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Bicycling Through Amish Country

Program Number: 13922RJ
Start and End Dates:
5/6/2013 - 5/10/2013; 6/3/2013 - 6/7/2013;
Duration: 4 nights
Location: Nappanee, Indiana
Price starting at: $599.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Bicycling Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 12; 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Ride your bike through one of the largest Amish settlements in the United States and embrace the lifestyle of the Amish in Nappanee, Indiana. Pedal along the scenic countryside as you share the road with the picturesque black buggies and the clip-clop of horses’ hooves. Pass shingle shops, pristine Amish farms and schoolhouses, while learning the history, culture, crafts and culinary delights of Amish and Mennonite peoples.




Highlights

• Learn the benefits of traditional farming, without the use of modern equipment, at a local Amish farm.
• Enjoy a professional live musical production in the majestic 1911 Round Barn Theatre.
• Visit a traditional one-room Amish School to learn the ways of the Amish education system, and see how traditional buggies and carriages are made at a buggy shop.



Activity Particulars

Cycling 20-40 miles per day on flat to rolling country roads. Bring your own well-tuned bike, helmet and bright colored clothing. Previous bicycling experience required.




Nappanee

Nappanee is the center of one of the largest Amish settlements in the United States. Built on the rich heritage of the woodworking industry, the railroad and Amish culture, the city houses nearly 2,500 Old Order Amish who live, work and interact with residents and visitors.
Accommodations
Full-service hotel located on an 80-acre restored Amish farmstead. Outdoor pool weather permitting.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Becky Cappert
A resident of the Nappanee region for nearly 30 years, Becky Cappert has worked as the director of programming at Amish Acres for more than a decade. She enjoys sharing the festivities, heritage and traditions of the Amish with Road Scholar participants.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   The Inn at Amish Acres
  Nappanee, IN 4 nights
 The Inn at Amish Acres
Type: Hotel
  Description: The Inn at Amish Acres, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, sits peacefully on the grounds of the historic farm and offers guests a relaxed and convenient setting from which to enjoy all of the attractions. When staying at the inn you will truly experience the peaceful ways of rural life. Start your morning lounging in the oak rocking chairs on the front porch reading the morning paper, while listening to the soothing sound of horse drawn buggies trotting by along Market Street.
  Contact info: 1234 West Market Street
Nappanee, IN 46550 USA
phone: 800-800-4942 x3 0000 000-0000 0
web: www.amishacres.com
  Room amenities: The Inn at Amish Acres offers 64 country guest rooms with private bath that feature plain pine furniture constructed in Indiana, wrought iron lamps, replica Amish quilts on the beds, web-seated chairs and hand-signed framed photographs of Amish Acres.
  Facility amenities: Outdoor pool, complimentary USA Today newspaper, free local and 800 number phone calls, complimentary breakfast buffet, gift shop.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Check in time: 4:00 PM
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Hotel check-in as early as 3:00PM. The program officially begins at 4:00PM with reception in the Hotel Lobby You will be staying at The Inn at Amish Acres that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends after lunch. Check out by 11:00 AM. You will be staying at The Inn at Amish Acres the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Completed health and safety questionnaire returned to program coordinator prior to arrival.
  Parking availability:
Free on site parking for the duration of the program.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Nappanee, IN
  Nearest city or town:  Nappanee, IN
  Nearest highway: U.S. 6
  Nearest airport:  South Bend Regional Airport (SBN), South Bend, IN
  From End of Program
  Location: Nappanee, IN
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

South Bend

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Hotel Shuttle
Amish Acres
phone: 800-800-4942 x213
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$60.00
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

45 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

45 miles
 
Driving Directions
  From Chicago, Illinois Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90) east to exit 72, south on U.S. 31 (U.S. 20 Bypass) disregard the U.S. 20 east/west exit and proceed approximately 20 miles on bypass to Nappanee exit (S.R. 19). Take S.R. 19 south to U.S. 6, west 1 mile to Amish Acres. (Approx. 2 hrs.)
  From Columbus, Ohio Go West on I-70 to I-75 (63.1 miles), go North on I-75 to U.S. 33 (49.0 miles), go Northwest on U.S. 33 to Indiana (40.0 miles), go Northwest on U.S. 33 to Sherman Street (28.5 miles), go Northwest on Sherman Street to Goshen Avenue (1.6 miles), go Northwest on Goshen Avenue to U.S. 30 (2.3 miles), go Northwest on U.S. 30 to U.S. 33 (1.2 miles), go Northwest on U.S. 33 to U.S. 6 (37.7 miles), go West on U.S. 6 to Nappanee (16.3 miles) Total Distance: 242.4 miles
  From Detroit, Michigan I-94 west to I-69 south, I-69 south to U.S. 6 west to Amish Acres (Approx. 4 hrs.)
  From Ft. Wayne, Indiana Go West on Northrop Street to I-69 (1.1 miles), go West on I-69 to U.S. 30 (1.8 miles), go Northwest on U.S. 30 to U.S. 33 (1.2 miles), go Northwest on U.S. 33 to U.S. 6 (37.7 miles), go West on U.S. 6 to Nappanee (16.3 miles) Total Distance: 58.1 miles.
  From Indianapolis, Indiana U.S. 31 north to U.S. 6 east 16 miles to Amish Acres. (Approx. 2.5 hrs.)
  From South Bend, Indiana/Notre Dame, Indiana From Notre Dame main entry, West (right) on Angela Blvd. to U.S. 31. South (left) on U.S. 31 to U.S. 6. Take U.S. 6 East (left) to Amish Acres. (45 minutes)
  From St. Louis, Missouri Go East on I-55 to Illinois (0.5 miles), go Northeast on I-55 to I-80 (248.8 miles), go East on I-80 (portions toll) to Indiana (37.4 miles), go East on I-80 (portions toll) to U.S. 421 (34.0 miles), go South on U.S. 421 to U.S. 6 (5.1 miles), go East on U.S. 6 to Nappanee.(48.3 miles) Total distance: 374.1 miles
Equipment Requirements: Participants should bring their own bicycle in good working condition and a helmet. Bicycle rental is available but arrangements need to be made in advance by contacting Danny Jones, Lincoln Avenue Cycling & Fitness at 574/533-7425.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival, Welcome and Orientation
(Monday, May 6)
   
