Winona Lake is the larger of the two lakes flanking Warsaw, and the town that grew up on its eastern shore has a character quite distinct from the main city. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Winona Lake was one of the most famous evangelical resort communities in the United States — a kind of Christian Chautauqua that drew summer Bible conference crowds of up to 300,000 people a year.
Today the historic district at the southern end of the lake has been thoughtfully restored, with arts studios, galleries, restaurants, and the preserved Billy Sunday Home. The lakefront itself is popular for boating, kayaking, and fishing. Grace College occupies much of the former conference grounds and gives the village a collegiate atmosphere. It is a pleasant place to spend a few hours, especially in summer when the lake is busy.