Girls Getaway Featuring Vera Bradley in Fort Wayne
Indiana offers so many great places for a girls’ getaway, and my latest trip featured Vera Bradley in Fort Wayne!
If you live in the Midwest and like to shop, you are likely familiar with Vera Bradley.
Growing up in Indiana I’m well aware of the colorful and stylish bags and accessories Vera Bradley is known for. But once I decided to head to Fort Wayne with my friend Pam, I wanted to dig a little deeper and learn how this multimillion-dollar company got started.
Vera Bradley in Fort Wayne
It all began with two friends, Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller, and their joint dismay at the dull luggage they noticed when traveling together. Like many successful entrepreneurs, these ladies set out to solve a problem.
They began creating colorful luggage for women on a ping pong table in the basement in 1982. They named the company after Barbara’s mom.
Needless to say, these humble beginnings led to a tremendously successful business and an unmistakable brand that is known around the United States. The Vera Bradley company is headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana and still maintains its purpose to make the world a brighter place.
If you are a fan of Vera Bradley products, a trip to Fort Wayne is a no brainer!
With a bit of help from Visit Fort Wayne, Pam and I got a big dose of Vera Bradley during our two-day trip. And we packed in tons of the other exciting things this fabulous city in Northeast Indiana has to offer!
Where to Stay
With so much to do in Fort Wayne, I highly recommend spending at least two days…and staying at The Bradley.
As you may have guessed this boutique hotel, which opened in 2021, has the color and charm of the Vera Bradley brand woven throughout.
The bright and cheerful lobby beckons you to come in and sit a spell as if you were entering someone’s very well-decorated and welcoming home. This is not surprising given that Barbara Bradley Baekgaard played a huge role in designing the hotel’s features.
Even the hotel’s elevators feature bright patterns that create a cheerful ambiance.
I felt completely at ease and relaxed in my luxurious room at The Bradley. The bed was super comfy and the bathroom was so beautifully designed. Definitely not your standard hotel accommodations!
Pam and I both got a great night’s sleep in our private rooms. But The Bradley is also a great spot for the ultimate adult girls’ slumber party if you decide to book a larger room and bunk up together.
Pamper yourself at The Bradley by taking advantage of the valet parking. You can even borrow the hotel’s adorable bicycles and tour the city on two wheels!
Pam and I didn’t have time on this trip for a bike ride. But we did take advantage of the hotel’s loaner umbrellas, ensuring a bit of rain didn’t dampen our spirits as we enjoyed Fort Wayne’s very walkable downtown.
During our stay at The Bradley, we got an extra special treat when we took part in a Meet-and-Greet with Fort Wayne’s very own Barbara Bradley Baekgaard!
Barbara was delightful, poised, and polished as we chatted over drinks and fancy hors d’oeuvres in the hotel’s first-floor restaurant, Arbor. She shared the history of her illustrious career, inspiring us with her style, gumption, and perseverance!
Where to Shop
Of course, a Very Bradley-inspired trip to Fort Wayne must include shopping!
We timed our trip so we could partake in the annual Vera Bradley Outlet Sale. This was the highlight of our trip!
This HUGE sale is held for five days each spring at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
Pam had been to the outlet sale in years past, but I was a newbie. And I was happy for Pam’s helpful tips on how to best navigate this shopping extravaganza.
Part shopping, part party, the Vera Bradley Annual Outlet Sale is the perfect activity for friend groups or mother/daughter outings. For many it is an annual tradition.
Be sure to arrive a bit before the opening of the morning or afternoon session to fully take in the party atmosphere. You will feel the energy of the crowd as the big screens display a countdown, the music pumps up, and the doors raise to let eager shoppers file in.
With rows and rows AND ROWS of Vera Bradley products available for purchase, I found all the customers to be giddy with excitement. And quite helpful towards fellow shoppers (no rudeness or greedy grabbers in the bunch)!
From tiny to super-sized, products for sale included luggage, bags, purses, sunglasses, wallets, beach towels, blankets, pajamas, aprons, tumblers, slippers, and so much more. I even snagged an adorable doggie bed for Trixie!