 Afternoon: Road Scholar participants are welcome to check in at the hotel after 3:00 PM. Road Scholar reception 4-5 PM. The Program Coordinator will be available to greet you and distribute your program materials. Bicycle outfitters will conduct a short course on bicycle safety.
 Dinner: Sit down under the hand-hewn timbers of the Restaurant Barn and enjoy Amish Acres nationally famous Threshers Dinner, a family style feast of Amish country favorites. Your food is all on the table and there's more in the kitchen, so like a hungry thresher, don't be timid, ask for more.
 Evening: Join your group leader and program staff for an overview of the program and introduction to the Nappanee area.
   
Accommodations: The Inn at Amish Acres
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Cycling around Nappanee, Evening Entertainment. Visit a working Amish Farm and One Room School House
(Tuesday, May 7)
   
 Breakfast: Expanded Continental Breakfast in the Geranium Room at The Inn at Amish Acres.
 Morning: Gather as a group to go over the day's schedule and route. Today's rides will total 20-40 miles. Enjoy a wagon ride around the farmstead. Gain insight into Amish culture while viewing two short films. Then it's time to grab your bike and helmet and head out onto the country roads of northern Indiana.
 Lunch: Delicious lunch prepared by Amish Acres
 Afternoon: Cycle around Nappanee Countryside and visit an Amish school (when in session) and meet with the students and teachers. Amish students attend formal classes through the 8th grade. You'll find that they are just as interested in you as you are in them. Stop at an Amish Dairy Farm and Cider Press and listen to him describe life on an Amish Farm.
 Dinner: Enjoy a Hearty Supper prepared just for you by Amish Acres Staff.
 Evening: Evening Entertainment
   
Accommodations: The Inn at Amish Acres
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Cycling on the Backroads of Amish Country, Production in The Round Barn Theatre
(Wednesday, May 8)
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy an expanded continental breakfast in The Geranium Room at The Inn at Amish Acres.
 Morning: Gather as a group to go over the day's schedule and route. Today's rides will total 25-40 miles. Ride to local Amish Countryside Shop, past Amish farms and businesses.
 Lunch: Enjoy lunch at an off-site location catered by Amish Acres.
 Afternoon: Continue cycling, visit locations such as a Mennonite Church, Local Mennonite College, and Buggy Shop. Learn the vast differences between Amish and Mennonite.
 Dinner: Dinner with cast members from The Round Barn Theatre.
 Evening: Attend a performance in the majestic 1911 Round Barn Theatre. The Round Barn Theatre is Indiana's only resident repertory musical theatre company and is a national destination for musical theatre lovers. Every musical is filled with stories of life, love, irony, tolerance, understanding, and peace among all men and women.
   
Accommodations: The Inn at Amish Acres
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Mennonite Culture
(Thursday, May 9)
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy an expanded continental breakfast in The Geranium Room at The Inn at Amish Acres.
 Morning: Gather as a group to go over the day's schedule and route. Today's rides will total 40 miles. Cycling to Goshen through beautiful countryside with rolling hills and several interesting stops.
 Lunch: Enjoy lunch catered by Amish Acres to an offsite location.
 Afternoon: Continue cycling through the pristine countryside of Northern Indiana.
 Dinner: Enjoy a dinner created especially for Road Scholar participants.
 Evening: At leisure. Optional: evening campfire, s'mores, conversation and song.
   
Accommodations: The Inn at Amish Acres
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Short Cycling Route to closing presentation/ Lunch/Program closes after lunch
(Friday, May 10)
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy an expanded continental breakfast in The Geranium Room at The Inn at Amish Acres.
 Morning: Enjoy closing presentation by Richard Pletcher, founder of Amish Acres at Nappanee Library. Stop at The Nappanee Heritage Center for a short look into Nappanee's history.
 Lunch: Enjoy a special lunch prepared for especially for Road Scholar
 Afternoon: Have a safe trip home!
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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