PANORAMA

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

Entertainment Magazine

For Northwest Indiana

Calendar of Events Star Plaza Theater Front Porch Music Art Exhibits Local Trips Local Concerts Dancing Trips Movies Home Holiday Happenings   •    Dining   •   Art Galleries & Museums

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NORTHWEST INDIANA ATTRACTIONS & FAMILY FUN:
IN Porter, Lake, & LaPorte Counties:

Area Special     
    Events     
 ARE HERE!
  
  
           
 

   PORTER COUNTY ATTRACTIONS:

      Anderson's Orchard & Winery, 430 East U.S. Highway 6, Valparaiso, Midwest & national winemaking competitions, family owned, free wine tasting, 16 different wines, country market, gift items, homemade baked goods, tours, 219-464-4936, Click Here.
   Brauer Museum of Art-
Valparaiso University Center for the Arts, more than 2,300 works of art, paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, international religious art, free, tours available, 219-464-5365, Click Here.
   Bailly Homestead/ Chellberg
FARM, Mineral Springs Rd., Porter , Indiana, 926-7561.ext 225, www.nps.gov/indu
   Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve, trail, brick, paved, & natural trails up to five miles in length, 219-926-1842, Click Here.
   Countryside Museum, This turn-of-the-century Portage farmhouse is owned by the Portage Parks Department and operated by the Portage Community Historical Society. In Countryside Park, 5250 East U.S. Highway 6. Museum, 216/762-8349. Portage Park Department: 219/762-1675
  
Chapel of the Resurrection,
Valparaiso University, dedicated in 1959, one of the largest collegiate chapels in the US, seats more than 2,000, world-renowned organ, 94 foot high Mundeloh stained glass windows, ten services weekly, 219-464-5011, Click Here.
   Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, 
Mineral Springs Rd., Porter, Indiana, 926-7561.ext 225,
www.nps.gov/indu
   Indiana Dunes State Park Campground, short walk from the swimming beach, new restrooms, play areas, paved roads, upgraded electrical service, groceries & firewood available, 866-622-6746, Click Here.
   Indiana Aviation Museum, 4601 Murvhill Rd., Valparaiso, "Where History Flies," restored warplanes, research area, aviation artifacts, open April through October, Saturdays and Sundays, admission charged, 219-548-3123, Click Here.
   Memorial Opera House, Built in 1893 as a memorial to Civil War veterans, the Opera House in on the National Register of Historical Places. Owned by the county, this beautiful structure has provided a home for performing arts for more than 100 years. 104 Indiana Avenue, Valparaiso. 219/548-9137 www.memorialoperahouse.com   
   Worlds Fair Homes Beverly Shores,
National Lakeshore Visitor Center, Chesterton, IN 46304, 219-926-7561.
   
Nike Missile Site C47, Located between 600 North and 700 North, Portage. Operational from 1950 to 1974, the site is now open as a paintball facility — Blast Camp, 600 North, west of SR 149, Valparaiso, IN 46393, www.blastcamp.com , 219-947-7733.
   R-Way Skate Center,
3600 Scottsdale, off U. S. Highway 6, Portage, IN, 219/759-2556 .
   Old Jail Museum, 153 S. Franklin, Valparaiso, built in 1860 & 1871 respectively, rooms of period furniture, two story structure leading to the Sheriff's home, 219-465-3595, Click Here.
   George Brown Mansion,
a two-and-a-half-story Queen Anne-style house designed by Chicago architect Cicero Hine and built in 1885by area craftsmen using locally supplied materials.  Now home to the Westchester Township History Museum, 700 West Porter Avenue, Chesterton, IN 46304, 219-983-3600.
   Stagecoach Inn Museum,
Built in 1867, the original building stands today as a railroad museum. Located behind the Stagecoach Museum
, 127 North Main, Hebron, IN 46341, 219-996-5678.
    Westchester Township Historical Museum, Housed in the George Brown Mansion, the museum traces the history of Westchester Township form the glacial era to the present.  Operated by Westchester Public Library, the museum also includes the Pratt Wildlife Sanctuary, as will as a museum store.  Group tours available by appointment. 700 West Porter Ave, Chesterton. 219-983-9715. www.wpl.lib.in.us/museum
____________________PORTER COUNTY FAMILY FUN:___________________





