10 Cool Getaways for Couples

Bao's Pastry

⇒ 22 minutes to Ivy's Bohemia House

1.  Bao’s Pastry is a newly-opened Valparaiso bakery serving authentic French pastries and traditional desserts. Within a few weeks of opening, locals voted for Bao’s Pastry as the best place to buy Sweet Treats in the Indiana Dunes area. Area locals line up outside the bakery to grab their favorite pastries before they sell out.

For information on nearby lodging. and Dunes Deals.    Request a destination guide of the Indiana Dunes

• 36 Minutes to Michigan City
• 92 Minutes to Elkhart County
• 100 minutes to Shipshewana

How about some outdoor dining?  Indiana’s Cool North offers a number of great options.

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Ivy's Bohemia House

⇐ 13 minutes to Bao's Pastry ⇒ just minutes to Dunes Area B&B

2.  Ivy’s Bohemia House serves freshly-made brunch, lunch, and dinner in historic downtown Chesterton. Ivy’s was recently named the top Outdoor Dining Experience by Indiana Dunes locals. Their eclectic cuisine, dedicated staff, and backyard outdoor dining area make for a special date night meal.

For information on nearby lodging. and Dunes Deals.    Request a destination guide of the Indiana Dunes

• 21 Minutes to Michigan City
• 81 Minutes to Elkhart County
• 91 Minutes to Shipshewana

Perhaps you would like to end the evening by sipping some wine.  Indiana’s Cool North has a number of  wineries close by.

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Overnight Stay in a Dunes Area B&B

⇐ just minutes to Ivy's Bohemia House ⇒ 23 minutes to Michigan City LaPorte Breweries

3. No couples getaway is complete without an overnight stay in one of the Indiana Dunes area B&Bs. Whether you’re looking to stay in a historic downtown home, a cozy woodland retreat, or a train station railcar suite, the Indiana Dunes area has the perfect Bed and Breakfast for your couples getaway.

For information on nearby lodging. and Dunes Deals.    Request a destination guide of the Indiana Dunes

• 27 Minutes to Michigan City
• 62 Minutes to Elkhart County
• 90 Minutes to Shipshewana

Ready to get up and do some walking and wandering?  Discover the hiking trails and riverwalks in Indianas Cool North.

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Michigan City LaPorte Breweries

⇐ 23 minutes to Dunes Area B&B's ⇒ 5 minutes to Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa

4.  The brewers in LaPorte County are passionate about their products, and there are not only great brews, but great food to pair with it! You and your significant other will enjoy breweries close to the lake, offering a place to unwind, and take in the scenery.  Another brewery is in an old brewery that was idle for 79 years. Take your own brewery tour;  in Michigan City visit Shoreline Brewery,  Zorn Brew Works  and Burn ‘Em Brewing.  While in LaPorte  visit Back Road Brewery.  The Brewery Lodge, a boutique resort hotel, would make a great place to spend the night!

For information on nearby lodging and  Deals and Packages   Request a Visit Michigan City LaPorte Visitor Guide.

• 22 Minutes to Indiana Dunes
• 69 Minutes to Elkhart County
• 83 Minutes to Shipshewana

We have also created a guide that combines suds and outdoor activities in Indiana’s Cool North.

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Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa

⇐ 5 minutes to Michigan City Breweries ⇒ 9 minutes to Shady Creek Winery

5.   You will never need to leave the Blue Chip Casino, Hotel and Spa during your getaway.  The slot machines and gaming tables are open, and great dining is part of the Blue Chip experience; you can choose anything from steakhouse to casual dining to quick snacks.  After a day of gaming in the casino, or strolling around the lake, Blue Chip’s hotel offers the perfect place to relax.

For information on nearby lodging and  Deals and Packages   Request a Visit Michigan City LaPorte Visitor Guide.

• 23 Minutes to Indiana Dunes
• 69 Minutes to Elkhart County
• 84 Minutes to Shipshewana

Discover the best beers in Indiana’s Cool North….Cheers to the best beers!

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Shady Creek Winery

⇐ 9 minutes to Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa ⇒ 65 minutes to Romantic Road Trips (Nappanee)

6.    Custom-crafted wines, delicious food, friendly tastings, and a casual, welcoming atmosphere distinguish this destination winery near Lake Michigan’s southern shore.  It will be the perfect place to enjoy the wines created on the premises using grapes harvested from area vineyards. The modern facility is located on 20  acres and invites tasting and lingering on patios, covered porches and around cozy fireplaces.

