Goshen, the County seat of Elkhart County, is a pleasant city in Indiana with an immaculately-preserved downtown area and green spaces along the Elkhart River.
The city has been nicknamed the ‘Maple City’ due to its numerous maple trees. Goshen is surrounded by a small Amish community with buggies and horses, a regular sight on rural roads on the city’s outskirts.
Visitors who come to this area sometimes find it difficult to decide on things to do in Goshen, Indiana, places to discover, and activities to try.
Tourists and locals can occupy themselves with several leisure and sports activities, such as camping, canoeing, sailing, biking, hiking, and boating.
Here are some of the best things to do in Goshen, Indiana
Things to Do in Goshen, Indiana
1. Check out Shanklin Park
When it comes to parks in Goshen, Shanklin Park is the most extensive, with an area of 90 acres. The Park lies in the middle of the Elkhart River and Millrace Canal.
Shanklin Park is the city’s hub of recreational activities with facilities that include a playground, a canoe launch for the Elkhart River, the community-built Tommy’s Kid Castle, the Kiwanis Pavilion, three lighted baseball and softball diamonds, and a basketball court.
You will also see the Shanklin Pool, created in 1969. It comprises three pools and two diving boards, as well as the grand Schrock Pavilion, a rentable enclosed pavilion that holds several events and programs.
If you want to enjoy the quiet environment, you can do so while admiring the Park’s passive but meaningful features, like its wildflowers, native grasses, perennial garden, and long forested wetlands.
Address: 411 W Plymouth Ave, Goshen, IN 46526, United States
2. Partake in a few outdoor and Sports Recreation at the Ox Bow Park
Among the fun things to do in Goshen, Indiana, is golfing in Ox Bow Park.
It is the ideal place for a fun day with loved ones, as it is only minutes away from Goshen and Elkhart.
Prepare to spend the whole day here enjoying its numerous activities, such as disc golf, archery, nature programs, and woodland hikes.
Check out the Flying Disc Sanctuary, well-known among local disc golfers. It has a 24-technical course, suitable for any disc golf lover.
If you prefer field sports, make sure you partake in the soccer, flag football, and volleyball games at the two athletic fields in the Park.
With its massive expanse, you will undoubtedly be catching your breath after one or two games.
Don’t skip out on fishing, as Ox Bow Park also features several piers and sites for casting a line, as well as unending fishing opportunities at Elkhart Rivers.
The Park offers a few winter activities with its manicured trails and two sledding hills in winter.
Address: 23033 Co Rd 45, Goshen, IN 46528, United States
3. Spend a day at Abshire Park
Abshire Park is a smaller park located on East Lincoln Avenue. It covers an area of 75.5 acres and was given to the Parks & Recreation Department in 1986.
As the second-largest Park in the city, Abshire Park strives to sustain balance in the recreational and passive options in the Park’s system.
Visitors from Pumpkinvine Nature Trail can run to the Park near the trail.
To the north of Abshire Park is a managed natural area featuring wetlands, traditional forests, and prairie restoration.
To the southwest, visitors will discover Rock Run Creek, an excellent habitat for the fauna.
Address: 1302 E Lincoln Ave, Goshen, IN 46528, United States
4. Hike the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail with your entire family
The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, which spans Goshen, Middlebury, and Shipshewana, encircles 17 miles.
It is a linear park and greenway on the old Pumpkinvine railroad corridor.
The trail features asphalt and limestone surfaces, ideal for bikers with narrow tires.
You can bike, run, walk, or go on rollerblades and see urban areas, small towns, and agricultural communities.
Pumpkinvine Nature Trail allows you to see stunning and scenic views and landscapes, including a few large Amish communities.
You may even spot Amish people tending their fields with horse-drawn plows, hand-cutting flowers in the fields, and biking in old-fashioned clothing.
Hiking the trails is safe, even for visitors with markers that show distance and directions.
So if you want to experience the beauty of nature, make sure you come here. It is one of the best places to visit in Goshen, Indiana.
Address: Indiana, United States
5. Take a tour of Downtown Goshen
Downtown Goshen
Among the best things to do in Goshen, Indiana, is to tour Downtown Goshen.
Downtown Goshen has not let go of its history, overflowing with restaurants, shops, and culture.
This area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and, over the last two decades, has legislated a grant program that has led to hundreds of restoration projects.
Downtown Goshen is vibrant, with as many as 30 festivals every year and a fun-filled First Friday event taking place since 2007.
The assortment of independent businesses is astonishing, ranging from sustainable family brewpubs to antique malls, a Fairtrade International arts and craft dealer, and specialty stores for pretzels and popcorn.
You can choose whether to eat in, carry out, or deliver your food and beverage. Your choices include artisan cocktails, Neapolitan pizza, craft beer, Indian cuisine, a classic diner, house-roasted coffee, and hand-dipped chocolates.
