Sometimes you just need to get away. In today’s Cool Cars…No Boundaries, you’ll learn the 15 best day trips from Northwest Indiana. Towns like Valparaiso, Crown Point, Chesterton, and Hobart are the perfect launching spots for fun, memorable day trips.
If you’re in need of a day to recharge… just keep reading.
If you’re in need of a day trip to recharge… just keep reading.
You’re in need to get away for a day. Maybe you’re short on supply of vacation time? Just look around the South Shore of Lake Michigan, and you’ll discover that Northwest Indiana has just what your looking for..
Today you’ll drive with South Shore CVA’s top boss and tourism expert Speros Batistatos. Speros gives you the inside track on the best day trips from Northwest Indiana.
The Region’s best hidden destinations…revealed.
Speros also reviews Grieger’s sporty 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. In last winter’s blog, Speros drove a loaded, $70,000 Ram Truck. He loved it. He mentioned he always enjoys visiting Valpo and would be happy to come back for a summer blog.
When we scheduled his interview, we mentioned he would once again be interviewed while driving our top pick for day trip travel. Speros was expecting to drive the Jeep Wrangler.
Can a Chrysler Pacifica challenge a Wrangler for fun? Really?
Nothing says, “summer fun” quite like a convertible Jeep Wrangler. However, we chose the Chrysler Pacifica as our top pick for a day trip. Why we chose the Chrylser Pacifica as our top pick will be revealed later… but it’s Speros reaction to the Pacifica that might shock you.
Cool just took an unexpected turn!
Indiana Dunes National Park…what’s the difference
Recently, there has been a lot of talk about the dunes’ new status as a National Park. What’s the difference? How will it change the way we experience the dunes?
Speros breaks it down in a word… actually in a letter!
Just check out this video as Speros shares his choice for the best places to visit by car…
In today’s cool cars…No Boundaries, you’ll learn the Region’s best-hidden destinations!
The best day trips from Porter and Lake County are filled with awe-inspiring nature, destination-worthy restaurants, and plenty of remarkable festivals and events.
Beautiful beaches, stunning National Parks, and charming towns await.
15 best day trips from Northwest Indiana
South Shore Beer Trail- ssbrewerytrail.com
Fans of microbrews will find endless adventures with this app. Discover the best brewers in the area, record which beers you’ve had, take notes, and learn the character and story behind the regions best crafts.
Just check out this list of craft adventures: Pokro Brewing, Inc., Ironwood Brewing, Burn ‘Em Brewing, Shoreline Brewery, Byway Brewing, Bulldog Brewing Company, Saint John Malt Brothers, Rt 2 Brews, New Oberpfalz Brewing, Four Fathers Brewing, Hunter’s Brewing, Wildrose Brewing Company, The Devil’s Trumpet Brewing. 18th Street Brewery, 95ate5 Brew Pub, Back Road Brewery, Figure Eight, Twisted k-8, Windmill Brewing,
Download the app at ssbrewerytrail.com
Crown Point, IN
Crown Point is attracting people from all over for its dining, entertainment, and recreation. With its new Bull-Dog Park, Crown Point is a great choice for a day trip in a cool car! This new facility gives CrownPoint visitors endless fun that includes a splash pad, farmers’ market, and car cruise.
Crown Point features a large variety of distinctive restaurants and two breweries. Crown Brewing serves up award-winning craft beer. Off Square Brewing features a wide range of dining options including pizzas, wings, and more. Both are featured on the South Shore Brewery Trail.
With so many great restaurants, it was hard to get Speros to pick just one recommendation. I’ve heard great things about Carriage Court Pizza. I’ll be trying it out with my wife and kids sometime soon. Sounds delicious!
Downtown Crown Point hosts many fun-filled festivals and events that include the Food and Arts Festival, Corn Roast and Oktoberfest. A weekly car cruise and farmers’ market are favorites during the summer
Downtown Valparaiso- Festivals and Events
Every week, you’ll discover something going on in Valpo’s downtown. Every Tuesday and Saturday you’ll find the Griegers’ sponsored Farmers’ Market. For the ultimate family fun….check out Movie Night at the Central Park Amphitheater. For music lovers, check out the Summer Concert Series every Thursday night.
Valpo Events also has festivals throughout the summer and include Brew Fest, Wine Fest, Popcorn Fest, & the Art Festival.
For a complete summer schedule of events and festivals, visit Valpo Events.
Happiness is… al fresco dining.
