Salt Caves and MudLove in Warsaw, Indiana
We discovered so many fun things to do in Warsaw, Indiana!
Our Saturday started off bright and early with a tasty breakfast at The American Table – it was less than a mile from our hotel and very busy. The breakfasts tended to lean towards huge platters of eggs, meats, and potatoes – they looked delicious, but a little heavy for our tastes. Luckily, the menu is so large, my son and I found the perfect start to our day too.
After breakfast, our plan was to head downtown to check out the Cave on the Square. Once we parked, we stumbled across the local farmer’s market. Since I love a good farmer’s market, we took a little detour to pick up some fresh yellow tomatoes and cucumbers. Yum!
When we entered the Cave on the Square, we immediately noticed the delicious smell of freshly roasted coffee. In addition to offering a Himalayan Salt Cave, the store had a full-service coffee bar. We grabbed a couple of drinks (coffee for me and a maple steamer for my little guy) and headed into the salt cave. For only $5 each, we were able to enjoy the soothing atmosphere of the cave for an hour. The salt cave was carefully created to simulate an actual salt cave or mine. There are salt rocks all over the walls, the floor is covered in loose salt (which made our feet very soft), comfortable chairs and small tables all around and the cave is lit with soft glowing lights. Soothing music was playing and the air temperature was perfect.
We also discovered a foot lamp which was very enjoyable. It was warm and smooth and melted away tension in our feet.
I really thought I’d be lucky to spend fifteen minutes in here with an 11-year old, but to my surprise, we lasted almost the full hour. It was fun, relaxing and we had some great conversations while we sipped our drinks. The benefits of a salt cave are many including relaxation and potential detox. Both of us really enjoyed it and I would go again in a heartbeat!
After feeling so relaxed it was off to the soccer game. Once the match was over, we went back downtown to check out a store I had been quite anxious to visit, MudLove.
MudLove is a company that produces a variety of pottery products, jewelry, etc. They all have a word on them that has meaning to whoever owns it – you can select from what they already have, or customize something for yourself. The cool thing about MudLove is that for every product sold, a week of clean water is provided to someone in need. Since it was a Saturday, nothing was in production, but through the week you can see the products being made. We learned that right now, they make about 1000 bracelets per day. Amazing! Prices are very reasonable and I am especially fond of the bracelets! The store had a bin FULL of bracelets to choose from and we found a few that resonated with us and others that would make great gifts. Although you can order online, it was really cool to check out the physical location.
It was time to grab lunch, so we stopped at  Chicago DogHouse – thanks to it’s highly rated reviews on Yelp. It was bare bones, but with a nice variety and very tasty food. They even had a black bean burger – yeah! We cooled off with frosty bottles of XXX Rootbeer – my favorite. Take note that they are closed on Sunday.
We headed over to the Warsaw Cut Glass to check it out as I had read that it was a Warsaw classic. This company has been in business since 1911. Warsaw Cut Glass is housed in a gorgeous old brick building, with a showroom in the front and workshop in the back. They import the glass pieces from all over, but then do all the etching themselves. The glass pieces were beautiful with delicate detail and classic lines. I didn’t pick up anything today but have been thinking about the stemless wine glasses, so maybe next time…
There was just enough time left before we had to head home for one more stop, so we went back over to the Village of Winona to top off the day with ice cream! Kelainey’s is a combination coffee bar, ice cream parlor, and a sandwich shop. With tons of screened in porch seating, it was a perfect end to a fun little getaway in Warsaw.
On the drive home, both my son and I agreed we would be more than happy to visit this area again – and try to squeeze in at least one lake day! It’s not often I get to spend so much one-on-one time with one of my kids, but it’s a great way to strengthen our relationship, and we had the bonus of a really fun time exploring a new place.
Missed our first day in Warsaw, IN? Check it out: Starting the Weekend off Right
The American Table;Â 3575 Lake City Highway;Â (574) 267-8171
The Cave on the Square; 108 N. Buffalo Street; 574-268-1616
Chicago DogHouse; 1527 N. Detroit Street;Â (574) 267-5757;Â https://www.mychicagodoghouse.com/
MudLove; 122 S. Buffalo Street; 844-MUDLOVE;Â https://www.mudlove.com/
Warsaw Cut Glass; 505 S. Detroit Street;Â 574.267.6581;Â http://warsawcutglass.net/
Kelainey’s Coffee & Cream; 904 Park Ave., Winona Lake, IN;Â 574-267-2860;Â http://www.kelaineys.com/
Thanks to the Kosciuko CVB and The Village of Winona for sponsoring parts of our trip. The opinions expressed are all my own.
I had not heard of Warsaw, IN. I am always road-tripping with the kids, so will remember a Warsaw pit-stop next time. I like your pictures and also how you linked to the local businesses in your article. Sounds like a fun day!
Sue, it would be a fun stop while you are out and about!
Oooooooooh! I need a foot lamp! Sounds awesome! And looks like a great place to spend a weekend!
I tried to buy one, but the store was sold out – one of the owners told me they are very hard to keep in stock. I looked on Amazon but the reviews were iffy, so … still looking!
