I have a hot new recommendation for a vacation destination for anyone living in the Midwest US. Hear me out- Fort Wayne, Indiana.
I know, I know. Looking at a map, it’s not known for its natural scenery, or its night life, or anything really. “Second biggest city in Indiana” doesn’t scream excitement. But this town is truly a hidden gem for travel, especially for travelers who like puzzles.
First things first, there are five escape rooms in town, with a few more if you’re open to VR. There are plenty of games to keep enthusiasts occupied for a reasonably lengthy stay, plus a walkable downtown area with geocaches abound.
Secondly, the accommodations in Fort Wayne are amazing for the price. We got a lovely full house Airbnb three minutes away from downtown for $99 a night (plus fees). For less than most Super 8 motel rooms cost, we got a private three bedroom home with tons of space to spread out and enjoy in a convenient and safe area.
Thirdly, the downtown area has tons of hidden gems. Yesterday we tried a pub called Bru Burger. The burgers were good, but the condiments were the secret sauce so-to-speak, with incredible house-made condiments including made-from-scratch ketchup. Bru was on a full strip of trendy bars/restaurants that reminds me of places like Wicker Park in Chicago.
Lastly, the entertainment options around the area are shockingly many, with more one-off adventure facilities, skating rinks, zoos, and other experience-based entertainment options in the area than even the Chicago suburbs. Flipping through the catalog at our Airbnb, I’ve got a huge list I’ve tagged for checking out.
I’m still early in my stay in Fort Wayne, and I wont have much of a chance to explore the fun parts of town this week, but even in my quick exposure to this town, I’m loving it. Fort Wayne packs in all the best elements of city travel while still giving you great options for spreading out and relaxing in luxury.
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