Address: Goshen, United States
6. Buy music CDs at Ignition Music Garage
Ignition Music Garage is a radio broadcast center, music store, and concert venue in an old mechanic’s garage.
Their motto is based on offering people a way to listen to music the way the artists would have wanted.
Ignition Music Garage also holds concerts for different genres with live performances by local and national artists.
Take your time perusing the store for new or used CDs and vinyl; if they don’t have what you want, they can always get it for you.
Address: 120 E Washington St, Goshen, IN 46528, United States
7. Get mesmerized by the international art display at Found
Head over to Main St, and look for Found, a shop that sells art, artifacts, and antiques from across the globe. Tour three floors of curated art and contemporary furniture, along with treasures.
Found owners travel across the world to search for the treasures you can see in the shop. They cover continents like Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Europe.
Undoubtedly, you will be drawn by more than one item in this shop, so add it to your list of the best places to visit in Goshen, Indiana.
Address: 208 S Main St, Goshen, IN 46526, United States
8. Channel your inner daredevil by trying the Stutsman Ballooning
Attempting the Stutsman Ballooning is among the fun things to do in Goshen, Indiana. Not every city or town has this, so try it when you vacate in Goshen.
Stutsman Ballooning, located on Indian Avenue, boasts 35 years of flying experience.
For decades, this business has been flying residents and visitors to see the majestic beauty of Goshen and Elkhart County.
Your skilled pilot will carry you over Larimer Village, Larimer Green, Model School, and the Middle School.
Balloon flights are a terrific and picturesque way to view the city and a must-do for everyone.
Address: 802 S Indiana Ave, Goshen, IN 46526, United States
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9. Buy local products at Goshen Farmers Market
Shopping at Goshen Farmers Market is one of the top things to do in Goshen, Indiana. A wide array of fresh seasonal produce at Goshen Farmers Market will surround you.
You can also find baked goods, free-range meats, cheese, dairy, jams, eggs, Amish goods, jellies, maple syrup, dried fruits, honey, vegetables, artisan pottery, jewelry, and flowers.
Their product comes in different attractive colors that you will love.
You will undoubtedly want to come here daily to see how the locals go about their regular grocery shopping day.
It is a fantastic way to go on an immersive experience during your stay in the city.
Address: 212 W Washington St #1, Goshen, IN 46526, United States
10. Enjoy an extensive selection of Beers and Food at the Goshen Brewing Company
Complete your day exploring the city with great beer and mouthwatering food at the Goshen Brewing Company.
The place is a 100% solar and wind-powered facility that serves a delicious selection of local farm-to-table dishes and beer.
The beer and food are blended with an industrial but cozy space for dining and socializing, as it uses the old Northern Indiana Public Service Company building.
Its nearness to the city’s downtown area allows its customers to enjoy the views of the river and woods from its patio.
Address: 315 W Washington St, Goshen, IN 46526, United States
11. Go on a scenic Heritage Trail Audio Driving Tour
The Heritage Trail, Audio Driving Tour, is a 90-mile audio tour that lets you enjoy the Elkhart County area within the protection and comfort of a vehicle while providing you the flexibility to stop and enjoy shops, attractions, and restaurants at your convenience.
The scenic winding loop leads you through the vibrant communities of Goshen, Elkhart, Middlebury, Nappanee, Bristol, Shipshewana, and Wakarusa.
It is easy on your budget, easy to explore, and you are sure to uncover fun at every turn.
Discover historical sites, beautiful views, and Amish heritage along the picturesque backroads.
Explore country lanes spotted with welcoming Amish-owned shops displaying handcrafted and homemade items.
Address: Indiana, United States
12. Enjoy great coffee and delicious food at Electric Brew
Electric Brew, situated on East Washington Street, offers locals and tourists a place to get a great cup of coffee, delicious food servings, and a terrific place to hang out.
The coffeehouse welcomes guests with cozy indoor and outdoor seating areas.
The business began in 1996 when it established its first café in Elkhart County. It was later sold to the current owners, Myron and Dana Bontrager, who maintained the cafe’s original concept but increased the menu choices.
Electric Brew is open from Monday to Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy their unique hot or cold coffee beverages like Nitro Coffee or Café Au Lait.
Make your own sandwich or try assorted bagels, Dana’s Parfait, Veggie, and Bacon Quesadillas, Baked Oatmeal, or a Bowl of Granola.
Try some lunch fare like Bacon Lovers, Bacon Grilled Cheese of Turkey Pesto, or enjoy Chicken Salad, Paninis, House Salad, Turkey Pesto Wraps, and their Homemade Soup.
Electric Brew offers a variety of drinks like smoothies, tea, lemonade, and more. They will also provide baked goods like bars, cookies, biscottis, etc.
