outdoor recreation

Recreation Opportunities In Northwest Indiana

During the Pandemic, the safest thing to do is visit an outdoor facility. Northwest Indiana has lots of places to visit. Now is a great time to discover a new adventure. Here’s Some Recreation Opportunities in Northwest Indiana.

Hiking Indiana Dunes Parks Lake Michigan in Northwest IndianaHiking in Northwest Indiana

These past several months have been challenging. Many of us have taken refuge out of doors, or found hope and inspiration in the splendor of nature by admiring spring flowers and wildlife from our windows (or computers).  

Our natural world unceasingly supports and inspires us when we need it most. Will you now help us support our natural world? Continue Reading → Over 26 Local Trails Listed here!

luhr county park laporte indianaHiking at Luhr Park – LaPorte Indiana

by Andie Renner-Miller
A Hidden Gem – Luhr Park, La Porte County.      On a nice warm evening my husband and I decided to visit my favorite of the LaPorte County parks for a nice evening in nature. Luhr County Park has so much to offer. There is no fee to use this park… Continue Reading →
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Hiking at Sunset Hill County Park Valparaiso by Sue Baxter

   We did this hike at Sunset Hill County Park right after a huge 4 inch rain storm that fell May 15th, 2020 and did not encounter too much mud, only a few small pockets that we walked around. The Murray Woods Nature Preserve wooded area at Sunset Hill County Park was very surprisingly a… Continue Reading →

wicker park highland indiana moving vietnam wall
Wicker Park Golf To Open May 13th

     Wicker Memorial Park Golf Course will reopen Wednesday — with new rules designed to keep you safe. Park Superintendent Brett Bierman said the new parameters are easy to follow — but not negotiable.      “We can’t wait to see our golfers return. Our course is in great shape and we all know… Continue Reading →

Moraine Nature Preserve Valparaiso Indiana Tourism Hiking

by Andie Renner-Miller     
We did this hike back when it was snow covered as it was listed as a good hike to do in the snow. This preserve was a good reminder that it doesn’t need to be warm out to take a good hike. We found only one area that may be difficult… Continue Reading →
stone lake pine lake laporte indiana

The Waterways Downtown Laporte Indiana

    I’ve always seen Pine Lake and sometimes Stone Lake driving in LaPorte delivering the PanoramaNow Magazines, but I’ve never really been on the lake until last weekend. It was such a nice experience and such clear water that I was amazed that in 35 years I had never heard nor seen anything about it before. Although we did arrive very early in the morning, the boat launch was quite nice, so I decided to educate some of my readers about these two lakes. Continue Reading

Golf outing northwest indianajpg

     Creekside Golf Course and Forest Park Golf Courses are scheduled to open!  Valpo Parks staff has been working on best practice protocol to re-open Creekside and open Forest Park within a phased approach for the safety of customers and staff. They have also now acquired Personal Protection Equipment that is appropriate… Continue Reading →

Fishing Essentials Every Beginner Needs

If you’re looking to get into fishing, you’ll need to learn new skills and acquire the right equipment. Your approach and tools may also change depending on where and how you fish as well. The following items are fishing essentials every beginner needs. Fishing License In order to fish legally as an adult, you’ll need… Continue Reading →

 

tallest sand dune discovered dune acres indiana ron seman
Tallest Sand Dune In Indiana Discovered

As an Indiana Master Naturalist, scientist, inventor, historian, and photographer local resident Ron Seman has hiked the Indiana Dunes for over fifty (50) years.  He leads FREE adventures everyday of the year in all weather with individuals, veterans, active military, first responders, those in recovery via  school groups, organizations, Artistic Recovery and corporations for team building and he is always on the lookout for standout natur – Continue Reading . . 

Hidden Lake park merrillville indiana july 4th

    Hidden Lake Park is open every day from 9:00am to Dusk! Patrons can experience paddleboats, shelters, concessions, softball games, disc golf, fitness trail, playgrounds, fishing, picnic areas, sledding hill and a nice social center. Although there is a nice sized lake with a beautiful fountain, it’s too small for watercrafts. All picnic areas have… Continue Reading →
portage river walk
Portage Lakefront Riverwalk Park

     Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk Park Riverwalk opened in October 2009 and is drawing some of the largest lakefront traffic in the Region. The park is considered a successful model by which public and private groups reclaimed brownfield space, its riverwalk affords easy access to the lakefront and beach. There also are trails that… Continue Reading →
Taltree Arboretum Gardens Valparaiso Indiana

Visit Gabis Arboretum

    Gabis Arboretum (formerly Taltree,) is home to one of the most diverse oak collections in the nation, welcomes nearly 50,000 guests annually to its beautiful vistas, diverse landscape and six miles of hiking trails. Damien and Rita Gabis made an initial purchase of land on the site in 1990. With additional land purchases… Continue Reading →

