Visit Westville LaPorte Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights 2025. Westville, Indiana: Experience the American town charm and visit the historic "Old Town" with numerous antique buildings. Visit the Tyranena Park for excursions on Lake Michigan or the Westville Wetlands Preserve for bird watching.
Travellers from all over the world appreciate Westville attractions because of their underestimated mix of history and rural charm. I have to admit that I have never really understood why some cities are advertised with pompous posters, while Westville simply continues to live quietly and undirably. Founded in 1854, when the railway slit the prairie, the town grew around the Westville depot of the same name, which today is still a crunching relic from the era of steam locomotives. The whole is located in the New Durham Township, a part of LaPorte County, and has barely changed since the early days when the first settlers built their woodworks between corn fields and the glittering Lake Michigan – and that is somehow the best of it.
When you arrive by car, simply follow the US‐20, which leads you directly to the heart of the small place; the next major city, La Porte, is just about 15 miles south, and the South Bend airport is a short flight of about 30 minutes away if you prefer to get across the sky. I have discovered the local diners where coffee is stronger than the weather in autumn, and people here are still talking about the old family stories they seem to tell at every corner. And yes, if you ask yourself what Westville landmarks really do, then it's the silent promise that you don't lose yourself in a tourist trap, but immerse yourself in a real piece of Indiana history.
Those who come to Westville for the first time will immediately notice that the city has more charm than one would expect from a place with less than 2 000 inhabitants – and that without the usual tourist crowds, which are otherwise found in the guides.
I have to start with my favorite attraction: Westville Historical Museum. The small brick building on Main Street is a real treasure because it not only exhibits old school books and photo albums, but also the history of the railway that once drove through the valley. I remember standing there with my uncle as a child and admiring an original 1905 piece of “Westville’s First Locomotive” – a piece of metal that seemed to tell more stories than some bestsellers. Parking is usually a Klacks, there are some free places right in front of the museum, except on Sundays when the local senior group uses the site for their bingo.
A short walk further Westville Public Library, an inconspicuous brick building, which is a true paradise for book lovers. The shelves are surprisingly well sorted, and the staff knows every villager by name – no joke, I even borrowed a book about the local bird world that later helped me to observe the gravel bite in the city park.
The city park itself is another highlight that I always like to mention because it forms the heart of the municipality. There is a small lake, a playground, and in the summer the field next to the basketball basket turns into an improvised concert area when the local high school band plays their weekly “Sunset Jam”. I once made a picnic with friends while an older couple played chess – that was almost too idyllic to be true.
If you are already in the word “sightings”, you can Westville Water Tower not overlooked. This rusty colossus protrudes over the roofs and is the unofficial landmark of the city. I saw him for the first time at sunset when the light dipped the metal into a warm orange – a picture I've stored in my cell phone until today. The tower is not accessible to visitors, but a short stop at the edge of the main road is enough to shoot a good photo. And yes, parking here is always a children's game because the road is barely driven.
A little away from the center lies the St John the Baptist Catholic Church, a pretty brick building from the 1920s. The interior is simple, but the glass windows tell biblical scenes in bright colors. I once participated in a fair because I had run out, and the community welcomed me with a smile and a piece of apple cake – that is the kind of hospitality that you rarely find.
For those who like to catch a little fresh air and at the same time want to learn about rural life, the Westville Farmers Market A must. Every Saturday morning, local peasants expose their vegetables, honey and homemade jams. I tried the best corn bread of my life there that was baked by an older lady named Marge – she swears that her secret is a shot of apple cider vinegar. The market is located right next to the town hall, so there are always enough parking spaces as long as you do not arrive at lunchtime when the city administration stops its weekly “Bingo office round”.
Finally, a little hint for those who like to inhale a bit of nostalgia: the old Westville Schoolhouse, which now serves as a community centre. There art exhibitions and crafts courses take place regularly. I took part in a potter's course where I got more tone on my hands than on the cup I produced in the end – but the laughing of the other participants was unpaid.
Find more vacation destinations near Westville LaPorte Indiana using our map.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
