Shipshewana, Indiana
Amish Backroads
Sons of the Pioneers ~ The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie’s Biscuits ~ The Best of Gospel Quartets
September 22-27, 2025
$ 1969 Per Person Double . $ 1859 PP Triple . $ 1799 PP Quad . $2419 Single Occupancy
Happy Trails Tours can’t wait to travel along the backroads of Amish Country as we, once again, visit Shipshewana! With just over 600 residents, Shipshewana welcomes over a million visitors each year. The rich heritage which began in the 1800's continue today with Amish, Mennonite and faith-based influences in the make-up of this northern Indiana town. Our Shipshewana tour has many new attractions added while keeping some of the favorites. We have reserved seats to see the famous Sons of the Pioneers, The Best of Gospel Quartets and The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie’s Biscuits! We’ve also added a special treat on the return home to include a dinner cruise on the Milwaukee River . So, come with us and let's see why so many people are visiting beautiful Shipshewana, Indiana! Perhaps you'll make some new friends as we travel to this lovely little community in Northern Indiana~
Your Six Day Tour to Indiana's Amish Country Tour are Listed Below
Deposit of $200 per person is required with this registration form and becomes non-refundable after June 20, 2025. Final payment is due July 20, 2025. There are no refunds with cancellations made after July 20, 2025. 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.
Amish Backroads
Sons of the Pioneers ~ The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie’s Biscuits ~ The Best of Gospel Quartets
September 22-27, 2025
$ 1969 Per Person Double . $ 1859 PP Triple . $ 1799 PP Quad . $2419 Single Occupancy
Happy Trails Tours can’t wait to travel along the backroads of Amish Country as we, once again, visit Shipshewana! With just over 600 residents, Shipshewana welcomes over a million visitors each year. The rich heritage which began in the 1800's continue today with Amish, Mennonite and faith-based influences in the make-up of this northern Indiana town. Our Shipshewana tour has many new attractions added while keeping some of the favorites. We have reserved seats to see the famous Sons of the Pioneers, The Best of Gospel Quartets and The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie’s Biscuits! We’ve also added a special treat on the return home to include a dinner cruise on the Milwaukee River . So, come with us and let's see why so many people are visiting beautiful Shipshewana, Indiana! Perhaps you'll make some new friends as we travel to this lovely little community in Northern Indiana~
Your Six Day Tour to Indiana's Amish Country Tour are Listed Below
- Round-Trip Motor Coach Transportation from Northeast, MN and Central MN (Sartell, Baxter, Little Falls)
- Five Nights Lodging (THREE at Blue Gate Inn in Shipshewana, Indiana) Overnights also in Baraboo and Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Reserved Seats for "Sons of the Pioneers” and "The Best of Gospel Quartets"
- The Musical “The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie Biscuit”
- Two full days in Amish Countryside and Backroads with various stops along the way
- Amish Dairy Farm, Yoder’s Popcorn and Silver Star Leather, Rag Rug Weaver, Lehman’s Variety Store
- Brown Bag Mystery Tour where every stop is a “treat” as you bag the goodies from each stop
- Eidelweiss Dinner Cruise on the Milwaukee River on our return trip home
- Nine Meals - Breakfast each Morning and Four Dinners and One Lunch
- Taxes, Luggage Handling, Most Tips and Fully Escorted by a Happy Trails Representative
Deposit of $200 per person is required with this registration form and becomes non-refundable after June 20, 2025. Final payment is due July 20, 2025. There are no refunds with cancellations made after July 20, 2025. 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.
Shipshewana, Indiana’s Amish Backroads
Day 1: September 22nd Monday – Travel to Baraboo, Wisconsin
Today's travels will include picking folks up in a lovely motor coach by deluxe motorcoach. We'll offer boarding in Northeast Minnesota as well as, the Central Minnesota (Brainerd, Little Falls, Rice and Sartell). We'll all 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.
Iron Range Group estimated boarding locations and timing.
This is just a preliminary list. Confirmed boarding will be announced in late August.
6:30 am – Gr Rapids IM Hotel; 7:30 am – Hibbing McDonalds; 8:00 am-Virginia Village Inn; 8:15 am-Eveleth Super Eight Motel
9:15-10:15 am – Breakfast, paying on own at the Superior Perkins Restaurant
9:15 am – Duluth, Menards Parking Lot near McDonalds
Central Minnesota Group- estimated boarding locations and timing.