The Downtown Valpo Restaurants have become a destination for foodies and fans of great music from Chicago, Indianapolis and throughout Northwest Indiana.
Whihala Beach offers the complete Lake Michigan beach experience with spectacular views of the Chicago skyline. Whihala is home to the WhoaZone, featuring a floating water park, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and more! The Whiting Parks website can help you plan your day.
Spero’s loves Whiting and refers to it as a destination for fun. According to his South Shore CVA website, The Hoosier Theatre resides downtown and is the only remaining “movie palace” in Northwest Indiana — built in 1924. Its interior is a “must see!”
Mark your daycation planner for the summer festival like no other! The world famous Pierogi Fest®, which has been featured on Oprah.com, the Travel Channel and the Food Network.
Deep River Water Park
Deep River Waterpark is a Lake County Parks’ attraction that attracts people from Chicago and throughout the region. This day trip by car is a top pick for when the forecast is ideal. Perfect for families, couples and groups.
Look for local specials and discounts in advance. To learn more, visit deepriverwaterpark.com
Portage, Indiana
If you have not been to the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, it’s time you have. This choice for best day trips from Northwest Indiana was selected for its natural beauty and its ability to offer a full day of swimming, hiking and family fun.
Our top pick for day trip travel was the Chrysler Pacifica, and this daycation exemplifies why. You’ll want to bring coolers, beach toys, and plenty of sunscreen when visiting this gorgeous attraction.
The Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk has a fishing pier, restored 900 foot breakwater, 3,500 square foot public pavilion and plenty of parking for easy access to enjoy Lake Michigan.
Portage is also home to the Perch Fest and Grand Prix, which celebrate a fishing tournament and boat parade in the month of August.
Harbor Country, MI
Just across the Indiana border, Michigan’s lakeside “Harbor Country” is a community for fans of sun, restaurants and microbrew. Sawyer is home of Greenbush Brewing Co. It features the original Taproom and the Annex. A beer garden is across the street – serving Greenbush’s craft beer.
As a blog called Cool Car…No Boundaries, we recommend cruising to Harbor Country taking the Red Arrow Highway. Getting there is half the fun!
Our featured Chrysler Pacifica was ideal for luxurious travel to Michigan, but nothing can beat the Jeep Wrangler when driving to Three Oaks.
Journeyman Distillery has a $12 tour and tasting with samples of 18 different spirits made in the converted corset factory. You’ll love dining at the distillery’s new Staymaker restaurant afterward. You’ll want to reserve a designated driver for this stop.
photo: Greenbush Brewery
Hobart, IN
Speros loves the progression of his hometown of Hobart. It offers visitors a wide variety of fun activities and exciting experiences. Lake George in downtown Hobart is a popular destination for fishing, boating and just strolling along the lakefront.
The lake is home to the annual Clocktower Model Boat Race in September and Lakefront Festival in August.
For visitors with a sweet tooth, a stop at Albanese Candy Factory is a must. Home of the “World’s Best Gummies”, Albanese offers factory tours and more than 1,000 different candies. In the fall, County Line Orchard offers visitors the opportunity to pick their own apples, explore the corn maze or feast on some of their famous donuts. Learn more.
South Bend, IN
There’s more to South Bend than Notre Dame and the Fighting Irish football. Check out the city’s cultured side with an afternoon visit to the History Museum.
When hunger strikes, head to Café Navarre, an upscale dining spot housed in a repurposed ’20s-era bank.
Photo by Matt Cashore.
Oak Park, IL
Oak Park is a great destination for a one day cruise. This is home of Frank Lloyd Wright, and in Oak Park, you’ll find the famed architect’s home and studio, as well as a smattering of other Prairie-style architecture.
One option is to book a 10-stop, two-hour tour through the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust. With either one of our featured vehicles, I would take a pass on the bus and take the adventure free-style. Oak Park’s scenic landscape is perfect for the Jeep Wrangler convertible, while the Chrysler Pacifica is ideal for the family.
Photo: James Caulfield
Grand Rapids, MI
Summer cruises to Grand Rapids are fun without boundaries. Although the drive is worth the trip on any day, consider visiting during ArtPrize, an international art competition in September and October when art is displayed in museums, bars, public parks, and hotels.
Drive to Grand Rapids downtown, find parking, and start walking. Stop in Madcap Coffee or stop by Founder’s Brewing for a bite. You’ll want to consider bringing a carry-out for your friends back home. A final destination before heading back to the Region is Sovengard. Dinner here offers a warm atmosphere with innovative Scandinavian cuisine.
