Tourist Attractions.htm

		LOCAL TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
		PANORAMA Entertainment Magazinea

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NORTHWEST INDIANA ATTRACTIONS & FAMILY FUN:
In Porter, Lake, & LaPorte Counties:- The Southshore

Area
   Special Events
Just Updated!

PORTER COUNTY ATTRACTIONS:

To Add Your Attraction Here,
Please Send Info To: PanoramaNow@comcast.net

FOR MUSEUMS: Check Out Our Extensive Listings On Our Museum Page

   Anderson's 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, CLOSED! 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,
     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, Click here , 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. Click here
   Worlds Fair Homes Beverly Shores, National Lakeshore Visitor Center, Chesterton, only open once a year, in the Fall, IN 46304, 219-926-7561.

____________________ PORTER COUNTY FAMILY FUN:___________________

Splash Down Dunes, Chesterton

   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. 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, CLOSED!
   Taltree Arboretum and Gardens, 450 West 100 North, 3.5 miles of trails, bring own equipment, 219-462-0025, 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, For information on the Community Veterans Memorial, call 219-836-3392, 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.
   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:
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
   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
    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, 219-947-1958. Click here
   Hobart Historical Museum-706 East Fourth Street, Hobart, 924-0970.

LAKE COUNTY FAMILY FUN:

Deep River Water park

   Bellaboos Fun Center, a Children's play facility providing colorful, fun, and secure areas where children from infants to age nine can explore, create, and interact, admission charged, Cafe for parents Three Rivers County Park, 2800 Colorado St. Lake Station, IN 46405, 219-963-2070, 219-963-1030, info@mybellaboos.com www.mybellaboos.com
   Blast Camp Paintball Field, 600 E 3^rd 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, 219-696-0769, tours, other activities. www.lakecountyparks.org
   Albanese Confectionery Group-5441 E US 30, Hobart, 219-947-3070, School Tours, Group Tours available, interesting and informative view of a functional candy factory, world’s largest chocolate waterfall.
   County Line Orchard & The Barn-1.1 miles south of Route 6, Hobart, 219-947-4477, Summer and Fall school tours, pumpkins, apples, Halloween fun.
   Deep River Waterpark-9001 E US 30, Hobart, 219-947-7850, open during summer, 10-6 pm, $18.95-$5.95, water slides, lazy rivers, interactive play structure, ice skating in the Winter. www.deepriverwaterpark.com

   Merrillville Community Planetarium-199 East 70^th Ave., Merrillville, 219-650-5486. Click here
Community Veterans Memorial-9710 Calumet & Superior Ave., Munster, 219-836-3392, to remember those who fought in the wars of the 20^th century. Click here
   Towle Community Theater, 5205 Hohman
Ave., Hammond, events in theater, concerts and dance, for calendar of
events go to www.towletheater.org
   Northern Indiana Arts Assoc. The Center, nationally acclaimed theater, Art
Gallery, and Banquet Hall, 1040 Ridge Rd, Munster., Indiana, 219-836-1839. www.southshoreartsonline.org
Star Plaza Theatre-I-65 & US 30, 8001 Delaware Place, Merrillville, many concerts
and activities Click
   "Zig Es Funland" 8176 Wicker Ave., St John, Indiana, go karts,
Miniature Golf (18 Holes) Batting Cages, Snack Shop, Arcade, Lan Center,
219-558-0596
www.zigesfunland.com

LAPORTE COUNTY ATTRACTIONS

Back Road Brewery, 308 Perry St., by appointment only, 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

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

Bluhm County Park, 3855 S. 1100 West, Westville, IN 46391, 219-325-8315. Click here. 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. Click here. 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, $2/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. www.Militaryhistorymuseum.org

Hesston 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- CLOSED 209 W Michigan Blvd., 878-1514, T

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. www.oldlighthousemuseum.org

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. www.pioneerland.org

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, Must be 21 or Over, Michigan City, tours every Sun between 3 & 6 pm, hand crafted beers and freshly crafted foods, 879-4677, www.shorelinebrewery.com

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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