Visit Mentone Kosciusko Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Mentone, Indiana: Discover the beautiful "Little Switzerland" at Lake Shore! See the Balsorheb waterfall and experience the Alpine mood in the hills. Good food at the restaurant Chalet-sur-Mer.
Mentone sights? Honestly, that sounds like one of these exaggerated blog titles, but I still want to tell you a little bit about the tiny little town that was born in 1854 as a tribute to the French Menton and has since been buzzing in Franklin Township, Koskosko County. The railway came like a life savior at the time, and today the old railway line is only a narrow path that I like to use while jogging – a bit of nostalgia, a little excuse to justify my running shoes.
When you arrive by car, simply follow the US-30, which cuts practically through the heart of Mentone; this is practically the only thing that is really “big” here. The small airport in North Webster is for those who like to arrive with the propeller tool, but most of us take the next regional airport in South Bend – a short flight, then a little highway therapy.
I don't quite understand the hype about the annual harvest festival eggs, because the whole thing is more of noisy villagers who sell their own potatoes, but the next café on Main Street is really great: here there's the best homemade apple cake I've ever tasted, and the staff knows you by name, even before you have ordered. And yes, the old city hall, which today serves as a community centre, has more character than some hipster loft in Chicago – that is at least my opinion.
A short trip to the nearby Lake Wawasee is practically a duty, because you not only paddle there, but also have the opportunity to watch the local enthusiasts at the “big catch” – a spectacle that is almost as entertaining as watching how the city administration tries to modernise the old water system. So, next time you drive over Indiana, make a stop in Mentone – you won't regret it, I promise.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Mentone is the old one Town Hall is – a red brick building that looks like someone stole it from a film scene and then decided to leave it here. I visited a city meeting night there, and while most people were just reading the log, I secretly cuddled myself into the corner with the original wood panels and wondered why the city administration still makes so much paperwork. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the annual “Mentone Summer Festival” will turn the whole neighborhood into a car park.
Right next to the town hall Mentone Community CenterI love because it is the only building in the city that is at the same time a gym, a bingo house and a place for the best barbecue evenings in the region. I once made a yoga-hour experiment there – the yoga teacher was so relaxed that I almost forgot that the walls were from a former school cellar. The center has a small but fine courtyard where in summer the kids let their dragons rise and the adults exchange views of the city's latest construction plans.
If you're looking for a place where you can move back with a book without a tourist standing behind you with a camera, then it's Mentone Public Library That's right. I've read my favorite critique there several times, while I quietly thought about the creeping wooden chairs why the city never built a larger library. The librarian knows every visitor by name – a bit scary, but also somehow charming.
A short walk leads you to Mentone Park, a small green piece that has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance. There is a baseball court, a playground stand that looks like an 80-year-old carpenter had built, and a small pond where ducks turn their rounds. I remember playing catching with my father when I was a kid, until we both lay completely exhausted on the bench and slowly dropped the sun. Today the park area is the centrepiece of the municipality, especially when the local firefighter team hosts the annual “Firefighter’s BBQ”.
A bit off the center, but definitely worth a detour, this is Mentone Historical Society Museum. The museum is located in the old school house from the 1920s and shows everything from old school benches to photos showing how the city looked almost a century ago. I once saw an exhibition on local agriculture and was surprised how much the city is still surrounded by the fields – a contrast to the modern suburbs that are otherwise found in Indiana.
Another jewel I don't want to conceal is that St John the Baptist Catholic Church. The church is not only a place of prayer, but also an architectural highlight with a stone facade that almost glitters in sunlight. I took part in a choir sample there – the voices echoed through the naval vessel, and I had to admit that I was a bit envious to the singers who could sing so beautifully while I was just trying not to snore.
And then there are the small but fine shops along Main Street that I love because they are the true Mentone Attractions- Make an experience. Here you will find an antique shop that sells more than just old furniture – it tells stories about families who have lived here for generations. I found an old radio that still works there and took it home right away because I thought that was a perfect souvenir for my collection of “things that I don’t really need, but still love”.
Finally, if you're in Mentone the next time, take your time to stroll through the streets and watch the little details – that's often what the city really is. And if you're wondering why I'm talking so much about every single building, it's because I grew up here and every corner carries a bit of myself. So, lots of fun exploring, and don't forget to take a look at the old town hall from time to time – you never know when a spontaneous city meeting flash mob takes place.
The first place I have to put to every visitor is the glittering Tippecanoe Lake, just a cat jump south of Mentone. The water is so clear that when paddling you almost feel like controlling in a huge aquarium – no joke, that is really impressive. I rented a kayaking there in the summer, and parking was a children's play, as long as you did not arrive on Saturday night, then the small field turns into a battlefield of crowded cars and loud grillers.
A short detour to the east leads directly to Lake Wawasee, the largest natural lake Indiana’s. Here there are more sailboats than people, and that is exactly what I love in this place: the quiet dominance of nature over the human hectic. I remember a sunny afternoon when I sat with an old friend on the shores, while a fisherman spoke loudly about the size of his catch – a classic spectacle that never gets old. Simple It is possible because the public dock is open around the clock, and the small café on the outskirts serves the best coffee I've ever had in a lake area.
If you have enough of quiet waters, you should definitely go to Indiana Beach on Lake Shafer – a bit of retro charm, a bit of sloping rollercoaster, and a lot of pommes you eat with your hands because the tables are too small. I ridden the Blue Streak for the first time and was sure that I would stay in the car the next time, but the laughing of my passengers convinced me that the squeaking of the rails is almost therapeutic. There is enough parking space, but the entry and exit can be a small patience test on Friday afternoons.
A little further north lies the Kosciusko County Historical Museum in Warsaw, a place that I would call “time capsule for Indiana”. The exhibition about the beginnings of the region is not exactly spectacular, but the lovingly restored furniture and the old photographs make you feel the hard work of the pioneers. I accidentally found an old diary that belonged to an early settler – a real find that gave me the feeling of getting a piece of history in my hand. The museum is free, and parking is right outside the door, which is ideal for spontaneous visits.
Right on the river in Warsaw, the Riverwalk, a walk that has more charm than some Instagram filters. I discovered a street musician there on a lukewarm evening playing on an old guitar while a few children played in the background with bright swimming tires. This is the image that always remains in my mind when I think of the “real” side of Indiana. There are numerous benches, and parking is usually easy as long as you don't get to the main traffic time.
Just a few miles further lies the Chain O'Lakes State Park, a network of small lakes that stretches like a labyrinth of waterways. I rented a small boat there and explored the hidden bays – a perfect place to escape everyday life without going too far. The park is well signposted, and the visitor center offers maps that are understandable for someone who has no idea of navigation. The only manoeuvre: The toilets are a bit remote, so better put a short stop beforehand.
Finally, a short trip to Winona Lake, known not only for its water surfaces, but also for its cultural history. The Winona College and the historic hotel offer a flair that reminds of the golden twenties, and I heard a jazz quartet at a small concert in the historical auditorium that captured the mood of the place perfectly. Parking is easy to find on the main road, and the small café on the lake serves homemade cakes that you should not miss.
Those who visit Mentone should not only see the environment as a transit station – the diversity of Mentone Attractions offers something for every taste, from quiet lakes to historical museums to quirky leisure fun. And if you're honest, it's a little better than exploring the city itself.
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