Complete Guide to the Shipshewana Auction & Flea Market
1) Shipshewana Flea Market
The Shipshewana Flea Market has nearly 700 spaces on 40 outdoor, open-air acres, making it the largest flea market in the Midwest. Vendors set up and sell everything imaginable such as home decor, food, clothing, jewelry, collectibles, tools, household items, crafts, signs, pet supplies, paper goods, furniture, plants, produce and more.
Dates & Hours - Flea Market
The Shipshewana Flea Market is a seasonal summer market, open each Tuesday and Wednesday from May through September, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (ET). It is also open for extended holiday markets on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day plus 2 special weekend market dates (June & August).
Parking
Parking is just $5 per vehicle. Handicapped parking and RV / Trailer parking is available.
There are several entrances and exits to the flea market. Please refer to the flea market map to plan your entrance and exit strategies. Also, it might be helpful to take a picture on your phone of where you parked so you can remember which lot you were in. During high traffic times, it is best to exit through the Southeast or North gate.
Scooter Rental
Electric scooter rental is available for shoppers needing a little assistance getting around the grounds. The scooter rental booth is located closest to the SR 5 main entrance.
Food, Info & Rest Areas
Food Courts
There are three Flea Market Food Courts featuring Nelson's™ famous chicken, sandwiches, cold drinks, pie and ice cream located throughout the market. Each food court has a pavilion with picnic tables, restrooms and ATM machines. *Note - there are also a number of other food options around the market including the fry pie booth, Ben's Pretzels, smoothie booth, and a variety of other pop-up food vendors and food trucks to satisfy your sweet tooth and all snack needs.
Auction Restaurant
For traditional dining, the Auction Restaurant serves up delicious homestyle breakfast, lunch and dinner and is located at the main entrance to the Auction & Flea Market. Favorites include Chicken and Noodles, Hand-Breaded Fish, Breakfast Haystacks, and Fresh Fruit Pie.
Information Booth
Visit the information booth located at the main SR 5 entrance for local brochures and to sign up for hourly flea market door prize drawings.
Vendor Directory
Looking for a specific product type of vendor? There are two different ways to find your favorite booths:
- Pick up a print vendor directory from any market entrance gate (Located in metal boxes). Vendors are organized based on product category and in alphabetical order.
- View our website vendor directory
Market Shopping Tips
Read "How to Shop the Shipshewana Flea Market."
- Plan your route. It's smartest, especially on busier extended holiday markets, to plan out your shopping day and your entrance and exit strategies. If you're driving in from the South, it's a lot easier to enter the flea market "the back way" from Farver St (200 N). Also be sure to pick up a flea market vendor directory guide from the entrances. Inside is a map of booth spaces and a listing of permanent vendors and their products and space numbers. If you see something you like, write down the booth number so you don't forget.
- Wear Comfy Shoes. The 26 HUGE aisles are gravel, so it's important to wear your walking shoes!
- Arrive Early. Want to get the best parking spot? Get to the market early (right at 8:00 a.m. or even a few minutes before.) It's also a bit cooler in the mornings, which is nice during the warmer summer months.
- Be prepared. The flea market is open rain or shine, so be sure you come prepared for anything! On hot sunny days, be sure to bring a water bottle and sunscreen. The market does have food courts located throughout the entire market. You'll also want to bring lots of cash...Although some vendors do accept credit and debit cards. There are also several ATM's on site in case you need them.
- Rest Frequently. There are several benches, covered rest areas, and food courts. Take a break and regroup to plan which booths you want to visit next. While you're resting, grab a delicious meal or snack...Or perhaps an ice cream cone?
Also read, "The Worst Advice We've Heard About Visiting Shipshewana"
What to Bring
- Cash
- Comfortable Walking Shoes
- Water Bottle
- Cooler
- Reusable Shopping Bags
- Cell Phone
- Pen
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Umbrella
- Poncho
2) Shipshewana Antique Auction
Are you interested in Antiques or Vintage Items? Are you a collector? Do you like repurposing old pieces of furniture? Do you buy to resell? If you answered, "yes" to any of these questions, then you need to go to the Shipshewana Antique & Miscellaneous Auction!
6 to 9 auctioneers simultaneously sell all kinds of unique items and antiques. Buyers move from ring to ring bidding on the best merchandise and getting the best deals.
Auction Dates & Hours
The Antique Auction is held every Wednesday, year-round at 9:00 a.m. A typical auction will last until the early afternoon.
Buyer Terms
To bid at the antique auction, you'll need to register for a buyer number card in the auction office with a valid I.D. Buyer number cards are $5.00 and are good for one calendar year.
Please show the clerk and auctioneer your buyer number card when bidding. After you are finished buying, visit the auction office to pay for your items. We accept cash, check, or debit/credit card. A 5% buyer's premium will be added if you pay with a debit/credit card.
Read --> "How to Buy at an Auction for the First Time"
Previewing Items
You may preview items for the Wednesday sale on Tuesdays until 5pm during seller set up, or Wednesday morning starting at 5:30 am. Or, you can see a selection of auction items on our photo gallery & listing on auctionzip.com
Sell at the Auction
Call 260-768-4129 to reserve a space to sell at the auction. Find out more seller information.
3) Lodging
Farmstead Inn
Stay within walking distance of the flea market, downtown Shipshewana shopping and restaurants at the Farmstead Inn & Conference Center.
The Farmstead Inn is a beautiful hotel modeled after an Amish homestead featuring a three-story atrium with fireplaces, free hot breakfast, indoor pool and recreation center. Plus, guests who stay at the Farmstead Inn receive a free day parking pass to the auction & flea market! Check hotel room availability.
Shipshewana RV Park
We also have a campground located right on flea market grounds! Open April 15 - November 15, the Shipshewana RV Park has 165 Full-hookup sites and is big-rig accessible. Reserve a campsite.
Want more advice on things to do and places to eat in Shipshewana? Read our travel blog!
4) About Shipshewana, Indiana
Shipshewana, Indiana, is the third largest Amish community in the United States. Most people visit the town for the flea market, to eat Amish-style foods, to shop more than 90 specialty shops, or for special events. Shipshewana is also known for it's amazing bike trail.
Location
Shipshewana is less than 200 miles from Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids and Toledo.
The Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90) passes through the northern fringes of the county (LaGrange) and serves Howe and LaGrange with exits 107 and 121. US 20 connects Shipshewana and LaGrange to Elkhart and Angola. Indiana State Highways 3, 5, 9 and 120 also pass through the county. Get directions.
Amish Community
Due to the heavy Amish/Mennonite influence on our community, most businesses in Shipshewana close on Sundays. Amish-owned businesses will also be closed on Ascension Day, Good Friday and Old Christmas (Epiphany).
Many Amish-owned businesses operate on a "cash" basis and are unable to accept debit or credit cards. There are ATMs located throughout Shipshewana for your convenience.
When driving the rural roads, watch for horse and buggy drivers, farm equipment, pedestrians and cyclists. When passing a bicycle or buggy, hug the center line and pass slowly. Use care as horses can be unpredictable sometimes.
Learn more about planning your trip to the Midwest's Largest Flea Market by downloading our FREE Shipshewana Flea Market Trip Planner!
