Spring break is the perfect time to take a break from the monotony of daily life and explore new places. If you’re looking for a fun and exciting destination for your spring break getaway, look no further than Kosciusko County. Located in northern Indiana, this beautiful county offers over 100 lakes and a wide range of activities and attractions that are perfect for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. From scenic trails and cycling routes to art galleries and museums, Kosciusko County has something for everyone.
Kosciusko County is close to major cities such as:
- Fort Wayne, IN – 39 miles
- Indianapolis, IN – 103 miles
- Chicago, IL – 102 miles
- Grand Rapids, MI – 120 miles
- Cincinnati, OH – 157 miles
- Detroit, MI – 164 miles
- Milwaukee, WI – 164 miles
- Columbus, OH – 174 miles
- Louisville, KY – 207 miles
- Springfield, IL – 274 miles
- St. Louis, MO – 293 miles
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the top spring break activities in the area and provide tips on how to plan the perfect getaway.
Dining Options
Breakfast Trail Passport
Wake up to the breakfast you’ve been dreaming of at these eggs-cellent breakfast locations. Whether you like to start your day with a hearty breakfast of eggs and bacon or you prefer some late-night pancakes, everyone loves breakfast food.
Visit all of the locations on the Breakfast Trail and be entered to win $100 in Kosciusko Cash certificates to use at local Kosciusko County businesses.
Here are some of the locations featured on our Breakfast Trail.
Start the day with breakfast, known the most important meal of the day. In Kosciusko County, we have great breakfast spots, such as Creighton’s Crazy Egg, a rustic-style farm atmosphere offering farm-fresh egg goodness straight to your plate.
At Coffee Depot in Syracuse, you receive coffee made from locally roasted beans, fresh food, and friendly service. Enjoy delicious breakfast and lunch options. Enjoy 10% off breakfast when check-in in with the Breakfast Trail Passport.
Taco Trail Passport
Make every day Taco Tuesday with the Taco Trail Passport. Enjoy a variety of tacos and Mexican cuisine at restaurants throughout Kosciusko County. Savor not only tacos but enchiladas, fajitas, burritos, gorditas, quesadillas, and of course margaritas. Check-in at all Taco Trail locations to be entered to win $100 in Kosciusko Cash, plus enjoy discounts at some participating locations.
Here are some of the locations featured on our Taco Trail.
Los Toritos Mexican Restaurant Grill in Syracuse, offers burritos, tacos, margaritas, ceviche, and more classic Mexican favorites. Los Toritos offers 10% off your purchase when check-in in with the Taco Trail Passport.
Javis El Faro Mexican Bar and Grill is located in Milford and offers authentic Mexican and seafood bar and grill with South of the border style. Enjoy classic Mexican cuisine such as burritos, tacos, chips, salsa, drinks, and more.
Sipping Trail Passport
Drink wine by the Winona Lake Canal, sip craft beer in a beautifully renovated mill, or sample from over 1,300 types of whiskey in a classic interior of wood and leather. Follow our Sipping Trail Passport to explore the breweries, wineries, and whiskey room of Kosciusko County. Visit all the locations on the Sipping Trail to be entered into a drawing to win $100 in Kosciusko Cash.
Ledgeview Brewery Co. is a family owned restaurant that takes pride in its quality BBQ and craft beer. At this local smokehouse, you can expect amazing food, great customer service, and affordable prices. Their menu contains pork, sandwiches, burgers, chicken fingers, and a full kid’s menu. At Ledgeview Brewing, they use premium ingredients and make everything from scratch for the most delicious dishes possible. Stop in for dinner with the family or just a quick lunch.
Tippy Creek Winery is Kosciusko County’s first winery. All of their wine is blended and bottled on-site. Sip wine on the couches beside the beautiful fireplace in their large retail area. Choose from over 14 wines and a selection ranging from sweet to dry. You can try wine slushies, wine flights, and do tastings. Enjoy the outdoor patio with corn hole boards and live music when the weather is warm.
Hiking and Cycling Trails
Kosciusko County offers a change in scenery, with over 100 lakes in the setting of natural beauty and peace.
Kosciusko County is home to 11 nature sites, each with trails for you to explore with your friends, families, pets, or solo travelers. We created The Kosciusko County Trailblazer Challenge to Pass to challenge locals and visitors to visit all 11 natural sites.
It’s free to sign up and if you check in at at least 5 natural sites, you win a Kosciusko County Trailblazer Challenge prize.
Here are some locations featured on the Trail Blazer Passport.
Located in Leesburg, Oppenheim Woods is owned and protected by the Nature Conservancy, whose mission is to protect our natural land and water. This preserve contains rolling hills, lush forests, and gorgeous wildflowers. Additionally, songbirds of all kings migrate through the area in April and May. This spectacular location is an ideal place to walk and bird watch.