   Inman's Recreation Center, 3201 Evans Ave., Valparaiso, IN, bowling, glow bowling, billiards, arcade, laser tag, miniature golf, go-karts, bumper boats, outdoor pavilion, karaoke & dancing, 219/462-1300.
   Pines Peak Family Ski & Snowboarding Area,
Meridian Road, south of US Hwy 6, Valparaiso, 9 downhill ski runs, rental equipment & lessons, White Lightning Snow Tube Run takes you to the top of the hill, 219-477-5993, Click Here.
 Splash Down Dunes, kiddie pools, tubes and twister slides, speed slides, wave pool, 219-929-1181, located just West of 49 & Hwy 20, 1 mile from Indiana Dunes State Park in Chesterton, Indiana  click here for more
   Taltree Arboretum and Gardens, 450 West 100 North, 3.5 miles of trails, bring own equipment, 219-462-0025, Click Here.

   Yellow Brick Road Gift Shop and Fantasy Museum, IN 49 & 950 North, Chesterton, open year round, features memorabilia from Wizard of Oz, donated by cast and heirs, 219/926-7048, Click Here.
   Zao Island, 1050 Horseprairie Ave., Valparaiso, IN, 2-18 hole miniature golf courses, batting cages, go-karts, bumper cars, lighted driving range, super slide, live alligators, indoor arcade, 219-462-1194, Click Here.

LAKE  COUNTY  ATTRACTIONS

  
 
  Indiana Welcome Center-I80/94 & Kennedy Ave. South, Hammond, 989-7979, Mon-Fri 8-5 pm, Sat & Sun 9-5 pm, many different exhibits (change monthly), gift shop, School Tours, Group Tours, interesting and informative views of current exhibit.
   Community Veterans Memorial,
Calumet and Superior avenues, Munster, (219) 836-4582, On the Web: www.communityveteransmemorial.org
  Cedar Lake Historical Association-PO Box 421, Cedar Lake, 374-7434.  
   Lake of the Red Cedars Museum-
7404 Constitution Ave., Cedar Lake, 374-7562.
   Little Red Schoolhouse and Museum,
Hessville Park, 7205 Kennedy Ave., Hammond, (219) 931-7559.   
   Lake County Historical Museum-
Old Courthouse Square, Suite 202, Crown Point, 662-3975.
     Octave Chanute & Tuskegee Airmen Museum-Marquette Park, One Aquatorium Center, Gary, 938-8081.
   Gary Bathing Beach Aquatorium-
One Aquatorium Center, Gary, 938-8081.
   Douglas Center for Environmental Education-
100 South Lake St., Gary, 769-3820.
   Griffith Historical Park & Railroad Museum-
201 S. Broad Street, Griffith, 924-9701.
 
Environmental Education Center-
2405 Calumet Ave., Hammond, 853-2420.
   Little Red Schoolhouse and Museum-
Hessville Park, 7205 Kennedy Ave., Hammond, 931-7559.
  
Lake Michigan Winery,
Calumet Avenue and 119th Street, Whiting
Phone: (219) 659-WINE, Fax: (219) 659-3501, On the Web: www.lakemichiganwinery.com
   Merrillville Community Planetarium,
199 E. 70th Ave., Merrillville, Phone: (219) 650-5486, Fax: (219) 650-5483, On the Web:  www.mvsc.k12.in.us/planetarium
  
Octave Chanute & Tuskegee Airmen Museum, Marquette Park, Gary, (219) 938-8081.
   Olympia Lanes (Bowling) -
4150 Calumet Ave, Hammond, 933-6677. Click Here:
    Trackside Off-Track Betting, 7610 Broadway, Merrillville, (219) 755-0000, On the Web: www.tracksideotb.com
  Albanese Confectionery Group-
5441 E US 30, Hobart, 947-3070, School Tours, Group Tours available, interesting and informative view of a functional candy factory, world’s largest chocolate waterfall. Click Here: www.albaneseconfectionery.com  
   County Line Orchard & The Barn-
1.1 miles south of Route 6, Hobart, 947-4477, Summer and Fall school tours, pumpkins, apples, Halloween fun. Click Here: www.countylineorchard.com

    Deep River County Park and Woods Historic Grist Mill- School Tours, Group Tours, interesting and informative view of a functional grain mill, 9410 Old Lincoln Highway, Hobart, 947-1958. Click here
   Hobart Historical Museum-706 East Fourth Street, Hobart, 924-0970.

