Steuben County Tourism Bureau

The leaves are just beginning to change, which means in a few weeks the view from the train will be even more colorful.

Book a seat on The Autumn Limited, which offers a three-hour ride through Indiana and Michigan on a vintage diesel train. You'll enjoy c***r, desserts and open-air views along the way.

Trains depart from the Pleasant Lake Depot, 1469 W. Main St., Friday, Oct. 23 at 2:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 24 at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 25 at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. There are no stops or layovers on The Autumn Limited. Passengers may bring their own snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.

For more information and to purchase tickets: https://www.indianarailexperience.org/autumn-limited/ (Photo courtesy Fort Wayne Railroad

Civil War camps, reenactors, demonstrations, a historical dance and night fire artillery highlight the annual American History Fest Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26 and 27. The event has moved to a new location: the Steuben County Fairgrounds, 100 LN 101B Crooked Lake, Angola.

Admission and parking are free (donations are accepted.) The event is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Evening activities include a historical dance as well as night fire artillery at 9:30 p.m.

Sunday's camps are open 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and include reenactors as well as a performance by the Auburn Community Band. For more info and a schedule: https://americanhistoryfest.com/

The popular seaplane splash-in at Pokagon State Park returns Sunday, Sept. 27. The 24th annual Indiana Seaplane Pilots Association's Seaplane Splash-In offers a great opportunity to see these planes take off and land on Lake James, as well as taxi onto the Potawatomi Inn front lawn between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you'd like to see Steuben County from a different vantage point, sign up at the t-shirt table on the Potawatomi Inn front lawn for a chance to win a free seaplane ride!

Boaters are reminded to be mindful of the designated seaplane take-off and landing zones on the first basin of Lake James.

Hayrides, barrel train rides, outdoor games and an 11-acre corn maze highlight the fun at Ridenour Acres in Angola. Ridenour Acres, 2935 E. 20 N., opens Saturday! Hours are noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. Friday hours (6 to 9 p.m.) begin Sept. 25. The final day of operation is Sunday, Nov. 1.

Listen to music during the day and enjoy a meal or beverage from one of the food trucks. Special "Corn Maze and Cocktail" events will take place during the season. For information on these concerts, visit https://www.ridenouracres.com/

General admission to Ridenour Acres is $13 for ages 3 and older. (Admission excludes the corn cannon, pumpkin patch, food trucks, beverages and mums plus the evening concerts.) Don't forget to shop Crafts in the Country Saturday, Sept. 26 at the annual vendor show that benefits local non-profit organizations. No admission is charged for those attending the craft show. Check out Ridenour Acres page for more information on all the events.

UPDATE: Cruise to the Monument has been cancelled, due to the weather. It will not be rescheduled. Next year's date is set for Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2027.

Cruise to the Monument, now in its 13th year, is set for Wednesday, Sept. 16. Hundreds of classic cars, hot rods and motorcycles will be parked around the historic public square and beyond. Enjoy food trucks between 5 and 8 p.m. in downtown Angola. There's no cost to enter your vehicle. Make sure to register your vehicle to receive a free goodie bag!

It's going to be a groovy time at Buck Lake Ranch's Hippie Magic-The Festival of Summer Love-Friday, Sept. 11-Sunday, Sept. 13. The days are packed with musical entertainment plus food trucks and vintage boutiques. Shop for tie-dye clothing, jewelry, bath and body products, essential oils and more. Weekend and daily passes are available: https://summer-of-love-fest.lovable.app/ (Photo courtesy Buck Lake Ranch.

Make the most of the Labor Day weekend with a day on the lake! Rent a boat or kayak, grab your favorite people and squeeze in one more summer adventure. For a list of area boat rentals: https://visitsteubencounty.com/outdoors/lakes/boat-rentals/

If you want someone else to do the driving, book a relaxing two-hour historical tour of Lake James with the Lake James Tour Co. and explore Indiana's third largest lake as well as Snow Lake. Passenger pick-up is available from the Potawatomi Inn and Bledsoe's Beach/Four Corners area. Each tour holds up to nine passengers. Can't work a tour into your Labor Day weekend? Lake James Tour Co. offers tours through the fall.

Here’s something you don’t see every day! A stunning collection of classic Auburns, Cords and Duesenbergs will be making their way through Angola on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

These legendary automobiles are pieces of Indiana history and there’s just something special about seeing them on the road where they belong. See 30 classic cars manufactured between 1905 and 1935 at Trine University beginning at 3:30 p.m. They will then make their way around the monument in downtown Angola at 5:30 p.m. before heading to the Potawatomi Inn for the evening. This is a great tie-in to the upcoming Cruise to the Monument in downtown Angola Wednesday, Sept. 16!

Keep the summer fun going at The Backyard in Angola. Play 18 holes of miniature golf then enjoy a scoop of ice cream to finish the round. The Backyard, 640 W. 400 N., is open Thursday-Monday from 2 to 8 p.m. After Labor Day, hours will be Saturday and Sunday until early October. (Photo courtesy Backyard.)

Step back into the 1940s as the World War II Weekend transforms the historic railroad community of Pleasant Lake into a living celebration of America’s railroad, military and home front heritage Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5 and 6.

This immersive two-day experience brings together a historic steam locomotive, vintage passenger trains, World War II reenactors, military encampments, historic vehicles, live big band music and unforgettable railroad adventures honoring the generation that carried a nation to victory.

Throughout the weekend, guests can explore authentic military camps, witness live battlefield reenactments, ride historic trains, tour educational exhibits and demonstrations and experience the sights, sounds and spirit of wartime America.

Visitors are encouraged, but never required, to wear period clothing and become part of the living history.

For train ticket info: https://www.indianarailexperience.org/rolling-victory/