Visit Valparaiso Porter Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Valparaiso, Indiana: Experience the City of Five Lakes! Friendly atmosphere, nature experiences and cultural sites like the Porter County Museum offer an unforgettable weekend.
If you're looking for Valparaiso sights, let me tell you the story of this little but stubborn little town. Founded in 1836 by Scottish settlers, Valparaiso has since become a lively centre in the Center Township, Porter County. Honestly, the city never has the splendour of Chicago, but that's exactly what makes its charm: a mix of historical reverence and a pinch of rustic self-iron.
I usually arrive by train to Valparaiso, because the Amtrak brings me directly to the heart of the city, where the old railway station hall still carries the echo of past times. Those who prefer to love the freedom of the car can take the US‐30 – a short detour, and you are in the middle of Center Township, where the streets are still named after the first pioneers. The people here are a crowd: students of Valparaiso University who believe they have conquered the world, and old-fashioned farmers who give you the best tips for the best breakfast during the first conversation.
I don't quite understand the hype around the big metropolises, but here, between the old brick houses and the wide fields, I find an authenticity that is rarely experienced in the crowded tourist areas. And that, my friends, is the true “Valparaiso Sights” experience – not the attractions in itself, but the feeling of being part of a story that is still written.
I have to confess that what I love most about Valparaiso, Chapel of the Resurrection on the campus of Valparaiso University is – a bit gothic, a bit exaggerated, but damn impressive when the morning light breaks through the colorful glass windows. I once sought refuge in a rainstorm and suddenly the whole building was like a lighthouse for lost souls, and I thought: “Here you could hang around almost all day if you don’t miss the lectures.” Parking is usually easy, except for the exam period, as student cars stack like Tetris stones.
Right next to the campus Porter County Museumthat I always call the “small but fine” museum. It is not exactly the Louvre experience, but the exhibitions about local history – from the Indians to the old railways – are surprisingly well curated. I remember how I discovered an old photo of a horse car there and suddenly felt like standing in another time, while in the background a teenager shouted loudly “Yo, that is completely retro!”. A small parking lot behind the museum is almost always free as long as you do not come to the flea market on Saturday morning.
If you have enough of dusty exhibits, simply stroll the Main street of the Old Town along. The street is spiced with small shops that have more charm than an Instagram filter. I have the café Bean There discovered that supposedly served the best espresso far and wide – I don’t understand the hype around the “latte art”, but the foam design was actually a small piece of art. In addition to the cafe, there is an antique shop where I would have bought almost an old gramophone if the cashier had not made me with a “we have no time machines here”. Parking is a gamble here: there are a few free places only if you are there early enough, otherwise you need to park a few blocks further and enjoy the footpath.
A short walk leads you to Valparaiso City Hall, an imposing brick building from 19. Century I like to call the “official face” of the city. The façade is so well preserved that you almost believe that the city administration would still write there with feathers. I once met a civil service employee who told me that the city hall is not only used for forms, but also for the annual “Christmas Light Parade” – an event that I personally follow every year, because the light chain above the roof is almost like a neon Christmas tree. Parking directly in front of the town hall is usually a mess, especially when the town hall has a meeting; a small sideway is here the rescue.
A little further south, on the banks of St. Joseph River, lies the Valparaiso Riverwalk. I found my best thoughts on jogging there while I tried not to stumble on the many ducks that have declared the water to their personal runway. The path is well maintained and there are a few benches where you can rest if you have enough of the city air. On warm days, families that make a picnic meet here, and I even observed a few young people during skateboarding – this is the only time I heard the word “Skatepark” in Valparaiso, because the actual skateboard paradise is a few blocks away.
The actual Skate park is a hidden jewel I accidentally discovered when I was looking for a place where I could revive my old roller skate art. The park is made of concrete, with a few ramps that remind more of a mini-life park layout than an ordinary skate ground. The local kids are friendly, but they give you the feeling that you can't just hang around here if you don't have at least a few tricks on it. A small parking lot behind the high school car park is usually free as long as you are not there at noon when the students unpack their breaks.
