Things To Do in Nappanee, IN

Nappanee may be a small town, but it offers a distinctive set of experiences rooted in its Amish heritage and manufacturing history. Whether you are visiting for the day, passing through on US-6, or settling into the area, Nappanee and the surrounding countryside have more to offer than most people expect from a community of 7,000.

The attractions here lean toward the authentic rather than the flashy. You will find handcrafted furniture, home-baked goods, a beautifully restored industrial building, and one of the best rail-trails in the Midwest within easy reach. Here are the top things to do in and around Nappanee.

The Barns of Nappanee

The Barns of Nappanee occupies the grounds that were home to Amish Acres for over forty years. The historic farmstead, with its collection of barns and outbuildings, is one of the most recognized landmarks in the area. While the original heritage tourism operation has closed, the property has been reimagined as an event venue and community gathering space.

The barns themselves are worth seeing — massive timber-frame structures that speak to the craftsmanship of the region. Seasonal events, dinners, and community programming are held throughout the year. If you are visiting Nappanee and the property is hosting an event, it is well worth stopping by to see the grounds.

Coppes Commons

Coppes Commons is a repurposed section of the historic Coppes Napanee kitchen cabinet factory, right in downtown Nappanee. The building dates to the early 1900s and retains much of its original industrial character — exposed brick, heavy timber, and the kind of patina that only comes from a century of use.

Inside, you will find a collection of small shops, a restaurant, and event space. The shops lean toward handmade goods, local art, and home decor. The restaurant offers solid lunch and dinner options in a setting that feels genuinely unique. For anyone interested in local history or adaptive reuse of historic buildings, Coppes Commons is a highlight.

Amish Country Shops and Bakeries

The roads surrounding Nappanee are lined with small Amish-run businesses, many of which operate out of homes, barns, and purpose-built shops. Furniture stores sell handcrafted tables, chairs, and cabinetry built from solid hardwoods. Bakeries offer fresh pies, breads, cinnamon rolls, and noodles. Produce stands appear seasonally with sweet corn, tomatoes, melons, and more.

These shops do not always have websites or regular hours posted online, so part of the experience is driving the back roads and discovering what you find. County Roads 7, 11, and 46 south of Nappanee are particularly good routes for stumbling onto Amish businesses. Cash is preferred at most locations.

Pumpkinvine Nature Trail

The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail is a paved rail-trail that follows the former Pumpkinvine railroad corridor through the countryside between Goshen, Middlebury, and Shipshewana. While the trail does not pass directly through Nappanee, access points are a short drive north of town, and the trail offers some of the best cycling and walking in Northern Indiana.

The route passes through rolling farmland, Amish communities, and small towns. It connects to the Mapletree Trail in Goshen and links into a growing network of regional trails. The terrain is flat, the surface is smooth, and the scenery is quintessential Northern Indiana — corn fields, pastures, and the occasional horse-drawn buggy sharing the road at trail crossings.

Nappanee Center

The Nappanee Center is the town's community gathering space, located in the heart of downtown. It hosts meetings, small performances, receptions, and community events throughout the year. The building serves as a civic anchor for the town, and checking their calendar before a visit can reveal concerts, holiday events, or other programming worth attending.

Apple Fest

Held annually in mid-September, Apple Fest is Nappanee's signature community festival. Downtown Nappanee fills with craft vendors, food booths, live music, a parade, and a car show. Apple-themed food is everywhere — apple butter, caramel apples, apple dumplings, and cider. The festival draws visitors from across the region and is one of the best community events in Elkhart County.

If you are planning a visit to Nappanee, timing it around Apple Fest weekend is a good way to experience the town at its most lively. Arrive early, as parking fills up and the best food vendors sell out by afternoon.

Farmland Driving Tours

One of the simplest and most rewarding things to do near Nappanee is to drive the back roads through Amish country. The countryside south and east of town is a patchwork of tidy farms, white farmhouses, and horse-drawn equipment working the fields. You will share the road with buggies, see laundry drying on lines, and pass hand-lettered signs for everything from quilts to roofing.

There is no official driving tour route, but heading south on State Road 19 or east on County Road 46 will put you in the heart of it. Drive slowly, be courteous to buggy traffic, and keep your eyes open for roadside stands selling seasonal produce and baked goods.

Nearby Attractions

Nappanee's location makes it a convenient base for exploring the broader region. Shipshewana and its massive flea market and auction are about 25 minutes north. Downtown Goshen offers a walkable main street with restaurants, shops, and a vibrant arts scene. Middlebury and its Dutch Country Market are a short drive away. And the lakes of Kosciusko County — including Lake Wawasee and Tippecanoe Lake — are 20 to 30 minutes to the east for swimming, fishing, and boating.