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More About Take a Tour of Northwest Indiana's Museums, Historic Sites & Educational Attractions
Northwest Indiana & the Chicago area hosts a variety of educational establishments offering tours to the public. World-class aquariums & zoos, interactive science exhibits, historic sites, and diverse art collections make these local stops a must for any visitor. Stop by or schedule a tour at one of the following locations...
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BAILLY HOMESTEAD & CHELLBERG FARM
709-747 N Mineral Springs Rd, Porter, IN 46304
Between U.S. Highways 12 and 20
(219) 926-7561 ext. 225
A 20th century 80-acre working farm established by Swedish immigrants Anders and Joanna Kjellberg in 1874. Preserved the way the Kjellbergs maintained it, the farm is the site of several ongoing educational and entertainment programs. Chellberg Farm is significant as it represents the ethnic heritage of a nearly forgotten Swedish-American settlement. The farm includes a family home, water house with windmill, chicken coop/bunkhouse, and the original barn. Bailly Homestead was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962 and is preserved by the National Park Service. The original house has been restored to its 1917 appearance and, during the summer, is open for scheduled tours. During the annual Maple Sugar Time, held at the beginning of March, visitors can learn how maple syrup is made, tour the farm and buy the delicious syrup.
The Chellberg farmhouse is open to the public during festivals, demonstrations, and ranger-guided tours. Check with the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and calendar for dates and times. Click for Details
BRAUER MUSEUM OF ART
(self-guided tours)
1709 Chapel Dr, Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 464-5365
The Brauer Museum is located in the Valparaiso University Center for the Arts (VUCA)and boasts a collection of more than 5,000 works of art from the mid-19th century to the present. Also included are world religious art and Midwestern regional art. The collection comprises paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and photographs.
HOURS (September-April)
Wednesday 10 AM – 8 PM
Thursday – Saturday 10AM – 4PM
SUMMER (May-August):
Wednesday – Saturday 10AM – 4PM
The museum is closed during the week of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, and also during Spring Break. There are a few ADA parking places in front of the VUCA. Otherwise, visitors should park in Lot P14 on the west side of the Harre Student Center.
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BROKEN WAGON BISON
(guided group tours and walk-in-tours with no minimum group size)
563 W 450 N, Hobart, IN 46342
(219) 759-3523
Come visit Broken Wagon Bison for your very own rare encounter with North America’s largest native land mammal. Our summer tours give you the unique opportunity to be literally “surrounded” by our bison herd (in the safety of our Bison Tour Wagon) and watch the new-born calves nurse and play. You’ll get a true sense of the awesome size, strength, and power of these remarkable animals as you watch the one-ton herd bull lumber by, and if the herd should break into a run, they can hit speeds of 35 to 50 mph and literally make the ground shake!
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BUCKLEY HOMESTEAD COUNTY PARK
(self-guided and guided group tours)
Farm & Barnyard open daily 7am - dusk
Buildings open seasonally
3606 Belshaw Road
Lowell, IN 46356
The around 575 acre Buckley Homestead is a living history farm that has been in the care of Lake County Parks since 1983. There are live animals throughout the park, an old fashioned school house, and the 100+ year-old Buckley Barn earns the entire homestead a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
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CARMELITE FATHERS SHRINE
(self-guided tours)
1628 Ridge Road, Munster, IN 46321
(219) 838–7111
We are open for visitors every Sunday (from Easter to November 1) from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. On Weekdays: please call us before visiting
Natural crystals and colorful rocks have been collected from all parts of the world and are displayed at the Carmelite Fathers Shrines in Munster.
Enjoy the beauty and charm of the surrounding monastery garden with its unusual trees and shrubbery. We trust that communing with such abundance of beauty will be a deep and unforgettable experience for everyone.
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CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER
(individual and group tours)
***Please call ahead for events open to the general public***
Hours: 8am-4pm
2300 173rd St, Hammond, IN 46323
(219) 989-3250
The Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana is Chicagoland's premiere Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education facility for field trips and more. From our famous simulated space missions to hands-on workshops, labs, summer camps and planetarium experiences, we offer unique learning opportunities for children of all ages as well as STEM resources and curricula for their teachers. The Challenger Center of Northwest Indiana has been called the hidden gem of NWI find out why!
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CHICAGO CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
(self-guided tours)
700 East Grand Avenue, Suite 127, Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 527-1000
Mondays + Thursdays from 10am to2 pm
Fridays through Sundays from 10am to 5pm
Final admissions are allowed no later than 60-minutes before the museum closes.
One adult (18+), AND one child are required for museum entry.
We believe in the power of play.
When we play, we learn. We create. We strengthen and grow.
Chicago Children’s Museum’s mission is to improve children’s lives by creating a community where play and learning connect. Housed in Navy Pier, Chicago Children’s Museum is intentionally designed for experimentation, creativity, and learning for all children. We focus on accessibility, inclusion, and the pursuit of childhood, ensuring valuable and memorable experiences for all visitors.
Kids want to have fun. Grownups want them to learn. Field trips at Chicago Children’s Museum let them do both. CCM group visits and field trips let students put their classroom knowledge to work. Our exhibits and experiences provide hands-on engagement with subjects like math, language, science, and engineering—combined with education-rich, play-filled activities.
