Best Kept Secrets of Northeast Indiana: Pt. 1

Northeast Indiana is home to many beautiful places. It’s known for being one of the best places to live in the United States, boasting a low cost of living, and having that small-town life with big-city amenities.

Regardless of whether you’ve lived here for years or are just visiting, Northeast Indiana has many hidden gems. Some are only locally known, some are gaining popularity, and some have been around for decades. Since there's so much to include, we’ve created a two-part series to showcase some of Northeast Indiana’s best attractions, festivals, parks, and museums that are worth a visit.

Part one covers the region north of Fort Wayne and along the Michigan border. So, fill up your gas tank and hit the road to discover some of what we consider to be NORTHEAST INDIANA'S BEST KEPT SECRETS!

Elkhart, Goshen, Shipshewana, Nappanee, Bristol

This region of northeast Indiana is known as “Amish Country.” If you’re looking for home-cooked foods and handmade specialty items, this is the place to find them. The area has a rich history with many of its historic buildings and factories being renovated to become premier destinations for new experiences. There’s more than meets the eye in the Elkhart area if you know where to look!

For the Outdoor Explorer:

• The Quilt Garden along Heritage Trail in Elkhart County consists of a series of gardens planted in intricate quilt patterns. Each year, colorful flowers are arranged to create stunning designs that visitors can enjoy from May through September. As you drive the back roads from town to town, you can get out and explore each garden for free.
• Boot Lake Nature Park just north of Elkhart you can find a sprawling 300-acre state-protected park with wetlands, woodlands, and open fields. Boot Lake is perfect for birdwatching, trail hiking, fishing, picnicking, and simply enjoying the beauty of nature.
• Bonneyville Mill County Park in Bristol is home to a historic grist mill built in the 1830s and is one of the oldest continuously operating grist mills in Indiana. The park also has a one-room schoolhouse, facilities and shelters, and miles of walking trails to the north and south of CR 8 with over 200 acres along the Little Elkhart River.

For the Foodie:

• Miller’s Cider Mill in Middlebury has been in operation since 1859. Find the best fresh-pressed apple cider, apple butter, and homemade apple cider donuts while enjoying picturesque orchards and a boutique country store. If you’d like to learn how they make their cider, call ahead to schedule a hands-on cider-making demonstration.
• Common Spirits, located in Goshen, is a bar located in a repurposed bank building from 1849. Find a warm and cozy atmosphere with unique cocktails and craft beers on draft. Also opening this spring is a basement bar below Common Spirits called Nice Try Lounge complete with a small menu and arcade games.
• The Nappanee Apple Festival celebrates the apple harvest season in late September. Nappanee holds parades, carnival rides, live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, and plenty of apple-themed sweets and treats. The festival also has contests and educational exhibits that show the importance of apples in Nappanee’s history.

For the Weekend Enthusiast:

• Spend the weekend shopping for antiques, art, and handmade goodies at three distinctive locations in the Elkhart County area.
  • The Bag Factory in Goshen is a historic industrial site that has now been converted into a vibrant arts and culture location. This shopping center houses over 15 local businesses ranging from specialty soaps to one-of-a-kind pottery.
  • Coppes Commons shoppes and antique store in Nappanee was originally a furniture and cabinetry factory in the late 1800s. Coppes Commons has now flourished to include an event venue, a grocery store, a separate B&B, and much more!
  • The vibrant Shipshewana Flea Market is a 40-acre haven for treasure hunters and culture seekers. With rustic charm and diverse goods from antiques to local produce, you can find anything and everything in the heart of Amish country. Admission is free and the market is open from May to September.
• The Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum in Elkhart holds a rather extensive collection of superhero memorabilia from comics to action figures to props. And it doesn’t matter if you’re a DC or Marvel fan, they’ve got it all!
• Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park in Shipshewana is a family-friendly destination where visitors can interact with a variety of farm and exotic animals. From petting zoos to educational exhibits, it offers hands-on experiences for kids and adults alike. Take a wagon tour, walk in the park, or drive through slowly in your car.

Angola, Lake James, Fremont, Rome City, Stroh

You’ll find over 400 lakes in Northeast Indiana and most of them reside in the far northeast corner of our state. Here you’ll find Pokagon State Park, several ACRES Land Trust nature preserves, rivers, wetlands, trails, farmland, and much more. There’s so much to discover when you are visiting Indiana's “Lake Country”.

For the Outdoor Explorer:

• The Pokagon State Park - Hell’s Point Challenge is an 8.2-mile loop within Pokagon State Park in Angola. It is open year-round and beautiful to visit at any time. Take a photo at each of the designated trail markers to receive a commemorative sticker at the Nature Center as a keepsake. Pokagon also offers horseback riding through its designated scenic trails. You can bring your own horses or book a trail ride from the Saddle Barn within the park grounds. Hayrides are also available seasonally.
• Gene Stratton-Porter was a Hoosier author, naturalist, and photographer known for her love of nature and conservation efforts. The Wildflower Woods Historic Site near Rome City was her former home and estate. She purchased the 148-acre property in 1912 and named it “Wildflower Woods” because of its abundant flora. The site is now a museum celebrating her contributions to literature and conservation. Take a class, guided walk, or home tour to discover the historic homestead and history of this local writer and naturalist.
• The Mongo River Run & Pigeon River Area are tucked away outdoor recreation areas in the tiny town of Mongo covering portions of the Pigeon River. With seven kinds of paddle trips, you can canoe, kayak, tube, and fish along this beautiful 23-mile river, or go camping or hiking.

