Honestly, if you think Indiana has only cornfields and endless highways, then you haven't discovered the little jewel of Avilla – and the one in the tranquil Allen Township, Noble County. The city was founded in 1871 when the railroad crossed the area, and since then it has developed into a charming relic from the founding period that you hardly find in the guides. I usually drive across State Road 3, because parking in downtown is almost never a problem – a real bonus if you don't want to go for a free place all day.
I don't understand the hype around the big metropolises, but here, between the old brick houses and the slightly weathered town hall, you feel the real Indiana. People here are friendly, but not intrusive, and the smile comes from habit rather than from tourist magnetism. If you're looking for a place that doesn't overwhelm you with bright neon lights, then Avilla is just right. And yes, the Avilla sights are not just an advertising slogan – they are what makes the little town a surprisingly lively piece of history. So if you want to experience a little time travel, you should definitely plan a trip here.
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Advantage:
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The first stop outside of Avilla inevitably leads to Chain O'Lakes State Parka small paradise of five interconnected lakes, which is only about ten minutes away by car. I have organized a picnic at the lakeside on a lukewarm summer afternoon, while an older man in the kayak swung loudly over the “good old time” – a sound that was almost as soothing as the water's pavement. Parking is usually not a problem as long as you do not show up on Saturday night with the entire neighborhood there; then the field quickly becomes the battlefield of cars that boil around the few free places.
Just a few miles further, in the tranquil city of Albion, waiting Noble County Historical Museum in a rebuilt courthouse that has more stories to tell than most guides. I discovered an old map that shows how the area was once covered by small farms – a nice contrast to the modern supermarkets that today dominate the image. The museum is small, but the exhibition of tools from the 19th century The century has fascinated me more honestly than the shiny exhibits in the city museums.
A short trip to Kendallville brings you to Kendallville Historical Museum, which is located in a former bank building. There I found an old photo of a horse car that reminded me of the stories of my grandparents who still spoke of the old road. The museum is not just overrun, and parking right in front of the building is almost always free – a small bonus for those who do not want to look for a free space for hours.
If you're ready to go a bit further, you'll get that Fort Wayne Children’s Zooabout 30 miles east of Avilla. I must admit, I was skeptical if a zoo in Indiana really has something special to offer, but the mix of native animals and exotic species has surprised me positively. Especially the giraffes that were almost up to the ceiling of the entrance building were a real eye-catcher. Parking is free at the main entrance, but it can be filled quickly at school holidays – a good reason to be there early.
Only a stone's throw from the zoo is the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. I visited an exhibition of contemporary local artists who impressed me with their mix of rustic aesthetics and modern technology. The museum is located in the city centre, so after the visit you can easily enjoy a coffee in one of the surrounding cafés. Parking in the public car park is usually easy, except when a big event takes place in the city centre.
Another highlight for those who want to experience the real Indiana is that Allen County Fairgrounds in Yoder. Every year in August, the famous Allen County Fair takes place, a spectacle of rides, local food stands and a lot of people present themselves in their best country fashion outfits. The first time I tried a freshly baked corn bread there, which was better than anything I found in the supermarkets. The property offers spacious parking spaces, which are quickly booked on the main days – a hint of arriving in time.
For nature lovers who prefer walking, the St. Joseph River Greenway a real secret tip. The path leads along the river, past lush meadows and small wooden bridges that characterize the image of a perfect Midwestern landscape. I turned a round there on a sunny afternoon and watched a squirrel that was brave enough to get out of my way – a moment that reminded me how little we still connect with nature in the hectic of everyday life.
Whether you’re looking for history, art, nature or just for a good piece of corn bread – Avilla’s surroundings offer more than enough reasons to leave the small place and discover the diversity of the northeast Indiana. This selection Avilla Attractions shows that even an inconspicuous place like Avilla can be a perfect starting point for varied excursions.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Avilla is not some hip Rooftop bar – it's the honorable Avilla Public Library, a real Carnegie building that looks like the place itself stolen from a vintage film set. I came there on a rainy Thursday afternoon because I thought a bit of reading could distract me from everyday life, and was immediately greeted by the creeping wooden stairs and the smell of old paper. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the weekly book club meetings and the children's reading session will take place simultaneously. When you look at the building from the outside, you can quickly see why it is Avilla Attractions counts – the massive brick facade and the artistic window design are a real eye-catcher for anyone who has enough of smooth shopping centers.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Avilla Historic District, where each second building is a small museum for itself, only that exhibitors mostly originate from local history and not from Hollywood. I once discovered the old southern kiosk that serves today as a café – the food is not just gourmet, but the charm is really great, and the staff knows you when you mention the word “coffee”. The road is car-free, so you can take off your shoes and feel the headstone paver under your feet, which is the ultimate sign for me that you are no longer in the 21st. century living.
If you have enough of dusty book pages, look at this Avilla Town Hall a red brick building from 1905, which still serves as an administrative center. I once caught the mayor at the weekly “coffee-and-kekse-Meeting” – no joke, he actually distributed self-baked Schokokekse while talking about the latest street repairs. The building is not only an administrative building, but also a popular place for weddings, because the interior is so cheesy romantic that you feel almost guilty if you don't lose yourself right away.
A little bit of nature? The Avilla Community Park is what you would expect from a small Midwestern City Park: a football field, a playground, a small lake and a walk around the lake. I made a picnic with friends there in the summer, and we argued about whether the ducks like more bread or corn – a real highlight that you should not miss. The garage is an open field, so bring some blankets with you when you plan to stay longer; the weather here changes faster than the playlist in the car.
A little local pride can be found in Avilla Heritage Museum the historical society. I was there on a rainy Tuesday because the museum just had a special exhibition on the railway history of the region. The exhibition is small, but the old locomotive models and the handwritten diaries of the first settlers give you the feeling that you were really sent back to the past – without expensive tickets. The museum has no fixed opening hours, so call beforehand if you do not want to risk standing in front of closed doors.
Another hidden jewel is the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, a neo-Gothic building from the 1880s, which still regularly keeps worship. I visited the Sunday Mass there, just to admire the impressive stained glass windows that immerse the light in a kaleidoscopic color play. The Kirchhof is also worth a look because there are the graves of the founding families – a quiet place where you can really feel the pace of the city.
Last but not least you can Avilla Farmers Market do not miss, which takes place every Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm on the main square. I tried the best self-made applesauce I've ever eaten there, and that was not only a taste experience, but also a good example of how the community comes together to celebrate local products. Parking is a bit chaotic here because most visitors turn off their cars right on the edge, but this is part of the charm – you feel almost like on a small village festival that never ends.
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