Current exhibits: Click for Details
Know before you go guest rules: Click for Details
COMMUNITY VETERANS MEMORIAL
(guided tours suspended until further notice)
Open daily from dawn - dusk
9710 Calumet Avenue,
Munster, Indiana
219-836-3392
Guided tours are a great way to experience the Memorial. Tours are free of charge and available April 1st - mid-November, weather permitting. We are honored to have four Veterans from the Munster VFW Post 2697 who have graciously volunteered their time to conduct the tours. Among them, they have actively served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. They started leading the tours in May 2015 and have since hosted groups from high schools, elementary schools, Cub and Boy Scout troops, and Veteran service organizations. With guests ranging from 5 to 95 years of age, the Veterans are happy to tailor material to fit the group, class or curriculum.
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FAIR OAKS FARMS
(guided and self-guided tours)
856 N 600 E
Fair Oaks, IN 47943
(219) 394-2025
Come learn about our ever-changing planet, and see how we’re leading the future of food! There’s no better place on Earth to learn about and experience modern farming than Fair Oaks Farms. Perfect for all ages, school groups, and tour groups.
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FIELD MUSEUM
(self-guided tours)
The Field Museum connects all of us to the natural world and the human story. Fuel your passion for discovery with dinosaurs, ancient artifacts, cultural insights, and groundbreaking science. The Museum’s targeted programs make science learning exciting and accessible for parents, classroom educators, and students.
The Field is open every day from 9am to 5pm, with last admission at 4pm. We’re closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas (December 25).
We recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance to secure your preferred date. You can also buy tickets in person at the museum.
When you arrive at the Field, you can enter through our main South entrance on McFetridge Drive. The East entrance is also open and accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
Current exhibits: Click for Details
Know before you go: Click for Details
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GABIS ARBORETUM RAILWAY GARDEN
450 West 100 North, Valparaiso, IN 46385
(219) 462-0025
gabisarboretum@pnw.edu
ARBORETUM: Open daily from 8 am to sunset
RAILWAY GARDEN: May 1-October 31, 10 am-3 pm, Friday, Saturday & Sundays only
$10 gate admission, $3 Railway Garden fee, children 5 & under, members & PNW students are free
With over 300 acres to explore, the Gabis Arboretum is the perfect destination for environmental education! The Purdue University Northwest Gabis Arboretum serves as a living laboratory for education, research, conservation and engagement with the natural environment. Gabis Arboretum boasts 300 acres of magnificent landscapes featuring a restored prairie, display gardens, wetlands and miles of hiking trails through woodlands.With musical events and public educational programs, the arboretum has something for any interest!
The Railway Garden spans two full acres and tells amazing stories of American railroads in the context of a large display garden using G-gauge miniature trains. In less than a century, American railroads moved people, natural resources and commercial goods to unify and transform a frontier nation. Experience captivating stories about historical events with a seamless blend of pristine gardens. Trains run weather dependent. They are unable to run in the rain or on very windy days. Feel free to call us before arrival to confirm. Admission to the Railway Garden is included with general gate admission.
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GRIFFITH HISTORICAL PARK & RAILROAD MUSEUM
(guided and self-guided tours)
201 S Broad St, Griffith, IN 46319
The museum features the historic 1911 GTW depot, EJ&E interlocking tower, a small display of EJ&E rolling stock, and a handful of various small trackside shanties. Open on Sundays from 2-4pm, from Mid-June to the end of August.
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HALSTED HOUSE MUSEUM
(self-guided tours)
201 E. Main Street, Lowell, In
The Halsted House is the oldest brick house in Lake County, Indiana built in 1849 by Melvin Halsted. It is a two-story, five bay, Federal style brick dwelling with a gable roof. It has a rear lean-to addition. It was the home of a founder of Lowell and Melvin A. Halsted resided there until 1905. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Come for a tour to learn and observe how folks lived in the 19th century.
Three Creeks Historical Association opens the home the first Saturday of the month from 11:00 am-3:00 pm.
Admission is free; donations are welcome.
Click for Details
HESSTON STEAM MUSEUM
(self-guided tours)
1201 E 1000 N, La Porte, IN 46350
(219) 778-2783
History that Will Move You. This is not your typical stuffy museum.... visit us and you’ll walk right into an era long past. A simpler time where big machines did work, powered factories, moved mountains, fed the country or just entertained humanity. Those machines are ready to enlighten your family, taking you on a journey not to be forgotten.
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LAKE COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 205, Crown Point, IN 46307
This 40-year old museum operates within the historic Old Lake Court House on the Crown Point square. The museum is open annually from May through October on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Visitors are encouraged to make a visit to see the county clerk desk that was recently uncovered as part of the Fresh New Start initiative. It is estimated that 170,000 marriage licenses were issued from 1915-1940 during Crown Point's "marriage mill" heyday at that very desk.
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LA PORTE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM
(self-guided tours)
1 Courthouse Square, La Porte, IN
(219) 326-6806 ext 276
We hope you enjoy your tour and will consider attending in person when you can! La Porte County is rich in history and the wonderful museum reflects that. The La Porte County Historical Society Museum hosts many events and exhibits each year; from re-enacting the Civil War to filling an acre of land with old cars, permanent exhibits to special current exhibits, there is something for everyone!
