What makes Schererville sights so special is the unique mix of historical banality and sublime coastline that you can hardly find in a suburb of Chicago. I remember driving over the old railway bridge for the first time, which once formed the backbone of the Chicago, Hammond & Eastern Railway – a relic from the 1880s, which today only witnesses a few rusty tracks. The city was officially founded in 1910, but the roots go back to the French Trappers, which here in the early 19th. Centuries slew their camp. Schererville is located in the township of the same name and belongs to the Lake County, which means that you can quickly get out of the metropolitan area with the Metra or the I-80 and immerse yourself in a piece of "Midwest's kindness" – no joke, the swinging here feels almost like a small trip.
When I stroll through the main road, you immediately feel that people here have a slightly cynical relationship to their own image. The small cafés serve “real” coffee, while the residents talk to an eye-catcher about the “big” city plans they never really need. I don’t understand the hype about the “Schererville Sights”, but the quiet, slightly swell atmosphere, the occasional squeaking of the old trams and the distinctive aroma of freshly baked bread – this is the true highlight for me. And if you arrive by car, take the US‐30, which leads you directly to the heart of the township, where you can simply run without asking for a city plan.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey inevitably leads me to Indiana Dunes National Park. I feel that most visitors are only staring at the sandy beaches, while I prefer to explore the hidden hiking trails that run between the dunes like a maze of gravel and grasses. The park is huge, so I always plan enough time – a short walk of an hour is not enough to capture the whole panorama. Parking is usually free at the main entrance in Porter, but on weekends, when the families move with picnic baskets, it can come to a small mess. I remember the day when I tried to climb a particularly steep dune plateau, almost slipped into the sand – a real adrenalinkick, which reminded me that nature is not too late here.
A short detour to Gary brings me to Miller Beach, a place known for its relaxed atmosphere and the charming historical district. There is not only a wide sandy beach, but also a small but fine nature reserve, which is lovingly called “Miller Nature Preserve” by native bird observers. I once discovered a rare redhead that almost brought me to decorate my camera, just to realize that I had forgotten the batteries – a classic moment that shows me that you should be better prepared here. Parking is usually easy on the beach section right behind the lighthouse as long as you do not get to the high season.
Further north is the Marquette Park in Gary, a huge city park stretching along Lake Michigan. The park is a true all-round program: from a long walk on the shore, a well-equipped playground to a small fishing pear, where I once caught a surprisingly big cash – a lucky case that immediately made my lunch break a feast. The parking spaces are distributed, but the main car park near the visitor centre is always well signposted. A little hint: If you plan a barbecue on the weekend there, prefer to bring your own coals, because the public grills are often already occupied.
A short jump to Hammond leads me to Museum of History and Art. The museum is not exactly a tourist magnet, but for me it is a treasure box full of local stories, from the industrial flowering period to the small but fine works of local artists. I once saw an exhibition on the old steelworks there, which reminded me of the fact that the region is marked by its industrial past. The museum is centrally located so that you can easily walk from the nearby bus line – a real plus point if you prefer to leave the car at the hotel.
A little further south, in Valparaiso, waiting Borman Museum curious discoverers. There are not only dinosaur bones here, but also an impressive collection of fossils, which lets me be amazed every time. I remember a day when I took part in a tour with a group of school children and suddenly a little boy shouted: “This is a real T-Rex!” – a moment that brought the whole group to laugh and showed me that the museum is not only an experience for scientists, but for everyone. Parking is free on the museum grounds, but it can be done on Saturdays when local college has events there.
A small detour to Westfield leads me to Gabis Arbortum, a botanical garden that offers more than just pretty flowers. The trails lead through various thematic areas, from local preriens to exotic plants, and the whole terrain is a paradise for hobby photographers. I once discovered a rare butterfly that landed on a wild lupin – an image that I still have in my cellphone album. The entrance is free, parking is always sufficient at the main entrance, and the staff is friendly enough to show you the best photospots.
At the end of my small tour, Lake County Fairgrounds in Gary not missing. Here, the annual county festival takes place all year round. I tried a local craft beer there that immediately convinced me of the quality of regional brewery. The fairgrounds are well connected, and parking is free at the main grounds as long as you do not come to the main events, then it can become a bit fuller.
Those who travel to Schererville should not only see the surroundings as a transit station – the diversity of Schererville Attractions in the vicinity offers something for every taste, from nature to history to relaxed beach days.
Those who come to Schererville for the first time will immediately notice that the city has more to offer than one would expect from a suburb in the shade of Chicago – without the usual tourist glamour. I have my first steps there historical museum made in a converted old railway depot. The building itself still smells of lubrication oil and yellowed schedules, and the exhibitions tell of the time when the railway formed the backbone of the municipality. I must admit, I was skeptical if a small museum has anything to say here at all, but the lovingly restored locomotive models and the photos of landlords who still worked with hacks and ploughshares tied me completely. Parking is almost always a Klacks – a small parking lot behind the museum is enough as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the whole becomes a small battlefield.
A short walk leads you to Public libraryI like to call the silent heart of Schererville. The facility is surprisingly modern, with large windows that allow the light to flow into the reading rooms, and a corner reserved exclusively for local authors – yes, we actually have a few writers who were born here. I borrowed a book about the history of the city there, just to see if the library is really as cozy as everyone talks – Spoiler: it is. Parking is right in front of the entrance, but on working days the small farm fills up quickly, so prefer to come early.
If you're looking for something green, Schererville Park Your goal. The park is a collection of baseball fields, a small lake, a skate park and a playground that makes more noise than an airport. I made a picnic with friends there, while a local high school team played a game – that is the real “small-town feeling” that you rarely find in travel guides. The parking lot is huge, but on warm summer evenings, when the barbecue parties start, it can come to a small jam, so better get a bit earlier.
Another jewel I cannot overlook is the St John the Baptist Catholic Church. The building dates from the 1920s and impresses with its neo-Gothic façade and the artistic stained glass windows that immerse the morning light in a kaleidoscopic color play. I took part in a Sunday Mass, just to see if the church is really as impressive as the locals claim – and yes, the acoustics is so good that even the whisper of a person sounds like a choir. The parking spaces are right next to the church, but on holidays it can come here to a small chaos, because the municipality then comes together.
For the sports activities among you there is Community Center, which comes with a indoor swimming pool, a gym and a small hall for basketball games. I turned a few rounds in the swimming pool there, while an older couple chatted loudly about the “good old times” – a real Schererville moment. The center has its own parking lot, which is usually free, except when a local tournament takes place, then the whole becomes a small car park fairy.
You can't talk about Schererville without the iconic Schererville sign to mention the US‐30. It is the perfect photo motif for Instagram if you want to have the slogan “Welcome to Schererville” in the background while watching the highway in the background. I did a selfie there, which is now stored in my phone as “Beweis that I was here”. The sign stands on a small parking lot, which is usually empty – unless a school bus stops there for an excursion, then you have to walk a few meters further.
And finally, if you want to breathe the real local flair, visit the Weekly on the town square, which takes place every Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm. There are fresh vegetables from farmers from the area, homemade jams and occasionally a few handmade works of art. I bought an old wooden chair there, which is now in my living room and reminds me every time that Schererville has more to offer than just suburbs. Parking is a bit tricky on the market because the road is quickly full – a small walk from a few blocks is the better solution here.
All this together Schererville Attractions to a mix of history, community and a little unexpected charm. I could keep telling for hours, but that would almost be like I'm trying to describe every single house number – and that's not exactly what you expect from a guide, right?
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