With discounts between 50-80% the bargains were significant and the checkout lines long. But the workers also maintained a cheerful posture and efficiently helped shoppers bag up their purchases.
No longer a newbie…I’m already looking forward to next year’s Vera Bradley outlet sale!
If you aren’t able to plan your girls’ getaway around the annual outlet sale, you can still find plenty of Vera Bradley merchandise at Fort Wayne’s Jefferson Pointe Mall. This mall also has tons of other great stores (and restaurants) for those wanting to venture beyond the offerings of Vera Bradley.
There are also a handful of unique boutiques and gift shops sprinkled throughout downtown Fort Wayne.
Where to Eat & Drink
With all this shopping, it is important to fuel up. Fort Wayne offers a number of dining options to please any palate and budget.
Whether you stay at The Bradley or not, plan to visit Arbor to enjoy the colorful and comfortable decor. Find a seat at the bar for cocktails with the ladies. Or grab a table to indulge in a steak dinner or an Italian feast.
Brunch at Arbor is also a great option for any ladies’ getaway.
Your gang will also want to venture to The Bradley’s rooftop to spend some time at Birdie’s.
Named after Barbara’s nickname, Birdie, which was given to her by her grandson, this oasis on the roof is a perfect spot for gabbing with your gal pals.
Both cozy and elegant, you can enjoy time indoors or outdoors at Birdie’s depending on the weather.
Get a great view of the city as you sip on a delightful cocktail.
Birdie’s even offers complimentary cocktails during happy hour for hotel guests. You can bet that Pam and I took advantage of that hotel amenity!
Lunch
At The Landing in Fort Wayne, just a block from The Bradley, you will find several restaurants offering many different cuisines.
This mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly area is home to luxury apartments, shops, and eateries. The biggest challenge for you and your friends will be deciding which restaurant to eat at!
It wasn’t an easy choice, but Pam and I selected Marquee for Lunch and had no regrets. Given that it was a warm, sunny, Spring day, we opted for an outside table.
Perfect for sharing and just the right amount of fare for lunch, we went with the customizable charcuterie board. The honey ricotta was in perfect contrast with the havarti habanero and we were both more than satisfied with this tasty spread.
Of course, the signature component of a fun girls’ trip is a delightful afternoon cocktail!
As we perused the drink menu our waiter was quick to offer up a cocktail selection that wasn’t even on the menu yet. We both opted for a Saving Grace (coming soon to the summer drink menu) and toasted to our fun-filled Fort Wayne getaway! (Be sure to read Sipping and Savoring Cocktails: Fort Wayne Edition where I give the full scoop on all the amazing cocktails we enjoyed during our Fort Wayne getaway!)
Dinner
For dinner, we walked a block from the hotel in the other direction and again opted for an outdoor table at Proximo. While the interior of the restaurant is stylish and welcoming, it’s hard to pass up outdoor dining in Indiana when the weather is cooperating!
I thoroughly enjoyed the Pineapple Chipotle Halibut, which was high on flavor and generously portioned. And Pam couldn’t stop raving about the Mexican Street Corn Risotto…she offered me have a bite, and I quickly concurred.
Proximo is a Latin-inspired scratch kitchen that dishes up many great options. So it’s the perfect spot for your girls’ night out…and for passing plates so everyone gets to try an array of succulent menu items.
Breakfast
There are plenty of breakfast and brunch options in downtown Fort Wayne from casual to fancy. We decided to go for a light breakfast and chose GK Cafe and Provisions.
The spread of pastries all looked so appealing!
Sweet or savory…it was a tough decision, but savory won out. I ate every morsel of my ham and cheese croissant. And satisfied my sweet tooth with a steaming chai tea latte.
Lunch Again
Our getaway included one more lunch so we ventured to Hideout 125. This speakeasy-style restaurant and lounge is actually ideal for either lunch or dinner…no secret passcode required.
The prohibition-era decor gives Hideout 125 a fun and inviting atmosphere that is the perfect backdrop for an outing with the ladies. And the food was really tasty too!
