Looking for the tastiest sandwich in Indiana? The best place to view autumn leaves? The state’s most beloved pie? The Indiana Office of Tourism Development has put those favorites and more at your fingertips at VisitIndiana.com, the go-to resource for travelers planning a trip in Indiana.
Compiled based on online votes by the public, the inaugural “Best of Indiana: Your Ten Favorites” lists rank top choices for Indiana pies, ice cream shops, sandwiches, and fall and summer travel destinations, providing insiders’ insights to some of the state’s formerly best-kept secrets.
“Best of” honors are being given to the top vote getters in each category. These include:
• Best Pie: Apple Pie at The Apple Works in Trafalgar
• Best Sandwich: Bratwurst at the Schnitzelbank in Jasper
• Best Ice Cream Shop: The Chief in Goshen
• Best Fall Foliage Spot: Brown County State Park, Brown County
• Best Summer Gotta-Do: Fort Wayne’s Children’s Zoo, Fort Wayne
“Seasoned travelers know that the best way to find great food and fun is to ask locals what they like,” said Mark Newman, director of the Indiana Office of Tourism Development. “We’re connecting travelers with that information in a way that will help them get the most out of exploring the Hoosier state.”
The first annual “Your Ten Favorites” lists grew from the Indiana Office of Tourism Development’s “Super 46 Sandwiches in Indiana” list, created in conjunction with Super Bowl XLVI. After receiving an enthusiastic response, the Office of Tourism Development implemented the “Best of Indiana” voters’ choice section on VisitIndiana.com.
In celebration of the honorees, visitors to VisitIndiana.com have the chance to escape to the Best of Indiana by entering to win prizes from the five winners on the Contest page – www.in.gov/visitindiana/contest.aspx.
The following are the top three vote getters of this year’s “Your Ten Favorites” in the categories listed on the VisitIndiana.com website:
Pies
1. Apple Pie at The Apple Works in Trafalgar
2. Apple Pie a la Mode at Apple Hill Orchard in Bruceville
3. Sugar Cream Pie at Wick’s Pie in Winchester
Super Sandwiches
1. Bratwurst at the Schnitzelbank in Jasper
2. Mile High Club at Rock Cola 50s Café in Indianapolis
3. Roast Pork Po Boy at Papa Roux in Indianapolis
Ice Cream Shops
1. The Chief in Goshen
2. Valpo Velvet in Valparaiso
3. South Side Soda Shop in Goshen
Fall Foliage Spots
1. Brown County State Park, Brown County
2. Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton
3. Clifty Falls State Park, Madison
Summer Gotta-Dos
1. Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Fort Wayne
2. Fort Wayne TinCaps at Parkview Field, Fort Wayne
3. Indiana Dunes, Chesterton
Each listing on the website includes background about the choice and directions.
“We plan to expand the Best of Indiana by adding new categories in 2013,” said Newman. “Hoosiers love to share their favorites, and this has been a great way to highlight some gems.”
VisitIndiana.com is the official travel resource for planning a vacation or getaway in Indiana. The website’s homepage makes it easy to find travel discounts, see trip ideas and get first-hand tips from the Indiana Insider blog. Visit Indiana information is also available via Twitter and Facebook.
Each year, Indiana welcomes more than 62 million people. Indiana’s tourism industry employs more than 257,000 workers and generates $10 billion in direct and indirect spending annually.