Admission Fees:
Adults: $5.00
Seniors: $4.00
*Children Under 18 Years, La Porte County Historical Society Members, Time Traveler Affiliates, School Tours – FREE
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Click for Details
LINCOLN PARK ZOO
(self-guided & guided tours, facility rentals)
Open Every Day
Gates – 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Buildings – 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Farm-in-the-Zoo – 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Check here for daily schedule exceptions: Click for Details
Lincoln Park Zoo is dedicated to connecting people with nature by providing a free, family-oriented wildlife experience in the heart of Chicago and by advancing the highest quality of animal care, education, science, and conservation.
Feel free to visit the zoo and explore on your own. For a more educational experience, check out our facilitated field trip program, Zoo Explorers, which focuses on inquiry-based animal investigations aligned with the work of zoo scientists Click for Details our Plan a Field Trip Click for Details for tips and tricks; or our self-guided tours Click for Details
Events & programs: Click for Details
Know before you go: Click for Details
MEMORIAL OPERA HOUSE
(guided tours)
104 Indiana St, Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 548-9137
Valparaiso's beautiful and historic Memorial Opera House was constructed in 1893 by the local chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic. This stunning hall was built to pay tribute to the Union soldiers and sailors who fought in the Civil War, in addition to being a resource for the entire community. The 364-seat Memorial Opera House has been a venue for hundreds of theatrical events and has hosted the likes of Teddy Roosevelt, John Phillips Sousa, the Marx brothers and Beulah Bondi.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, this two-story red brick building has turrets at each of the front corners and a wide arched entrance. The interior boasts red, white and blue stained-glass windows, as well as ornate viewing boxes high above the stage. For more information on the history of Memorial Opera House: Click for Details
Tours of the Memorial Opera House are available M-F from 10am to 2pm
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MERRILLVILLE COMMUNITY PLANETARIUM
(guided tours)
Clifford Pierce Middle School
199 East 70th Avenue, Merrillville, IN 46410
(219) 650-5486
The Merrillville Community Planetarium is part of the Merrillville Community School Corporation, a K-12 public school system in Northwest Indiana. The Planetarium is located in Clifford Pierce Middle School. We provide programming for Merrillville classes, outside groups, and the public.
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MUSEUM OF SCIENCE + INDUSTRY
(self-guided & guided tours)
5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 684-1414
Hours: Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Please visit Click for Details for exceptions to regular hours.
Inspiring the inventive genius in everyone. One of the largest science museums in the world, MSI has both an illustrious history and a focus on the future of science and science education.
The Museum can work with you to meet the needs and interests of any group. Make a reservation online, or you may also contact us.
Tour Operator Reservation Form: Click for Details
School Group Tour Operator Reservation Form: Click for Details
Please visit Click for Details prior to your visit for current protocols & rules - know before you go.
OLD LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM
(self-guided tours)
100 Heisman Harbor Rd
Michigan City, IN 46360
(219) 872-6133
Original 1858 light station structure, 8 display rooms, Great Lakes history, shipwrecks, era of sailing ships, local history, gift shop and more.
The Old Lighthouse Museum opened on June 9, 1973. In 1974, the Old Lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historical Places because of its historical significant architecture and association with lake transportation. The Pierhead Light was added to the Register in 1988 during the campaign to restore the structure. The Lantern Room was made accessible in 2007. Today, the light is still used as an aid to navigation, but the LED light is fully automated.
Hours: April 1 to October 29: Wednesday-Sunday, 1PM- 4 PM CDT
Adults · $5
Youth (ages 5-13) · $2
Toddlers · Free
Members · Free
Click for Details
PORTER COUNTY MUSEUM (PoCo Muse)
(guided and self-guided tours)
20 Indiana Ave, Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 510-1836
FREE GENERAL ADMISSION
OPEN Tues-Sun, 11a-4p
ART CURRENTLY ON EXHIBIT
Click for Details
FREE 30-MINUTE GUIDED TOUR
Looking to supplement your visit to the museum with a little more insight and detail? The PoCo Muse is thrilled to offer a free weekly 30-minute guided tour on Saturdays at 12p. Tour guides and themes will change regularly, so stop by often.
No need to RSVP! Stop by any Saturday just before 12p.
Click for Details
SHEDD AQUARIUM
(self-guided + guided tours)
1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 939-2438
Our hours can change based on the day of week. For the most up-to-date schedule: Click for Details
Welcome to Shedd Aquarium! We can hardly wait for you to meet beluga whales and bluegills, rockhopper penguins and rockfish, alligators and an alligator snapping turtle, and so much more as you explore the world’s oceans, lakes, rivers and reefs
Members: Free General Admission every day
Chicago residents: $19.95 Adult General Admission every day
General Admission: $39.95 Non-Chicago resident adult
Advanced & timed tickets required.
Click for Details
SOUTH SHORE CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL TRAIL
(self-guided tours, various locations throughout Northwest Indiana)
This trail is a collection of the last known resting places, monuments and architectural icons related to the brave men and women of Lake and Porter counties who sacrificed during this most pivotal era in history. Indiana contributed more than 200,000 Union troops to the Civil War effort between 1861 and 1865, and hundreds of those veterans are buried in the cemeteries of Northwest Indiana along the South Shore of Lake Michigan. The South Shore Civil War Memorial Trail serves as a guide for visitors who want to see and pay respect to the veterans' historic burial grounds and learn the stories of humanity behind the Calumet Region men in blue.
