The heart of Southern Indiana Amish country lies within Daviess County, home to one of America's largest Amish settlements. More than 700 Old Order Amish families reside here, making the area ideal for learning about Amish ways and shopping for handcrafted Amish furniture, crafts, quilts and foods. Tour visitors are welcome at Amish businesses Monday through Saturday.
Southern Indiana Amish folks are friendly, but visitors touring the area should follow a few rules to respect Amish ways. The Daviess County Visitors Bureau asks tourists to avoid taking photos or shooting videos of the Amish people. Also, respect boundaries and do not approach private property without permission. When sharing the road with buggies, give the horse-drawn vehicles ample space and avoid honking your horn. Finally, resist the temptation to feed a hitched horse you may encounter on a tour stop.
Gasthof Amish Village in Montgomery is a good place to launch a self-guided tour of southern Indiana Amish country. Founded in 1988 by a man with Amish roots, the village is dedicated to preserving the Amish heritage. Gasthof Village spans 92 acres and includes a restaurant housed in a rustic Amish-built structure that serves authentic Amish dishes. Village shops sell Amish-made crafts and foods, while the on-site hotel carries out the Amish theme through its furnishings. Before heading beyond the village, create a tour itinerary from the Daviess County Visitors Bureau website. The site identifies Amish shops, restaurants and other businesses located throughout the county. Favorite tour stops include Raber Wheel Works, where custom Amish buggies and carriages are made, and Knepp's Restaurant for a taste of traditional Amish cooking.
Private guided group tours may be arranged through the Gasthof Amish Village. You provide the vehicle and Gasthof Village provides the guide. The typical two-hour tour involves multiple stops: at an Amish family home, Wagler's Quilts and Crafts -- known for its Amish dolls, quilts and wall hangings -- and the Amish Country Korner store, where you'll find crafts, Amish foods, antiques and furnishings. The tour itineraries vary depending on the season and weather conditions. Guided-tour fees include lunch. Participants meet at the Gasthof Amish Village restaurant to begin the tour.
One way to see Amish country in comfort is by bus. The Cardinal motorcoach company provides group tours for up to 56 people. Scenic charter tours traverse 68 miles through pastoral Daviess County, Washington County on to Ohio's Parke County, which is noted for its abundance of covered bridges. The route weaves through southern Indiana's Amish settlements and showcases Amish shops and restaurants. Operating from Middlebury, Indiana, Cardinal's charter fleet provides vehicles for both small and large groups. Climate-controlled buses have reclining seats for comfort and free Wi-Fi service to keep connected while traveling.
