On the first steps through Rome City you can immediately feel that the Rome City sights are more than a name on a map – they are an echo from the time that echoes in the fields of Orange Township, Noble County. I fought here because I heard the rumor that the little town was born out of nothing in 1839, named after the venerable Rome in New York, and has since become a silent witness of the Middle West. The old wooden houses on the main street-cross that still bear the scent of freshly mowed corn tell stories of pioneers who had more courage than money.
When you arrive by car, take the US-33 – it sounds like a rotten river through the country and lets you almost forget that you are just a few hours away from Fort Wayne. I missed the bus, so I drove by bicycle over the county road, which have more potholes than asphalt here, but offer a panorama that surpasses even the hardest Instagram filter.
Once here, you quickly realize that people talk more about their own gardens than about the latest trends, and that is kind of liberating. I don’t understand the hype about the “small cities with charm” completely, but the quiet strollers of the nearby Lake James, the quiet sums of fieldwork and the occasional laughter from the local Diner kitchen – this is the true heart of Rome City, which I would recommend to anyone who has enough of loud metropolises.
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To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Rome City, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first stop I put to every visitor is that Pokagon State Park in Angola – just a short drive north of Rome City. There are not only the famous sand dunes, which in the summer almost looks like a mini desert paradise, but also a historical trolley that swings you through the forest as if it had fallen from another time. I once tried to master the famous “Toboggan Run” there; the result was a spectacular fall, followed by a wide grin, because the staff was so loose with the injuries that I felt almost guilty of not slipping more often. Parking is usually a Klacks, except for the long weekends in July, as the SUVs stack like canned cans.
A few miles further, towards the east, suddenly the Chain O'Lakes State Park which extends over a network of five interconnected lakes. Here you can not only row, but also a bit of fishing – I caught a pike that was bigger than my buddy Tom, and that made him take over the campfire because he was too proud to admit he didn't catch anything. The trails are well marked, and the visitor center has a small souvenir shop where you can buy a T-shirt with an exaggerated picture of a duck pair – a must if you want to show your friends that you were “authentic”.
If you feel that nature alone is not enough, then that is Indiana Beach your next stop at Lake Shafer. This is not some amusement park, but a shrill relic from the 80s, which still shines with its wooden roller coaster and the bright neon lights. I don’t understand the hype around the “Kiddie‐Coaster” completely, but the sugar-tie-stand around the last portion is a real showdown you shouldn’t miss. The park area is huge, so plan enough time; parking is free of charge, but on hot summer days it can become a little patience.
A short trip to Kendallville leads you to Noble County Historical Museumthat has more charm than most modern art galleries. There are old photographs of horse-drawn cars that hit through the prairie, and an original wooden chair, on which the first mayor of Rome City allegedly sat – I sat down and immediately felt that I entered the city in another era. The museum is small, but the staff is incredibly friendly and likes to tell you anecdotes you don't hear anywhere else. Admission is free, and parking is right in front of the building, which makes the whole even more relaxed.
For those who prefer walking, there is the Wabash and Erie Canal Trail, which stretches through the rural landscape and leads past historical sluices, which still allow the water to crack. I once spent half a day there while I tried to open the old sluice – the result was a small swarm of water that would soak my shoes, but the smile of the locals who helped me was unpaid. The trail is well developed and you can take your bike; Parking at the starting point is usually easy as long as you don't get to the high season on the weekend.
A final tip for adventure lovers: The St. Joseph River offers excellent possibilities for kayaking, especially in spring when the water is still cool, but the landscape is full of fresh leaves. I once paddled a few hours with a friend and discovered an abandoned farmhouse that is now overgrown by wild roses – a perfect photo pot if you want to bring a little romance to your Instagram feed. The docks are well signposted, and the renting of kayaks is usually uncomplicated as long as you don't show up on Friday night after work, then there's a little crowd.
Whether you prefer the sandy dunes of Pokagon, the glittering lakes of Chain O'Lakes, the shrill flair of Indiana Beach, the history in the Noble County Historical Museum, the quiet path of the Wabash and Erie Canal Trail or the gentle strollers of St. Joseph River – the surroundings of Rome City have something to offer for every taste. And if you have experienced all this, you will understand why the Rome City Sights more than just points on a map – they are small stories that make the heart of this little Indiana beat.