I really indulged with the creamy and succulent Lobster Ravioli. Delish!! And Pam was enthralled with her Chicken Marsalla.
Where to Explore
We needed to work off some of the calories we were consuming, so we interspersed fun activities in between our many dining experiences.
Fort Wayne has a great art scene and we started with the Fort Wayne Art Museum.
Whether you are a true art aficionado or not, you will find something that appeals to your artistic style in this mid-size museum.
We strolled through the colorful blown glass, outdoor metal sculptures, and a variety of paintings for about an hour. Then we perused the gift shop because I just can’t pass up a museum gift shop!
There is also plenty of outdoor art and a plethora of parks to explore throughout Fort Wayne.
Indiana weather doesn’t always cooperate, but the sun was shining on us as we took in the beauty of Spring and the lush greens around every turn. (I can only imagine how gorgeous Fort Wayne is when the colors of fall are on full display!)
Even the sidewalks are canvases for delightful art in Fort Wayne. So look up, down, and all around to spot each masterpiece!
I’m not much of a gardener myself, but I sure can appreciate the artistry of master gardeners. So a trip to the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory definitely made the list for our girls’ getaway.
While Indiana’s varying seasons will dictate what is blooming, there is something enchanting to observe all year long at the botanical conservancy.
We wandered through several indoor and outdoor settings, spotting colorful blossoms along the way. I stopped to linger at this gorgeous waterfall.
The highlight of the botanical conservancy for us was the live butterfly exhibit! We marveled at the colorful critters as they happily perched on us, posing for photos.
The butterflies won’t be around for long, but check the website to see what special exhibits and artful blooms will be on display when you bring your girlfriends to Fort Wayne.
Next, to satisfy our sweet tooth, we ventured to the corporate headquarters for DeBrand Fine Chocolates.
DeBrand has just three storefronts, two in Fort Wayne and one in Indianapolis. Yet their gourmet chocolates are highly sought after and are shipped all over the world.
Pam and I enjoyed a tour (no photos allowed) that included several delectable samples.
Both public and private tours are available, and I highly recommend this activity for any chocolate lovers!
At DeBrand you won’t find the basic chocolate options found in most chocolate shops. Here you will indulge in luxury chocolate with exquisite and surprising flavor combinations that will delight your tastebuds.
From truffles that are almost too beautiful to eat to the Connoisseur Collection featuring my personal favorite, Rosemary Citrus, you and your chocolate-loving friends are in for a delightful treat at DeBrand Fine Chocolates.
Pick up specialty chocolates to take home as souvenirs or sit a spell in the spacious and welcoming sitting areas while you savor each sweet bite.
For our final activity, we ventured to LaOtta, just north of Fort Wayne, to Country Heritage Winery and Vineyard. Pam and I are both wine lovers, so we were eagerly anticipating this stop!
We enjoyed a wine tasting at the spacious bar and sampled a variety of Country Heritage’s offerings.
We also took time to peruse the abundant outdoor space at the winery. I made a mental note to venture back this way to take in some live music on the patio during my next trip to the Fort Wayne area.
We even took the behind-the-scenes tour of the winery and tasted some wine straight from the tank. There is a vintage coming soon that we would gladly travel back to LaOtta to purchase!
We even got to take a peek inside the Barrel Room. This room can be rented out, providing an elegant setting that is ideal for an intimate and memorable party.
Unfortunately, all great girls’ getaways must come to an end…so Pam and I toasted to an unforgettable time in Fort Wayne and vowed to return soon!
Ready to plan your own girls’ getaway to Fort Wayne? Check out Visit Fort Wayne for even more great ideas. And if you are looking for a romantic getaway, read Pam’s article on Things to Do in Fort Wayne for Couples, and be sure to follow Our Adventure is Everywhere.
Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya
I’d like to extend a HUGE thank you to Jessa and Visit Fort Wayne for hosting our trip and for all the Hoosier Hospitality! As always, all opinions expressed are my own.
P.S. Subscribe to my email list here and never miss out on any of Traveling Tanya’s exciting excursions or travel tips…plus I’ll send you my free Packing List!
Pin It For Later!
