A Shipshewana Amish Christmas Tour
with Daniel O’Donnell and so much more!
November 30 – December 6, 2023
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$1739 Per Person Double; $1619 PP Triple $1549 PP Quad; $2169 Single Occupancy Magical… |
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that’s the only word to describe wandering around Shipshewana, the heart of Amish country during the Christmas holidays. There’s something about the clip-clop of horse hooves and millions of twinkle lights among blankets of Midwestern snow that turns everyone into a kid again. Shipshewana is a town that simply loves to go all out for the holidays. If you love Christmas and small-town hospitality, then hop on the coach with us as we take in the Christmas Wonders of Shipshewana.
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Deposit of $200 per person is required with this registration form and becomes non-refundable after August 30, 2023. Final payment is due September 30, 2023. There are no refunds with cancellations made after September 30, 2023. Travel Protection Insurance is highly recommended and offers financial security, as well as peace of mind. Call us about this. The tour is completely comfortable and casual.
Tour highlights include the following:
· Round-Trip Motor Coach Transportation from Northeast, MN & Shuttle boarding from Central MN
Note: Brainer and Grand Rapids are not included in the boarding options for this tour. To keep the driving hours within the legal limits for the driver, those stops have been eliminated. Contact us if you have need for lodging accommodations at the nearest boarding location.
· Six Nights Lodging (FOUR at Farmstead Inn in Shipshewana, Indiana) One overnight in Madison and one in Fort Atkinson, WI
· Reserved Seats for “Scrooge, The Musical” at the Fireside Dinner Theater
· Reserved Seats for the "2023 Daniel O’Donnell Christmas Show” at the Blue Gate Performing Art Center
· Dinner Buffet & Reserved Seats for "The Christmas Candy Caper, a New Musical" at the Blue Gate Music Hall
· Sunday Brunch & reserved seating for “Elf, The Musical” at the Round Barn Theater in Nappanee
· 2023 Ship-Chic Holiday Craft & Vintage Show at the Shipshewana Auction Antique & Misc. Building
· Linton’s Enchanted Gardens “Holiday Village”.
· Shipshewana’s “Lights of Joy”, the drive-through light display experience, home to over two million lights
· Several Delicious authentic Amish In-home family style dining experiences.
· A full day traveling “Off the Beaten Path” throughout Amish Countryside with a few surprises and more!
Note: Brainer and Grand Rapids are not included in the boarding options for this tour. To keep the driving hours within the legal limits for the driver, those stops have been eliminated. Contact us if you have need for lodging accommodations at the nearest boarding location.
· Six Nights Lodging (FOUR at Farmstead Inn in Shipshewana, Indiana) One overnight in Madison and one in Fort Atkinson, WI
· Reserved Seats for “Scrooge, The Musical” at the Fireside Dinner Theater
· Reserved Seats for the "2023 Daniel O’Donnell Christmas Show” at the Blue Gate Performing Art Center
· Dinner Buffet & Reserved Seats for "The Christmas Candy Caper, a New Musical" at the Blue Gate Music Hall
· Sunday Brunch & reserved seating for “Elf, The Musical” at the Round Barn Theater in Nappanee
· 2023 Ship-Chic Holiday Craft & Vintage Show at the Shipshewana Auction Antique & Misc. Building
· Linton’s Enchanted Gardens “Holiday Village”.
· Shipshewana’s “Lights of Joy”, the drive-through light display experience, home to over two million lights
· Several Delicious authentic Amish In-home family style dining experiences.
· A full day traveling “Off the Beaten Path” throughout Amish Countryside with a few surprises and more!
- Twelve Meals; Six Breakfasts, One Brunch, Two Lunches, Three Dinners
Things to Know Before You Go on Your Happy Trails Tour
The Coach/ Escort & Driver: The bus is being chartered through TROBEC BUS CO. The coach has 56 comfortable seats that recline. The bus also has a restroom on board, TV sets with a VCR/DVD player, microphone, and adjustable footrests. We love to play movies on board, tell stories, play a few games and have snacks! (We love treats!) Folks are welcome to bring snacks on board, too. We stop every 2-3 hours. The bus company has added new air filtration system to help prevent sickness of all kinds, including Covid. We wipe the bus down throughout the day and use a disinfectant fogger in the coach at the end of each day.
Seat Rotation: We do not rotate seats. We often pre-assign seating but we cannot promise any seat. Please let us know in advance if you have any special needs and we'll do our best to accommodate. Note: By not rotating seats, our tour groups stay healthier. During Covid, we cannot space seating out unless our number of guests are low enough to do so. We will use all our seats on our coach if needed unless otherwise mandated by the state.
