Posted Under "Tours"

The Indiana portion of The Lincoln Highway is a lovely drive and trip down memory lane!

The historic Indiana Lincoln Highway Byway is one of the featured trails in the new 2012 Indiana Travel Map. The Lincoln Highway was the first named automobile road that crossed the United States of America from coast to coast. The Lincoln Highway was named an official state byway in 2011.

The highway, named in honor of our nation’s 16^th President, was originally formed in 1913 and spans across the country for a grand total of 5,869 miles. In Indiana, the highway travels through more than 40 towns and completes the stretch from Pennsylvania to Ohio.

The city of Fort Wayne is one of the contributors who helped make it possible for the road to become a byway and be featured in the travel map. Along the original 1915 route through Fort Wayne, there can be seen red, white and blue signs marking the byway.

If you are looking to take a drive, you can learn more online and then hop on the historic Lincoln Highway Byway and follow the road markers through Fort Wayne and rediscover what was known as the “Main Street Across America” long before interstate highways were born!

When you find yourself in downtown Fort Wayne for either work or play, there are definitely a variety of things to do and places to go.

However, if you find you need a moment of peace while you’re here, there are plenty of options open to you for taking a well-deserved break. My top five favorites are:

1. The Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory: Situated in the heart of downtown, the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory provides visitors with a chance to stop and let the world go by, while taking in the sights and scents of natural, floral beauty. Wander casually through their Showcase Garden with featured seasonal displays, take in the beautiful Tropical Garden with gorgeous orchids and a soothing waterfall, or enjoy the serenity of the Desert Garden. Visit the Botanical Conservatory Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Conservatory is closed on Mondays, New Year’s Day and Christmas Day. Admission is $5 adults, children (age 3-17) $3; children age 2 and under admitted free.

The Allen County Public Library offers a peaceful stop - and a Dunkin' Donuts on site!

2. The Fort Wayne Museum of Art also offers a quiet respite in the middle of the city. Walk the whisper-quiet galleries at your own pace, taking in exhibitions and collections designed to provoke thought, insight or amusement. The museum is located at 311 Main Street, and is open Tuesday – Saturday, 11a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Art Museum is closed on Mondays and major holidays. Admission is $5 adults, $3 for students Kindergarten through college and $10 for families. The museum offers free admission on Sundays and Thursdays.

3. If you’re looking for a different kind of quiet, check out the Allen County Public Library. Make a quick stop at Dunkin’ Donuts (conveniently located adjacent to the southeast entrance) to pick up a treat and your favorite hot or icy beverage. The library’s main hall alone is worth the time to walk and explore. The two-story open area is home to a larger-than-life wall mural featuring inspirational quotes from some of the world’s most profound thinkers. Wander the departments, peruse a book or two or check out the featured exhibits on display. The main library is open Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Please note the main library is closed on Sundays from May 27, 2012 to September 1, 2012. You can find the library at 900 Library Plaza (bordered by Wayne St., Ewing St. and Washington Blvd.)

Beautiful Freimann Square offers downtown serenity, despite being only steps away from busy Main Street

4. We’ve all heard jokes about the fickle tendencies of Indiana weather: “If you don’t like it, wait a minute and it’ll change,” and the weather in Fort Wayne is no exception. However, if you’re lucky enough to have a little bit of time on a pleasant day, visit Freimann Square. This fountain-adorned park offers a surprising amount of serenity despite being only steps away from busy Main Street. Pick a bench and enjoy cool shade or the full-on warmth of the sun, bring your lunch or enjoy a book. Freimann Square is located on the west side of the Arts United Center/Fort Wayne Civic Theatre. (Parking entrance accessible from South Clinton St.)

5. Finally, tucked into former firehouse number 3 – located at 226 W. Washington Blvd. – is the Fort Wayne Firefighter’s Museum. Station 3 was closed in 1972, and within a couple of years, plans were being made to turn the building into a museum full of local history. Years of work ensued, and the museum opened on a limited basis in 1981. In 2001 a staff was hired and regular hours took effect. The equipment and memorabilia in the museum were all once used by the Fort Wayne Fire Department, and were generously donated by the firefighters and their families. The museum is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum is closed Wednesdays, Sundays and most holidays. Admission is $4 adults, seniors and students (K-12) $3. Children 5 and under are free.

