factory-direct and get to know YOU! The Janus goal is to make each owner happy beyond belief with their new bike.
Bring your enthusiasm and helmet to test ride a Janus Motorcycle and bring the whole family to tour the factory showroom to learn about these one-of-a-kind bikes!
2
Olympia Candy Kitchen
The Olympia Candy Kitchen is a more-than-a-century-old nostalgic candy shop that was expanded into a soda fountain and diner early in its years. It is a family-run shop that has been passed down from generation to generation. The shop specializes in hand-dipped chocolates and nostalgic charm, including its dark wooden booths and candy counter which are the highlights of the soda fountain.
3
Soapy Gnome
Soapy Gnome is a cozy independent gift shop that specializes in handcrafted soap and body care products. They are not just a soap store, but also have practical ‘cozy’ gifts like teas, Turkish towels, candles, pajamas, and anything that makes life cozy! They carry their own brand as well as other brands from artisans in the local area
How does Soapy Gnome make its body care products? We were able to see a demonstration of soap-making!
They only use premium ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado oil. Scents are added to products with essential oils. All the products are vegetarian-friendly.
What do the gnomes represent?
Gnomes are earth spirits that live for hundreds of years. They make friends and care for animals. These are all traits that Soapy Gnomes wants to embrace and promote!
4
Downtown Goshen
Downtown Goshen is a small town in Elkhart County that should be on your weekend itinerary. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and you can see why along each street! The town has many little shops, family pubs, unique boutiques, and antique malls. Some of the local businesses are in well-preserved historic architecture and some are in beautifully restored properties.
The Goshen Theater, a beautifully restored historic venue, serves as a cultural cornerstone that hosts an array of performances and events that enrich the community’s cultural life.
5
Pumpkinvine Nature Trail
The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail is a 17-mile paved trail through Elkhart County in the Amish countryside towns of Goshen, Middlebury, and Shipshewana. It gets its name from the Pumpkinvine Railroad, upon which the flat trail now provides a great avenue for hikers, joggers, and bicyclists.
GET A MAP OF PUMPKINVINE TRAIL
Pro Tip: Keep score along the trail and watch for wooden bridges, Amish schools, tunnels, and even the Chief Shipshewana Memorial!
6
Visit neighboring small town communities
Visit Elkhart County communities
Elkhart County, Indiana, is home to several small towns, each with its own unique character and attractions. The small towns in Elkhart County include:
- Goshen – Known for its vibrant downtown, historic architecture, and strong community events.
- Elkhart – The county seat, famous for its RV manufacturing industry and cultural venues.
- Nappanee – Rich in Amish heritage, offering cultural experiences and artisan craftsmanship.
- Middlebury – A quaint town with rural charm, known for the Das Dutchman Essenhaus and scenic countryside.
- Bristol – Nestled along the St. Joseph River, featuring historic sites and beautiful parks.
- Wakarusa – Renowned for its Maple Syrup Festival and the historic Wakarusa Dime Store.
- Millersburg – A small, close-knit community with a peaceful rural atmosphere.
- New Paris – A quiet town with a strong agricultural presence and a welcoming community.
- Foraker – A tiny, unincorporated community known for its serene setting and local farms.
Visit LaGrange County communities
LaGrange County, Indiana is a neighboring county that features several charming small towns, each with a unique rural character and attractions. The small towns in LaGrange County include:
- LaGrange – The county seat, known for its historic courthouse, local shops, and community events.
- Shipshewana – Famous for Indiana’s Amish culture population, bustling flea market, and quaint downtown filled with shops and Shipshewana eateries. Spend at least a weekend in Shipshewana!
- Howe – Home to the historic Howe Military Academy and the scenic Cedar Lake.
- Topeka – A small town with a strong Amish community, known for its simple lifestyle and horse-and-buggy traffic.
- Mongo – A quiet, rural town located near the Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area, popular for outdoor activities like fishing and hiking.
- Wolcottville – Straddling the border between LaGrange and Noble counties, known for its lakes and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Where to eat in Goshen Indiana
Venturi
Venturi is an award-winning Italian pizza shop in Goshen. If you are a pizza-lover, you must stop and try it. They have been certified by the Vera Pizza Napoletana since 2011, which means their pizzas are crafted to the high standards of an authentic Neapolitan Pizza.
The Neapolitan-style pizza originated centuries ago in Naples, Italy. It is a circular, light and soft, thin-crust pizza ranging in size from 22 to 35 cm (8.5 to 14 in) in diameter, and is cooked in a 900-degree wood-fired pizza oven.
The Venturi Neapolitan pizza is crafted with imported Caputo Flour and San Marzano tomatoes. While the fresh basil and mozzarella are handmade every day, fresh tomatoes, greens, and berries are locally grown and sourced. Stop in and try Indiana’s first certified Neapolitan restaurant!
South Side Soda Shop
South Side Diner was originally a grocery store! In the 1940s a soda fountain was put in and it transformed into the fifties diner it would become today, serving delicious shakes and floats.
The diner has even been featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives!”
Pro Tip: Make sure to order some award-winning Lemon Meringue pie!
Eateries in Shipshewana
I can’t end this article without recommending all the places to eat in Shipshewana! After your weekend in Goshen, head over to the neighboring county and have a meal or two in Shipshewana! The Amish cooking will not disappoint your palate!
If you have time in your itinerary, Shipshewana is also a cute little town to explore. There are many things to do in Shipshewana for a long weekend, so take a look and add these to your Midwest itinerary as you explore Indiana!
All the things to do in Goshen!
You will not be bored during your weekend in Goshen since there is so much to do. Did I miss your favorite activity? Let me know in the comments!
Traveling through Indiana soon? Pin this post to save for later!
My best friend actually lives and works in Goshen and I’ve visited there before! I sent her this article to show her that there are travel blog articles on Goshen and she couldn’t believe it haha. But it is a cute small town!
I have never been to the midwest, but this looks like a lovely town to visit!
The midwest has a lot a great family-friendly and wholesome destinations
Such a pretty town and awesome to see the crafty stuff around,
The picturesque scenery enriches the vibe…
What a cute town! And that pizza looks great! There are a lot of hidden gems in the midwest!