How to Pack: The tour is completely casual. Dress comfortably with good walking shoes. Pack along a fall/winter jacket. Pack a camera and/or video camera. Still shots are allowed in the theaters…but videos of any kind are not.
Hotels /Smoking/ Non-smoking: The hotels where we are staying are very nice. Read your day-by-days to learn the specifics on each property. All the rooms are non-smoking. Most hotel properties are all non-smoking. Please don’t smoke in them. Penalty charges WILL apply. We stop every 2 ½ -3 hours for quick breaks, comfort stops or meals along the way.
Special Needs / Perfumes/ Fragrances: Kindly refrain from using strong perfumes/ fragrant colognes while traveling on this tour. So many folks have allergies to the chemicals in them and may become sick while traveling. Thank you very much for this consideration. Please let us know if you any special needs such as; allergies, motion sickness, medical concerns, or physical disabilities that may affect walking or climbing stairs.
Tipping: Tips for included meals, luggage handling and local tour guide is included in this package. Tips for your bus driver and Happy Trails Tour guide is not included and may be done at your own discretion at the end of the tour.
Changes on your Itinerary: We reserve the right to adjust this schedule for the benefit of all traveling. Thank you for your understanding. If a change of hotel, restaurant or an attraction occurs, we’ll try to replace it with one of equal value or better if at all possible. As always… we’ll inform you of any changes as we learn of them, themselves. At this time, no changes have been noted.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is available to help defray monies lost due to illness, family emergencies, trip interruption, due to cancellation. Travel Insurance does not cover “Fear of Travel” nor will it cover tour cancellation due to “Covid/Government Shut Down”.
It can offer peace of mind and financial security and protect your tour investment against illness, family emergencies and trip interruptions. Call our office for further information.
Disclaimer: Happy Trails Tours acts only as an agent for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, theater, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Happy Trails Tours, INC and their respective employees, agents, representatives accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other causes such as Covid. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of country in which they are provided. Happy Trails Tours INC is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours/trips arranged by Happy Trails Tours. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects.
The Coach/ Escort & Driver: The bus is being chartered through TROBEC BUS CO. The coach has 56 comfortable seats that recline. The bus also has a restroom on board, TV sets with a VCR/DVD player, microphone, and adjustable footrests. We love to play movies on board, tell stories, play a few games and have snacks! (We love treats!) Folks are welcome to bring snacks on board, too. We stop every 2-3 hours. The bus company has added new air filtration system to help prevent sickness of all kinds, including Covid. We wipe the bus down throughout the day and use a disinfectant fogger in the coach at the end of each day.
Seat Rotation: We do not rotate seats. We often pre-assign seating but we cannot promise any seat. Please let us know in advance if you have any special needs and we'll do our best to accommodate. Note: By not rotating seats, our tour groups stay healthier. During Covid, we cannot space seating out unless our number of guests are low enough to do so. We will use all our seats on our coach if needed unless otherwise mandated by the state.
How to Pack: The tour is completely casual. Dress comfortably with good walking shoes. Pack along a fall/winter jacket. Pack a camera and/or video camera. Still shots are allowed in the theaters…but videos of any kind are not.
Hotels /Smoking/ Non-smoking: The hotels where we are staying are very nice. Read your day-by-days to learn the specifics on each property. All the rooms are non-smoking. Most hotel properties are all non-smoking. Please don’t smoke in them. Penalty charges WILL apply. We stop every 2 ½ -3 hours for quick breaks, comfort stops or meals along the way.
Special Needs / Perfumes/ Fragrances: Kindly refrain from using strong perfumes/ fragrant colognes while traveling on this tour. So many folks have allergies to the chemicals in them and may become sick while traveling. Thank you very much for this consideration. Please let us know if you any special needs such as; allergies, motion sickness, medical concerns, or physical disabilities that may affect walking or climbing stairs.
Tipping: Tips for included meals, luggage handling and local tour guide is included in this package. Tips for your bus driver and Happy Trails Tour guide is not included and may be done at your own discretion at the end of the tour.
Changes on your Itinerary: We reserve the right to adjust this schedule for the benefit of all traveling. Thank you for your understanding. If a change of hotel, restaurant or an attraction occurs, we’ll try to replace it with one of equal value or better if at all possible. As always… we’ll inform you of any changes as we learn of them, themselves. At this time, no changes have been noted.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is available to help defray monies lost due to illness, family emergencies, trip interruption, due to cancellation. Travel Insurance does not cover “Fear of Travel” nor will it cover tour cancellation due to “Covid/Government Shut Down”.