   LAKE COUNTY FAMILY FUN:

 

   Blast Camp Paintball Field, 600 E 3rd Street (store), 550 W 600 N (field), Hobart, tag each other with paintballs on a former military base, still houses barracks, radar towers, target ranges, bunkers, fortifications and foxholes, trained referees, 219-947-7733, Click Here.
   Buckley Homestead: A Living History Farm-
3606 Belshaw Road, Lowell, 696-0769, tours, other activities.Click Here: www.lakecountyparks.org
   Albanese Confectionery Group-
5441 E US 30, Hobart, 947-3070, School Tours, Group Tours available, interesting and informative view of a functional candy factory, world’s largest chocolate waterfall. Click Here: www.albaneseconfectionery.com  
   County Line Orchard & The Barn-
1.1 miles south of Route 6, Hobart, 947-4477, Summer and Fall school tours, pumpkins, apples, Halloween fun. Click Here: www.countylineorchard.com
  
Deep River Waterpark-
9001 E US 30, Merrillville, 947-7850, open during summer, 10-6 pm, $18.95-$5.95, water slides, lazy rivers, interactive play structure, ice skating in the Winter. Click Here: www.deepriverwaterpark.com

   Schererville Golf & Fun Center-101 US Route 41, Schererville, 322-3490, Brickyard 500 Go-Karts $5/ride or 4 rides for $16, Practice Range: grass or mat tees, $8-$4, call for group prices. Click Here: www.golfandfuncenter.com
     Merrillville Community Planetarium-199 East 70th Ave., Merrillville, 650-5486. Click Here: www.mvsc.k12.in.us/planetarium
   Community Veterans Memorial-
9710 Calumet & Superior Ave., Munster, 836-3392, to remember those who fought in the wars of the 20th century.Click Here: www.communityveteransmemorial.org  
    Lake Michigan Winery-Calumet Ave & 119th Street, Whiting, 659-WINE, School Tours, Group Tours, interesting and informative view of a functional Winery, open daily 1-7 pm, free wine tasting. Click Here: www.lakemichiganwinery.com
   Towle Community Theater, 5205 Hohman Ave., Hammond, events in theater, concerts and dance, for calendar of events go to www.towletheater.org. 219-937-8780.
    Northern Indiana Arts Assoc.
The Center, nationally acclaimed theater, Art Gallery, and Banquet Hall, 1040 Ridge Rd, Munster., Indiana, 219-836-1839. www.niaaonline.org. 
   Star Plaza Theatre-
I-65 & US 30, 8001 Delaware Place, Merrillville, 769-6600, many concerts and activities. Click Here: Star Plaza Theater.htm

LAPORTE COUNTY  ATTRACTIONS

      Back Road Brewery, 308 Perry St., LaPorte, first production micro-brewery, craft beers by the barrel, robust ales, chocolatey stouts, crisp lagers, sample award winning brews while touring, 219-362-7623, Click Here.
     Barker Mansion-631 Washington, Michigan City, 873-1520, former residence of local millionaire-industrialist, tours: Mon-Fri 10 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm (June 1-Oct31), Sat & Sun noon, 2 pm, closed on Holidays, $4/adults, $2/children 4-18, children 3 and under FREE. Click Here: www.laportecounty.net/sites/barker.html
     Blue Chip Casino-2 Easy Street, Michigan City, 879-7711, over 1,700 slot machines, over 50 table games, two on-site restaurants, 184 room hotel, conveniently located close to Premium Outlets Mall, Lubeznik Center for the Arts, Washington Zoo, Ragtops Museum, Lighthouse Museum, and the Lake Michigan Beach, .Click Here: www.bluechipcasino.com    
     Bluhm County Park, 3855 S. 1100 West, Westville, IN 46391, 219-325-8315. www.laportecountyparks.org. Park grounds open 7 a.m.-sunset. Beautiful hiking, mountain biking, and horseback trails, no-leash dog facility, environmental education opportunities. Includes playgrounds, picnic areas, and shelter rentals.
     Creek Ridge County Park, 7943 W. 400 North, Michigan City, IN 46360, 219-325-8315. www.laportecountyparks.org. Park grounds open 7 a.m.-sunset. Trail Creek fishing, playgrounds, shelter rentals, picnic areas, hiking trails, and seasonal festivals. Environmental education opportunities.  

