Goshen offers a range of reasons to visit: the market at the historic Mill Race Center, culture and history at the Goshen Historical Museum, and the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, which runs to Shipshewana. There are also local businesses and events. To plan your trip, consider whether you’d like to focus your stay on a visit to the market, exhibitions and cultural events, or cycling.
Market and Local Businesses
The Goshen Farmers Market is located at the historic Mill Race Center, 212 W. Washington St. in Goshen. On market days, people gather to shop from local farmers and listen to live music. Shopping and music are part of the same market visit. If the market is your main focus, plan around the market days.
The Bag Factory is a historic building in Goshen that houses more than 15 local businesses and entrepreneurs. It offers distinctive experiences centered on food and shopping. A specific example of local craftsmanship is Mark Goertzen: He works as a potter at The Bag Factory, making functional, one-of-a-kind vessels from porcelain and stoneware clay.
History and Cultural Events
The Goshen Historical Museum is located in downtown Goshen. It displays artifacts, rare documents, and immersive exhibits, including an apartment from the early 20th century. Those interested in local history can explore different forms of presentation here: objects, documents, and a glimpse into an apartment from that era.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; on the first Friday of the month, it is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visits at other times are available by appointment. During the First Friday celebrations, the police booth is also open to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. This time slot is tied to the celebrations and is shorter than the museum’s opening hours on the first Friday. Check the applicable opening hours before your visit; visits outside regular hours are available by appointment.
The Goshen Theater hosts more than 35 events each year. Goshen Art House also hosts monthly events at the Goshen Theater. If you’d like to include a cultural event in your stay, check the specific dates: the schedule for individual events may change.
The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail
The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail runs from Goshen to Shipshewana, with more than 16 miles completed. The trail has asphalt and firmly compacted limestone surfaces, suitable for bicycles with narrow tires. The route, completed distance, and surface provide specific points to consider if cycling is one of your interests.
The trail is a different planning option from a visit to the museum or market: it connects Goshen with Shipshewana, while the museum and market are located in Goshen. For the trail, the route and surface are relevant; for the museum, opening hours matter, and for the market, market days. This lets you choose the focus of your stay based on the distinct offerings.
Discover more destinations: Elkhart, Nappanee, New Paris, Middlebury.
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