It can offer peace of mind and financial security and protect your tour investment against illness, family emergencies and trip interruptions. Call our office for further information.
Disclaimer: Happy Trails Tours acts only as an agent for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, theater, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Happy Trails Tours, INC and their respective employees, agents, representatives accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other causes such as Covid. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of country in which they are provided. Happy Trails Tours INC is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours/trips arranged by Happy Trails Tours. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects.
Day 1: Thursday, November 30th
And We're Off! Today's travels will include picking up folks in a lovely motor coach by the Trobec Bus Company. We'll offer boarding in Northeast Minnesota as well as, the Central Minnesota. (Please see the registration form for locations) We will meet in Eau Clair, Wisconsin where our friends from Central MN will transfer onto the main motor coach and continue our 1st day's journey to Shipshewana begins. We'll settle in and get to know one another as we travel along. Stops will be made throughout the day, ending at Fort Atkinson, WI where we will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express. 1680 Madison AV, Fort Atkinson, WI with an estimated arrival time of 4:30PM
As a special treat, we have reserved seating at the Fireside Dinner Theater for dinner and “SCROOGE, THE MUSICAL”. Join us for this merry, sparkling, tuneful, boisterous Broadway musical version of the world’s most beloved Christmas story – Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. Based on the popular musical movie starring Albert Finney, SCROOGE THE MUSICAL tells this time-honored tale of redemption and love as only the Fireside can – with a beautiful and rousing musical score (including the well-known “Thank You Very Much”), breath-taking dancing, beautiful period costumes, uproarious comedy, and heart-warming drama. This evening will prove to be a fabulous way to start our Shipshewana Christmas Tour.
Dinner included.
Day 2: Friday, December 1st
Today we will start our day with breakfast at the hotel before continuing our journey to Shipshewana. For the next four nights, we will be staying at the beautiful Farmstead Inn, a beautiful hotel in the heart of Shipshewana, located at 370 S Van Buren, just across the street from the famous Shipshewana Auction & Flea Market, and within walking distance to local theatre, shops, and restaurants. The hotel offers cozy and friendly accommodations for the perfect Amish Country getaway. Enjoy indoor pool, an indoor hot tub (inside our "silo"), a ping pong room, and more.
Tonight, you will get your first taste of Amish cuisine as you enjoy an authentic “Wedding Dinner” at the Woodside Diner, located in the home of Marlene Petersheim, a local Amish resident. She and her sisters have prepared a delicious dinner that will include Roast Beef, Chicken, Amish noodles, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, home grown corn, salad, and three kinds of pie. Yum!
Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 3: Saturday, December 2nd
Oh, today is going to be a good, good day!
After breakfast at the hotel, we will start by attending Shipshewana’s Ship-Chic Craft & Vintage Holiday Show. Sellers are gathered from all over the Midwest to meet up for a show featuring gifts, vintage items, home decor, crafts, clothing, accessories, beauty products, jewelry, baked goods, signs and more! Old stuff, new stuff and awesome stuff all picked with quality in mind. This will be wonderful opportunity to shop authentic products and meet the folks who are selling them.
Next, we will enjoy a delicious lunch at Taste of Shipshewana, another in-home Amish experience where eeverything is made with love, served family-style, and is straight from the heart of Amish Country.
Now for a little Daniel O’Donnell. We have reserved seats to attend Danny’s Christmas Show at the lovely Blue Gate Performing Arts Center. The show is a unique production that features the star entertaining his audience with a nostalgic trip down memory lane as he performs hit after hit in the first part of the show. Then, when the curtain is raised for the second half, the stage is transformed into a Yuletide setting which will feature Daniel singing many Christmas favorites, including "White Christmas", "Merry Christmas to You", and countless other festive classics from across the decades.
All this and we’re still not done! A buffet Dinner is planned at the Blue Gate Restaurant prior to viewing a brand-new Christmas musical to be experienced at the Blue Gate Music Hall. We have reserved seating for the delightful production, “The Christmas Candy Caper”! After years of playing pranks on her family and friends, Candy Shop owner Lydia Miller experiences real-life holiday danger when two men break into her shop to steal her coveted candy recipe. But what began as a burglary, quickly escalates into a kidnapping when the burglars, rebuffed by Lydia with how much the town loves her and will come after them if they harm her in any way, figure they can make far more money in ransom pay. Unfortunately, being the Amish girl who cried wolf once too often, the town believes the note is just another one of Lydia’s pranks and they pay it no mind. This leads to a hilarious back and forth between the kidnappers, the police chief, the bishop, the mayor, and various family members and friends.