This is a preliminary list. Confirmed boarding will be announced in late August.
9:00 am– Baxter Walmart ; 9:30 am – Little Falls Walmart; 9:50 am – Rice Holiday Gas Station; 10:15 am – Sartell AmericInn
1:15 pm- Arrive to the Oakwood Mall in Eau Clair, WI
Here is where we’ll blend both vehicles and get introduced to each other! After lunch, paying on our own, we’ll continue our way southeast to Indiana. Our hotel destination will be in Baraboo, Wisconsin at the BW Baraboo Inn. We’ll arrive to our hotel around 4:30 pm today. The evening is yours to relax and enjoy as per your own agenda. This property has an indoor pool, an elevator, an Italian Restaurant across the street (or pizza’s at the hotel lounge); two beds in rooms, coffeemakers and Wi-fi.
Day 2: September 23rd Tuesday – Travel to Shipshewana, Indiana
7:00 am – Set your luggage outside your doors / Breakfast is served in the lobby area.
8:00 am- The coach departs for Shipshewana, Indiana! (About 5 hours away). Shipshewana is on Eastern Time–We will lose an hour.
This morning, after breakfast, we'll continue our journey southeast to northern Indiana's Newbury County to Shipshewana. Stops will be made as the day goes along.
3:30 pm- Arrive to Shipshewana! Check in to our lovely hotel: The Blue Gate Inn.
We'll unpack our luggage and settle in for the next three nights.
5:00 pm- The coach will depart the hotel for tonight’s dinner and show.
Dinner is included at Shawna Rae’s Restaurant nearby. It is a BBQ Buffet to include pulled pork, pulled chicken, smoked sausage, cheesy hashbrowns, Southern corn pudding, baked beans, pasta salad, dinner buns, dessert, and beverage.
7:00 pm- Tonight settle in for a wonderful show, The Best of the Gospel Quartet.
Gospel quartet music is known for its rich four-part harmonies, heartwarming inspirational lyrics, and toe-tapping syncopations – songs that both inspire and entertain! Groups like The Blackwood Brothers, J.D. Sumner and The Stamps, The Statesmen, The Speer Family, The Cathedrals, The Happy Goodmans were all known for their dynamic vocal arrangements, vibrant piano stylings, and inspiring messages. These quartets shaped the genre and remain the cornerstone of gospel music heritage today.
You can enjoy these songs again, as sung by Chisholm, at “The Best Of Gospel Quartets” at The Blue Gate Music Hall. Come join this down-home feel-good gospel homecoming revival! After dinner and show tonight, we'll a return to the hotel for a well-deserved night's rest. (About 9:30 pm) Breakfast, Dinner & Show is included
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.
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 3: September 24th Wednesday - Enjoy another great day in Shipshewana
7:00 – 8:30 am – Enjoy full hot breakfast, included, at the hotel.
9:00 am – We’ll depart with our local Shipshewana guide to explore the many wonderful attractions planned.
Our first stop will be the Silver Star Leather Store. Loren demonstrates making a leather belt and also how he uses exotic
skins to make a variety of leather goods including purses. From here we’ll take a drive through the countryside and visit an
Amish Dairy Farm, followed by Yoder’s Popcorn Shop. By 12:45 pm, we’ll arrive downtown for a couple of hours of
shopping / lunch, paying on our own. We’ll depart for the Blue Gate Inn for time to freshen up a bit before seeing the new
musical, “The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie’s Biscuits”. This was created by the producers of the Confession Based on the
book by New York Times Bestselling Author, Wand E Brunstetter and Emmy-Nominated Author, Martha Bolton. This amazing
duo has baked up a delightful whodunit from Ohio’s Amish country. It’s sure to bring lots of good laughs!! After the show, a
Family Style Dinner is included at the Blue Gate Inn. (Roast beef, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, chicken dressing, gravy,
vegetables, homemade bread, and your choice of pie, bread pudding or ice cream &; beverage).
Breakfast, Dinner and Show is included
Day 4: September 25th Thursday – Shipshewana Amish Backroads
7:00 – 8:30 am – Enjoy a full hot Breakfast, included, at the hotel.
