Top Things to do in Indiana Dunes
Top Hotels in Indiana Dunes
- 1. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Valparaiso, IN
- 2. Hilton Garden Inn Chesterton
- 3. Hampton Inn & Suites Valparaiso
- 4. Best Western Indian Oak
- 5. Hampton Inn Portage
- 6. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Portage, an IHG Hotel
- 7. Best Western University Inn At Valparaiso
- 8. Quality Inn Chesterton Near Indiana Dunes National Park I-94
- 9. Fairfield Inn & Suites Valparaiso
- 10. Best Western Plus Portage Hotel & Suites
What to do and see in Indiana Dunes, Indiana Dunes: The Best Free Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Indiana Dunes, United States including Butler Winery, Chapel of the Resurrection, Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve, North Shore Beach, Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm, Ogden Dunes Beach, Indiana Dunes National Park, Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, Yesterday's Treasures Antique Mall & Artisan Gallery, Brauer Museum of Art Center for the Arts.
Restaurants in Indiana Dunes
1. Butler Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
2. Chapel of the Resurrection
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By Dave_PE54 - Chicago, United States
The University Chapel is not the place to come for private, contemplative prayer (unless you visit the Gloria Christi Chapel below the main altar. It's the amazing stained glass windows of the Trinity which back the high altar which hold your attention and raise your sights upward. The Reddel organ with over 100 ranks of pipes is inspiring both to see and to hear. Worship services and music programs are the best reason to visit.
3. Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
The Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve is a 157-acre complex of wetlands, woodlands, and prairie. More than 400 native plant species have been identified on the property. The magnificent display of wildflowers from spring through fall is one of The Preserve’s most notable features. Many common mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies make their homes here, and there is a diverse birdlife, including both nesting and migratory species. Coffee Creek is one of the healthiest streams in the southern Lake Michigan watershed. Salmon, trout, and many other fish swim in its waters. The Preserve is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts. A system of trails, including a three-mile loop around the perimeter, is popular with hikers, joggers, dog walkers, birders, and other nature lovers. Photographers are attracted by the abundant wildlife and wildflowers. Anglers find fishing in the creek excellent. A variety of classes, workshops, and hikes are provided throughout the year.
Reviewed By 3johnb - Valparaiso, United States
We love it here...all seasons. The walk is beautiful...about 2 1/2 miles but you can do a lot less. Many times we see deer, makes the day. The bridges are great although we rarely see anything in the water. The area in the front with wood walkways is very well done...structures of stone are beautiful and there is a very peaceful feeling being there. Go, explore for yourself and pick the parts you like best. Pleasant people doing the same thing you are. Lots of dogs.
4. North Shore Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By 3johnb - Valparaiso, United States
We enjoy the fact that there is a free public lot just above the beach. We don't go on weekends because it's impossible to park in here. People on the beach are always friendly. Nice beach to stroll on.
5. Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By FrankD834 - South Bend, United States
I brought my teen daughter with me for a hike through the woods to see the fall colors. We started at the parking area and then went to the homestead. We checked out the river and then headed up to the Bailly Cemetery. We then doubled back and took the trail to the farm. I'll have to go back and do the rest of the trails since it was cooling off and my daughter had enough. The homestead looks great and the fall colors around it made for great photos. The cemetery is more elaborate than I was expecting. The farm has chickens and cows, which my daughter enjoyed interacting with. It was a really good afternoon. In all, we spent about 2 1/2 hours there. If we would have taken the loop trail, which I will get back and do, that would have added 1 1/2 miles.
6. Ogden Dunes Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By hoosierref - Portage, United States
Parking area near the beach is residents only. All other streets near beach are not permitted, and you will get towed or ticketed. The best place for non-residents to park is at the corner of Diana and Sunset (you'll see the no beach parking beyond this point signs) and walk to the beach. It's a 6 minute walk (.3 mile) along the street, or you can walk thru the West Beach National Park area to the west and it's about 10 minutes (very pretty this way). You'll be rewarded with a quiet, no crowd beach and best part it's FREE! It's about a 15 minute walk on the beach if you want to go to the West Beach house for bathrooms or concessions.
7. Indiana Dunes National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 402 reviews
Reviewed By WiseWomanWanderer - Mount Orab, United States
This national park along the Lake Michigan shoreline in northern Indiana is an awesome experience! I am more of a mountain and forest and river gal, but I am so glad that I took the time to explore the dunes and shore lines. I found walking in lots of sand to be quite strenuous. Sand got in my tennis shoes causing blisters. Going barefoot caused blisters. Wearing crocs caused blisters. Still it was all worth it! Parking is limited in the national park. So, be prepared for alternatives. West Beach has more parking than their other beaches. I describe each of the following places on their own page on Trip Advisor. But here was my itinerary in this order for my 3 day vacation. Friday late afternoon: Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, (get brochures and hiking book), West Beach: Dune Succession Trail and Long Lake overlook. Saturday: Heron Rookery Trail, Great Marsh Trail, Mount Baldy Beach, Scenic Drive along Eastern Beaches (Lake View, Dunbar, Kemil), Miller Woods aka Douglas Environmental Center, Rest back at hotel (Country Inn), Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk. Sunday morning: Indiana Dunes State Park - beach, Coffee Creek Wetlands Preserve West Beach fee is $6 per car. State Park fee is $12 per car. Other destinations were free. Enjoy!
8. Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By sonicbopper
Love our lakefront. It has a nice walking path through the valley up to the beach. There is also the river walk path that goes along Burns ditch that leads out into the lake.
9. Yesterday's Treasures Antique Mall & Artisan Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
10. Brauer Museum of Art Center for the Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By zonar72
Smaller gallery of a variety of different artists and styles housed in the Art building on the university campus. When I visited there were several Junius Sloan pieces on display as well as a gorgeous painting; “Les Amateurs”—Alexander Harrison, also new pieces by local artists and an interesting exhibit of religious icons painted on old boards from ammunition boxes. Donations only and can be enjoyed in 1-2 hours.
