Visit Leo-Cedarville Allen Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Leo-Cedarville: A natural paradise in the heart of Indiana! Experience the quiet and beautiful surroundings of the Cedar Creek State Park. Close to camping, fishing and hiking, this idyllic village offers a perfect holiday for nature fans.
Honestly, if you ask yourself why Leo‐Cedarville ever exists, you have to go back to the 19th. Two tiny settlements, Leo (1850) and Cedarville (1852), grew next to each other on the banks of the river of the same name until they decided to merge their names – a bit like a bad Tinder-Date, which somehow works. Today, the whole is in the heart of Cedar Creek Township, Allen County, and is hardly more than a sleepy link between Fort Wayne and the rural expanses of the North. I usually come by car over the I‐69, because the buses here are more of a myth, and that’s also good – you don’t want to spend the whole day in the waiting room of the local bus while you actually want to explore the “Leo‐Cedarville Sights”.
When you finally arrive, there are a few things I don't think are all the circus, but still worth mentioning: the small, but charming community center where the locals spend their Sunday brunch fights, and the Cedar Creek Park, a piece of green that has more charm than some overpriced city park. And yes, the old railway museum, which I never quite understand, because there are hardly any visitors, has at least a few old locomotives that you can look at when you like Nostalgie. All in all a place that doesn't overwhelm you, but still offers enough small surprises to pick up your Instagram story a bit.
I have to admit: my favorite attraction in Leo-Cedarville is that Cedar Creek Park. There is not only a huge playground that makes even the wildest children (and the inner children of adults) happy, but also a small lake where you can roam in the summer with an old inflatable – yes, that is really still present, not a tourist gimmick. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, it becomes a real problem because then the whole neighborhood mutates to the barbecue and beer meeting point.
A short walk further (and a bit more patience when finding the right footpath) leads you to Leo-Cedarville Public Library. I don't quite understand the hype about hip cafes in libraries, but here there is a cozy reading shackle that will lead you to forget your shopping list and instead to swallow a book about the history of the region. The staff knows every regular guest in the name – it's almost scary if you don't like to pluck out.
If you're looking for a place where you can get rid of your excess energy, that's it. Leo-Cedarville Community Center That's right. I took part in a yoga course that was led by a former ballet dancer who knows more about the right attitude when lifting boxes than any moving business. The building itself is a little cloby, but the hall is large enough to host a small concert – and parking is almost always a Klacks, because the center has its own, easy to find field.
A bit off the hustle and bustle Cedar Creek Golf Course. Admittedly, it's a private place, but I took one day off to play a few rounds with a friend because he gave me a special access. The fairways are well maintained, the green is faster than my last sprint to the refrigerator, and the clubhouse serves a burger that is almost as good as the one I make at home – almost.
For those who prefer walking, there is the Cedar Creek Trail. The path stretches through fields, past old barns and occasionally on a small brook, which offers more plots than noise. I once watched a sunset there while I tried to outsmart my GPS app because she thought I was lost in the forest. The trail is well marked, and the best: you don't need a ticket, just a little curiosity and comfortable shoes.
Another slightly overlooked jewel is the Leo-Cedarville Town Hall. The building is not exactly an architectural wonder, but the interior has a charm that reminds you of the good old times when mayor still personally turned the street. I once participated in a public meeting where the topic of “waste separation” triggered more heated debates than any reality show. There is a parking lot right outside the door, but you have to hit around with a few bicycles and an old van.
And because I don't just want to tell the usual suspects, I'm still mentioning the Leo-Cedarville Historical Society Museum. The museum is small, but it houses original artefacts from the founding period, including an old typewriter model that still works – if you can even turn it on. I took a lead there where the curator told me why the city officially brought its name together in 2010. This is a good example that history does not always have to be dusty, but sometimes just a bit confusing.
If you now think that this is too much, let me tell you quickly that the Leo‐Cedarville Sights not only consist of these points – there are still a few hidden cafes, a few friendly faces and a lot of opportunity to feel the real Indiana without having to fight you through endless tourist crowds. So, grab your car (or your bike if you're brave) and experience what I've described here with a little cynicism, but a lot of heart.
The first stop I barely thought was that Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. Who comes here, of course, expects a bit of children's noise and giraffe that swings through the air like oversized gums – and that's exactly what you get. I cuddled into the “Tropical Realm” hat, because the weather was just as moody as a teenager, and suddenly an elephant stood right in front of me as if he wanted to whisper a secret. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the parking lot turns into a mini-store paradise.
A short detour to the north leads to Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory. I have to admit, I don't quite understand the hype about greenhouses – it's basically just a large, air-conditioned room full of plants – but here there is a tropical paradise that even lists the hardest Indiana winter. I almost ran into the orchid hall because the signs looked more like an art project than a sign map. The entrance is free, and the café next door serves a latte that is almost as strong as my opinion about this place.
If you have enough artificial flora, that is Johnny Appleseed Park exactly the counterpart you need. The park is located on the banks of St. Joseph River and offers more green space than one would expect in an average suburb. I made a picnic there, while an older gentleman told me about the “good old times” when he went to work with a bicycle – a moment that reminded me that time in Indiana sometimes goes slower than loading an email.
The river itself is not only a backdrop, but a real attraction: The River Greenway extends over several miles and is the favorite toy for cyclists, joggers and all who are looking for an excuse to count their steps. I have straightened the way along the river, just to find out that the signage sometimes raises more questions than answers – for example, why a sign suddenly says “Bicycle Friendly” although I just drove over a field full of cows. Nevertheless, it is worth the effort, because the view of the river at sunset is a picture you don't forget so quickly.
A little further south lies Fort Wayne Museum of Art, which has more to offer than the usual “art for tourists” exhibitions. I was there because I thought I could fill a little culture and was surprised with a mix of local history and modern avant-garde. The collection of Indiana artists is surprisingly strong, and the café on the ground floor serves a cake that is almost as good as the exhibition itself. Parking is a bit trickier here because the museum is located in the middle of the city center, but a short walk through the city center is worth the price.
For those interested in the industrial past of the region, Fort Wayne Railroad Museum A must. I saw an old steam locomotive engine there that seemed to have more rust than metal, but that's what makes the charm. The guided tours are voluntary, and I voluntarily crashed into history because I thought I could get a bit of “Old-School-Feeling”. The small gift shop at the exit sells miniature locomotives that serve perfectly as a souvenir for someone who believes he is a real railwayer.
A last but not less interesting place is that Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. I saw a basketball game there that had more drama than any soap opera, and the atmosphere was so loaded that you almost felt the field could explode every moment. The building itself is a relic from the 1950s, and the acoustics is surprisingly good – a real bonus if you happen to catch a concert there.
If you ask yourself what you can experience in the area of Leo‐Cedarville, then let yourself be Leo-Cedarville Attractions inspire – from wild animals to botanical wonders to historical treasures that make the heart of any slightly cynical traveler beat faster.
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