Another highlight that I cannot leave is the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. The building is a real piece of history, built in late 19. Century, and the stained glass windows tell biblical stories, which are otherwise only known from art books. I took part in a Sunday fair, just to see if the acoustics are really as good as everyone says – and yes, the organ actually sounds like a heavenly bass that almost lets you forget that you have a coffee in your hand. Parking is a bit tricky here because the terrain is small; a few free places are only available when you arrive early enough.
To finish my little tour through Valparaiso Attractions I have to Valparaiso Farmers Market that takes place every Saturday morning at the Town Hall Square. Here there are fresh vegetables, homemade jams and a few stalls selling handmade soaps – I once bought a soap that smelled after fresh rain, and that was the only time I saw the word “fresh” in a product name. The market attracts many visitors, so parking is best to be solved in the surrounding side streets; Otherwise you have to sneak between the stands, which is a good training for your patience.
The first place I could not miss was that Indiana Dunes National Park – a piece of untamed nature that is just a stone's throw from Valparaiso. I came on a windy Saturday morning when the dunes were still kissed by a light sea breeze, and had to find that parking at the main entrance is often a small adventure; a free space is rare except when you are ready to walk a few blocks. The trail “Dune Succession Trail” is short, but it offers a surprisingly good overview of the changing ecosystems – from sandy coastal forests to damp moors. I discovered a few rare orchids that I only knew from specialist books, and that was a real kick for my botanical curiosity.
A few miles further, almost directly on the waterfront of Chesterton, lies the charming Chesterton Riverwalk. Here you can meet some old warehouses, which now house hip cafes, and locals who turn their rounds when fishing. I remember sitting in one of these cafes on a sunny afternoon, sneaking a freshly brewed Cold Brew and watching how an older gentleman with a rusty fishing hook had more luck than a professional angler. Parking is usually uncomplicated here as long as you don't arrive at the weekend between 12 and 3:00 – then the whole becomes a little patience sample.
If you have enough of water and sand, it is worth a trip to Bailly Homestead, the oldest preserved house in northwest Indiana. The property, which once belonged to the French dealer Jean Bailly, looks like a relic from another time. I made a tour there on a rainy afternoon with a very expert historian who told more about the relations between the French traders and the local Potawatomi than I would have ever thought possible. The farm is well signposted, and parking right in front of the house is free – a rare bonus in this area.
A short jump to the north leads to Marquette Park in Michigan City, where the famous “Lakefront Amphitheater” occasionally hosts concerts. I was there in the summer when a local indie band played, and the audience was a colorful mix of college students and retired seafarers. The park itself is huge, with wide lawns, a playground and a small lake that invites you to relax. The only manoeuvre: the toilets are not always clean, so better run a bit further to the nearby café if you don't want to stay outdoors.
Another highlight that I cannot conceal is that Miller Beachofficially belonging to the Indiana Dunes State Park, but has a very own vibe. The sand is finer, the water clearer, and the West Beach is a popular spot for surfers and sun worshippers alike. I once tried to borrow a few surfboards – a mistake, because I am neither athletic nor particularly skillful, but the laughing of my friends who watched me while stumbling was unpaid. Parking is free here as long as you arrive early enough; After 10 a.m., the area quickly fills with families and dog owners.
A little further east, almost on the edge of the state, this is Old Michigan City Lighthouse. The old lighthouse building built in 1858 is no longer in operation, but the view from the top is a real eye-catcher. I made the ascent on a foggy morning, and the light that broke through the dense clouds gave the whole an almost mystical atmosphere. The entrance is free, but parking is limited – a small parking lot behind the museum is fast enough if you don't get too late.
Whether you prefer the wild dunes, historic homesteads or the relaxed beach life, the surroundings of Valparaiso offers a colorful range of experiences that go far beyond the city boundaries. If you are looking for authentic impressions, you should definitely plan these places – they are the heart of what is happening. Valparaiso Attractions and give every visitor the feeling of having discovered something really special.
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