What about you? Are there any downtown quiet spots that you’d recommend?

Enjoy the sweet taste of a local vineyard at Country Heritage Winery & Vineyard, located in LaOtto, Indiana, a just a short drive north of Fort Wayne. This winery, which opened in April 2011, offers a wide selection of wines, guaranteed to please any palate. Enjoy dry, semi-dry, sweet and even dessert wines in the on-site tasting room.

Image courtesy of countryheritagewinery.com

Wine tasting is a $2 per person, which includes six samples and a souvenir glass. And the wine of the month is always free to taste! One tasting fee is waived if you purchase three or more bottles during your visit. Country Heritage Winery & Vineyard also offers a 10 percent discount on cases (12 or more bottles of wine).

Wines here are made from whole fruits with a slow fermentation process to create the best flavors and aromas. Fruit used comes from the locally owned Blueberry Acres Farm, the LaOtto vineyard itself, as well as from vineyards in Michigan, Wisconsin, New York and California. Current flavors range from cherry, to apple, cranberry and more!

Winery and facility tours are also available. Call ahead to arrange yours. Country Heritage Winery & Vineyard is located at 0185 County Road 68, in LaOtto. Just drive north on Indiana 3 and you will find the winery on your left shortly after leaving the Fort Wayne city limits. For more information and hours of operation, call 260.637.2980, or visit Country Heritage Winery & Vineyard online or on Facebook.

You'll find many different varieties of pickles, relish and salsa when you visit Sechler's.

Sechler’s Pickles is one of northeast Indiana’s lesser-known gems, and if you happen to enjoy flavorful pickles, relish and salsa, you’ll definitely want to make this part of your visit to Fort Wayne.

The pickle factory, located in the quaint town of St. Joe, is about a 45-minute drive from the heart of downtown Fort Wayne. (You’ll enjoy Indiana’s scenic countryside along the way.) Factory tours are available to those who wish to get an up-close look at the pickle-making process.

The first thing you’ll notice when you get out of your car is the distinct smell of pickles! Then, as you make your way inside, you’ll find yourself in a cozy shop that is chock-full of jarred pickles and pickle-themed gifts (we saw everything from T-shirts to pickle band-aids!).

A friendly tour guide will then take you through the factory, where you’ll get to observe nearly every aspect of the production process.

As you walk through the plant, you’ll learn that farmers in northern Indiana, northwest Ohio and southern Michigan supply Sechler’s with freshly-picked cucumbers straight from their fields. Workers sort the cucumbers into two groups. Some sit in a salt brine solution, where they cure for three months or more. These eventually become many different varieties of processed pickles. Others, however, are cut, packed and pasteurized right away (these are known as “fresh pack” pickles).

Drop-in tours are available to groups of five or less.

Tours are available from April through October. They are done Monday through Thursday, from 9 to 11 a.m. and 12:30 to 3 p.m. Production on Fridays is limited, so be sure to call and see if the company is offering tours. Parties of five or less do not need to make a reservation, while groups of six or more should call a week ahead to arrange a tour. Contact Sechler’s Pickles at (800) 332-5461 or showroom@sechlerspickles.com.

"West Central" is one of Fort Wayne's most beloved neighborhoods.

Fort Wayne’s West Central Neighborhood is home to many historic and architecturally distinct homes. It’s easy to appreciate the exterior, but did you ever wonder what the homes look like on the inside?

Take a firsthand look on Sept. 10th & 11th, as part of the 2011 West Central Neighborhood Home & Garden Tour. Residents and business owners open their doors for a few hours to the public for this annual event. Enjoy tours of gardens, historic homes and other buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries, a West Central Arts Fest showcasing neighborhood visual and performing artists, and much more!

Purchase your tickets at Umbers Do It Best or Antiques on Broadway. Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 day of tour.

The tour runs from 10 am to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10 & 11th.  For further information, visit the West Central Neighborhood Website, or call (260) 385-WEST.