Photo: Experience Grand Rapids
Holland, MI
This pick for a best day trip from Northwest Indiana needs an early start. Load the car the day before and leave early. Established by folks from the Netherlands in the mid-19th century, the town of Holland continues to celebrate its Dutch heritage.
To go Dutch for the day, start off with a breakfast of flaky, almond paste-filled bankets and house-roasted coffee at deBoer Bakkerij. Afterward, head to Veldheer Tulip Gardens, where 5 million of the eponymous flowers bloom each spring. When hunger hits, make your way downtown for lunch at New Holland Brewing, one of the Midwest’s brewpubs.
Finish with a long walk at Windmill Island Gardens, a picturesque park centered around a 250-year-old Dutch windmill purchased by Holland residents in the 1960s.
Photo: Dan Irving
Michigan City, IN
Michigan City is a nice compliment to a day at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, 15 miles of gorgeous sand dunes on the southern shore of Lake Michigan.
Stroll through Washington Park all the way out to the Old Light, one of the earliest lighthouses built on Lake Michigan.
Chesterton features both hiking and biking trails and is just minutes away from beautiful beaches along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Golfers will appreciate Chesterton’s two golf courses, The Brassie and Sand Creek Country Club.
Nature lovers can explore the Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve, which includes the Chesterton Amphitheatre, the Pavilion, Philips Pond, and Weir Bridge.
Indiana Dunes National Park
We saved the Indiana Dunes National Park for last because it’s a slam dunk to be named our choice for the 15 best day trips from Northwest Indiana: Cool “daycations” by car.
With its 15,000 acres of dunes, oak savannas, swamps, bogs, marshes, prairies, rivers and forests, the Indiana Dunes National Park has endless fun and can create the perfect day trip.
Of course, when you think of the dunes, you think of the beach and all the space you’ll need for coolers, towels, and beach toys. You’ll need enough food and beverages to last the entire day.
The perfect day trip vehicle….
As a blog called, Cool Car…No Boundaries, we have given you our 15 best day trips from Northwest Indiana, and now its time to name our top vehicle for a summer to remember.
Speros Batistatos from the South Shore CVA had his heart set on driving the iconic Jeep Wrangler. Who could blame him? Nothing says summer better than a convertible Jeep.
The Jeeps Wrangler’s tough to beat with the wind blowing through your hair as you soak up the sun.
Just put the roof down and turn the volume up. Your favorite music will never sound better than when you’re listening to it on a gorgeous, sunny day. The Jeep’s Alpine 7.1 Surround Sound System sets a new standard in audio performance.
One of the Jeep Wrangler’s best options? Sun screen.
The Jeep is the ultimate in cool. It’s got attitude. It’s a convertible, and it has one of the best sound systems in the world. So why did we pick the Chrysler Pacifica as our top pick for day trips in Indiana?
Family. The best memories come when you’re with your family, and the Chrysler Pacifica is my pick for family travel.
Why we picked the Chrysler Pacifica for family travel.
For starters, it’s cool. As Speros mentioned in our video, this is not your parents’ mini-van. When we met Speros at Valparaiso’s Central Park, someone complimented our cool SUV. Even better, it drives like a SUV. The Chrysler Pacifica is fun to drive.
The Pacifica offers 243 different loading and seat configurations. When you’re with a family, that translates into the ultimate utility vehicle.
Loading the coolers: With the key in your hand, just swipe your foot under the sliding door or the rear bumper and the door or hatchback opens.
Day at the beach: If the kids spill a drink or you end up with sand from the beach in the vehicle, the available built-in vacuum cleaner will keep Mom happy! Happy wife…happy life.
Drive through? No problem: The Pacifica has 12 cup holders.
All fun and games: Up to 6 USB ports, 2 auxiliary 12-volt inputs and a 115-volt input. A daycation necessity!
Griegers a Nobel Peace Prize winner?
A day in the sun just got cool: The three-zone A/C allows all members of the family to choose their comfort zone. This can earn Griegers a Nobel Peace Prize.
Coolest Dad Award: the Uconnect infotainment system includes two rear-seat 10-inch, high-definition touchscreens, with integrated games and apps.
Are We There Yet: With summer rebates and financing specials from Chrysler, matched with Griegers’ recent allocation of Pacificas, getting there just might be half the fun.
