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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 you can 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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One-of-a-Kind Lodgings

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Back to School Shopping

Get Ready for School

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Alfresco Dining

Let's Eat Outdoors

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Taco Trail

Yum Yum

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Best Food Festivals

Find them here

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Summer Family Fun

Call the Kids

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Best of Summer

Start the Car

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Fine Dining

Hungry?

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Live Music

Get Your Goove on

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Local Favorites

Ask Us!

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The Best of 2024

Mark Your Calendars

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Ideas for Visiting Friends & Family

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Scenic Hiking Trails

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Girl's Weekends

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Restaurants Locals Love

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Weekend Getaways

Pack the Car

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Pet Friendly Adventures

Woof Woof

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Outdoor Dining Places

Let's Eat!

#INDIANASCOOLNORTH
PHOTO GALLERY

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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Michigan City Laporte

Michigan City, LaPorte, Westville, Wanatah

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

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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Top 5 Things to Do Along the South Shore 5

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

Arts and Entertainment

Love Comes Softly Musical World Premiere

August 11 - September 21, 2024

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County Line Orchard
Seasonal

County Line Orchard

August 31 - October 31, 2024

U-Pick pumpkins, Antique Tractor Rides, Animal Barnyard, 10-acre Corn Maize, Country Kitchen & Grill

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Shopping

Shipshewana Flea Market & Auctions

Flea Market every Tuesday and Wednesday, Apr 30 to Sept 25, 2024

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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Theatre Shows & Concerts in Indiana's Cool North 3
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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Shipshewana Swap Meets
Shopping

Shipshewana Swap Meets

Swap Meets are held on select Saturdays, daylight to 1pm, Apr-Oct

The Swap Meet is an outdoor, open-air marketplace, selling fowl, poultry, small animals, pets, produce, baked goods, antiques, guns, flowers, trees, shrubs, and food

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Community

Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail

May 30 to Sept 15, 2024

This colorful patchwork of quilt inspired gardens and quilt-themed murals is linked by the roads that form the Heritage Trail.

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Shopping

CHESTERTON’S EUROPEAN MARKET

Every Saturday from the beginning of May through the end of October

Our European Market provides a strong tradition of quality shopping, live entertainment, and a festive community experience.

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Classic Car Cruise In
Community

Classic Car Cruise In

Thursday evenings, May 2 through September 26

Whether you are a classic car owner or a car enthusiast this event is for you

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CALUMET VOICES, NATIONAL STORIES
Historical

CALUMET VOICES, NATIONAL STORIES

April 19 to Oct 6, 2024

Developed by the Field Museum, the exhibition series showcases Calumet’s natural environment, industrial might, and cultural richness.

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STEAMBOAT RIDES ON MAGNIFICENT CEDAR LAKE
Historical

STEAMBOAT RIDES ON CEDAR LAKE

Wednesdays, Jun 12 to Sept 25, 2024

Steam across magnificent Cedar Lake in an authentic 1915 steamboat.

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Fairs and Festivals

INDIANA DUNES OUTDOOR ADVENTURE FESTIVAL

September 06 - September 15, 2024

Showcases the region's natural and cultural significance through hiking, paddling, biking, and other activities such as geocaching, photography, birding, and orienteering in the Indiana Dunes

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Sporting Events

Notre Dame Football Weekends

2024 Home Games: Sept. 7, 21, 28; Oct. 12; Nov. 9, 16

The weekends when Notre Dame Football has a home game are always a little more special than any other weekend of the year.

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Pop-up Biergarten and Food Truck Rally at Sunset Hill
Food/Beverage

Pop-up Biergarten @ Sunset Hill

September 12 - September 14, 2024

A traveling, traditional German-style Biergarten featuring beer from Munchen

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Community

Mascot Hall of Fame Grand Furnale

September 14 - September 14, 2024

The Mascot Hall of Fame is closing and going out with a BIG celebration

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Fairs and Festivals

Goshen Hispanic Heritage Festival

September 14 - September 14, 2024

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, the union of cultures, music, folk dances, Latin American food, as well as live music.

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Historical

Duneland Fall Festival

September 14 - September 15, 2024

Musical groups, live entertainment, and demonstration booths showcasing skills that farmers would have used in the early 1900s.

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Community

BACON FEST

September 14 - September 14, 2024

Come out and enjoy music, crafts, and of course bacon!

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Fair Oaks Farms Fall Adventures
Fairs and Festivals

Apple Fest at Fair Oaks

September 14 - September 15, 2024

Kick off apple season at Fair Oaks Farms

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Harvest Season at Fair Oaks Farms
Community

Harvest Season at Fair Oaks Farms

September 14 - November 02, 2024

Oktoberfest, Pumpkinfest, Halloween Trail, and Apple Picking

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Arts and Entertainment

Monarch Music Fest

September 15 - September 15, 2024

Join Save the Dunes as we celebrate the journey and migration of the Monarch butterfly through our region with music and food at Michigan City’s Brewery Lodge & Supper Club.

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Lively Summer Festivals Spell Fun Across Indiana’s Cool North 3
Community

Nappanee Apple Festival

September 19 - September 22, 2024

The Nappanee Apple Festival is home to Indiana’s largest 7 foot baked apple pie and comes out of the oven just in time to kick off the festival!

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Community

Night on the Avenue

September 20 - September 20, 2024

Kick off the 25th Annual Sunflower Fair on Friday with local food, beer, and music.

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Sunflower Fair 1
Community

Sunflower Fair

September 21 - September 21, 2024

The Sunflower Fair in beautiful, historic Downtown La Porte, with over 100 craft and nonprofit vendors

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Wanatah Scarecrow Festival 2
Community

Wanatah Scarecrow Festival

September 27 - September 29, 2024

Arts and crafts, rides for children, a pork chop dinner, fish fry and pancake breakfast, a parade, scarecrow sculpting, variety acts, a car show, and more!

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Michiana Mennonite Relief Sale 2022
Community

MICHIANA MENNONITE RELIEF SALE & QUILT AUCTION

September 27 - September 28, 2024

Browse tents filled with crafts, housewares plus homemade pies, breads, cheeses, sausages and other goodies to help raise money for those in need.

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Community

Pumpkin Glow Trail at Harvest Tyme Family Farm

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Sept 28 to Oct 27

Thousands of lights along a half-mile walking trail filled with jack-o-lanterns.

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VALPO BREWFEST
Fairs and Festivals

VALPO BREWFEST

September 28 - September 28, 2024

Join the Annual Valpo Brewfest.; a celebration of great craft beer and the cool people that enjoy it

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Wickedly Whiting
Community

Wickedly Whiting

October 04 - October 05, 2024

Come dressed in your Halloween best and prepare to be scared at this wickedly fest!

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Griffith Oktoberfest
Fairs and Festivals

GRIFFITH OKTOBERFEST

October 04 - October 06, 2024

Enjoy German food, a pumpkin patch, live authentic German music, and a wide variety of German biers and wines!

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Hesston Ghost Train
Historical

Hesston Ghost Train

Saturdays and Sundays, October 5-27

All aboard for some spooky fun when the Hesston Ghost Train rolls out at the Hesston Steam Museum

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Shipshewana Ship-Chic Craft & Vintage Shows 1
Shopping

Shipshewana Ship-Chic Craft & Vintage Shows

October 26, & December 7, 2024

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

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