Wow those salt caves look so awesome! Definitely makes me want to try it out!!
Lisa, if you ever get a chance, you should – I wish this one was closer to us, I’d go every week!
I have never been to Indiana, but you make it sound very appealing! Such fun things to do.
Melissa, yep, we get overlooked sometimes – being in the middle of nowhere and all, but there is a surprising amount of things to do! 🙂
There is one of those salt caves close to us, but we’ve never been. I’m thinking we need to! This looks like a fun trip.
Jocelyn, you should definitely check it out – very fun!
How fun. I’ve been in salt caves before and they are great for allergies.
Dennis, that’s what they said and since we are both “enjoying” allergies this time of year, it sure couldn’t hurt!
Pam
Great article and I love the Mud Love products. Glad you and your son got to spend some one on one time also – your correct that you were lucky you got an hour out of an 11 year old – but he must have been enjoying his time!
Nikki, yes, I think he really liked it. The maple steamer probably helped too!
I’ve always wanted to go see a salt cave! This one looks so incredible and relaxing!
Ashley, it was very relaxing – I’ll be looking for them in future travels too!
The salt cave looks amazing! What a great time you must have had!
Kimberly, I was excited to check out the salt cave and I enjoyed it even more than I thought I would!
I would love to visit a salt cave! Anything to promote relaxations works for me. Sounds like a great time was had in Warsaw.
Deanna, I’m with you on the relaxation!
Ice cream DOES solve everything!
Eileen, agreed – I loved that sign!
This looks so cool Pam! I have family in Indiana and I plan to add this to my “must do” list the next time I go visit! Thanks!
Shirley, you definitely should. Could easily be a fun little afternoon or two.
Love me some salt! So much we can get from eating healthy salt as well as breathing it in.
Tricia, so true. We use Real Salt at home and I love that you can see all the minerals in it!
*Adds to list of places to hit up on my epic road trip around the country* I’ve never been to a salt cave, that would be SO cool to see!
It would be a nice relaxing stop for you, and the price was fantastic! I’ve seen them other places for a lot more.
I have never been to Indiana but it looks like a lot of fun. We love going to farmers markets in different states. I would love to visit Mudlove because I’m fascinated with seeing how things are made.
Monica, I love a good factory tour – I’ll have to make a point to go back sometime when they are in production!
This looks like a lot of fun! I love farmer’s markets, and this looks like a great one. Will have to give some of these sites a whirl when I make it to Indiana. Thanks!
Mary, I love a good farmer’s market too – I always try to search them out!
Oh, I LOVE it! I am big on parent/child trips. Everything looks so fun! I am inspired to find a few local places we’ve never explored. Thanks so much!
Tiffany, good – inspiration is what I’m after – not everyone will make it to Warsaw, but I bet you can find fun things near where you are too.
I visited Indiana when I was a kid…. Such a beautiful place and so many unique things to do! Hope to go back someday!
Shar, hope you get back soon too – I bet it has changed a lot!
I’m from the Midwest and went to school in Indiana and I had no idea this was in Warsaw! Wow, I’d love to see this stuff.
Gail, I had no idea either until I did a little research. Amazing what you can find!
I’ve never heard of salt caves. That sounds like such a unique adventure. The pottery is right up my alley too. I love giving back so knowing I can help someone have clean water for a week gives me a warm fuzzy feeling
The salt cave was pretty cool. I love MudLove too – not only are their products lovely, you get to help others at the same time. 🙂
You had me at Farmer’s Market! Seriously, it sounds like a great day and one-on-one bonding is always a bonus!
I love to start my day at a Farmer’s Market!
I really need to visit that foot lamp!! LOL. Sounds like another amazing adventure. Thanks for sharing.
It is absolutely amazing to me how many hidden gems there are around our country!! Thank you for sharing this, I hope to visit sometime next year!
I so agree! Just a little looking and it’s amazing what you can find.
My tired feet could use that foot lamp right about now! It looks like you had a great trip with a variety of enjoyable experiences. I love doing that with my family!
Yep, we love exploring unique things when we travel.
How fun and such a neat experience. I really want a foot lamp now.
Me too!
This looks like a fun time! I’ve done a salt cave twice and enjoyed it!
Good for you – I thought it was great.
I need to try those foot lamps! Thanks for sharing!
I wish I had one right now!
Yes, I need to find a place to buy them!
I really love Indiana but have never been to Warsaw. I will have to try some of these places on my next trip through.
Jennifer, you definitely should!
I have visited a salt cave I am a writer and photographer in eastern Virginia and we have a fantastic salt spa in Williamsburg. I relaxed in the salt cave for 45 minutes alone (which was heaven itself) and did the salt float where are you float in salt water inside of a whirl pool with a lid which you can leave open or not. It was an amazing experience! The couple who owns this arm from Poland and that is where the original salt caves began with an underground salt cave that is thousands of acres. One thing I did discover is that there are huge discrepancies in the quality of salt spas around the country. I highly recommend a visit to anyone! Thanks for the post
Wow – that sounds amazing!
I’ve heard great things about salt caves, will have to check it out!