The Heritage Trail is Winona Lake’s portion of the Lake City Greenway. it features artwork along the trail that interprets attributes of the heritage of Winona Lake. If you are looking for an adventure next to The Heritage Trails there is Winona Lake Trails with just under 10 miles of off-road miles open to mountain biking and hiking situated on 137 acres of private land in the heart of Winona Lake.
View Local Art
Our local communities are rich with arts and cultural experiences and filled with sculptures and murals for you to discover. We have created the Public Art Trail Challenge to encourage visitors and residents to explore the area and see the explosion of creativity in our communities.
Here are some locations featured on the Public Art Trail.
Chief the Bison is Syracuse’s “Bison-tenial” bison, and it is decorated with various patterns and scenes, including cornfields, lakes, plants, and native American features symbolizing all the features and history of Syracuse, IN. It is located by the Down Under Bar & Restaurant, a unique underground restaurant marked by a white gazebo.
Mount Etna in Etna Green in front of this mural stands a water fountain surrounded by a stunning array of plants and flowers. The mural itself depicts a peaceful landscape scene with a mountain in the background and several horses frolicking in the valley beneath.
Atelier is a contemporary art gallery in Downtown Warsaw. The gallery represents emerging and contemporary artists and will exhibit a new artist every two months. Atelier is owned and operated by art advisor, Sea Grandon, Atelier is a place for art collectors and creatives to gather, explore ideas, and share perspectives.
Made on Main is an artisan marketplace and creative studio. Their mission is to make art accessible, inspire and celebrate each artist’s self-expression, and showcase talented artisans and small businesses.
Visit Parks & Playgrounds
Lakeside Park is the and largest park in the Syracuse Parks system. The park is lined with Saucer Magnolia trees that blossom in early spring providing beautiful views. Park Amenities include the Kenneth & Lela Harkless Gazebo, an open-air pavilion, playground, beach volleyball and a swimming beach on Syracuse Lake.
Waubee Lake Park and Beach is a small freshwater lake situated 2 miles southeast of Milford, Indiana in the northern part of Kosciusko County. Waubee Park is located on the north side of the lake and is a small family-oriented park with a playground, lake access for boat launching, and a clean lake for swimming and fishing.
Central Park boasts numerous gardens, a beautiful water feature, picnic shelters, and a sidewalk that surrounds the park, making it an ideal escape for your lunch break or a great way to spend an evening with your family. The large grassy area is perfect for playing catch or lounging and reading a book. The shelter or Center Lake Plaza can be rented for private events. Additionally, there are restrooms and vending machines available for public use.
Winona Lake Limitless Park, Beach, and K21 Splash Pad boasts a lot of fun with its designated Lake’s swimming area, tennis courts, splash pad, playground, beach area, pavilions, and table for picnics and lots of beautiful trees and grassy areas – perfect for your family outing.
Find more parks, playgrounds, beaches, and splashpads for you and your family using our Kosciusko County Play Spaces brochure.
Indoor Activities
Wawasee Bowl is a family-friendly 20-lane bowling center offering birthday parties, corporate parties, family open bowling, and league play.
Pickwick Theatre located in Syracuse is the perfect place to lay back and watch a movie on a night out with family and friends.
The Bowling Alley located on State Road 15 in Warsaw, this bowling alley offers a 16-lane bowling center with all the amenities for both beginners and expert bowlers. A Family-Friendly entertainment center includes a game room with arcade games, a cafe known for its award-winning BBQ chicken pizza, and a pub that offers draft beers, as well as a wide array of bottled beer and specialty drinks.
The Golf Club of Warsaw offers three state-of-the-art golf simulators, each of which has four high-speed cameras that capture 4,000 images per second.
Located in the Syracuse Community Center across from Lakeside Park, the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum is a popular attraction filled with the history of the town and the surrounding areas of Syracuse.
Located in Mentone, the Lawrence D. Bell Aircraft Museum is dedicated to Mentone native Lawrence Bell. Bell founded Bell Aircraft the first supersonic jet piloted by Chuck Yeager, the first jet-propelled airplane, the world’s first commercial helicopter, the world’s fastest and highest-flying airplane, the Bell X1A, and the first vertical take-off and landing jet.
View Our Visitor Guide
View our Kosciusko County Visitor Guide for more activities to do on your spring getaway trip here.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a fun and exciting spring break getaway, Kosciusko County is the perfect destination. With a wide range of activities and attractions to choose from, including hiking and cycling trails, local dining options, public art trails, and parks, you’re sure to find something that appeals to your interests and travel style. So start planning your trip today, and don’t forget to explore all that Kosciusko County has to offer!