This guide invites you, with me a small road trip through what I love Rome City nenne, to make – yes, just the tiny little town in Orange Township, Indiana, which has more charm than some big cities I have visited in recent years. When you arrive here for the first time, you will immediately notice that the heart of the place does not pulsate in any hip café, but in a huge, glittering water that the locals simply Lake James call.
Lake James is not just a lake, he's the whole program. I rented a kayak there – that was a bit like a mini adventure in my own backyard, only that the water was cooler and the ducks did not ask for a photo. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then everyone from the area will touch their families. If you're looking for a little rest, grab a place on the West Beach, where you almost feel you're the only visitor. And yes, fishing is a serious hobby here; I caught an old carp that was almost as old as the city itself.
A short walk from the lake Rome City Park. I admit I was skeptical because I thought a small park in a small town was just a field with a few benches. Wrong thought. The park has a playground that is a true paradise for children (and for adults who feel young) and a small amphitheater where local bands sometimes occur in the summer – no joke that is really great when you are looking for a relaxed evening with live music. The car park is an old shed, but he does his job, and the sign “Parking here” is so shaky that it is almost an art work.
If you are interested in history – and you should, because I don't understand, if people say that small towns have nothing to tell – then that's what you're interested in. Rome City Historical Museum That's right. The museum is small, but the exhibitions are full of local anecdotes, from the foundation of the city in the 19th century. Century to the scrupulous stories about the old water mill, which is supposedly haunted by a spirit. I saw an old photo of a horse car there that reminded me that there used to be real horses instead of cars dominated the streets. Admission? Free because the museum is operated by volunteers who have more passion for the city than some politicians.
Another jewel I visit is the Rome City Public Library. Sounds like a place where you can only read quietly, but here there are regular readings, children's workshops and even a small café area where you can drink coffee while you browse through the shelves. The staff is friendly but not exaggerated polite – they know that you are here to read, not to guide small talk. And the best thing: the library has a window overlooking the lake, so you can see the water glitter while reading.
For those who prefer to put the ball into play, this is Rome City Golf Club A must. The place is not huge, but the fairways are well maintained and the green is faster than you think. I have made a few debats there and found that the Clubhaus bar serves the best homemade lemonades in the area – no joke, that is really a highlight after a long day on the green. Parking is available directly at the clubhouse, and parking is a children's game because the places are almost never occupied except for weekends when the city attracts its best golfers.
A short detour to Rome City Marina is also worth it. The marina is the heart for everyone who loves boats, and it has a small shop where you can buy fresh fish fillets – I have eaten the best roasted carp of my life there. The staff there knows every visitor by name, and if you're lucky, you'll get a free glass of lemonade, because they just have a special offer for "First Visitors". Creating is easy, and parking is right next to the dock, which makes getting out and going into the children's game.
If you're in town in the summer, you should be Rome City Farmers Market visit. The market takes place every Saturday morning in the central square, and there are fresh vegetables, homemade jams and even a few handmade works of art by local artists. I tried a self-made applesauce there that was better than anything I've ever found in the supermarket. The market is a good place to get in touch with the locals – they like to talk about the weather, the harvest and why the new supermarket in the neighboring city does not have the same flair.
A walk along the river Lake James Trail completes the experience. The path takes you around the lake, past small bays and viewpoints that are perfect for a spontaneous photo. I saw a sunset there that was so beautiful that I almost forgot that I had planned a short walk. The trail is well marked, and parking at the beginning of the way is free – a small bonus when you arrive by car.
Last but not least, I shouldn't like the iconic Rome City Water Tower Forget about the city like a silent guard. The tower is not only a photo motif, but also a symbol of the city's stability. I once discovered a little graffiti that says “Stay weird, Rome City” – a hint that the inhabitants here have their own style and do not take life too seriously.
All this together Rome City Sights to a mix of nature, history and local joy of life that will surprise you if you think you already know every small town in Indiana. So, grab your stuff, take a little curiosity and let yourself be enchanted by this little, but fine spot earth – I promise you won't be disappointed, and maybe, just maybe, you will return to this next visit because you feel you haven't seen everything yet.
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