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Indiana’s Cool North is calling.

Experience the state’s best kept secret. Come explore our eight eclectic counties filled with all sorts of gems—hidden and otherwise—that you might be surprised to find side by side.

Where else can you visit the Indiana Dunes, ride in a real Amish buggy, hit a Vegas-style casino, and walk the grounds of the University of Notre Dame in the same day? Yeah, it’s eclectic mix—but we’d suggest that’s part of what makes it so cool. Plan your visit to Indiana’s Cool North.

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Top Things

Sweet Stops

Bring Your Sweet Tooth

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Charming, Calm & Safe

Let's Go

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Pottery, Textiles & Taste

Try Something New

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Trails and Museums

Explore the Heritage

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Secrets and Surprises

Be Surprised

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Antique Trail Shopping

Start the Car

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Farms to Forks

Eat In or Take Home

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Vine to Stein to Still

Lift Your Glass

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Top Food Festivals

Yum Yum

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Summer Escapes

Read to Go?

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Cool North - Hot Festivals

See the Best

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We Are Blooming

Find the Blooms

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Live Music

Turn Up the Cool!

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Girlfriend Getaway

Call Your Besties

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2025's Biggest Events

Mark the Calendar

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Pizza Lover's Trail

Go Hungry

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Quaint Small Towns

Visit Us

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One-of-a-Kind Lodgings

Pack Your Bags

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Taco Trail

Yum Yum

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Fine Dining

Hungry?

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Local Favorites

Ask Us!

#INDIANASCOOLNORTH
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Share your photo and video memories using the #IndianasCoolNorth hashtag and you could be featured in our gallery!
Let’s show everyone why Indiana’s Cool North is Calling.

 

                                            

Places to Explore in the Cool North.

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Indiana Dunes

Chesterton, Portage, Valparaiso, Porter, Hebron, Kouts

Rolling sand dunes. A national park. Relaxing beach vibes. Endless aquatic adventures. And that’s just what you’ll find along the shore. Explore a little more in Indiana Dunes and you’ll discover world-class dining, unique shopping experiences, and fantastic accommodations. A mecca for lovers of the great outdoors, you might need to add another day to your stay with all there is to see and do!

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The Top 5 Things to Do in Michigan City LaPorte 1

Michigan City Laporte

Michigan City, LaPorte, Westville, Wanatah, Hesston

Looking for a laid-back vacation, or is it time to let loose and live it up? You’ll find the perfect blend of both in Michigan City LaPorte. Roll the dice or shop till you drop. Explore the area’s unique history or carve out your own outdoor adventure. Whatever you decide, one thing is for sure—authentic Midwestern spirit comes standard.

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The Most Instagrammable Places in Indiana’s Cool North

South Bend Mishawaka

Notre Dame, South Bend, Mishawaka, New Carlisle, North Liberty

Big city attractions and small town charm. You’ll find the best of both worlds when you visit this vibrant Northern Indiana county. The iconic campus of the University of Notre Dame is a must-see, and each community holds its own hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. Kid-friendly fun? Definitely. Outdoor activities? Absolutely. The ideal getaway to suit your travel style is waiting in South Bend Mishawaka.

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Elkhart County

Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury, Nappanee, Bristol, Wakarusa, Shipshewana

Amish life and culture play a big part in daily life here in Indiana’s Cool North, and Elkhart County is no exception. Whether by car, by bike, or by buggy, tour the Heritage Trail and discover the communities that Northern Indiana is famous for. Winding nature trails, quilt gardens and historic downtowns all add to an experience that is original, authentic, and a little outside of the ordinary.

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Kosciusko

Warsaw, Syracuse, Winona Lake, North Webster, Pierceton

It doesn’t get any better than life on the lakes. And with over 100 of them, you’re sure to find a unique experience around every turn. Dine on the water’s edge at The Village at Winona, explore eclectic artisan’s shops, or take an old-school ride on a sternwheeler boat. The name might be a little tricky, but there’s definitely nothing complicated about life in Kosciusko County.

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Shipshewana LaGrange County 6

Shipshewana LaGrange County

Shipshewana, LaGrange, Topeka

You won’t hear phrases like “daily grind” or “rush hour commute” in these parts. Life in Shipshewana LaGrange County is unhurried, uncomplicated, and definitely unlike anywhere else. Amish culture thrives here, and combined with a focus on the great outdoors, this truly is the place to get away from it all.