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TASK FORCE TIPS INC.
(guided tours)
3701 Innovation Way, Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 462-6161
Task Force Tips, is a three-shift "around the clock" 7 day/week production facility. However it is open daily to visitors from 8 AM-5 PM, Monday through Friday. Your visit is sure to be memorable, as you are escorted by a TFT employee. Our new wide area broadcast presentation system can be used to allow everyone to easily hear as well as see many of the ongoing processes. This assures your visit will be a personal and individualized tour of this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
Special Note: Anyone arriving after these normal hours are STILL WELCOME. However due to the limited number of people available, we ask for at least 24 hours notice so that we can assure that a tour guide specialist will be available.
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THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
(guided and self-guided tours)
111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 443-3600
We’re thrilled to welcome you to our galleries to experience firsthand the beauty and power of art. Below you’ll find information on how to plan your visit to the museum, named Chicago’s #1 attraction by TripAdvisor.
Thursday 11am-8pm
Friday-Monday 11am-5pm
Tuesday/Wednesday CLOSED
Admission varies depending on where you live and if you are an adult, senior, student, teen or child, from free to $25. Free access is given to children under 14, Chicago teens under 18, Link and WIC cardholders, and Illinois educators every day, and to Illinois residents on Thursdays, 5–8 p.m., May 18–August 31, 2023.
Tours come in all shapes and sizes: get insights through one of our free guided experiences, learn about favorites by listening to an audio tour on your phone, or go at your own pace with a self-guided tour like What to See in an Hour.
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THE BARKER MANSION
*temporarily closed for renovations*
(guided and self-guided tours)
631 Washington St, Michigan City, IN 46360
(219) 873-1520
The historic Barker Mansion lives as a monument of industry, charity, and turn-of-the-century life in Michigan City, highlighting the legacy of the Barker family through community events, interpretive tours and special programs for kids and adults.The Barker Mansion is great for group tours and field trips as well. Reservations are requested for groups of 10 or larger. To schedule a group tour, please call us. Mansion tours take approximately 1.5 hours. Please contact us for event hosting or functions.
Please pardon our dust! The Barker Mansion is currently closed to self-guided tours while we renovate. We are currently in the process of making some much-needed repairs at the Mansion, including updating all of the 120-year-old electrical wiring! When we reopen, you’ll find some beautiful new spaces, including a refreshed Bridal Suite and Mr. Barker’s Room, complete with the original bathroom (but with some updated plumbing!) We can’t wait to show you our restored historic garden, with lovely new plantings and refreshed pergolas. Have your wedding or special event on the elegant bluestone, complete with rain-or-shine event tent! We appreciate your patience as we complete these renovations and conservation work, and can’t wait to welcome you soon! Please check back on our site and follow us on social media Click for Details for any updates.
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THE BEVERLY SHORES MUSEUM & ART GALLERY (affectionally known as "The Depot")
(self-guided tours)
525 South Broadway, Beverly Shores, IN 46301
gallery@bsdepot.com
Our mission is to enrich lives in Northwest Indiana by featuring shows by artists from our region, connecting community and people through museum and gallery events, and preserving and telling the history of our community.
Saturdays 11 AM–5 PM
Sundays 11 AM–3 PM
Openings Second Fridays 5–7 PM
Admission is FREE
Click for Details
THE MERRILLVILLE HISTORY MUSEUM - ROSS TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY
(guided tours)
13 West 73rd Avenue, Merrillville, IN 46410
(219) 756-2042
The Merrillville History Museum opened its doors in 1996. Prior to the current location, many of the items now on exhibit at the museum were displayed at Wood's Historic Grist Mill in the Deep River County Park. In the early 1990's, when the Merrillville town government moved its offices from old town hall/primary school to 78th & Broadway, the historical society was offered the use of the building to house a museum. Through generous donations and many years of work, the building was been transformed into today's museum filled with artifacts, historical photographs and other treasures that tell the story of the area.
The Museum is open 2-4pm on Sundays from late April/May through October!
Note that we are closed for holiday weekends. Special tours can be arranged any time of year for groups or classes, but must be scheduled in advance. To schedule a tour, please call and leave a message or email merrillvillehistory@yahoo.com.
Click for Details
THE MUSEUM AT LASSEN'S RESORT
7408 Constitution Ave, Cedar Lake, IN 46303
(219) 390-9423
Thursday & Friday: 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 2:00pm - 6:00pm
The museum is housed in the 100-year old historic Lassen's hotel and features interesting exhibits from Cedar Lake's resort era and much more. It is open Thursday through Sunday afternoons from May-September with many special events throughout the summer. Admission is free. Special tours are available anytime from May-October with advance reservations.
STEAM BOAT RIDES
Steamboat rides will be offered all summer long on Wednesdays beginning June 14th through September.
