What makes Chesterton sights so special is the peculiar mix of historical reverence and an almost bored little town atmosphere that surprises me every time I drive to Westchester Township in Porter County. Since the 1850s, when the railways tied the village to the big, dusty route to Chicago, a little American pioneering spirit has been nested here – a spirit that I can almost smell when strolling through the old streets, when the sun glistens over the fields of Porter County. I have to admit that the hype around the “small port flair” is not quite comprehensible for me, but the honest, lightly cracking wooden bench at the old station, where locals drink their morning coffee, is really great. If you come by car from Chicago, follow the I‐94 to exit 31 and let the GPS take the last few miles through the calm, slightly weathered heart of Chesterton; the train to South Bend also stops here, and a short bus ride takes you in the middle of the action. I love how people here – a mix of long-term families and a few hip commuters – welcome each other with a tired smile while at the same time they are proud of their history. And yes, the “Chesterton Sights” are not only old buildings, but the whole feeling that arises when you realize that time is a bit slower here without solidifying.
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The first place I put to every visitor is that Indiana Dunes National Park – a piece of untamed nature, which extends directly at the southern tip of Lake Michigan and is still just a cat jump from Chesterton. I once tried to arrange a picnic there, only to be overrun by a horde gulls, who apparently understood the concept of “free time” better than I did. Nevertheless, it is worth hiking on the well-marked trails, especially the Dune Ridge Trail, because it offers you a panoramic view over the water that makes almost every Instagram filter unnecessary. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem – then you have to decide between a narrow car park and a spontaneous campfire.
Just a few miles away Miller Beach, the official “Beach of the Year” 2022, and this is not just a marketing gag. The sand is soft, the water is clear enough to feel your toes, and the whole area has this slightly weathered charm, which is otherwise found only in old film classics. I remember losing an improvised beach volleyball match with a few locals in the summer of 2021 – they played better because they never forgot the net while I was constantly looking for my towel.
A short trip after Bailly Homestead takes you back to 19. Century when Jean Bailly, a French merchant, founded the first permanent trading post on Michigan. The museum is a bit like a time travel kiosk: original furniture, a restored log house and a small garden where you wonder why no one thought of a grill at that time. Practical: The entrance is free, and parking is right in front of the main entrance – a blessing if you want to swallow a bit of history after a long day on the beach.
If you have enough of sand and history, take a look at Marquette Park in Porter. The park is famous for its wide green areas and the small lake, which is particularly photogenic in autumn. I once gave a little concert with my guitar, just to be interrupted by a group of ducks who apparently wanted to occupy the audience themselves. The playground is well preserved, and parking is a Klack on most days – only on the long weekends there can be a small mud-chao.
A little culture? That's it. Porter County Museum in Valparaiso just the right thing. The museum is a collection of local artefacts, from ancient land machines to photographs that live in the early 20th century. document the century. I discovered an exhibition on the railroad that reminded me why as a child I always dreamed of becoming a locomotive guide – only today I prefer to travel by train to Chicago because parking there is easier.
Another highlight is the Valparaiso University with her imposing Chapel of the Resurrection. The architecture is a mix of Gothic and Modern, and the interior makes you almost forget that you are in Indiana and not in a European cathedral. I took part in a guided tour where the guide told more about the history of the university when I knew about the history of the building – a small indication that you should not only meet the walls but also the people behind the walls.
The historic centre of Valparaiso is not to be missed. The cobblestone streets, the old shops and the weekly peasant market meetings give the place an unmistakable charm, which you find only hard in guides. I once tried a piece of apple cake there, which was so good that I almost demanded the money for the ticket – a little joke, but the quality is really impressive. Parking is a bit tricky here because the streets are narrow, but a short walk is always worth it.
Next time you're in the area, don't forget that Chesterton Attractions not only include the city centre – the surrounding area offers a colourful mix of nature, history and local culture, which can convince any easily cynical traveller.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through the narrow alleys and surprising corners of Chesterton, as if we would get a cool beer in the backhand after a long working day in the city.
I always start with Chesterton Riverwalk because it is the true heart of this town – a narrow, paved path that winds along the Calumet River and offers more than just a few ducks and a few anglers. On a sunny afternoon I found an old, rusty bike there, which someone apparently took out of the shed and simply left to lie; that was the most beautiful piece of authenticity I've ever seen. The way is freely walkable, parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole city comes together to grill.
A short trip from the Riverwalk leads you to Chesterton Historical Society Museumhoused in the former train station – a building that has more stories to tell than most guides. I don't quite understand the hype about old railways, but the museum has a collection of photos that show how the city has grown from a small railway station to a suburb with its own flair. My favorite exhibition is the old telegrapher device that still cracks when you pull the lever – a small, loud indication that communication was actually a force act earlier.
If you are looking for a place where you can let the soul dangle, then the Westchester Public Library That's right. I spent more time there than I would like to admit, because the cozy reading chair and the large window that gives the view of the small city park simply invite you to stay. The library regularly organizes readings of local authors, and I met a man at one of these events who claimed he discovered the recipe for the best corn bread in the region – I tried it, and it was actually better than anything I ever found in a supermarket.
Another highlight I have to put to every visitor is the Chesterton Farmers Market. It takes place every Saturday morning on the main square, and there are more fresh products than you would find in an average supermarket. I once discovered a stand where an older couple sold hand-pressed apple juices that were so sweet that I almost forgot that I was actually looking for a quick snack. The market is not only a place for shopping, but also a social center where neighbours meet to chat about the weather, local politics and the latest rumor about the disappeared dog of Mrs. Henderson.
For those who appreciate a bit of history in stone and wood, St John the Baptist Catholic Church A must. The church dates from the early 20th. Century and has an impressive but not excessive Gothic design. I took part in a Sunday fair, just to see if the acoustics are really as good as the locals say – and yes, the organ actually sounds like a small sky floating above the church ship.
A little away from the center lies the Chesterton Community Center, an inconspicuous building, but which regularly hosts art exhibitions, yoga courses and even a weekly chuteurnier. I took part in one of these tournaments, just to see if I still have a bit of strategic thinking in me – the result was a quick loss, but the experience was unpaid because I then shared a beer with the other players in the nearby pub.
And yes, if you are looking for a compact summary, simply tap “Chesterton Sights” into your search engine – you will quickly find that this city has more to offer than you would suspect at first glance. Personally, I feel that everyone who spends a few days here takes a little bit of his own story home, whether through a homemade bread from the market, a photo from the Riverwalk or the quiet click of the old telegrapher in the museum.
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