With PortageLife, ValpoLife, LaPorteCountyLife, NWIndianaLife, we are working to communicate everything good with your help Northwest Indiana. We are adding and updating a list of activities to do in Northwest Indiana, sights to see, places to visit. So what are 365 fun things to do in Northwest Indiana? Send your ideas to share@ideasinmotionmedia.com and we’ll add them to this list!
- Go sledding on Rogers Lakewood Park Hills in Valparaiso.
- Take part in First Thursdays in downtown Valparaiso.
- Take a nature hike at Taltree Arboretum.
- Try hanging out at the Dunes.
- Go to the Popcorn Festival in Valparaiso.
- Don't miss the Pork Festival in Kouts.
- Check out some fine art at White Ripple Art Gallery.
- Check out the Dillinger Museum at the Crown Point Court Hesston Steam Museum in La Porte.
- Take a tour of the Barker Mansion in Michigan City.
- Try taking the South Shore to Chicago for the day.
- Go on an Archaeological dig site in Kouts.
- Dunn’s Bridge in Kouts
- Drazer Park in Kouts
- Albanese Candy Factory
- Deep River Water Park
- Local Coffee Shops: Blackbird Café and Uptown Café
-
Eat Valpo Velvet Ice Cream
- Go to the Southlake Mall or Michigan City Outlets
- VU Library
- Shop in Toto
- Gary Railcats
- Visit Michael Jackson’s childhood home
- Shop at Bailey’s Discount Center in North Judson.
- Nothings better than VU Basketball games.
- Go see A Christmas Story display at the Hammond Visitor’s Center.
- Have a picnic at Ogden Gardens.
- See a movie at the 49er Drive-in.
- Fireworks at the close of the Michigan City Summer Festival.
- Take in a show at the Star Plaza Theatre.
- See a play at the Memorial Opera House.
- See a play at the Chicago Street Theatre.
- Have fun at the Pierogi Festival in Whiting.
- Go to the Blueberry Festival in Plymouth.
- Disc Golf at Rogers Lakewood Park or Lemon Lake County Park in Cedar Lake.
- Hiking the Dunes.
- Take the kids to ValPLAYso Park.
- Butterfly Meadows & Caterpiller Crossing
-
Bowling at Inman’s.
- Mini-golf at Zao Island.
- Eat at El Salto.
- Shop at antique stores in Crown Point.
- Take your dog to Butterfield Park and play catch.
- Catch a family movie at Movies in the Park in Valparaiso.
- Ice skate at Deep River Water Park.
- Volunteer at day at Day of Caring or Rebuilding Together.
- Maple Syrup Days at Deep River County Park.
- See a historic baseball game - Deep River Grinders.
- The Porter County Garden Walk.
- Look at some art at Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City.
- International Friendship Gardens - Michigan City
- Washington Park Zoo - Michgian City
- Try your luck at the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City.
- Sign up for Scuba Lessons in Valparaiso.
- Take lessons or attend Open Stage Night at Front Porch Music.
- Attend a concert - Northwest Indiana Symphony.
- Wine Tasting at Anderson Winery, Shady Creek Winery, or Running Vines Winery
- Volunteer at a Special Olympics event.
- VU's Kissing Bridge.
- Fish the Kankakee River.
- Watch the Gary Air Show from the beach.
- Folks on Spokes individual and family bicycling club.
- Visit "The Healing Rooms of Valparaiso".