     The National Park Service has announced that the trail to the beach at Mount Baldy has been reopened. The trail had been closed for several weeks after storm waves washed out a portion of it leaving a dangerous, 50-foot drop off. Park crews have now completed a rerouted trail and have reopened the… Continue Reading →

Hammond bird sanctuary hammond indiana birding e1493044191433Hammond Bird Sanctuary by Carolyn A. Marsh, Site Steward

    The Hammond Lakefront Park & Bird Sanctuary, a 600-meter wooded strip of Lakefront fill, lies within a kilometer of the Illinois line on Lake Michigan. A virtual oasis of vegetation within a vast urban sprawl, this site, once well-known simply as “The Migrant Trap,” is flanked to the west by the Commonwealth Edison power plant and to the east by Hammond Marina. The address is 701 Casino Center Dr, Hammond, IN 46320. Continue Reading. . . 
IMG 9190 scaledVisit Ogden Gardens, by Sue Baxter 
   Ogden Gardens is a local treasure that is often overlooked. It is a quick and close encounter with Nature because it is located in the heart of the Valparaiso business district with a very close easy access parking area. For local residents it’s an easy bike ride or walk. Odgen Gardens is on your way to the dry cleaners, the grocery store or the library. The parking area i Continue Reading . . .

Friendship Botanic Gardens Michigan City Mothers Day

Friendship Botanic Gardens Michigan CityFriendship Botanic Gardens

     Friendship Botanic Gardens has undergone a spectacular revitalization in recent years, with the addition of countless new garden plots and a growing roster of public events and programming designed to reintroduce the world to the magic of the Gardens.
    Friendship Botanic Gardens is a historic 105 acre garden park tucked in the majestic old-growth forests surrounding Trail Creek. Continue Reading. . . 
Indiana Dunes Hiking Trail 10 State park e1591976545307
Indiana Dunes 160

Things To Do in the Indiana Dunes

Go Camping  – The National Park Service is proposing a reservation system for 11 picnic shelters and 34 campsites at Indiana Dunes National Park. A reservation system will allow visitors to plan their camping trips and picnics at the national park up to six months in advance.  Currently, all picnic shelters in the park… Continue Reading →

white pelican with great egret birds wolf lake hammond indiana

Photo by Rick Catania at Wolf Lake Hammond, Indiana

Visit Wolf Lake – Canoeing, Hiking, Biking, Fishing, Kayaking, Surf Sailing
  Wolf Lake is the centerpiece of the revitalization of the Wolf Lake Memorial park area and was built as part of the 31.4 million dollar grant by the RDA. The grant and the Marquette Plan along the shores of Lake Michigan share goals of creating a liveable Lakeshore. This included increased public access and an inter-linking series of trail systems and public use enhancements Continue Reading . . . 
buckley barn
Buckley Homestead by Robin Black
Settled in 1849 by Irish immigrants who developed their land into a 150-head dairy farm and sold milk to the Chicago market in the early 1900’s. The farm grew in size from 79 acres to 520 acres as it passed through four generations.
      In 1977, part of the homestead was donated by Rose Buckley Pearce to the Lake County Parks so that visitors could experience the feeling of early farm life through a living history outdoor museum. Continue Reading . . . 

dog on the beach
Lake Michigan Beaches

    Northwest Indiana is home to miles and miles of sandy beaches along Lake Michigan. There are 14 different beaches from Whiting to Michigan City. Below is a description for your enjoyment. If you go, remember to use sunscreen and have flip flops the sand is very hot. For A Complete List of Area Beaches, including Hours and Rates, click here.
inmans bowling valparaiso indiana inside
Inmans Family Entertainment Recreation Center
The 32-lane bowling alley is part of Inman’s Family Entertainment Center that has something for everyone at all ages. You wouldn’t realize it, but the act of bowling itself has a steady turnover. Therefore, the CDC “250 person” rule doesn’t really effect the bowling facility, because bowlers are naturally turning over anyway. “Our bowlers are wanting to bowl, they are very happy to be back bowling and really enjoy that they can bowl again,” stated owner Mike Peuquet.

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Find Out More EVENTS AT THESE LOCATIONS:
Lake County: Cedar Lake  Hammond Indiana, East ChicagoSchererville Indiana, Dyer Indiana, Merrillville Indiana, Crown Point Indiana, Whiting Indiana,  Highland Indiana,  Gary Indiana, Hebron Indiana and Griffith Indiana. In
Porter County we cover Valparaiso IndianaChesterton Indiana, Portage Indiana and Kouts Indiana. In
La Porte County we cover Michigan City Indiana, La Porte Indiana, Westville Indiana and Wanatah Indiana and Indiana Dunes
PORTER COUNTY;
LAKE COUNTY;
LaPORTE COUNTY

Gibson Woods nature preserve hammond indiana
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Sue

Sue Baxter

Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.

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About The Author

Sue Baxter

Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak - a national news affiliate.