Address: 118 E Washington St, Goshen, IN 46528, United States
13. Check out Maple City Market
Maple City Market is a consumer-owned cooperative grocery store that focuses on environmental sustainability by selling primarily locally produced and organic food.
It is a place for gathering where numerous locals work, and the whole town goes shopping.
This market is an ideal place in the city to shop for baked bread, fresh sandwiches, and soups.
Like Goshen Farmers Market, you can find the residents buying the day’s freshest fruits, meats, and vegetables.
Address: 314 S Main St, Goshen, IN 46526, United States
14. Enjoy mouthwatering pizza at Venturi
Venturi, officially among the top 50 restaurants in Indiana, crafts certified wood-fired Neapolitan Pizza.
This means they follow a rigid recipe with only four ingredients in the dough and a topping of Buffalo Mozzarella, crushed San Marzano tomatoes, and extra virgin olive oil.
This technique was first brought to New York by Italian immigrants in the early 1900s.
The classics are Marinara and Margherita, and the restaurant offers many other options, including Roasted Pepper, Pepperoni, Amatriciana, Bianca, Spicy Sopressa, and Truffle.
Venturi was once named one of the 15 top pizzerias in the country under the category of Most Life-Changing Pizza, as voted by Esquire readers.
Address: 123 E Lincoln Ave, Goshen, IN 46528, United States
15. Watch fabulous shows at Goshen Theater
Visit the historic Goshen Theater on South Main Street to enjoy family-friendly shows.
This famous local landmark originally opened as Jefferson Theater in 1905, but a fire destroyed it the following year.
It was reconstructed, reopened, and later turned into a cinema, but it was shut down in 1986 due to economic situations.
From different transitions all year round, it now invites locals and guests to see great shows.
The theater facility comprises a 590-seat auditorium, a bar area, offices, concessions, and a third-floor ballroom.
In addition to hosting acting classes and workshops, Goshen Theater also houses the Goshen Theater Drama Club’s Summer Camp.
Check out upcoming theater performances, films, theater, and workshop schedules at the theater’s website
Address: 216 S Main St, Goshen, IN 46526, United States
16. Go walking on the Millrace Canal Trail
An intriguing feature of the Goshen is the Millrace Canal, constructed for a former hydroelectric plant.
The Millrace Canal Trail, linking downtown Goshen with neighborhoods and parks to the south, traces the old hydraulic canal that powered Goshen’s earliest industrial businesses.
Today, you will come across walkers, bicyclists, and runners as they travel from Goshen Brewing Company and Millrace Farmers Market at the north end, to Reith Interpretive Center and Shanklin Park in the midpoint to Shoup-Parsons Woods and Goshen Dam Pond at the south end.
Millrace Canal Trail is generally regarded as an easy route. It takes approximately 70 minutes to complete it.
The trail is also famous for hiking, birding, and walking. However, you can still enjoy some tranquility during the quieter time of the day.
Address: Goshen, IN 46526, United States
17. Read a book at Goshen Public Library
Goshen Public Library’s building is a local landmark originally constructed in 1968.
It is a free lending library that provides different services and activities that encourages reading and learning.
Browse various books, printed texts, and others that might interest you.
The lower level, which you can also check out, concentrates on Audiovisual, Children’s, and Technical Services.
Allow your children to join Goshen Public Library’s programs like the Kids Book Club, or allow your teenagers to sign up for the Youth Book Club, Teen Café, or Teen Nerd’s Night Out.
Address: 601 South 5th Street, Goshen, IN 46526, United States
18. Dine at South Side Soda Shop
South Side Soda Shop
A must-visit during your stay in Goshen is a restaurant dubbed by the Food Network as the “Best in Indiana.”
The South Side Soda shop was shown on the first season of Guy Fieri’s Diners Drive-Ins and Dives and has been featured in many publications, including Gourmet Magazine.
The main building, an old grocery store, dates back to the early 20th century. A Bastian Blessing soda was added in the 1940s, and it still works to this date.
The Boyd family, the present owners, took over in 1986 and eventually included an extension in the shape of a 50s-style diner car.
Make sure you order an old-fashioned soda from the fountain or choose from the menu featuring the delicious pies, especially the lemon meringue, the award-winning chili, and the Philly cheese steak.
Address: 1122 S Main St, Goshen, IN 46526, United States
19. Shop for art in The Old Bag Factory
Adjacent to Elkhart River is a massive factory building from 1896 that has been converted into a thrilling shopping complex
This building, hooked up to the city’s electric railway, was originally the Cosmo Buttermilk Soap Company before being transformed into the specialty products division of the Chase Bag Company.
After the factory shut down in the 1980s, artisans and artists relocated and set up showrooms and studios here.
