Things to Do in Indiana Dunes, IN - Indiana Dunes Attractions
Things to Do in Indiana Dunes
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National Parks
Hiking trails through forests, dunes, and historical landscapes, with scenic lake and skyline views. Features informative visitor center, diverse plants, and clean beaches for leisurely walks.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
What travelers are saying
- R. TravelerOak Ridge, NC1,079 contributionsI’m on a mission to visit all of the National Parks and in this quest visited Indiana Dunes National Park.
I noticed some great reviews though (for hikes) were actually in the state park which is fully surrounded by the national park.
While the state park staff was notably less friendly than the national park….. this state park was amazing!
Great beach and phenomenal dune trails you could actually climb. The three dune trail was fun. Then there were forested areas and a marsh. Far more than I expected - great place!Written November 23, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - RJ Ske2 contributionsMy family and I were visiting some friends in Valparaiso, and we decided to check out Gabis Arboretum pretty last minute. It ended up being one of our favorite parts of our trip. The scenery is gorgeous, filled with many types of vibrant plants and flowers. We also had several people enjoy the interactive elements, like the outdoor percussion equipment, and climbing web. Another highlight is the beautifully crafted train station models that are located right behind the welcome center. The setup of the waterfalls flowing behind the moving trains is very detailed, and is fun to watch.
Next time you’re in the local area, definitely check this out. Super family friendly, and also great for getting in some steps while enjoying the surrounding environment.Written September 10, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Aliyahloveshorses14Valparaiso, IN1 contributionA beautiful place to visit. Plently of places you can get down by the creek. There's many deer and nature in general. It's a neat little place for stuff to do. They are also pet friendly. We take my dog here all the time.Written January 27, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Carrie D.Cleveland, OH1,987 contributionsIndiana Dunes National Park was an incredibly unique park—it’s one of the first we’ve been to that’s spread out amongst a more urban/industrial environment. But it’s a park that had a lot of diverse things to see. We hiked the dunes and along the lakeshore, which were beautiful, but I will say that they’re not as awe-inspiring if you’ve been further north to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore. We also hiked around the wetlands and saw a lot of different birds. We stopped and visited the world showcase homes, which was very interesting. We visited the farm, where a small fall festival was going on. The Visitor Center is very nice and the rangers were very helpful.
Probably our favorite part of the day was in the evening, the Rangers were hosting a fireside chat at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk part of the park. We asked if it was ok to bring supplies to roast marshmallows and were told it was fine, so we brought plenty to share. It was so much fun listening to the Ranger’s stories and meeting and chatting with everyone else who was there. The sunset over the lake with the Chicago skyline in the distance was gorgeous. And the s’mores were delicious! It was a perfect end to the day.
This definitely won’t make our top 5 NP list, but it was a unique experience and we’re glad we visited it on our quest to hit all 63!Written December 24, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - MidwestKathMDetroit, MI938 contributionsVisiting a college or university campus for the first time is always fun. We arrived on the Valparaiso U campus to visit the art museum, but were immediately drawn to the Chapel building which caught our eye the minute we arrived on campus. The exterior is interesting, from the prominent star-shaped roof with its multi-story stained glass windows that are reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright windows. We walked along the east side of the building to examine the windows as well as the adjacent campus bell tower before entering from the north through the small chapel that opens up into the main santuary. Everywhere we looked, there was something awesome to take in! The main altar and crucifix. The 95-feet-tall stained glass windows. The golden lamps hanging from the ceiling. The balcony that surrounds the main seating area. The mammoth church organ with all its pipes. We spent a good 30 minutes walking around and taking in all the beautiful design elements. We walked down the spiral staircase that surrounds the baptistry. Stunning design!! On that level, there is a hallway filled with historical photos and documents telling the story of the chapel through the years.Written March 2, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Amanda E3 contributionsThe name of the winery caught my attention. My friend is a runner and wine lover, so I wanted to get them a bottle of wine. The young lady behind the bar was very helpful in helping me pick flavors based on my friends' liking. I appreciate her suggestions and the time she took to help me.Written July 12, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Amanda E3 contributionsEveryone working there was so helpful and knowledgeable about places we should visit based on our interests. Provided information for not only the national park but the state park, too.Written July 12, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ellismelissa28 contributionsMy cousin had her wedding here and it was absolutely perfect! Gorgeous view of Chicago, especially with the sunsetting in the background. Clean, nice facilities.. Large beach area and nice boardwalk.Written June 20, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Brittany LWest Lafayette, IN217 contributionsThis is such a nice, easy, cheap way to enjoy a bit of history. The Century of Progress homes are all next to each other, with pull-offs next to the road so you can park, get out, and see and read about the homes. The homes are not places you can go inside (though there are apparently various dates throughout the year that the park with hold walking tours of the Florida house), but it's nice to appreciate the history and architecture from the street. It's a very unique experience that costs nothing to do. The drive to the district is very pretty too! It's mostly right along the lake and at one point, when it was very clear, I could see the faintest view of the skyline of Chicago across the lake!Written March 5, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ken sPortage, IN20 contributionsWe love to come to this beach in the winter to watch the lake. Storms roll in and it is awesome to see!Written April 11, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rodney BValparaiso, IN279 contributionsWe love coming to the Opera House during the holiday season. The productions are really good and are done my local talent. Cost is affordable and you can see the show from any seatWritten March 5, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- cynthiaJAXJacksonville, FL135 contributionsI always stroll through the weekend markets when I travel and Chesterton’s European Market was well worth the visit. I was on a weekend girls trip with old friends. We thoroughly enjoyed the musicians, chatting with the nuns who are a fixture there and browsing through the booths. The downtown area is quaint and inviting. The market makes for a good lunch stop and place to pick up some yummy baked goods and snacks. I definitely recommend this stop if you’re in the area.Written October 22, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Indiana Dunes
- The top attractions to visit in Indiana Dunes are:
- Indiana Dunes State Park
- Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest
- Chapel of the Resurrection
- Indiana Dunes National Park
- Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk
- The best outdoor activities in Indiana Dunes according to Tripadvisor travelers are:
- Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes National Park
- Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest
- Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve
- Cowles Bog
- The most popular things to do in Indiana Dunes with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are:
- Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes National Park
- Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest
- Indiana Dunes Visitor Center
- Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in one of these AI-generated descriptions is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
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