Visit Shelby Lake Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the charming place Shelby, Indiana! Unique architecture and the historic city centre make a walk through the city centre unforgettable. Shelby County Historical Museum offers insights into local history. Eat in the local specialty shop "The Old Country Store" and enjoy the traditional donut cake.
Honestly, if you think Indiana is just endless corn fields, then you haven't seen Shelby yet – a small piece of history that was founded in 1822 as an agricultural center and has hardly lost its rustic charm ever since. I like to drive over the old State Road 44 because it leads me directly to the heart of Cedar Creek Township, where the quiet Lake area almost looks like a forgotten chapter from a Western film.
The place itself is a patch carpet of old barns, a few well-preserved half-timbered houses and a small but fine park, which is populated in summer by families with picnic blankets. I don’t understand the hype about the “big” cities, but here, between the gentle hills, you can feel the real Indiana – that’s for me the true “Shelby Sights” experience.
A short trip by bus from Indianapolis (line 81 stops nearby) takes you to the city centre, where you can get a coffee in one of the few cafés that is almost as strong as the local legends. And if you prefer to travel by car, there are enough free parking at the lake – no joke, you can just park your car next to the water and watch the reflections while you think about the past century.
I love sitting by the lake in the evening, listening to the quiet strollers and considering why some guides hardly mention anything here. Maybe because they don't have the courage to show the true, slightly cynical heart of Shelby.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Shelby is not some hip Rooftop bar, but the crumbling old brick building on the corner of Main & Washington, which is today as Coffee house “The Brick” served. The place has more history in its facade than some modern glass tower, and if you sit there, you can almost hear the sum of the old savings books that still penetrates through the walls. I drank my first cappuccino there after a long ride – no joke, that was better than any 5 Euro creation in the city. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the locals then hold their weekly board games tournaments there.
A short walk further leads you to Shelby United Methodist ChurchA Victorian building that has more glass windows than I can count throughout my life. I don't quite understand the hype about church architecture, but here the light that falls through the colourful discs is really a bit magical – at least if you want to recover from a long working day. The interior is surprisingly well preserved, and the organ game I heard by chance was so loud that I almost thought a train would drive through the city.
If you want to get some fresh air, Cedar Creek Park what you need. The park is small, but it has a real stream that blows through the green – no Instagram filter is necessary, that is pure nature. I once made a picnic with my neighbor, and we argued that the duck food should really be “bio”. Practical: There are a few parking spaces on the edge, and parking is almost always free as long as you are not there at noon on weekends, because then the families with their strollers occupy the field.
Another must I mention again and again is that Shelby Town Hall. The building looks like a mini-cabinette of the 19th century. Century-Justice, complete with a watch that always goes five minutes too late – a perfect symbol for the relaxed time division here. I once participated in a public meeting where the topic of “Kuhstall-Regulation” was discussed. Who would have thought that such a dry theme can give so much passion?
For those who need a little reading material, Shelby Public Library a real secret tip. The shelves are not huge, but the selection of local history books is amazing. I found an old photo album that shows the city in 1920 – a real look into the past that made me research my own family history. Parking is right in front of the building, and that's a blessing, because otherwise you would have to pick the whole road to a free place.
A little away from everyday life there is Shelby County Fairgroundswhere every year the Shelby Attractions presented in the form of rides, local artisan stands and a lot of corn-piston competitions. I don't quite understand the hype about the giant wheel ride, but the sugar cane stands next to the tractor showdown are just fantastic. On Friday afternoons the terrain is full, and parking becomes a small battle – so bring enough patience.
Last but not least, Miller’s Diner not mentioned, which has been on the main road since the 50s. The shield is still neon-gloss, and the staff knows you when you first ordered the “House-Special”. I once ate a burger that was so good that I almost forgot that I was just here to photograph the place. Parking is right behind the diner, and this is practical because you can jump right after eating into your car without making a walk through the rain.
The first stop of my little Odyssey leads me to Indiana Dunes National Parka piece of untamed nature, which is only a half hour drive from Shelby. I found more sand between the toes there than in any beach holiday I have ever booked – without the usual tourist mutil. The park is huge, so plan enough time to explore the famous Dune Buggy tracks; the car can be parked well at the visitor centre as long as you don't get too late at the weekend, this will be a little adventure for you.
A short detour to the north brings you to Miller Beachwhere the water of Lake Michigan is almost too friendly to ignore it. I made a picnic there with an old friend who claimed that the noise of the waves is “like a soothing bass”, and I had to admit that he didn’t quite wrong. The beach is clean, parking is usually easy, but if you miss the annual “Miller Beach Festival” you will miss the best food trucks in the region.
Go on Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point, a place that offers more than just market lights. I remember a year when I accidentally landed there in an old-timer race – the adrenaline was real, and the crowd was just as enthusiastic about squeaking engines as from the usual rumble attractions. The parking lot is huge, so no stress, but on Saturday afternoons the entry and exit can become a small patience sample.
A little culture? The Museum of World Cultures in Hammond is an underestimated jewel I almost missed because I thought museums were just dusty halls. However, there are lively exhibitions from African masks to Asian textiles, and the staff is surprisingly loose – they even let you touch a few pieces when you ask politely. The museum is located practically on the I‐90, so the start and departure is a Klack, and parking is free directly in front of the entrance.
If you're looking for a touch of history, this is Crown Point Courthouse Square That's right. The old court building complex from the 19th century The century radiates a kind of rustic charm that you rarely find in modern suburbs. I once experienced a small street musician’s duet, which perfectly broke the silence between the historical façades. Parking is possible in the surrounding alleys, but be warned: the narrow roads can be a challenge for larger vehicles.
Last but not least a short trip to Lake County Historical Society Museum in Hammond. The museum is small, but the exhibitions about the industrial past of the county are surprisingly captivating – especially the old tools from the steel works that remind me of the hard work of my ancestors. The entrance is free, the parking is right behind the building, and the staff is always ready to tell a little background story when you ask.
Whether you are looking for nature, culture or a bit of nostalgia, the surroundings of Shelby offer more than enough fabric for a varied trip. The places mentioned show that Shelby Attractions not only to be found in the city itself, but to develop true highlights in the vicinity.
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