Now in a unique setting, you can stroll through stores for furniture, pottery, musical instruments, jewelry, an escape room, and a few bakeries.
Address: 1100 Chicago Ave, Goshen, IN 46528, United States
20. Participate in events at Elkhart’s 4-H Fairgrounds
You can’t be looking for what to do in Goshen, Indiana, when you haven’t explored Elkhart’s 4-H Fairgrounds. You will have tons of fun when you stop by Elkhart’s 4-H Fairgrounds.
The Fairgrounds is home to one of the biggest fairs in the country. Thousands of guests attend this fair to enjoy free grandstand concerts and entertainment.
Check out the premium souvenirs and booth by 4-H members promoting agriculture and youth in the area. Camp out or park your RV on the grounds.
Your children will also enjoy watching attractions like harness racing, rodeos, tractor pulling, the Queen Contest, and demolition derby.
Address: 17746-D County Rd 34, Goshen, IN 46528, United States
21. Attend the Fire and Ice Festival
Fire and Ice
The fun Fire and Ice Festival takes place in Goshen’s downtown area on the first Friday of every year.
You will find different activities your loved ones will enjoy throughout the day.
See the expert ice carvers display their talents as they convert ice blocks into incredible ice sculptures.
Watch the beautiful moves of fire dancers as they illuminate the night at Washington and Main Streets.
You can stop by the downtown stores and enjoy tasty hot food and seasonal beverages or enjoy shopping discounts at many stores.
Take a photo of your child posing before the ice throne or sleigh, and remember to roast your free marshmallow over the outdoor fire.
Finally, enjoy a terrific night at the Fire and Ice Festival.
Address: Goshen, Indiana, United States
22. Buy locally-produced crafts at Amish Country
Elkhart County has one of the most significant Amish communities in the United States, so during your stay in the area, you should tour the backcountry roads where traditional Amish businesses can be discovered.
Regular products include high-quality wooden furniture, hand-woven rugs, farm-to-table food, and leather goods.
For a truly unforgettable experience, you can visit an Amish restaurant for a meal and the opportunity to interact with community members to learn about their lifestyles.
A must-visit is the Shipshewana Flea Market, the biggest market of its kind in the Midwest.
If you visit on the first weekend of August, attend the Acres Art and Craft Festival in Nappanee.
Address: Indiana, United States
23. Watch a movie at Goshen Art House
This extraordinary space in Downtown Goshen is a small and cozy atmosphere with an artsy vibe.
Formed as a voluntary space in 2005, Goshen Art House features two areas.
The one-screen cinema showcases independent movies and festivals, such as Sundance, Cannes, and South by Southwest.
The Black Box Theater is the live-theater space that accommodates the local improv group, GoProv.
Goshen Art House hosts staged readings, concerts, art galleries, live theater, stand-up comedians, burlesque, and magic shows.
Visit Goshen Art House to support the local artists and enjoy complimentary popcorn.
Address: 216 S Main St, Goshen, IN 46526, United States
24. Unwind with loved ones at Fidler Pond
If you are wondering what to do in Goshen, Indiana, with your loved ones, head to Fidler Pond
Goshen has many nature parks, but Fidler Pond is among the most suitable for families.
This vast destination, encircling 100 acres, has a pond of 80 acres that offers different activities.
Go fishing with the children and do catch-and-release bank fishing or utilize the fishing pole rentals.
Rent a kayak, canoe, or pedal boat and soak in the sun and the ambiance.
Afterward, you can sit on the swinging benches while enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
You can also stretch your limbs by strolling on the famous trails around the ponds before checking out the rentable open-air Chiddister Pavilion.
The pavilion hosts events, including the city’s yearly Rock in the Quarry Triathlon.
Address: 1424 Lincolnway E, Goshen, IN 46526, United States
25. Learn Goshen’s history at the Goshen Historical Society
Goshen Historical Society Museum
A visit to the Goshen Historical Society is one of the top things for history lovers to do in Goshen, Indiana.
One excellent way to begin your Goshen excursion is to learn about its history.
By doing so, you will better understand why the city is the way it is today.
The museum preserves, studies, and provides meaning to images, artifacts, and documents.
It aims to expand public knowledge of the city’s history by showcasing exhibitions and providing educational services.
Goshen Historical Society is a delightful and informative place to take your family to, especially with its extraordinary way of showcasing its history.
Address: 124 S Main St, Goshen, IN 46526, United States
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Plan Your Trip to Goshen
As a place filled with many sightseeing opportunities and things to do, Goshen should be given first place in your vacation destination options.
This charming city is popular for its scenic downtown, friendly locals, and yearly events.
There is something for everybody in Goshen, making it an ideal place for a vacation getaway. So start planning to visit this beautiful city with a small-town vibe.