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner included.
Day 4: Sunday, December 3rd
Today will be just a bit more leisurely. We will start by visiting Linton’s Enchanted Gardens “Holiday Village”.
Walk through a winter wonderland where the scent of fresh pine and mulled cider fill the air. Linton’s offers 50,000 square feet of spectacular seasonal displays including 100 themed trees that feature over 10,000 unique ornaments. There’s something for everyone on your list including ladies’ apparel, jewelry, Vera Bradley handbags, garden tools, home décor, candies and various other holiday goodies make your holiday shopping easy at this one-stop-shop.
Following our winter wonderland shopping experience, we will head to The Barns of Nappanee for a hearty Brunch and matinee theater production of “Elf – The Musical”. Based on the cherished 2003 New Line Cinema hit, Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn't even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern-day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner Elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear.
By now, you are probably getting hungry! We’ve got that covered. Tonight, we will dine at Hunter’s Hideaway Bar & Grill. This restaurant offers an eclectic menu and friendly relaxed atmosphere only found in a locally owned neighborhood bar & Grill. The menu offers everything from burgers, wings, salads, steak, pizza and more. This meal is a pay on your own.
Before returning to our hotel, we have one more “Wow” planned to end a fabulous day. The Christmas holiday is not complete without Christmas lights! Be prepared to be dazzled as we drive through Shipshewana’s “Lights of Joy”, boasting 2 million LED lights and specialty displays. Following this 25-minute, mile and a half drive, we head back to the hotel for good night’s rest because tomorrow is another fun-filled day!
Breakfast & Sunday Brunch Included
Day 5: Monday, December 4th
Our last full day in Shipshewana is bound to be fabulous!
The holiday season in Northern Indiana Amish Country is a joyous time filled with fun, food, family, and festive traditions! Escape the hectic schedule of the holiday season and step into a slower pace. Today, we will meet with a step-on guide who will lead us on a “Stocking” Stuffer Amish Country Backroads Tour. On this delightful adventure we will feel the warmth from friendly Amish people as they invite us into their homes for a peak into the window of their unique world.
Get ready to stuff your stocking with treats and trinkets from one-of-a-kind Amish businesses as your step-on guide takes you through the backroads to Amish business that are off-the-beaten-path. As part of this unique and customizable experience, choose stops from the suggested list below. We’ll supply the Christmas “Stocking” Bag before you set off on an adventure like no other, stuffing your stocking as you go from stop to stop with items perfect for gift giving or maybe just as a personal treat for yourself on the ride home.
During the day, we will enjoy joy a genuine Amish Country experience as we dine upon a “Haystack Lunch” inside another Amish family home. Meet the Yoder family, including grandma, dad, and the kids. Sit down to a traditional Amish Haystack meal. A fun and tasty experience! This meal has a wonderful history in the Amish community and is often served for fundraisers. It all started with a classroom full of creative Amish children and a Paul Newman cooking contest…
The day will wind down as we head back to the hotel to enjoy a leisurely evening and catered dinner buffet at the hotel. Tonight’s fare will be provided by Shawna Rae’s, a local caterer. She specializes in theme-style buffets and delicious desserts.
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner Included.
Day 6: Tuesday, December 5th
We start the day bright and early as we leave Shipshewana and the beautiful Northern Indiana’s Amish country immediately following breakfast. Out destiny is Madison, WI where we will overnight at the Hampton Inn & Suites in the East Towne Mall area. 4820 Hayes RD, Madison. We will plan to stop off and on during the day for both comfort and refreshments. There is a Perkins Restaurant located at the end of the hotel driveway. (about a block’s walk) The East Towne Mall, across the highway, has a food court and there are several chain-style restaurants surrounding the mall. You are on your own for dinner but we will provide a safe ride to and from the mall for those interested.
Breakfast included.
Day 7: Wednesday, December 6th
Today, we start the last leg of our journey home right after breakfast. We will meet Trobec’s shuttle at the mall in Eau Claire. Here, we will have a lunch break and the central Minnesota passengers will transfer to the shuttle. Comfort and meal stops will be made along the way as well as a stop at the Humbird Cheese Mart in Tomah, WI.
It is estimated that the Central Minnesota guests should begin arriving at their drop-off sites around 5:30PM.
The NE Minnesota guests should reach their home drop-ff locations beginning around 5:15PM at Duluth, Eveleth at 7:30PM, Virginia at 7:45PM and Hibbing at 8:30PM. Please note that times are estimates only. Breakfast included.