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THE SHRINE OF CHRIST'S PASSION
(guided and self-guided tours)
10630 Wicker Ave, St John, IN 46373
(219) 365-6010
The dramatic 10,000 sq. ft. Shrine Gift Shoppe/Visitor Center and Café are open year-round. The Prayer Trail is also open year-round weather permitting. There is no charge to experience The Shrine of Christ’s Passion. The Shrine of Christ’s Passion is a 501 (c) (3) not for profit and continues to exist from sales at our one-of-a-kind Shrine Gift Shoppe and from the generous donations of our guests. All donations are much needed, welcomed and appreciated.
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WASHINGTON PARK ZOO
(self-guided tours)
115 Lakeshore Drive, Michigan City, IN
(219) 873-1510
Admission
Adults (12-61 yrs) $10, Seniors (62 yrs and up) $9, Children (3-11 yrs) $8, Children (2 & under) FREE
Discount with an ID for Michigan City Residents
Hours
April 1 – May 26, Open Daily: 10 am to 4 pm
May 27 – September 3, Mon–Fri: 10 am to 4 pm, Sat–Sun: 10 am to 5 pm
September 4 – October 31, Open Daily: 10 am to 4 pm
The last entry is 1 hour before closing
November 1 – March 31, Closed for the season
The Washington Park Zoo is a Northwest Indiana treasure. Located on the southern shoreline of beautiful Lake Michigan since 1928, the Zoo is spread out over 15 acres. Its natural hillside terrain, meandering tree-covered pathways, and historical WPA (Works Progress Administration) structures enhance your visit as you discover the wonders of the natural world. New for 2023: WPZoo expands its paw prints with the exciting announcement that the newly renovated "Predator Ridge" habitats featuring the zoo's African Lions and Bengals Tigers is now open to visitors.
The Zoo started as a sanctuary and continues to welcome wildlife in need. Many of the animals who call the Zoo home have been pets that proved to be too wild or were confiscated as illegal and others have suffered injuries that would make life in the wild impossible.
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WESTCHESTER TOWNSHIP HISTORY MUSEUM
(self-guided tours & professional research assistance)
700 W Porter Ave, Chesterton, IN 46304
(219) 983-9715
Housed in the historic 1885 Brown Mansion, the Westchester Township History Museum offers a variety of activities and research opportunities for local residents, area visitors, and researchers. Features are programs, exhibits, archives, genealogy and local history, undertaker records index 1885-1942, and museum store. Museum programs occur monthly and are listed on the Library calendar. They offer curriculum-related children’s programs for school groups and Scout groups.
Closed: Sun/Mon
By appointment only: Tues, Thurs, Fri
Open to public: Wednesdays and 2nd & 4th Saturdays 12-5pm*
*A maximum of 10 members of the public at any time in the exhibit area, and a maximum of 7 members of the public at any time in the mansion. You may be asked to wait approximately 20-30 minutes for entry.
For more information or to schedule, call 219-983-9715 or email museum@wpl.lib.in.us.
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WORLD'S FAIR HOMES AT BEVERLY SHORES, INDIANA (1933)
(self-guided tours and guided tours)
Century of Progress Homes Tour
The annual tour is held on the last weekend of September. The tour is sponsored by the non-profit organization Indiana Landmarks. Tickets go on sale early in August and usually sell out within one hour. For information on the exact tour date, ticket sale date, pricing, and all other information, please visit the Indiana Landmarks' website.
The 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago—called the Century of Progress—offered millions of people in the depths of the Great Depression a hopeful vision that highlighted futuristic changes on the horizon. Developer Robert Bartlett brought a dozen buildings from the fair including five from the Homes and Industrial Arts housing exhibit that make up the Century of Progress Historic District. The buildings were moved by barge and truck to Beverly Shores, a resort community he was developing on the Indiana shore of Lake Michigan. You can visit the cluster of five landmarks on the annual Century of Progress home, sponsored by Indiana Landmarks in partnership with the National Park Service. The tour admits you to the first floors of the Florida Tropical, Rostone, Armco-Ferro and Cypress houses. As you can tell by their names, the houses at the fair promoted products for residential living—Florida’s beachy appeal, and artificial stone, enameled steel, and cypress wood as building materials. Four of the five houses looked wildly modern in 1933, so ahead of their time that they remain modern looking today. The Cypress House, honoring its material, looks like a rustic log cabin, albeit with modern amenities.
To save the structures, Indiana Landmarks leased them from the National Park Service, then subleased four to people who have restored them in exchange for long-term leases. You’ll also tour the House of Tomorrow (declared a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation) in its dilapidated state. Indiana Landmarks is currently accepting proposals for the property’s restoration and long-term lease. The tour lasts a little over two hours and is guided by park rangers and volunteers who will provide histories and architectural overviews at each property. Because there is no parking available in the historic district, your timed entry ticket includes shuttle transportation to the district from the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, 1215 North State Road 49, Porter, IN, 46304. The private homes are clustered together on either side of Lake Front Drive within easy walking distance of one another. Touring the historic homes requires walking and climbing stairs. If you require accommodation, please call Indiana Landmarks’ Northern Regional Office, 574-232-4534. Tickets cost is $35/person, ($30/member of Indiana Landmarks or Dunes National Park Association) (2018 prices, subject to change).
