Take a Hoosier Holiday
Autumn in Indiana is the perfect time to travel. Whether it is Fall Break or just the yearning to see fall foliage, make sure your journey includes stops to enjoy these alluring jewels renowned in each region. Take advantage of the opportunities to sample the goods and treasure the gifts of exploration within this Hoosier State.
Clockwise: Valparaiso Inn; craft cider at Aftermath; a taste of the Mediterranean at Meditrina Market Café. photography: @valpoinn, @aftermathcidery, @meditrinamarketcafe
The Northwest region of Indiana is known for steel production and oil refineries, but at the same time it is a place of natural beauty
NORTHWEST
The Northwest region of Indiana is known for steel production and oil refineries, but at the same time it is a place of natural beauty. Besides its proximity to Chicago, it is also located close to miles of Lake Michigan beaches, dubbed the South Shore. Visitors enjoy a multitude of attractions such as Indiana Dunes National Park, Mascot Hall of Fame in Whiting and Gabis Arboretum in Valparaiso.
Valparaiso is also the site of Aftermath Cidery and Winery. It’s a cider lover’s dream, and besides flights there are numerous other things to try, like cider sorbet and a nonalcoholic version appropriately named El Niño (the child). Other fun variations include pineapple-infused Tsunami, notes of habanero in the Firestorm and a tart rush of Granny Smith apples in Avalanche. All of the beverages, including wine offerings available for those who prefer it over cider, are either made on site or at Aftermath’s sister establishment, Running Vines Winery in Chesterton. The food menu includes an artisanal cheese board, antipasto platter, flatbreads and a loaded French fries option that rotates monthly. Check the cidery’s Facebook page for Meal Deal specials such as a 14-inch flatbread and two glasses of cider for $24. The weekly entertainment schedule includes activities such as Netflix Shows Trivia and live music.
WHAT LOCALS KNOW:
Eat: Close by, the Meditrina Market Café specializes in a unique spin on Mediterranean cuisine. Vegetarian and vegan friendly, it is considered the best restaurant in town based on atmosphere and its reputation for delicious food.
Stay: The charming Valparaiso Inn Bed & Breakfast is just a few blocks down the street. Praises are given for its walking distance to shopping, sightseeing and restaurant locations.
Tip: Northwest Indiana is in the Central Time Zone so plan accordingly, especially if making reservations.
Clockwise: Explore Chain O’ Lakes (photography: Visit Indiana); local cuisine at Joseph Decuis (photography: @josephdecuis); Fortlandia brewery (@fortlandiabrewingcompany)
Northeast Indiana is centered around the state’s second-largest city, Fort Wayne. While not on the vast Great Lake, it provides ample opportunity to experience lake life on a smaller scale.
NORTHEAST
Northeast Indiana is centered around the state’s second-largest city, Fort Wayne. While not on the vast Great Lake, it provides ample opportunity to experience lake life on a smaller scale. Chain O’ Lakes State Park in Albion has a system of 13 lakes and plenty of chances to boat, swim, fish and canoe. Agriculture, transportation and orthopedic medical device production fuel the economy and supply most of the employment. The region also has one of the highest populations of Amish within the United States.
For beer aficionados, nano brewery Fortlandia is a must stop. Open since August 2019, this establishment was the project of five friends who bonded over shared recipes and the secrets of home-brewing. Today they supply 20 area restaurants with their lagers, sours and ales. Brewing geeks can sample varieties of obscure German lagers such as Kottbusser, Kellerbier and Rauchbier as well as Czech dark lager, British extra special bitter (ESB) and Maple Bacon Coffee Porter. The hook that keeps locals coming back is the flavors of beer on tap are constantly changing. The sours are particularly popular and Grandma’s Strawberry Pie medaled at the Indiana State Fair. Another crowd pleaser is the Freedom lager. Although there is not a kitchen on site, the brewery is close to downtown, where there are plenty of food options available, and patrons are welcome to bring in carryout.