Today will be just a bit more leisurely. We will start by visiting Linton’s Enchanted Gardens “Holiday Village”.
Walk through a winter wonderland where the scent of fresh pine and mulled cider fill the air. Linton’s offers 50,000 square feet of spectacular seasonal displays including 100 themed trees that feature over 10,000 unique ornaments. There’s something for everyone on your list including ladies’ apparel, jewelry, Vera Bradley handbags, garden tools, home décor, candies and various other holiday goodies make your holiday shopping easy at this one-stop-shop.
Following our winter wonderland shopping experience, we will head to The Barns of Nappanee for a hearty Brunch and matinee theater production of “Elf – The Musical”. Based on the cherished 2003 New Line Cinema hit, Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn't even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern-day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner Elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear.
By now, you are probably getting hungry! We’ve got that covered. Tonight, we will dine at Hunter’s Hideaway Bar & Grill. This restaurant offers an eclectic menu and friendly relaxed atmosphere only found in a locally owned neighborhood bar & Grill. The menu offers everything from burgers, wings, salads, steak, pizza and more. This meal is a pay on your own.
Before returning to our hotel, we have one more “Wow” planned to end a fabulous day. The Christmas holiday is not complete without Christmas lights! Be prepared to be dazzled as we drive through Shipshewana’s “Lights of Joy”, boasting 2 million LED lights and specialty displays. Following this 25-minute, mile and a half drive, we head back to the hotel for good night’s rest because tomorrow is another fun-filled day!
Breakfast & Sunday Brunch Included
Day 5: Monday, December 4th
Our last full day in Shipshewana is bound to be fabulous!
The holiday season in Northern Indiana Amish Country is a joyous time filled with fun, food, family, and festive traditions! Escape the hectic schedule of the holiday season and step into a slower pace. Today, we will meet with a step-on guide who will lead us on a “Stocking” Stuffer Amish Country Backroads Tour. On this delightful adventure we will feel the warmth from friendly Amish people as they invite us into their homes for a peak into the window of their unique world.
Get ready to stuff your stocking with treats and trinkets from one-of-a-kind Amish businesses as your step-on guide takes you through the backroads to Amish business that are off-the-beaten-path. As part of this unique and customizable experience, choose stops from the suggested list below. We’ll supply the Christmas “Stocking” Bag before you set off on an adventure like no other, stuffing your stocking as you go from stop to stop with items perfect for gift giving or maybe just as a personal treat for yourself on the ride home.
During the day, we will enjoy joy a genuine Amish Country experience as we dine upon a “Haystack Lunch” inside another Amish family home. Meet the Yoder family, including grandma, dad, and the kids. Sit down to a traditional Amish Haystack meal. A fun and tasty experience! This meal has a wonderful history in the Amish community and is often served for fundraisers. It all started with a classroom full of creative Amish children and a Paul Newman cooking contest…
The day will wind down as we head back to the hotel to enjoy a leisurely evening and catered dinner buffet at the hotel. Tonight’s fare will be provided by Shawna Rae’s, a local caterer. She specializes in theme-style buffets and delicious desserts.
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner Included.
Day 6: Tuesday, December 5th
We start the day bright and early as we leave Shipshewana and the beautiful Northern Indiana’s Amish country immediately following breakfast. Out destiny is Madison, WI where we will overnight at the Hampton Inn & Suites in the East Towne Mall area. 4820 Hayes RD, Madison. We will plan to stop off and on during the day for both comfort and refreshments. There is a Perkins Restaurant located at the end of the hotel driveway. (about a block’s walk) The East Towne Mall, across the highway, has a food court and there are several chain-style restaurants surrounding the mall. You are on your own for dinner but we will provide a safe ride to and from the mall for those interested.
Breakfast included.
Day 7: Wednesday, December 6th
Today, we start the last leg of our journey home right after breakfast. We will meet Trobec’s shuttle at the mall in Eau Claire. Here, we will have a lunch break and the central Minnesota passengers will transfer to the shuttle. Comfort and meal stops will be made along the way as well as a stop at the Humbird Cheese Mart in Tomah, WI.
It is estimated that the Central Minnesota guests should begin arriving at their drop-off sites around 5:30PM.
The NE Minnesota guests should reach their home drop-ff locations beginning around 5:15PM at Duluth, Eveleth at 7:30PM, Virginia at 7:45PM and Hibbing at 8:30PM. Please note that times are estimates only. Breakfast included.