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Home » Uncategorized » 5 reasons to visit Indiana Dunes this fall

5 reasons to visit Indiana Dunes this fall

August 11, 2016 by Karen Dawkins 19 Comments

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Indiana Dunes Vacation

Photo Courtesy of Indiana Dunes

Living in North Carolina, I have easy access to the Atlantic coast beaches — even taking regular day trips to the shore. But, growing up in the Midwest, we didn’t take many beach vacations. It was just too far to travel. I wish we had known about Indiana Dunes on Lake Michigan’s south shore. With 15 miles of coastline and wide sandy beaches, we could have enjoyed a great beach vacation on the Great Lakes!

If you’re not familiar with Indiana Dunes, allow me to introduce you. I’d hate for you to miss out like I have all these years.

West Beach View Indiana Dunes

Photo Courtesy of Indiana Dunes

5 reasons to visit Indiana Dunes

1. Indiana Dunes State Park

With 16.5 miles of trails (easy to hard), there’s lots to do at Indiana Dunes State Park. Mt. Tom stands 192 feet tall, and is the tallest sand dune on Indiana’s lakeshore. Throughout the year, the park also offers naturalist programs, camping, kayaking, birding, biking and, of course, swimming. Pets are allowed, though not on the swimming beach. Believe it or not, you can even play in the waves! Who knew?

Hilton Head Kayaking_new

Kayak — Hilton Head… or Indiana Dunes! You choose.

Adventurous families might enjoy the 3 Dune Challenge, a climb up the three tallest dunes in the park — with rewarding views at the top!

Bike Indiana Dunes

Photo Courtesy of Indiana Dunes

 

Biking at the beach

Biking at the beach

2. Kid centered attractions

Besides the beach, Indiana Dunes offers families a variety of entertainment options. Some that look great for families are Seven Peaks Waterpark (in Porter), Taltree Arboretum Railway Garden, 49er Drive-in Theater (through October), and Inman’s Bowling and Recreation (these three in Valparaiso).

3. Craft brewery tours (and vineyards too)

Independent breweries have learned that parents take kids on vacation, so they’ve expanded to include unique dining experiences and even some non-alcoholic brews for kids. Family friendly standouts in the area based on ratings include Figure Eight Brewing (menu includes their homemade bread and root beer for the kids) and Anderson’s Vineyard and Winery (free wine tasting for adults, a sculpture garden and an onsite bakery).

Dining Indiana Dunes

Photo Courtesy of Indiana Dunes

4. Historic fun

If you’ve read my blog before, you probably know I like history — and you’ll find it here. Start at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, then drive by the Century of Progress Homes featured in the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. Stop in at the Valparaiso Central Park to snap a pic with a statue of the city’s native son, Orville Redenbacher. Did you know he was a real person? Aspiring firefighters might enjoy a visit to the Valparaiso Fire Museum as well.

Cedric and Cornelia at Biltmore

This statue is in Asheville, NC — but I’d love one of Orville Redenbacher!

5. Sweets and Treats

I admit I have quite the sweet tooth — so this is a great place for me. With lots of places to choose from, I recommend these two. Valpo Velvet has fed the people of Valparaiso for more than 60 years. With sandwiches, soups and ice cream considered one of the ten best in the state, this is the place to go for a malt or sundae. For chocolate, head to South Bend Chocolate Company for premium chocolates and hot chocolate. You can also enjoy fresh coffee, soups, salads, sandwiches, cheesecake and ice cream — but really, go for the chocolate.

Sunset Indiana Dunes

Photo Courtesy of Indiana Dunes

I may not have known about Indiana Dunes as a child, but I am happy to know that midwesterners (and transplanted southerners like me) can enjoy a beach vacation on beautiful Lake Michigan. With beaches, hiking trails, kayaking, sweets and treats, it’s just like going to a coastal beach — only without the salt! Or sharks.

Hilton Head Sunset

Any guesses where this sunset is?

What do you think? Doesn’t a beach vacation at Indiana Dunes sound great?

Photo Credits: Indiana Dunes Beaches & Beyond, used with permission.

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Filed Under: Beaches, Indiana, Uncategorized

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Comments

  1. Manuel Joseph says

    October 14, 2021 at 3:37 am

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    Reply
  2. Kristin says

    August 16, 2016 at 11:51 am

    We love getting outdoors with our family and this looks like a gorgeous place to visit!

    Reply
  3. Mama to 6 Blessings says

    August 16, 2016 at 8:13 am

    Sounds like so much to do and super family friendly! My kids would enjoy it!

    Reply
  4. Ashley @irishred02 says

    August 15, 2016 at 8:14 pm

    It looks like Indiana has something for everyone in the family. My hubs would be all over the craft beer tour and me I would be kayaking!

    Reply
  5. Erin says

    August 15, 2016 at 8:00 pm

    This looks like such a fun spot! 🙂 The 3 dune challenge sounds particularly fun to do as a family!

    Reply
  6. carissa garabedian says

    August 15, 2016 at 7:02 pm

    wow, so pretty! It is so cool to get to see so many great spots we have in our country to visit. I would love to visit here! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Karen Dawkins says

      August 15, 2016 at 7:50 pm

      I know! It’s on my list too! And so many more places. It’s like the more I travel, the more I want to see. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Cynthia says

    August 15, 2016 at 2:59 pm

    I have family in Michigan and the next time I head up that way, I will have to check out Indiana Dunes. It looks like here are so many great things to do there. I love seeing historical sites and it would be great to end the day at a winery. Great fun.

    Reply
    • Karen Dawkins says

      August 15, 2016 at 7:52 pm

      I agree! We are from the Midwest and plan to visit our next trip north.

      Reply
  8. Stephanie Manley says

    August 15, 2016 at 12:51 pm

    That does sound like a great vacation! I’ve never ever heard of the Indiana Dunes but it looks absolutely beautiful with lots of fun things to do there.

    Reply
    • Karen Dawkins says

      August 15, 2016 at 7:52 pm

      There are so many beautiful places in the United States that people have not discovered. This is definitely one of them!

      Reply
  9. Rebecca Bryant says

    August 15, 2016 at 9:14 am

    wow what a beautiful place this is. I would love to come for a visit. adding it to my must see list.

    Reply
    • Karen Dawkins says

      August 15, 2016 at 7:53 pm

      Does your must see list keep growing like mine does? 🙂

      Reply
  10. Heidi Wagoner says

    August 12, 2016 at 3:18 pm

    Great photos and a wonderful vacation spot for sure! We visited the area a few times. It is so much fun.

    Reply
    • Karen Dawkins says

      August 15, 2016 at 7:54 pm

      I love any place that combines adventure, good food, history and fun!

      Reply
  11. Nikki Wayne says

    August 12, 2016 at 12:09 pm

    Wow, I remember when we were little we have a fun vacation and we visit the sand dunes park. It is really a fun moment.

    Reply
    • Karen Dawkins says

      August 15, 2016 at 7:56 pm

      Was it this sand dunes park or another one?

      Reply
  12. Elizabeth O. says

    August 11, 2016 at 8:24 pm

    That’s really awesome! I think it’s nice to bring the entire family here especially during Thanksgiving. There’s a lot of activities for everyone!

    Reply
    • Karen Dawkins says

      August 15, 2016 at 7:55 pm

      I’d enjoy the beach the most, I think! Especially in summer.

      Reply

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Meet Karen Dawkins

An avid traveler, I enjoy discovering new places: history, culture, and adventure. I love it all! Well, not bugs. I don’t like bugs very much, so I probably won’t visit a bug museum.

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