WHAT LOCALS KNOW:
Eat: Want to sample Fortlandia’s brews in a restaurant setting? In nearby Roanoke, Joseph Decuis, an upscale eatery focused on sourcing locally, always has at least a couple of Fortlandia’s brews on tap.
Stay: The Bradley, Fort Wayne’s newest boutique hotel, is the well-appointed result of a partnership with Provenance Hotels and Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, one of the founders of the legendary purse and luggage company Vera Bradley.
Tip: For a great round of golf, visit Sycamore Hills Golf Club and quaff down the Sycamore Hills House Lager produced exclusively for it by Fortlandia.
Clockwise: Historic bed-and-breakfast Stone Soup Inn (photography: @sarah_tebo); one of Westfork Whiskey’s recreated classics (photography: @livery.restaurant); empanadas at Livery (photography: @westforkwhiskey)
In the center of Central Indiana is the state capital, parks, museums, and the Indianapolis 500. Beyond the sprawling metropolitan area you’ll find the flat and vast farm country.
CENTRAL
Right in the heart of the state are 33 counties referred to as Central Indiana. In the middle is the state capital, Indianapolis. Known for the Indianapolis 500 auto race, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, White River State Park, Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indianapolis Art Museum and much more, the city offers visitors plenty to do. Beyond the sprawling metropolitan area is farm country. The land is flat and vast, yielding corn, wheat, soybeans, hay and tomatoes that supply Red Gold, a tomato-processing company headquartered in Elwood.
Westfork Whiskey Company embraces the field-to-table philosophy by relying on Indiana-grown grains to distill whiskey. Located in the Near Northside of Indianapolis, it is constructing a second location in the city of Westfield, slated to open before the end of 2022. Inside its tasting room visitors can sample varieties such as Wheated, a wheat-centric bourbon with hints of vanilla and caramel, or small-batch earthy and spicy Corn Forward Rye Whiskey in addition to several other varieties. One of the distillery’s proudest accomplishments is its re-creation of a recipe for an old whiskey, Old Hammer. Legend has it that in the 1800s, the brand was the best whiskey around Indiana and arguably elsewhere. The successful re-creation is based on 99% corn and 1% malted barley. Westfork Whiskey Company is a little over three miles from Fountain Square, a neighborhood filled with clubs, cocktail bars, quirky eateries and vintage shops. It’s also within striking distance of the many attractions of Indianapolis.
WHAT LOCALS KNOW:
Eat: Livery on College Avenue is known for a fresh take on Latin American favorites. Make sure to check out the assortment of empanadas and savor the seafood paella and marinated skirt steak.
Stay: Stone Soup Inn is an antique-filled bed-and-breakfast hotel with character. Within five miles of major sites such as Newfields and the Indianapolis Zoo, it offers an option to stay right in the heart of downtown Indianapolis.
Tip: Check out Westfork Whiskey Company’s Facebook page for special event meals such as hog roasts.
Clockwise: Explore river scenery (photography: Visit Indiana); mussels at the Exchange Pub + Kitchen (photography: @theexchangepub); small-batch bourbon from Starlight Distillery; Market Street Bed & Breakfast (photography: @starlight_distillery)
The bottom third of Indiana is characterized by forested rolling hills that produce spectacular fall foliage. As the first area of the state to be settled, it has an important place in Hoosier history
SOUTHERN
The bottom third of Indiana is characterized by forested rolling hills that produce spectacular fall foliage. As the first area of the state to be settled, it has an important place in Hoosier history. Corydon was the first state capital and the oldest city, Vincennes, site of the George Rogers Clark National Park, was founded by French fur trappers. Clark, a Revolutionary War hero, is honored with a majestic memorial on the banks of the Wabash River. The region is considered to be in the lower Midwest, and slightly reaches into the uppermost area of the southern United States. Be prepared for the friendly hospitality and charming Southern Midland dialect spoken by locals. Local favorites include delectable fried chicken and deep-fried biscuits slathered with apple butter. Visitors love to dine and shop in Nashville and Bean Blossom.