LAPORTE COUNTY FAMILY FUN:____________________



Great Lakes Military Museum

   Great Lakes Museum of Military History, 360  Dunes Plaza W. US Hwy 20, Michigan City, 872-2702, Memorial Day through Labor Day: Tues-Fri 9-4 pm, Sat 10-4 pm, Sun noon-4 pm, closed Mon, Labor Day to Memorial Day: same, but closed on Sun & Mon, closed Christmas Eve and Day, New Year’s Eve and Day, & Thanksgiving, $3/adults, $2/veterans and seniors, $1/children 8-18, under 8 and Military personnel (Active Duty and Reserve) FREE,  restore and display military memorabilia from the Revolutionary War to the present. Click Here: www.militaryhistorymuseum.org



Hesston Museum

Rag Tops Auto Museum

   Hesston Steam Show-1201 E County Road 1000 N, Hesston, 872-7405 or 778-2783, DISCOVER a forgotten era at an unusual outdoor museum in rural northern Indiana. Explore the world of the steam engine and ride behind a genuine coal-fired steam locomotive through 155 acres of rolling meadows and deep forests on a two-mile railway line. Excellent for kids, click here   
   Washington Park Zoo,
115 Lake Shore Drive, Michigan City, April through Oct, Call for hours, $4.50/adults, $3/seniors, $2.50/children, free for children 2 and under, over 90 animal exhibits. conveniently located close to Premium Outlets Mall, Ragtop Museum, Blue Chip Casino, Lighthouse Museum, and the Lake Michigan Beach, 219-873-1510, Click Here.
     Rag Tops Museum of Michigan City-
209 W Michigan Blvd., 878-1514, Tues-Sun 10-5 pm, $6/adults, $5/seniors, $3/children, free/children under 3, not-for-profit organization, exhibits a wide variety of vehicles for the 20th century. conveniently located close to Premium Outlets Mall, Lubeznik Center for the Arts, Blue Chip Casino, Washington Zoo, Lighthouse Museum, and the Lake Michigan Beach,
www.ragtopsmuseum.com
       International Friendship Gardens- 2055 US Highway 12, (just East of Blue Chip Casino) Michigan City, collection of gardens in various stages of restoration, May through October, Saturday and Sunday, $4, 219-878-9885, Click Here.
       Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 101 Avenue of the Arts, (W. 2nd St.), Michigan City, conveniently located close to Premium Outlets Mall, Ragtop Museum, Blue Chip Casino, Washington Zoo, Lighthouse Museum, and the Lake Michigan Beach, children's classes, community events, art gallery, closed on Mondays, 219-874-4900, Click Here.
      Luhr County Park, 3178 S. 150 West, LaPorte, IN 46350, Park grounds open 7 a.m.-sunset. Nature Center hours 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday from March through October. Open only on Saturdays and Sundays from November through February. Prairie ecosystem, wetlands, wildlife viewing area, fishing, hiking trails. Environmental programming available, 219-324-5855, Click Here.
      Old Lighthouse Museum- Heisman Harbor Road, Washington Park, Michigan City, March-Dec: Tues-Sun 1-4 pm, built in 1858, served as house for lightkeeper and family. located close to Premium Outlets Mall, Lubeznik Center for the Arts, Washington Zoo, Ragtops Museum, Blue Chip Casino, and the Lake Michigan Beach, 872-6133.
       Orr Mansion-4076 Small Road, LaPorte, call for hours, 1875 Gothic Victorian mansion, furniture, plaster corbels & cornice, baroque ceilng medallions, 324-5683, Click Here.
      Mixsawbah Fish Hatchery-5500 S 675 E, Walkerton, trout and salmon state fish hatchery, produces 680,000 fish, call for hours and tours, 219-369-9591.
      Pioneer Land-LaPorte County Fairgrounds, OPEN during the LaPorte County Fair and by special request for group tours, a living history or 1800’s American heritage, 324-2086.
      Red Mill County Park, 0185 S. Holmesville Rd., LaPorte, IN 46350, Park grounds open 7 a.m.-sunset. State dedicated nature preserve, wetlands, hiking trails, and environmental education opportunities. Canada Lodge includes rental hall and county parks administrative offices, 219-325-8315, Click Here.
      Shoreline Brewery & Restaurant-208 Wabash, Michigan City, tours every Sun between 3 & 6 pm, hand crafted beers and freshly crafted foods, 879-4677, Click Here.
     Pinhook Methodist Church, 8001 W State Road 2, Pinhook, tours April 1-Oct 31, open for weddings, oldest standing church in LaPorte County, built in 1847, 219-785-4347.
     
     
   
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