- Visit the five Porter County Library branches: Valparaiso, Portage, South Haven, Hebron, and Kouts
- Sunset Hill Farm's Festival of Lights around the Holidays
-
County Line Orchards (lots of fall activities)
- Pumpkin Time at Coulter's Farm
- Westville Pumpkin Festival
- Porter County Fair
- Porter County History Museum
- Michigan City Old Lighthouse Museum
- Indiana Aviation Museum at Porter County Airport
- Learn to play golf at Creekside or Forest Park
- Brauer Museum of Art at VU
- See an IMAX movie in Portage
- Paint your own ceramics at Ceramix 101
- "Buckley Homestead" in Lowell
- Attend an Indiana Ghost Trackers Meeting
- Find hidden treasures while geocaching
- Attend the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club Hot Air BalloonFest (2nd weekend in September)
- Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast, March 13, 6 am to 1 pm
- Kiwanis Veterans Day celebration
- Have a martini at Pikk's along with a side of Pikk's fries
- Annual Rooftop Luau put on by the Valpo Chamber of Commerce
- Chesterton European Market, every Saturday May through October
- Chapel of the Resurrection
- Watch sandhill crane migration at Jasper-Pulaski
- Portage Lakefront Park
- Task Force Tips fire equipment museum
- VU Visualization Lab
- College of Engineering
-
VU Weather Center Department of Geography and Meteorology
- Northwest Indiana Paddling Association activities
- Canoe or kayak on Long Lake, Flint Lake, etc
- OE Marathon
- Valpo YMCA, Portage Township YMCA
- Studebaker Mansion restaurant in South Bend
- Take classes at VU, Ivy Tech, Purdue NC, Purdue Cal, IUN
- Be a mentor through a program such as Nexus (contact first Methodist Church) or Discoveries Unlimited
- Old Jail Museum, downtown Valparaiso
- Bellaboo's Play & Discovery Center
- Joyful Noise at Sunset Hill Farms
- Passion Play at Family Christian Center
- Walk or bike the Link (pathways around the "island" along Vale Park and up to Rogers Lakewood)
- Sunflower Festival at the Art Barn
- Three Floyds Brew Pub in Munster
- Go Ice Skating, workout or participate in gymnastics for all ages at Midwest Training & Ice Center in Dyer
- Lake-Front Arts Festival, Michigan City
- Tri-state Regatta, Michigan City
- Samaritan Skedaddle usually in April, Michigan City
-
2 Big Hearts 5k- Memorial day week-end, Michigan City
- Holiday Festival of lights-Washington Park, Michigan City
- Heart shaped pizza at Duneland Pizza in Chesterton
- Breakfast at Suzie's Cafe, Valparaiso
- Chellberg Farm and Bailey Homestead
- Nativity's Rummage Sale
- Northwest Indiana Meetup
- Holly Days on the Square, Valparaiso
- Twilight Christmas Parade, Chesterton
- Fresh produce at Camacho's Tent on Calumet
- Afternoon tea at Songbird Prairie
- Attend a church service - temporary site here
- Shop at Bass Pro Shop and eat at their World Famous Islamorada Fish Company restaurant
- Eat at Egg on Your Face
- Adler Planetarium in Chicago- there's a free day March 23!
- Visit Conner Prairie
- Get a spray tan at Endless Tan One or Planet Beach
- Go to Veteran's Park in Munster- the only Veteran's Park in the country that recognizes all the wars/conflicts we have been involved in
- Spend the day at Centennial Park in Munster
- Play Golf at Centennial Park's 9 hole challenging course
- Attend a play at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster
- Attend the Annual Grape Escape wine festival,at Centennial Park in Munster
- Check out some books, movies or music from the Lake County Public Library
- Attend a meeting of a major service organization in the area, Kiwanis, Rotary or Lions club- They are a terrific asset to every community they are in!!
- See the fireworks at Thomas Jefferson Middle School on the 4th of July
- Attend the Independence Day Parade in Portage
- Enjoy some fudge at the Chocolate Cafe
- Go for a drive in the country side
- Music in the Park at Woodland Park in Portage
- See a play at one of the theaters that are part of the Northwest Indiana Excellence in Theatre Foundation or audition for a show
- Cruise Night in Rensselaer
- Taste of Rensselaer
- Little Cousin Jasper Festival in Rensselaer
- Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana
- Enjoy a picnic lunch with the family while watching an Iron Diamonds baseball game! All games are free!
- Utilizing the National Lake Shore
- Movies in the Park in Downtown Chesterton every Friday
- Walk/Hike/Bike/Run at Coffee Creek
- Spring Out to Sunset at Sunset Hill Farm County Park
-
Buy fudge and other good things at the Simply Amazing Market
- Get some art supplies at Glenn L Firme & Associates on U.S. 12 and try your hand at art at the dunes
- Take a walk along the shores of our natural treasure Lake Michigan
- Visit The Artist's Den on Jefferson in Valpo
- Learn to knit at Sheep's Clothing in Valpo
- Take an art class at the Art Barn, or Chesterton Art Center
- Take a cooking class at Regal Rabbit in Chesterton
- Midwest Corvette and Chevy Show
- Harley Cruise-In Nights at Harley Davidson of Valparaiso
- Tri Kappa Taste of Valpo
- Perch Fest in Portage
- Lake County Fair
- Festival of the Lakes
- Northwest Indiana Earth Day at Sunset Hill Farm
- Michigan City Boat Show
- Pumpkin Fest in Crown Point
- Come out to Cedar Lake Summerfest for fun for all ages: live entertainment, fireworks, games, rides, food and more!
- Get the famous fried perch at Teibel’s restaurant in Schererville.
- Experience the Stations of the Cross on a moving and inspirational journey at The Shrine of Christ’s Passion in St. John.