Huber’s Orchard Winery and Vineyards
Huber’s Orchard Winery and Vineyards is located in Borden, which is so far south it takes only 20 minutes to reach Louisville. Remarkably, the land has been continuously owned and farmed by the same family for the last 180 years. Wine production began in 1978 and over the years its award-winning Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Seyval Blanc have become regional favorites. Besides the winery, there is also the Starlight Distillery on the property and tours and tastings are available for both. On site is a farm market, bakery and a café, which is open at lunchtime. Fall is the season for U-pick apples and pumpkins. Generations of the same families come each autumn and young children can pick out a family jack-o’-lantern in the very same field where their grandparents did. Close by is historic New Albany and the 10-mile Ohio River Greenway multi-use path connects it with Jeffersonville and its many attractions including the Howard Steam Boat Museum.
WHAT LOCALS KNOW:
Eat: The Exchange Pub + Kitchen in New Albany has a rotating seasonal menu crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Housed in an 1875 Italianate-style building, the restaurant revitalizes traditional American dishes with a refreshingly new take.
Stay: The suites at Market Street Bed & Breakfast in Jeffersonville, some with fireplaces, reflect the refined elegance of this 1881 mansion. The facility as has a rooftop deck.
Tip: Don’t miss the breathtaking scenery of The Falls of Ohio State Park in Clarksville.
At West Fork Whiskey (photography: West Fork Whiskey)
FOR THE GPS
NORTHWEST INDIANA
Indiana Dunes National Park
1215 N State Rd 49, Porter
Mascot Hall of Fame
1851 Front St, Whiting
MascotHallofFame.com
Gabis Arboretum
450 W 100 N, Valparaiso
Pnw.edu/Gabis-Arboretum
Aftermath Cidery and Winery
15 Washington St, Valparaiso
AftermathCidery.com
Running Vines Winery
101 Broadway, Chesterton
RunningVines.com
Meditrina Market Café
24 Washington St, Valparaiso
Meditrina-Market-Cafe.com
Valparaiso Inn Bed & Breakfast
301 Washington St, Valparaiso
ValpoInn.com
NORTHEAST INDIANA
Chain O’ Lakes State Park
2355 E 75 S, Albion
Fortlandia Brewing Company
1010 Spring St, Fort Wayne
Fortlandia.com
Joseph Decuis
191 N Main St, Roanoke
JosephDecuis.com
The Bradley
204 W Main St, Fort Wayne
ProvenanceHotels.com/The-Bradley
Sycamore Hills Golf Club
11836 Covington Rd, Fort Wayne
SycamoreHillsGolfClub.com
CENTRAL INDIANA
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
4790 W 16th St, Indianapolis
IndianapolisMotorSpeedway.com
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
3000 N Meridian St, Indianapolis
ChildrensMuseum.org
White River State Park
801 W Washington St, Indianapolis
WhiteRiverStatePark.org
Lucas Oil Stadium
500 S Capitol Ave, Indianapolis
LucasOilStadium.com
The Indianapolis Museum of Art
4000 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis
DiscoverNewfields.org
West Fork Whiskey Company
1660 Bellefontaine St, Indianapolis
WestForkWhiskey.com
Livery
720 N College Ave, Indianapolis
Livery-Restaurant.com
Stone Soup Inn
1304 Central Ave, Indianapolis
StoneSoupInn.com
SOUTHERN INDIANA
George Rogers Clark National Park
401 S 2nd St, Vincennes
Huber’s Orchard Winery and Vineyards
19816 Huber Rd, Starlight
HuberWinery.com
The Exchange Pub + Kitchen
118 W Main St, New Albany
ExchangeForFood.com
Market Street Bed & Breakfast
330 W Market St, Jeff ersonville
InnOnMarket.com
Falls of the Ohio State Park
201 W Riverside Dr, Clarksville
FallsOfTheOhio.org