For information on nearby lodging and  Deals and Packages  Request a Visit Michigan City LaPorte Visitor Guide.

• 23 Minutes to Indiana Dunes
• 65 Minutes to Elkhart County
• 79 Minutes to Shipshewana

If shopping is your passion, Indiana’s Cool North has some great shopping nearby!

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Romantic Roadtrip

⇐ 65 minutes to Shady Creek Winery ⇒ 5 minutes to Heritage Trail Loop

8.  Whether you are newlyweds or married 30+ years, discover a romantic getaway close to home in Elkhart County. Take the roads less traveled along the Heritage Trail through quaint small towns and vibrant cities. Stop to smell the roses and explore the Quilt Gardens bursting to life with a million blooms, check out unique boutiques, hand crafted furniture which will soon become family heirlooms and bakeries with shelves filled with fresh baked bread, cookies, pies and more. Ready for some amorous edibles? The wood-fired pizza at Venturi in Goshen is faithful to the Neapolitan tradition or experience Artisan in Elkhart, a AAA 4-Diamond incomparable dining experience.

For information on nearby lodging  and lodging packages and deals.  Request a destination guide for Elkhart County.

• 66 Minutes to Indiana Dunes
• 56 Minutes to Michigan City
• 32 Minutes to Shipshewana

Venturi has award winning pizza, and  according to Northern Indiana locals there are more award winning pizzas.  A Chicago food critic wrote all about it!.

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The Heritage Trail

⇐ 5 minutes to Romantic Roadtrip ⇒ 5 minutes to Das Dutchman Essenhaus

9.   Make roadtripping easy. Let the Heritage Trail audio driving tour be your personal guide to must-see attractions, special finds and behind the scenes glimpses of Amish life in Elkhart County. Traveling along lively Main Streets and scenic backroads you’ll find surprises at every turn and soon discover why the editors of LIFE consider it one of “America’s Most Scenic Drives.”

The Heritage Trail’s scenic winding loop takes you through the vibrant communities of Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury, Nappanee, Bristol, Wakarusa and Shipshewana. It’s easy to explore, easy on your budget and you’re sure to discover fun at every turn. Bet yet, the Heritage Trail audio driving tour is absolutely free! Pick up a copy today at the Visitor Center.

For information on nearby lodging  and lodging packages and deals.  Request a destination guide for Elkhart County.

• 66 Minutes to Indiana Dunes
• 56 Minutes to Michigan City
• Shipshewana is part of the Heritage Trail loop

Find other trails throughout Indiana’s Cool North in the Art and Earth Trail.

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Das Dutchman Essenhaus

⇐ 5 minutes to Heritage Trail Loop ⇒ 12 minutes to Shipshewana

9.   Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury is the perfect destination for a couples getaway. The expansive yet quiet campus offers the perfect retreat with a package that include an overnight stay at the Essenhaus Inn and Conference Center, complimentary hot breakfast, family style Amish inspired meal at the on-site restaurant, carriage ride, mini golf and shopping coupons good at the Essenhaus Village Shops. Just ask for their Amish Country Package.

For information on nearby lodging  and lodging packages and deals.  Request a destination guide for Elkhart County.

• 80 Minutes to Indiana Dunes
• 71 Minutes to Michigan City
• 12 Minutes to Shipshewana

Discover 14 more unique places to lay your head in Northern Indiana in the Top 15 Places to Stay.

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Shipshewana

⇐ 12 minutes to Das Dutchman Essenhaus

10.  Shopping, theatre, history, and great Amish food combine in the Amish community of Shipshewana.  Shop the downtown or travel along quiet back roads where “shingle shops” (small businesses marked by simple signs or “shingles”) grace proud Amish farmsteads. You’ll find famous Amish meals in the local restaurants.  The Menno-Hof Interpretive Center in Shipshewana details Amish and Mennonite history through life-size dioramas and lively exhibits.  The Blue Gate Theatre and Shipshewana Event Center offer both popular Broadway musicals and well-known musical performers to fill your evenings.

For information on nearby lodging and  Deals and Packages

• 54 Minutes to Indiana Dunes
• 84 Minutes to Michigan City
• 12 Minutes to Elkhart County

If you like history and heritage, Indiana’s Cool North has plenty of places you can explore!

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