-
Catch one of the amazing performances by Indiana Ballet Theatre.
- Feel the music at a LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra concert.
- Be inspired by visiting the South Shore Arts galleries throughout Northwest Indiana.
- Go to a show at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond and stay to try your luck at the tables.
- Stay at Ameristar Casino’s full-service luxury hotel in East Chicago and play the slots.
- Enjoy a casino that has action, great dining and comfortable hotel accommodations with Majestic Star in Gary.
- Celebrate National Park Week and Earth Day with the annual Green Gary event.
- See some great local talent in the wide range of performances at Theatre at the Center in Munster.
- Retreat, relax and renew at DunesWalk Inn at Furness Mansion in Chesterton.
- Rock out to the bands in the Summer Concert Series at Wicker Memorial Park in Highland.
- Take in a show at Towle Theater in Hammond.
- Head to downtown Crown Point for the weekly Car Cruise.
- Bring your family out to “Explore the South Shore” to discover all kinds of family fun there is along the South Shore.
- Learn about the encampments of French Voyageurs, Native American and military units at Voyageur Rendezvous at Grand Kankakee Marsh County Park.
- Enjoy artisan breads and sweets from the bread booth in downtown Lowell on Wednesdays in the summer.
- Celebrate Crown Beer Fest at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point.
- Paddle, bike or walk the Little Cal at the Little Cal Fest in May.
- Join in on the Cobe Cup Car Cruise as it “re-races” the 1909 Cobe Cup Race from Crown Point to Lowell.
- NWI Natural Family Living Expo at the Lake County Fairgrounds Industrial Building
- Midwest Zest Fest in Highland
- Healthy Mom and Baby Event
- Browse the selection of tunes at Orbit Music in Mishawaka.
- Order double crust pizza at Captain's Pizza in Edwardsburg.
- Eat at Hilltop Restaurant in Lakeville.
- Enjoy a year-round water park at Splash Universe in Shipshewana.
- Relieve history at the Niles-Brandywine Civil War Re-enactment that takes place in the spring at Brandywine High School in Niles.
- Shop for fresh produce and plants at Shelton's Farm Market in Niles.
- View the world's largest collection of Hudson Cars at Hostetler's Hudson Auto Museum in Shipshewana.
- Eat a Whoopie Pie at the Baker's Nook in Elkhart.
- Show your Notre Dame pride at the Legends of Notre Dame.
- Attend the Maple Syrup Festival in Wakarusa.
- Watch locally made films at the River Bend Film Festival in South Bend.
- See a show at the Morris Civic Auditorium in South Bend.
- Walk through the galleries at the South Bend Museum of Art.
- Browse Vinyl LP's, used books and movies, and vintage clothing while sipping coffee at Rumor Has It in Niles.
- Shop for discounts in your pajamas on the first Saturday of February at the Shipshewana Pajama Sale.
- Savor a dessert from Designer Desserts in Valparaiso, IN.
- Annual Lake George Duck Race in downtown Hobart.
- Mud Volley Ball Tournament held for charity by the Jaycees.
- Try the 3 Dunes Challange at Indiana Dunes State Park.
- Pinhook Bog at the National Lakeshore.
- Fly or watch remote control airplanes in Wheeler.
- Take a tour at Fair Oaks Farms.
- Attend a concert by the NWI Symphony Orchestra.
- Star gaze at the Lowell observatory field or attend a meeting of the Calumet Astronomical Society.
-
Come hear a concert of Valparaiso's own South Shore Orchestra.
- Watch the Rocky Horror Picture Show every Saturday at midnightat the Art Theater in downtown Hobart.
- Dine al fresco at Lucrezia in Chesterton under the tallest Japanese Maple Tree in Porter County.
- 2015 NWI Comic-Con in Schereville at the Halls of Saint George.
- Take the whole family to Family Day at the Douglas Center.
- Take the kids to the National Lakeshore Visitor's Center for a Sunday full of fun.
- Spend a Saturday enjoying the Indoor Market at Good to Go by Lucrezia.
- Enjoy dinner at Jalapenos and then a night of music and dancing at Woodhollow After Dark.
- Have a night of laughs at Wisecrackers Comedy Club.
- Have a fun day full of waterslides and swimming pools at Seven Peaks Water Park.
- Have a picnic, learn to windsurf and have the kids splash around at Wolf Lake Aquatic Center.
- Bring the kids for some indoor fun at Bellaboo's Play and Discovery Center.
- Go where the buffalo roam at Broken Wagon Bison.
- Go on an outer space adventure at the Challenger Learning Center.
- Enjoy a Hoosier wine experience at Carpenter Creek Cellars.