For the Foodie:

• Sundaes on Sylvan is a little ice cream shop right on Sylvan Lake in Rome City, and it’s accessible by boat or by car. Their flavors change weekly, and they’re serving up MOO-ville Creamery ice cream out of Nashville, Michigan, whose chocolate and vanilla flavors won 1st place in a contest organized by the North American Ice Cream Association.
• The Original Fish of Stroh is a restaurant that has been serving our famous fish for 45 years. Their fried fish dinner is their savory specialty. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see their glowing yellow sign.
• Tom’s Donuts Original in Angola is a beloved local bakery known as the “Donut Capital of the World”. It holds the Guinness World Record for the Most Freshly Baked Donuts. They were founded in 1971 and continue to provide the tastiest treats and the friendliest service today.

For the Weekend Enthusiast:

• Cook’s Bison Ranch, located in Wolcottville, is a 300-acre bison ranch where you can see these massive animals up close! Go on a wagon ride, feed the bison, and enjoy lunch around the beautiful countryside. The ranch has a gift shop that includes meat from the ranch’s herd. Bison tours run Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends.
• Sylvan Cellars Event Center is a picturesque venue in the countryside outside of Rome City. It's a charming setting for weddings and special events with a restored barn and scenic orchard views. Their year-long concert series heats up in the summer by taking the music outdoors with yard games, food trucks, and dancing. Pop in daily for late-night drinks with friends or enjoy a Sunday brunch before hitting the lake.
• Ridenour Acres is a family-owned farm in Angola with many seasonal events. In September and October, there’s a giant corn maze, live music, cocktails, and a craft market. Ridenour Acres is perfect for kids of all ages with its play area, hayrides, and bonfires. During the Christmas season, you can even cut your own Christmas tree and visit Santa!

Auburn, Churubusco, Albion, Spencerville, St. Joe, Butler

This region of Northeast Indiana is overflowing with festivals, wineries, shopping, and museums. It’s best known for its automotive history with not one but FOUR museums focusing on automobiles! Regardless of your interests, you’ll find something special here all within an hour's drive of Fort Wayne.

For the Outdoor Explorer:

• Black Pine Animal Sanctuary in Albion is a not-for-profit wildlife refuge dedicated to the rescue of exotic animals. It is home to big cats, bears, primates, reptiles, and birds. They provide lifelong care for animals rescued from private ownership and unfortunate situations. Black Pine offers educational programs, guided tours, and more to teach visitors about their animals’ stories and the challenges they face in the wild.
• The Spencerville Covered Bridge was built in 1873 over the St. Joseph River. It features a Howe truss design and is still operational. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 and recently turned 150 years old. Garrett High School students recently installed stairs to guide visitors from the bridge to the nearby trail system.
• Chain O’ Lakes State Park just south of Albion is a 2,718-acre state park of interconnected lakes that offer a range of outdoor activities from boating and swimming to camping and hiking. You can also fish, kayak, paddleboard, and visit the Stanley Schoolhouse. Try paddling the 9 Lake Challenge by taking pictures at designated locations to earn a prize. During the winter, you can cross-country ski, snowshoe, and ice fish.

For the Foodie:

• St. James Restaurant in Avilla was established in 1878, and it is the oldest restaurant in Northeast Indiana. It was formerly the St. James Hotel until 1948 when it changed to become just a restaurant. The Indiana Historic Society has also awarded St. James the Historic Business Register Centennial Business Award, in recognition of more than a century of continuous business activity, service, and contributions to Indiana’s economic growth and vitality.
• Edwin Coe Spirits in Churubusco is a family-owned and operated grain-to-glass distillery founded in 2016. Their distilled spirits include Old Coe Sour Mash, High Rye Bourbon, and a variety of others. With live music on Saturday evenings, distillery tours, private events, and cocktail classes, it’s easy to see why Edwin Coe is gaining popularity.
• Albright’s Quality Meats & Grocery Store in Corunna is a long-standing local grocery store that has an amazing meat counter that cuts to order and makes its own products. With a great selection of meats, cheeses, and fish alongside the rest of their grocery, you’ll be able to find everything you need for your next cookout.
  • Another new meat market is Carve Market Artisan Butchery, located in Auburn. They opened in April of 2024 and have grab-and-go food items along with their specialty meats.

For the Weekend Enthusiast:

• The Auburn Garrett Drive-In Theater, found north of Garrett and west of Auburn, was established in 1951. It’s one of the few drive-in theaters still in operation in the area. The establishment is set to reopen with a new screen, previously damaged by storms, during Memorial Day weekend 2024.
• The International Monster Truck Museum & Hall of Fame in Butler was established in 2011 and showcases memorabilia, vehicles, and exhibits that highlight the evolution of monster truck racing and its iconic drivers. The museum is all-encompassing for fans of all ages.
• The St. Joe Pickle Festival in St. Joe is everything pickle lovers could want! They have a pickle eating contest, a pickle spoon race, a Pickle Court, a parade, and much more! The festival is sponsored by Sechler’s Fine Pickles, a local company that’s been feeding the area since 1921. They make their pickles the old-fashioned way, without the use of artificial sweeteners or colors. They also host free factory tours in July that coincide with the festival.

Clearly, there are so many hidden gems to discover in Northeast Indiana. We have it all, from superhero museums to endless lake systems to pickle festivals. Northeast Indiana is a great place to live, play, and work.