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VIRTUAL MUSEUM TOURS
While there's nothing like setting foot inside an iconic museum and laying eyes on a world-famous sculpture created by a renowned artist centuries ago, it's not always possible to hop on a plane to New York City, Paris, or Florence to tour the gallery halls in person. But there is a way to get a little culture and education while you're at home, virtual tours! Check out Travel & Leisures list of 12 museum tours you can take on your couch. Click for Details
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BAILLY HOMESTEAD & CHELLBERG FARM
709-747 N Mineral Springs Rd, Porter, IN 46304
Between U.S. Highways 12 and 20
(219) 926-7561 ext. 225
A 20th century 80-acre working farm established by Swedish immigrants Anders and Joanna Kjellberg in 1874. Preserved the way the Kjellbergs maintained it, the farm is the site of several ongoing educational and entertainment programs. Chellberg Farm is significant as it represents the ethnic heritage of a nearly forgotten Swedish-American settlement. The farm includes a family home, water house with windmill, chicken coop/bunkhouse, and the original barn. Bailly Homestead was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962 and is preserved by the National Park Service. The original house has been restored to its 1917 appearance and, during the summer, is open for scheduled tours. During the annual Maple Sugar Time, held at the beginning of March, visitors can learn how maple syrup is made, tour the farm and buy the delicious syrup.
The Chellberg farmhouse is open to the public during festivals, demonstrations, and ranger-guided tours. Check with the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and calendar for dates and times. Click for Details
BRAUER MUSEUM OF ART
(self-guided tours)
1709 Chapel Dr, Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 464-5365
The Brauer Museum is located in the Valparaiso University Center for the Arts (VUCA)and boasts a collection of more than 5,000 works of art from the mid-19th century to the present. Also included are world religious art and Midwestern regional art. The collection comprises paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and photographs.
HOURS (September-April)
Wednesday 10 AM – 8 PM
Thursday – Saturday 10AM – 4PM
SUMMER (May-August):
Wednesday – Saturday 10AM – 4PM
The museum is closed during the week of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, and also during Spring Break. There are a few ADA parking places in front of the VUCA. Otherwise, visitors should park in Lot P14 on the west side of the Harre Student Center.
Click for Details
BROKEN WAGON BISON
(guided group tours and walk-in-tours with no minimum group size)
563 W 450 N, Hobart, IN 46342
(219) 759-3523
Come visit Broken Wagon Bison for your very own rare encounter with North America’s largest native land mammal. Our summer tours give you the unique opportunity to be literally “surrounded” by our bison herd (in the safety of our Bison Tour Wagon) and watch the new-born calves nurse and play. You’ll get a true sense of the awesome size, strength, and power of these remarkable animals as you watch the one-ton herd bull lumber by, and if the herd should break into a run, they can hit speeds of 35 to 50 mph and literally make the ground shake!
Click for Details
BUCKLEY HOMESTEAD COUNTY PARK
(self-guided and guided group tours)
Farm & Barnyard open daily 7am - dusk
Buildings open seasonally
3606 Belshaw Road
Lowell, IN 46356
The around 575 acre Buckley Homestead is a living history farm that has been in the care of Lake County Parks since 1983. There are live animals throughout the park, an old fashioned school house, and the 100+ year-old Buckley Barn earns the entire homestead a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
Click for Details
CARMELITE FATHERS SHRINE
(self-guided tours)
1628 Ridge Road, Munster, IN 46321
(219) 838–7111
We are open for visitors every Sunday (from Easter to November 1) from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. On Weekdays: please call us before visiting
Natural crystals and colorful rocks have been collected from all parts of the world and are displayed at the Carmelite Fathers Shrines in Munster.
Enjoy the beauty and charm of the surrounding monastery garden with its unusual trees and shrubbery. We trust that communing with such abundance of beauty will be a deep and unforgettable experience for everyone.
Click for Details
CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER
(individual and group tours)
***Please call ahead for events open to the general public***
Hours: 8am-4pm
2300 173rd St, Hammond, IN 46323
(219) 989-3250
The Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana is Chicagoland's premiere Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education facility for field trips and more. From our famous simulated space missions to hands-on workshops, labs, summer camps and planetarium experiences, we offer unique learning opportunities for children of all ages as well as STEM resources and curricula for their teachers. The Challenger Center of Northwest Indiana has been called the hidden gem of NWI find out why!
Click for Details
CHICAGO CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
(self-guided tours)
700 East Grand Avenue, Suite 127, Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 527-1000
Mondays + Thursdays from 10am to2 pm
Fridays through Sundays from 10am to 5pm
Final admissions are allowed no later than 60-minutes before the museum closes.
One adult (18+), AND one child are required for museum entry.
We believe in the power of play.
When we play, we learn. We create. We strengthen and grow.
Chicago Children’s Museum’s mission is to improve children’s lives by creating a community where play and learning connect. Housed in Navy Pier, Chicago Children’s Museum is intentionally designed for experimentation, creativity, and learning for all children. We focus on accessibility, inclusion, and the pursuit of childhood, ensuring valuable and memorable experiences for all visitors.
Kids want to have fun. Grownups want them to learn. Field trips at Chicago Children’s Museum let them do both. CCM group visits and field trips let students put their classroom knowledge to work. Our exhibits and experiences provide hands-on engagement with subjects like math, language, science, and engineering—combined with education-rich, play-filled activities.