- Ditch the boring butter flavor and try something new at Chicagoland Popcorn.
- Spend a warm summer camping with friends and family at Caboose Lake Campground.
- Learn to sail at the Hammond Marina.
- Take a tour at the world famous Hoosier Bat Company (appointment only).
- Tour the JT Shrimp Company and see where all that tasty shrimp comes from.
- Spend some time bowling at Olympia Lanes.
- Learn about the environment of Northwest Indiana at the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education.
- See where the famous Dr. Scholl started his business at Lake of the Red Cedars Museum.
- Take an old fashioned train ride at Griffith Park Train Rides.
- Learn about all those who have served our country at The Community Veterans Memorial.
- Enjoy some authentic Dutch cooking at the Touch of Dutch Fest.
- Go bird watching at one of many locations throughout Northwest Indiana.
- Take a walk along the Rotblatt-Amrany Trail.
- Play your favorite sport, no matter what the weather is at The Courts of Northwest Indiana.
- Have a Mardi gras party for the whole family at the Crown Point Family Fun Center.
- Engage in some paint based combat at Blast Camp Paintball.
- Unwind and relax at The Great Escape Spa & Art Shop.
- Take a look at some amazing modern art at Blink Contemporary Gallery.
- Buy furniture, vinyl or even candy at Captain Ed's Furniture Showroom.
- Visit the genealogy department of the Valparaiso Public Library.
- Take the kids to open gym at Horizon Gymnastic and Cheer Academy (HGCA) Valparaiso.
- Roller Skating at Ben Franklin Middle School (courtesy of the Valparaiso YMCA).
- Frozen Yogurt at YoAmazing Frozen Yogurt Shoppe.
- Take a cake decorating class or painting class at Michael's in Valparaiso.
- Enjoy some delicious, homemade food at Fiddlehead Restaurant.
- Go ice skating in the winter at Valpo's William E. Urschel Pavilion.
- Go apple picking at Garwood Orchard.
- Take a brew tour with the South Shore Brewery App.
- Hike the Calumet Dunes Trail.
- Hike Cowles Bog Trail.
- Have dinner at Sage Restaurant.
- Get something sweet to eat at Butterfingers in Highland.
- There's fun for all ages at JAK's Warehouse in Schererville.
- Take a ride to the northside of Hammond and have a great time visiting one if the oldest Mexican restaurants, Taco Real.
- Stay in a suite at Songbird Prairie Inn and Spa enjoy afternoon tea, couples massage, or a facial or make reservations just for breakfast!
Thanks to the people who have contributed ideas so far:
- Michelle Indigo Rush Clemons
- Jeff Cagwin
- Kathy Faurot Welter
- Nikki Presta Roe
- Derek Chirch
- Carolyn Polewski Powell
- Rebecca Wolfe Tomerlin
- Larry Tumbleson
- Michael L. Mick
- Michele David
- Tammy Canzoneri
- Alyssa Weiler
- Robyn Pollick Kelsey Walsworth
- Stephanie Wallace
- Anne Van Keppel
- Dawn Noel Fitzer Brown
- Lee Anne Bettenhausen
- Stan Krysa
- Eric Wignall
- Cindy Byrns
- Rebecca Wolfe Tomerlin
- Barby Adkins Alfredson
- Martha Ebling Sullens
- Lisa Skripac
- Jon Groth
- Jackie Gray
- Linda S Camp
- J Michael Yohe
- Tom B
- RG Skadberg
- Joe Porter
- Anthony Gurtowski
- Ellen Holloway
- Lisa Seyser Starkey
- Danielle Berg O Reilly
- Amey VanBlaircom
- Nancy Metzger Markovich
- Kate Ross
-
Karol Wegrzyn Siwietz
- Elicia Morales Follman
- Elizabeth Coy
- Kathy Legner Sipple
- Betsy Greer
- Kate Swartz Sorensen
- Leeann Good
- Sarah Andrews Johnston
- Indiana Dunes
- Barbara Rivera
- Kevin Sparenberg
- Jeff & Grace Safrin
- Michael McIntyre
- Nicholas Winder
- Beth Franzen
- Kristen Hasselgren
- Stephen Miller
- Julie Olthoff
- Rich Gardner
- Kristine Keesee
- Porter County Parks & Recreation
- Dawn Aleksinski Puszczewicz
- Kathy Welter
- Brenda Krause
- Jennifer Rush
- Janel Hyland
- Barry Skalski
- Donna Flanagin
- Angel Rae
- Troy Webdell
- Sarah Denton
- Nada Karas
- Stephanie O'Brien