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25. Neil Kienitz Studio and Gallery
(219) 872-0206; NeilKienitz.com Open year-round, Tuesday and Wednesday 11am to 4pm; other days by appointment. Full-time artist and illustrator Neil Kienitz paints in watercolor, oil and acrylic. In his Michigan City studio and gallery, you’ll find originals of his beloved dunes and lakefront scenes as well as other artworks related to Northern Indiana, some serious, some whimsical. Also available are high quality but very affordable prints, posters, note cards and post cards. Neil paints in a broad range of subject matter and styles and is happy to accompany you through his second floor studio and gallery, describing his work and answering your questions. |
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26. Old Lighthouse Museum
(219) 872-6133; OldLighthouseMuseum.org Open April 1-November 1, Tuesday-Sunday 1pm to 4pm. Imagine the old days when this 1858 lighthouse guided ships to safety as Lake Michigan stirred up a storm. Then step back into those times and climb the tower into the lantern room before you visit the keeper’s living area with a Victorian bedroom and parlor. You’ll learn about Miss Harriet Colfax, who was the Michigan City Lighthouse keeper from 1861 until 1904. Take home a remembrance from the gift shop, which offers books, t-shirts and other lighthouse items. |
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27. Purdue University North Central
(219) 785-5200; PNC.edu Open year-round, dawn until dusk. Larger-than-life sculptures created by world-renowned artists grace the grounds of Purdue University North Central. Take a self-guided tour and discover an incredible variety from colorful works to stark modern creations to light-hearted endeavors. All are thought-provoking. It’s the largest outdoor sculpture park in the state, set amid acres on this pleasant shady campus. |
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28. Radke’s Orchard
(219) 879-4185; RadkeOrchards.com Open daily Labor Day-October 31, 8:30am to 6pm. Plan to take some time at this historic orchard, family-owned since 1894. There are so many varieties of apples to choose from. Perhaps you’ll select sweet-tart Cameos perfect for pies or juicy Jonathans that beg a bite right off the tree. Pick your own or buy them already harvested at this quiet country homestead. Bring along a picnic and enjoy at one of the tables scattered throughout the 40-acre orchard. |
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29. Riverside Marketplace
(219) 508-5656; Riverside-Market.com Open May - October, Thursday- Saturday 8am-3pm; Friday 3pm-7pm; Sunday 11am-3pm. It’s that alluring aroma of freshly-harvested fruits, vegetables and herbs, flowers bursting with color and fragrance and breads and pastries warm from the oven that lure visitors to this unique market and make them want to linger. Musicians entertain and regional artists sell their paintings, pottery, textiles and more. Wines and cheeses round out the agenda at a venue that features all the best from Northern Indiana. |
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30. Serenity Springs
(219) 861-0000; Serenity-Springs.com Open daily year-round, 8am to 9pm. Looking for a little romance? You’ve got it in very private bungalows tucked in the woods at this 85-acre retreat. A friendly staff and Buddy the goose greet you and make you feel right at home. Roam the property and feed the wildlife, take a horse-drawn carriage ride and then toss a line into the lake. In the evening, you can roast s’mores at your own private campfire before you settle into a sunken whirlpool tub in your cabin. It’s true serenity. |
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31. Sharing Meadows
(219) 778-2585; ShareFoundation.org Open year-round, Monday- Friday 9am to 3pm; guest house on availability. Looking for a relaxing day in the country? How about traversing footpaths on this 185-acre site or tossing a fishing line into a quiet lake before you settle into the three-bedroom guest house for the night. This unique facility caters to visitors and provides work for developmentally disabled adults who produce handmade woven rugs, pottery, birdhouses and jars filled with black walnuts, raspberry jam and applesauce for sale. Enjoy their annual event, the Leprechaun Hunt, held the first Sunday in August. |
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32. Shoreline Brewery & Restaurant
(219) 879-4677; ShorelineBrewery.com Open year-round, Monday - Thursday 11am to 11pm; Friday and Saturday 11am to 1am; Sunday 11am to 11pm. These brew artisans are always conjuring up something classy right here in Northern Indiana. You can’t resist a sample of their new barrel-aged series – beers aged in bourbon and rye barrels for a year with intriguing names like Lost Sailor, Curse the Goat and Discombobulation Celebration Ale. But what’s a fine brew without delicious food to go along? You’ll find everything from beer-battered fish to toney entrees such as chicken breast stuffed with spinach, artichokes and feta cheese finished with a mushroom-brandy sauce. |
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33. Stateline Blueberries
(219) 874-7721; StatelineBlueberries.com Open July and August; Monday-Friday 8am to 6pm; Saturday and Sunday 7am to 6pm. This area just four miles from Lake Michigan is supreme for growing blueberries and this family, in business for more than 60 years, has 10 varieties available. Come for a few hours and pick your own or buy fresh ones that have just been harvested. If you wonder what to do with all those healthful, delicious berries, pick up a recipe book filled with great ideas, as well as locally-produced honey, jam and maple syrup. |
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34. Stop 50 Woodfired Pizzeria
(219) 879-8777; Stop50WoodFiredPizzeria.com Open March – November: Summer hours Memorial Day – Labor Day: Thursday-Saturday 11am to 10pm, Sunday and Monday 11am to 8pm Winter Hours: Friday and Saturday 11am to 10pm, Sunday 11am to 8pm. They’re passionate here about bringing an authentic wood fired Italian experience to Northern Indiana. The food is born from simple, fresh ingredients, prepared using traditions that date back 170 years. Try the appetizers, such as goat cheese baked in a spicy tomato dipping sauce or wood-roasted house sausage stuffed peppers before you move on to the authentic Napoletano pizza, perhaps one with prosciutto, pistachios, mozzarella and rosemary. Top it off with micro-crafted beer or wine and homemade gelato. |
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35. Thanhardt-Burger
(800) 826-4375 or (219) 362-2168; ThanhardtBurger.com Open year-round; Tuesdays-Fridays 10am to 4pm or by appointment Sometimes it’s the frame that really makes the painting and this shop designs them in different styles from different eras. You can watch how they do that as artists demonstrate the process of gilding, carving and adding ornamental detail to each one. Then choose the one you love, along with original oil paintings and hand-colored English engravings at outlet prices. |
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