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South Shore 7

South Shore

Whiting, Gary, Saint John, Merrillville, Hammond

Discover the City of Whiting, nestled between Chicago and the shores of Lake Michigan, with their Pierogi Fest in July.   You won’t want to miss the Hard Rock Casino or Miller Beach in Gary, and the Albanese Candy Factory in Merrillville, Stop at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond to view exhibits, purchase your gifts, or get information about the area.

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Festivals & Events

Shipshewana Weekly Auctions & Monthly Swap Meets
Shopping

Shipshewana Weekly Antique & Misc Auctions

Auctions are held every Wednesday year-round

Antique and miscellaneous auctions and a livestock auction is held every Wednesday.

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Ice Skating under the Urschel Pavilion
Seasonal

Ice Skating under the Urschel Pavilion

January 01 - March 31, 2026

Grab your friends, bring the kids, snag your spouse and come out to skate at the William E. Urschel Pavilion.

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Potawatomi Zoo Winter Days 1
Nature

Potawatomi Zoo Winter Days

Every Saturday & Sunday this winter - until March 15

Come see what the animals are doing this winter; open every weekend.

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Places to Go 5
Arts and Entertainment

Theatre Shows & Concerts in Indiana’s Cool North

See individual theatres for schedule of shows and concerts.

Indiana's Cool North has a number of theatres. See the individual theatres for their show and concert schedules.

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Recreation

Snowshoeing in Miller Woods @ Indiana Dunes National Park

January 01 - March 29, 2026

Try snowshoeing through the beautiful Miller Woods.

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Nature

Maple Syrup Time

March 7-8 and 14-15, 2026

Come witness this special time of the year, tapping the trees and gathering the sap

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Michigan City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
Community

Michigan City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

March 14 - March 14, 2026

Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will be celebrated in Michigan City

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Crown Point St Patrick's Day Parade
Community

Crown Point’s Nighttime St Patrick’s Day Parade

March 17 - March 17, 2026

The original lighted, nighttime St. Patrick's Day parade

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Seasonal

Ship-Chic Spring Craft, Gifts and Goodies Show

March 21 - March 21, 2026

A show featuring gifts, vintage items, home decor, crafts, clothing, accessories, beauty products, jewelry, baked goods, signs and more!

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Events 8
Fairs and Festivals

Maple Syrup Days

March 21 - March 21, 2026

We show three different ways to make maple syrup. Horse wagons carry visitors into the maple woods to see the tapped maples.

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Shipshewana on the Road Gift, Food and Craft Show
Seasonal

Shipshewana on the Road Gift, Food and Craft Show

March 21 - March 22, 2026

A Gift, food, & craft show is a weekend of fun where you’ll find anything and everything under the sun!

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Nature

Sandhill Crane Hike – Boot Lake Nature Preserve

March 27 - March 27, 2026

See a hundred or more Sandhill Cranes as they use this nature preserve as a spring stop-over on their way north.

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Community

Spring Fling Market

April 04 - April 04, 2026

Shopping, Crafts, Vendors, Foods, Baked Goods,

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Northwest Indiana Earth Day Celebration
Community

Northwest Indiana Earth Day Celebration

April 18 - April 18, 2026

Annually Earth Day is celebrated across the nation. Join us in celebration of this incredible day.

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Nature

Tulip Tyme at the Farm

April 18 - May 10, 2026

This spring, immerse yourself in the elegance of Harvest Tyme’s Tulip Festival,

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Arts and Entertainment

Zoo Luminate – Potawatomi Zoo

Wed - Sun; Apr 22 - June 28

A spectacular lantern festival; "Sea" to believe

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Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival 1
Community

WAKARUSA MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL

April 24 - April 26, 2026

Maple syrup, giant jellybeans, and a whole series of sweet surprises in this towns traditional festival.

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Shipshewana Mayfest
Community

Shipshewana Mayfest

May 01 - May 01, 2026

Ole’ fashioned hometown fun, bustling with kid’s activities, live entertainment, tournaments, food trucks, benefit breakfast and more!

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Historical

Five Medals A Living History Experience

May 02 - May 03, 2026

Take part in the 18th and early 19th centuries in an extremely personal and hands-on way!

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Shipshewana LaGrange County 13
Shopping

Shipshewana Flea Market & Auctions

Flea Market every Tuesday and Wednesday, May 5 to Sept 30, 2026

The Shipshewana Flea Market is a do-not-miss Hoosier tradition with an open-air market the size of 30 football fields.

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Community

INDIANA DUNES BIRDING FESTIVAL

May 14 - May 17, 2026

The Indiana Dunes Birding Festival is an annual event hosted by the Indiana Audubon Society that showcases the abundance of migratory birds in the Indiana Dunes.

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