Current exhibits: Click for Details
Know before you go guest rules: Click for Details
COMMUNITY VETERANS MEMORIAL
(guided tours suspended until further notice)
Open daily from dawn - dusk
9710 Calumet Avenue,
Munster, Indiana
219-836-3392
Guided tours are a great way to experience the Memorial. Tours are free of charge and available April 1st - mid-November, weather permitting. We are honored to have four Veterans from the Munster VFW Post 2697 who have graciously volunteered their time to conduct the tours. Among them, they have actively served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. They started leading the tours in May 2015 and have since hosted groups from high schools, elementary schools, Cub and Boy Scout troops, and Veteran service organizations. With guests ranging from 5 to 95 years of age, the Veterans are happy to tailor material to fit the group, class or curriculum.
Click for Details
FAIR OAKS FARMS
(guided and self-guided tours)
856 N 600 E
Fair Oaks, IN 47943
(219) 394-2025
Come learn about our ever-changing planet, and see how we’re leading the future of food! There’s no better place on Earth to learn about and experience modern farming than Fair Oaks Farms. Perfect for all ages, school groups, and tour groups.
Click for Details
FIELD MUSEUM
(self-guided tours)
The Field Museum connects all of us to the natural world and the human story. Fuel your passion for discovery with dinosaurs, ancient artifacts, cultural insights, and groundbreaking science. The Museum’s targeted programs make science learning exciting and accessible for parents, classroom educators, and students.
The Field is open every day from 9am to 5pm, with last admission at 4pm. We’re closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas (December 25).
We recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance to secure your preferred date. You can also buy tickets in person at the museum.
When you arrive at the Field, you can enter through our main South entrance on McFetridge Drive. The East entrance is also open and accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
Current exhibits: Click for Details
Know before you go: Click for Details
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GABIS ARBORETUM RAILWAY GARDEN
450 West 100 North, Valparaiso, IN 46385
(219) 462-0025
gabisarboretum@pnw.edu
ARBORETUM: Open daily from 8 am to sunset
RAILWAY GARDEN: May 1-October 31, 10 am-3 pm, Friday, Saturday & Sundays only
$10 gate admission, $3 Railway Garden fee, children 5 & under, members & PNW students are free
With over 300 acres to explore, the Gabis Arboretum is the perfect destination for environmental education! The Purdue University Northwest Gabis Arboretum serves as a living laboratory for education, research, conservation and engagement with the natural environment. Gabis Arboretum boasts 300 acres of magnificent landscapes featuring a restored prairie, display gardens, wetlands and miles of hiking trails through woodlands.With musical events and public educational programs, the arboretum has something for any interest!
The Railway Garden spans two full acres and tells amazing stories of American railroads in the context of a large display garden using G-gauge miniature trains. In less than a century, American railroads moved people, natural resources and commercial goods to unify and transform a frontier nation. Experience captivating stories about historical events with a seamless blend of pristine gardens. Trains run weather dependent. They are unable to run in the rain or on very windy days. Feel free to call us before arrival to confirm. Admission to the Railway Garden is included with general gate admission.
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GRIFFITH HISTORICAL PARK & RAILROAD MUSEUM
(guided and self-guided tours)
201 S Broad St, Griffith, IN 46319
The museum features the historic 1911 GTW depot, EJ&E interlocking tower, a small display of EJ&E rolling stock, and a handful of various small trackside shanties. Open on Sundays from 2-4pm, from Mid-June to the end of August.
Click for Details
HALSTED HOUSE MUSEUM
(self-guided tours)
201 E. Main Street, Lowell, In
The Halsted House is the oldest brick house in Lake County, Indiana built in 1849 by Melvin Halsted. It is a two-story, five bay, Federal style brick dwelling with a gable roof. It has a rear lean-to addition. It was the home of a founder of Lowell and Melvin A. Halsted resided there until 1905. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Come for a tour to learn and observe how folks lived in the 19th century.
Three Creeks Historical Association opens the home the first Saturday of the month from 11:00 am-3:00 pm.
Admission is free; donations are welcome.
Click for Details
HESSTON STEAM MUSEUM
(self-guided tours)
1201 E 1000 N, La Porte, IN 46350
(219) 778-2783
History that Will Move You. This is not your typical stuffy museum.... visit us and you’ll walk right into an era long past. A simpler time where big machines did work, powered factories, moved mountains, fed the country or just entertained humanity. Those machines are ready to enlighten your family, taking you on a journey not to be forgotten.
Click for Details
LAKE COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 205, Crown Point, IN 46307
This 40-year old museum operates within the historic Old Lake Court House on the Crown Point square. The museum is open annually from May through October on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Visitors are encouraged to make a visit to see the county clerk desk that was recently uncovered as part of the Fresh New Start initiative. It is estimated that 170,000 marriage licenses were issued from 1915-1940 during Crown Point's "marriage mill" heyday at that very desk.
Click for Details
LA PORTE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM
(self-guided tours)
1 Courthouse Square, La Porte, IN
(219) 326-6806 ext 276
We hope you enjoy your tour and will consider attending in person when you can! La Porte County is rich in history and the wonderful museum reflects that. The La Porte County Historical Society Museum hosts many events and exhibits each year; from re-enacting the Civil War to filling an acre of land with old cars, permanent exhibits to special current exhibits, there is something for everyone!
