Our Favorite Day Trips and Weekend Getaways

There’s something about the stretch between spring and summer that makes you want to get out of town—even just for a day. The school year winds down, the weather warms up, and suddenly, the idea of a quick adventure is calling your name.

One of the best parts of living in northeast Indiana is that you don’t have to go far for a change of scenery. Are you dreaming of a beach day? Head northwest to the Indiana Dunes. Craving the culture and excitement of a big city? Chicago, Detroit and Columbus are just a few hours away.

With summer break in full swing, we asked the team to share their favorite day trips and weekend getaways. From family favorites to a few under-the-radar gems, here’s where we’re heading when we need to get away.

Photo courtesy of Heartstrings Lather-Up.

Shopping Spree in Roanoke

“While not a full day trip, I love visiting Roanoke, Indiana, for a few hours. The Parker Grace Tea Room is an adorable spot for lunch (and tea), and there are plenty of shops to pop into—all within walking distance of each other. A few of my favorites include Paper Moon, Heartstrings Lather-Up, West 2nd Home and Lavender Valley Farms.”

— Bridget

Indy Music Scene

“My friends and I love heading south to Indy for the weekend, especially in the summer. The Everwise Ampitheater at White River State Park always has a great lineup of summer concerts. We usually hit a couple of our favorite breweries as well, including Centerpoint, Sun King and Metazoa (dog friendly!).”

— Emily

Purdue Game Days

“For a weekend trip, I will always love a nostalgic trip back to my college stomping grounds at Purdue University, West Lafayette. It’s best spent with friends from college, reminiscing and catching up. We can catch a football or basketball game, head to Harry’s for some pre- or post-game popcorn, and walk around campus.”

— Erin

Photo courtesy of Jason Leung on Unsplash.

Chicago Eats, Drinks and More

“I like to first arrive downtown and then make my way to friends’ neighborhoods and hit up some places known for good eats, drinks or entertainment. Some favorite stops are Logan Arcade or Emporium Arcade Bar for pinball; Chicago Comics, which also stocks art books that might interest me; Pequod’s Pizza for deep-dish pizza that’s hard to replicate; DryHop Brewers for a burger; and Map Room or The Red Lion Pub for a drink. A midday summer Cubs game is also fun if you have the opportunity. And if you’ve never been to Kingston Mines for a music experience, I recommend it.”

— Jake

Backpacking through Brown County

“My favorite weekend getaway is backpacking in Brown County. My husband and I always visit the Charles C. Deam Wilderness, which allows for dispersed camping. We love going off-trail and carving out our own little corner of the forest to connect with nature.”

— Jasmine

Goshen Bike Adventures

“Goshen has been a recent favorite day trip. On a nice day, take a bike ride on the Pumpkinvine Trail, ride into Mooey’s Ice Cream right off the trail, and make sure to stop for a soft pretzel at Jo Jo’s Pretzels (possibly the best soft pretzels ever).”

— John

Snowboarding in Michigan

“In the winter, we like to take the kids snowboarding in southern Michigan. It’s only a couple of hours from home, and we always have a great day.”

— Jonathan

Northeast Indiana Trail Riding

“For the flatlands, northeast Indiana is blessed with terrific, free and fun-to-enjoy mountain biking trails—Franke Park (Fort Wayne), Morsches Park (Columbia City) and Winona Lake MTB Trails (outside Warsaw). Each is magnificent and unique. Pick one to spend an hour or so at, or turn it into a circuit and hit all three in a single day or weekend. It’s even more fun if you do it with friends, like Brad Bores from Brad Bores Films or Shaun Malinowski of Good Stuff Design.”

— Matt

Camping at Indiana State Parks

“My family’s favorite weekend getaway is camping! Choose one of our beautiful Indiana State Parks and take your pick of tent, cabin or RV camping. We love horseback riding in Brown County State Park and the beach/trails at Pokagon State Park. You can find a great mix of hiking and kayaking around Turkey Run. Our state parks have soooo much to offer when you take the time to explore.” — Michelle

Lake Day in Steuben County

“For me, the perfect day is spent in Steuben County at our family lake house on Lake Gage. My family has been coming to Lake Gage for nine decades, and that deep connection to the water is something I treasure. A day filled with floating in the water, boat rides, family time and the smell of a cookout on the grill is my definition of time well spent.”

— Zoe

Thanks for reading! We hope our team’s favorite quick trips have inspired you to hop in the car and explore our beautiful state. If you’re looking for even more things to do in our region, check out our roundup of favorite NEI events!