Want to shake off that pesky cabin fever but don’t feel like taking a long-distance vacation? Then you need to make a “One-Tank Trip” to Northwest Indiana (NWI)! If you need a few suggestions for things to do in NWI, the South Shore Convention & Visitor Authority (CVA) can recommend a wide array of amenities and attractions you can check out.
Heather Becerra, chief marketing officer for South Shore CVA, says that plenty of enjoyable events will be offered in NWI during the months of February, March, and April.
“NWI has many great and affordable attractions,” Becerra said. “I think many Michiana residents will be pretty surprised to learn that there’s so much to do here in NWI only about 70 miles away. I hope that they’ll see that it’s worth the quick jaunt over here to see what we have to offer. We’d love for them to visit more often.”
If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about how maple syrup is produced, this is the ideal time of year to do it! The maple tree sap is flowing and organizations throughout NWI are putting on some truly “sweet” programs. These include Bailly Homestead & Chellberg Farm’s Maple Sugar Time Festival, which takes place on March 1 and 2, and Maple Syrup Time at Deep River County Park, which will be held on March 8. 9, 15, and 16. Check out South Shore CVA’s Maple Syrup Time Blog to learn more.
Haven’t given much thought to how you’ll celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? According to Becerra, Crown Point’s Nighttime St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 17 is a great way to celebrate the holiday.
“The Nighttime St. Patrick's Day Parade is the only after-dark parade that I know of,” Becerra said. “The floats are decorated with lights, and it looks really cool. All of the restaurants and shops around the historic Crown Point Square will have events going on, so it will be one big party. Additionally, the 10th Annual Corkscrew and Brew beverage tasting festival will be held at Thomas Centennial Park in Chesterton on March 15. If you want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day weekend in NWI, you can go to Corkscrew and Brew then stay for the Nighttime St. Patrick's Day Parade.”
If you want to get some fishing in when you visit NWI, check out the South Shore CVA’s Lake Michigan Fishing Charters page to learn how you can schedule a fishing trip led by an Indiana’s North Coast Charter Association member. Or, if you’d like to catch the big one from your own boat, take a look at the South Shore CVA’s ‘10 Best Fishing Spots’ blog to learn more about other great NWI fishing locations like Wolf Lake, Kankakee River, and Cedar Lake.
Savor the South Shore Restaurant Weeks, a celebration of NWI’s local food options, will be held February 17 through March 2. This event will feature up to 30 restaurants, including Pikk’s Tavern, Miller Pizza Company, and Lowcountry Merrillville. Becerra claims that Savor the South Shore Restaurant Weeks is an affair tourists won’t want to miss.
“The Savor the South Shore Restaurant Weeks event is an excellent opportunity for visitors from Michiana to sample the different cuisines of NWI,” Becerra said. “You can either check out a restaurant you’ve never tried before or enjoy the discounts being offered at your favorite restaurant. Each time you indicate that you’ve visited a participating restaurant by checking in on our South Shore Passport app, you’ll receive an entry into random drawing. The grand prize is a gift card package worth $250; the winner will be selected on March 3. It’s a very popular event for us.”
Be sure to explore the South Shore CVA’s South Shore Spring Getaway page if you’d like more suggestions for things to do in NWI in the coming months. Perhaps you’re interested in riding the South Shore Line from South Bend to Indiana Dunes National Park where you can enjoy the park’s many trails. Maybe you’d like to go for a pleasant stroll at Friendship Botanic Gardens or the Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest. You might even want to enjoy a round of golf at one of NWI’s high-class courses. Whatever you’re looking for, South Shore CVA is ready to help you create the perfect spring getaway!
For more information on South Shore CVA’s upcoming events and announcements, please visit southshorecva.com.
