Any fun things to do in rural / farm areas near Valparaiso (Michigan City: houses, theater)

[Kathy884]

Hi, We just got back from visiting my parents who live in Valparaiso, IN for Thanksgiving. My son and I just love hanging out at their home and doing things in Valparaiso (local theatre, university sports game, the local cute little outdoor ice rink etc.). In the summer we go to the Dunes State Park and National Lakeshore too. I asked my husband, though, if there is anything he'd like me to plan next time we are out there -- going out and about a bit. He thought it would be fun to check out more rural areas (He's originally from the New York / New Jersey area) and we live in the St. Louis metro area (not overly big, but still a metro area of 3 million or more), so rural farmland areas are something he has had little exposure to that he thinks would be fun to check out. Are there any restaurants, you pick it farm places (would need to be the right season - let us know the month), or other things you can think of that would maybe fit what he is thinking he is interested in?

Thanks so much. I appreciate any and all suggestions. We get to the area once or twice a year and are pretty flexible as to when we get up there, so I'm open to seasonal activities too.

[Bluefox]

County Line Orchard

Chellberg Farm

[Chuckity]

Fair Oaks Farms

[richb]

Gabis Arboretum (formerly Taltree Arboretum)

Gardens - Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest - Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest

[artemis]

My daughter likes to take the grandkids to the zoo in Michigan City.

[Midpack]

Nothing wrong with the suggestions, but without knowing when you're planning to come back:

Originally Posted by Bluefox

County Line Orchard

Only open Sept/Oct, but avoid it on weekends, you won't believe the crowds. Great apples and produce, but the highest priced anywhere.

Originally Posted by Chuckity

Fair Oaks Farms

Wonderful, worth going but be prepared for the smell (for miles around)

Originally Posted by artemis

My daughter likes to take the grandkids to the zoo in Michigan City.

Closed Nov thru Mar

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by Midpack

[/color]Wonderful, worth going but be prepared for the smell (for miles around)

[/color]

Disagree.

I have been there many times at numerous times of the year and have never, EVER experienced a smell for "miles around".

Simply untrue.

[Metztli]

There isn't all that much to do in Valparaiso itself but the restaurants downtown are WONDERFUL! I love Stacks but Sage is nice as well. I enjoy walking downtown Valparaiso when it's close to Christmas because the lights are nice. There are 2 theaters in Valparaiso - Chicago Street Theater & Memorial Opera House. Chicago Street Theater is smaller and the Memorial Opera House is beautiful and larger - would definitely recommend the balcony seating! Much small up there with their own bathrooms (same price too!). I don't know about any "farm things" though. County Line Orchard is overcrowded and overpriced. I went a few times this year and the line was so long that I gave up. Sunset Hill farm is beautiful with lights around Christmas but when it's warmer they do have trails. Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve is in Chesterton that is a ton of trails too. You certainly should also look into Turkey Run State Park.

[sware2cod]

Approx 1.25 hours east in Middlebury and Shipshewanna you will find Amish and Mennonite communities. In between these towns you will see many old barns and farms and farmhouses, often with Amish and Mennonite people driving horse and buggy in the area. You might see them plowing the fields with draft horses if you go in spring or fall.

There are several shops and restaurants in those 2 towns and it's a nice place to spend the entire day. Don't go on Sunday because most business are closed.

A bit closer to Valparaiso is another Amish town called Nappanee.

Google for more info about the above towns. There's lots of info online. These towns attract tourists but it's not overly touristy.

[WildWestDude]

watch corn grow (just kidding)