8:30 am –Another great day begins!
We will embark on an Amish Countryside Backroads Tour so get ready to fill your “Brown Bags” with lots of goodies
today. We’ll make stops at traditional Amish stores and quaint shops as we travel the scenic backroads passing horse-drawn
buggies, tidy farmlands and white-washed barns. Some of our stops will include, Dutch Country Market and Katies
Homemade Noodles, Teaberry Wood Products, where Lavern and his wife, Rachel will show us how to make our own
Wooden Heart. Our next stop is Carolyn’s Kitchen before arriving to the Carriage House at the Farm of Seth Jones. Here
an Amish Haystack Lunch is included. You will even get to make your own peanut butter! After lunch, we’ll visit Lehman’s
Variety Store, E and S Bulk Food Store before returning to the hotel for a bit to freshen up for dinner and show.
5:00 – 9:30 pm- Tonight, we’ve included reserved seats for The Sons of the Pioneers with a nice dinner prior to the show.
This will be a Family Style meal at the Amish home - Yoder’s Homestyle Cooking. I don’t have the exact menu yet but be
assured it’ll be delicious! We will return back to the hotel around 10:00 pm.
Breakfast, Dinner and Show is included.
Day 5: September 26th Friday – Travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
7:00 – 8:30 am – Enjoy Breakfast, included, at the hotel. Set your luggage outside your door by 8:30 am, when you go to breakfast.
10:00 am – We’ve allowed a bit of extra time in case you’d like to sleep in, maybe take a buggy ride or do a little more shopping.
We’ll begin our trek homeward with a lunch/comfort stop along the way. We are 220 miles / 3 ¾ hours from Milwaukee where
we’ll spend our night. We’ll get checked in to our hotel and then freshen up for our evening dinner cruise on the Eidelweiss.
3:30 pm- Estimated arrival to Milwaukee, WI. We will gain an hour coming back into Central Time.
Our hotel is the lovely Hampton Inn near the airport… about 20 minutes from the boat dock.
5:15 pm- Board the coach and embark on a delightful Edelweiss Dinner Boat Cruise.
Step aboard for an unforgettable evening on the water! Indulge in a delectable three-course meal as we cruise along the
scenic Milwaukee River and the sparkling Inner Harbor of Milwaukee. You will savor every bite of our carefully curated menu,
featuring fresh salad and rolls, succulent salmon, tender short ribs, green beans, garlic mashed potatoes, and a delightful
dessert to end your evening on a sweet note.
Breakfast and Dinner Cruise is Included.
Day 6: September 27th , Saturday – Homeward Bound
7:00 – 8:30 am – Enjoy Breakfast, included, at the hotel.
8:30 am- Set your luggage outside your doors for the porter to pick up.
We’ll board the coach and wind our way homeward. Comfort stops will be made as the day moves along.
10:00 am- Arrive to Cheese Haus for a comfort stop and an opportunity to purchase cheese, meats, candy and wine. 45 minutes.
10:45 am- (Or earlier if we are all ready to go) Reboard the coach and continue our journey home.
1:30 pm- We'll arrive to Eau Clair for lunch and to transfer our Central MN Happy Trails Family to the shuttle vehicle that will return
them to Central Minnesota.
2:30 pm- We'll continue the rest of the way northeast. Estimated arrival hours home are as follows; Sartell @ 5:15 pm
Duluth @ 5:15 pm; Iron Range Cities @ 7:30 pm and Grand Rapids @ 8:30 pm.
Breakfast Included.
Things to Know Before You Go on Your Happy Trails Tour
The Coach/ Escort & Driver: The bus is being chartered through Minnesota Coaches of Duluth. 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 foot rests. 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.
Seat Rotation: We do not rotate seats.. We often pre-assign seating but we cannot promise any particular 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.
How to Pack: The tour is completely casual. Dress comfortably with good walking shoes. Pack along a fall 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. 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 have 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 are 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 attraction is changed, 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.
Seat Rotation: We do not rotate seats.. We often pre-assign seating but we cannot promise any particular 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.
How to Pack: The tour is completely casual. Dress comfortably with good walking shoes. Pack along a fall 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. 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 have 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 are 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 attraction is changed, 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.