BEST Things to Do in Warsaw Indiana: Indiana Day Trips

We discovered so many fun things to do in Warsaw, Indiana! Warsaw, Indiana, might not be the first place you think of for a family adventure, but maybe it should be. Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, this vibrant community is a testament to the fact that small towns often hide the biggest treasures.

Our recent visits to Warsaw uncovered a blend of tradition and contemporary zest, perfect for families looking to make lasting memories. And while some old favorites have closed their doors, new experiences await, like the local craft hub, Lakeview Brewing Company. If you are in the mood for a day trip to Northern Indiana, consider Warsaw as a strong contender!

1. Start your day in Warsaw with breakfast

On one of our recent visits, our Saturday started off bright and early with a tasty breakfast at The American Table – it was less than a mile from our hotel and quite busy.  The breakfasts tended to lean towards huge platters of eggs, meats, and potatoes – they looked delicious, but a little heavy for our tastes.  Luckily, the menu is so large, that my son and I found the perfect start to our day too.

The American Table, 3575 Lake City Highway, Warsaw, IN

👉We loved our stay at the Wyndham Garden Warsaw – check it out here

2. Explore the farmer’s market in downtown Warsaw

On my son’s weekend getaway, our plan after breakfast was to head downtown to check out the Cave on the Square.  Once we parked, we stumbled across the local farmer’s market.  Since I love a good farmer’s market, we took a little detour to pick up some fresh yellow tomatoes and cucumbers.  Yum!

3. Admire the Kosciusko Courthouse

In the middle of the downtown is the gorgeous Kosciusko Courthouse. Several years ago my son and I enjoyed a lovely salt cave experience at Cave on the Square. Sadly, that business is closed, but you can still check out the courthouse and stroll the streets.

This beautiful courthouse began construction in 1881 and opened in 1884. It was built in the Second Empire architectural style. If you love old buildings, try to visit on a Monday – Friday when you can go inside.

Kosciusko Courthouse, 121 N. Lake St. Warsaw, IN

4. Grab a coffee at Courthouse Coffee on the Square

The salt cave may be gone, but there is a wonderful new coffee shop located downtown, and I’m a sucker for a good coffee shop! Courthouse Coffee has a ton of beautiful open spaces perfect for working and a convenient location near the downtown courthouse and businesses.

I enjoyed a tasty (and crazy affordable) Americano to go, but it would be a lovely place to sit and visit with friends or power up the laptop for some writing.

Courthouse Coffee on the Square, 108 N. Buffalo, Warsaw, IN

5. Enjoy a little downtown shopping in downtown Warsaw

MudLove is a company that produces a variety of pottery products, jewelry, etc.  They all have a word on them that has meaning to whoever owns it – you can select from what they already have, or customize something for yourself.  They used to have a shop downtown but we couldn’t find it on our latest trip.

The cool thing about MudLove is that for every product sold, a week of clean water is provided to someone in need.  Although you can order online, you can also find them all over Indiana in many local gift shops. They make a fun gift for anyone – we have a handful of them ourselves.

There are a few other cute little boutiques downtown and a very interesting bookstore/candy shop/gift shop that we had fun exploring. We picked up a few cute little gifts for friends and family.

6. Partake in a cold rootbeer & dog at Chicago DogHouse for lunch

2023 UPDATE: I think they are closed – I couldn’t find any info on them online.

When my son and I were in Warsaw, we stopped at  Chicago DogHouse – thanks to its highly-rated reviews on Yelp.  It was bare bones but with a nice variety and very tasty food. They even had a black bean burger – yeah!  We cooled off with frosty bottles of XXX Rootbeer – my favorite.  Take note that they are closed on Sunday.

7. Exploring Warsaw Cut Glass is one of the cool things to do in Warsaw Indiana

On the trip with my son, we stopped at Warsaw Cut Glass to check it out as I had read that it was a Warsaw classic. This company has been in business since 1911.  Warsaw Cut Glass is housed in a gorgeous old brick building, with a showroom in the front and a workshop in the back. 

They import the glass pieces from all over but then do all the etching themselves.  The glass pieces were beautiful with delicate detail and classic lines.  I didn’t pick up anything today but have been thinking about the stemless wine glasses, so maybe next time…

Warsaw Cut Glass, 505 S. Detroit St. Warsaw, Indiana

💥 Interested in art glass? Don’t miss our visit to the Kokomo Opalescent Glass Factory

8. Take a break at Ledgeview Brewing Company

On our most recent trip, we discovered Ledgeview Brewing Company, and what a find it was! We sat at the bar and chatted with the bartender/owner for over an hour. The beers were delicious and even though we weren’t too hungry decided to split a pulled pork platter so we could try the food.

The food was quite tasty – and all homemade, with the meat smoked right out back. The brewery is family-friendly and in fact, several families were in and out while we were there along with a lot of folks on their lunch break. The atmosphere is comfortable and there is a large outdoor patio for warm summer days. What started out as one small drink (they do half-pours), turned into three half-pours and food – that’s the mark of a good spot!

Ledgeview Brewing Company, 975 Warren St. Warsaw, IN

9. End your day in Warsaw at the Village at Winona

On both of my recent visits, there was just enough time left before we had to head home for one more stop, so we went back over to the Village of Winona to top off the day with ice cream!  Kelainey’s is a combination coffee bar, ice cream parlor, and sandwich shop.  With tons of screened-in porch seating, it was a perfect end to a fun little getaway in Warsaw.

In addition to Kelainey’s, you’ll find tons of adorable boutiques and restaurants. It is easy to spend a few hours shopping and just enjoying the gorgeous lake. Everyone was super friendly too, we had great conversations with several different shop owners and picked up a few Christmas gifts too!

Village at Winona, 700 Park Ave. Winona Lake, IN

10. Have fun painting or crafting at Pottery Bayou

We didn’t have extra time or I would have 100% had fun with a little crafting at Pottery Bayou. Located in the Village at Winona, this adorable little cottage has not only painting projects but also fused glass creations you can make yourself.

11. Enjoy a late-night dinner at Downtown Eatery & Spirits

The last time we visited Warsaw we were leaving town about 9:30 (after a soccer game), and most of the restaurants were closed. We found Downtown Eatery & Spirits still open, but it was 21+ and we had our teenage son with us. Since we avoid fast food if we can, we decided to place a to-go order.

I ordered at the bar and chatted with the bartenders while I waited for our food. They were super friendly and offered me a Diet Coke while I waited. The menu looked fantastic, and so did the inside. It was spacious yet cozy. We ordered a few sandwiches, and some quesadillas and everything was delicious, filling and the perfect ending to a fun day in Warsaw.

Downtown Eatery & Spirits, 205 W. Center Street, Warsaw, IN

FAQs about Warsaw Indiana

Conclusion: Fun things to do in Warsaw Indiana

On the drive home from the trip I took with my son, we both agreed we would be more than happy to visit this area again – and try to squeeze in at least one lake day! It’s not often I get to spend so much one-on-one time with one of my kids, but it’s a great way to strengthen our relationship, and we had the bonus of a really fun time exploring a new place.

My most recent visit to Warsaw was a day trip scheduled around a soccer game so I still didn’t get that lake day, but I did enjoy discovering a few new hidden treasures like Ledgeview Brewing!

Thanks to the Kosciuko CVB and The Village of Winona for sponsoring parts of our trip.  The opinions expressed are all my own.

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