A Fall Saturday in Wells County
There's a particular kind of Saturday that only happens in October. The air is cool, the leaves are turning, and nobody has anywhere they have to be. Here's how we'd spend it in Wells County.
Ouabache State Park
8:00 a.m. Start with coffee at Hugh's
Head to Hugh's Bakery & Coffeehouse at 229 W. Market Street in downtown Bluffton. It's been bringing people together over craft coffee and baked goods since 2017. On Saturdays they're open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and serve a brunch menu, so grab a pastry and a seasonal latte for the road.
9:30 a.m. Bison and a fire tower at Ouabache State Park
It's a short drive out to Ouabache State Park, where a live bison herd grazes in a pen you can walk all the way around. Then take on the park's CCC-era fire tower, one of the few in the state you can still climb. It's about 90 feet up, and on a clear fall morning the view over the treetops and the park's lake is worth every step. If you'd rather stay on the ground, the park has a paved bike trail that runs all the way into Bluffton.
Good to know: state park admission applies, so check the Indiana DNR site for current rates. Ouabache's naturalist often offers bison feedings and fire tower history climbs on weekends, so call the park at 260-824-0926 to see what's scheduled.
Midday: Lunch downtown
Head back into Bluffton, where the courthouse and the new Parlor City Plaza anchor the square. The town earned its "Parlor City" nickname as a place that kept its streets clean enough to welcome guests. Pick up lunch nearby, then stretch your legs with a walk around the square.
2:00 p.m. Antique-hunting on Market Street
Stroll W. Market Street to American Salvage Co. at 117 W. Market, a curated shop of antiques, salvaged finds, and one-of-a-kind pieces from around the country. Wells County's antique scene reaches beyond Bluffton too, with more shops just up the road in Markle and Berne if you want to make an afternoon of it.
4:00 p.m. Dinner at Parlor City Brewing Company
End the day at The Parlor City Brewing Company, 212 W. Market Street. The taproom opens at 4 p.m. on Saturdays and runs until 11. It pours small-batch beer, hard cider, and wine alongside a short kitchen menu, so you can settle in with friends or family and talk about the day.
Plan your Saturday
It's about 30 miles from Fort Wayne, which makes this an easy day trip. If you're coming from farther, a night in Wells County is a good excuse to do it all again on Sunday. Don't forget to tag your photos with #wanderingwellscounty.