Admission Fees:
Adults: $5.00
Seniors: $4.00
*Children Under 18 Years, La Porte County Historical Society Members, Time Traveler Affiliates, School Tours – FREE
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Click for Details
LINCOLN PARK ZOO
(self-guided & guided tours, facility rentals)
Open Every Day
Gates – 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Buildings – 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Farm-in-the-Zoo – 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Check here for daily schedule exceptions: Click for Details
Lincoln Park Zoo is dedicated to connecting people with nature by providing a free, family-oriented wildlife experience in the heart of Chicago and by advancing the highest quality of animal care, education, science, and conservation.
Feel free to visit the zoo and explore on your own. For a more educational experience, check out our facilitated field trip program, Zoo Explorers, which focuses on inquiry-based animal investigations aligned with the work of zoo scientists Click for Details our Plan a Field Trip Click for Details for tips and tricks; or our self-guided tours Click for Details
Events & programs: Click for Details
Know before you go: Click for Details
MEMORIAL OPERA HOUSE
(guided tours)
104 Indiana St, Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 548-9137
Valparaiso's beautiful and historic Memorial Opera House was constructed in 1893 by the local chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic. This stunning hall was built to pay tribute to the Union soldiers and sailors who fought in the Civil War, in addition to being a resource for the entire community. The 364-seat Memorial Opera House has been a venue for hundreds of theatrical events and has hosted the likes of Teddy Roosevelt, John Phillips Sousa, the Marx brothers and Beulah Bondi.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, this two-story red brick building has turrets at each of the front corners and a wide arched entrance. The interior boasts red, white and blue stained-glass windows, as well as ornate viewing boxes high above the stage. For more information on the history of Memorial Opera House: Click for Details
Tours of the Memorial Opera House are available M-F from 10am to 2pm
Click for Details
MERRILLVILLE COMMUNITY PLANETARIUM
(guided tours)
Clifford Pierce Middle School
199 East 70th Avenue, Merrillville, IN 46410
(219) 650-5486
The Merrillville Community Planetarium is part of the Merrillville Community School Corporation, a K-12 public school system in Northwest Indiana. The Planetarium is located in Clifford Pierce Middle School. We provide programming for Merrillville classes, outside groups, and the public.
Click for Details
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE + INDUSTRY
(self-guided & guided tours)
5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 684-1414
Hours: Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Please visit Click for Details for exceptions to regular hours.
Inspiring the inventive genius in everyone. One of the largest science museums in the world, MSI has both an illustrious history and a focus on the future of science and science education.
The Museum can work with you to meet the needs and interests of any group. Make a reservation online, or you may also contact us.
Tour Operator Reservation Form: Click for Details
School Group Tour Operator Reservation Form: Click for Details
Please visit Click for Details prior to your visit for current protocols & rules - know before you go.
OLD LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM
(self-guided tours)
100 Heisman Harbor Rd
Michigan City, IN 46360
(219) 872-6133
Original 1858 light station structure, 8 display rooms, Great Lakes history, shipwrecks, era of sailing ships, local history, gift shop and more.
The Old Lighthouse Museum opened on June 9, 1973. In 1974, the Old Lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historical Places because of its historical significant architecture and association with lake transportation. The Pierhead Light was added to the Register in 1988 during the campaign to restore the structure. The Lantern Room was made accessible in 2007. Today, the light is still used as an aid to navigation, but the LED light is fully automated.
Hours: April 1 to October 29: Wednesday-Sunday, 1PM- 4 PM CDT
Adults · $5
Youth (ages 5-13) · $2
Toddlers · Free
Members · Free
Click for Details
PORTER COUNTY MUSEUM (PoCo Muse)
(guided and self-guided tours)
20 Indiana Ave, Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 510-1836
FREE GENERAL ADMISSION
OPEN Tues-Sun, 11a-4p
ART CURRENTLY ON EXHIBIT
Click for Details
FREE 30-MINUTE GUIDED TOUR
Looking to supplement your visit to the museum with a little more insight and detail? The PoCo Muse is thrilled to offer a free weekly 30-minute guided tour on Saturdays at 12p. Tour guides and themes will change regularly, so stop by often.
No need to RSVP! Stop by any Saturday just before 12p.
Click for Details
SHEDD AQUARIUM
(self-guided + guided tours)
1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 939-2438
Our hours can change based on the day of week. For the most up-to-date schedule: Click for Details
Welcome to Shedd Aquarium! We can hardly wait for you to meet beluga whales and bluegills, rockhopper penguins and rockfish, alligators and an alligator snapping turtle, and so much more as you explore the world’s oceans, lakes, rivers and reefs
Members: Free General Admission every day
Chicago residents: $19.95 Adult General Admission every day
General Admission: $39.95 Non-Chicago resident adult
Advanced & timed tickets required.
Click for Details
SOUTH SHORE CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL TRAIL
(self-guided tours, various locations throughout Northwest Indiana)
This trail is a collection of the last known resting places, monuments and architectural icons related to the brave men and women of Lake and Porter counties who sacrificed during this most pivotal era in history. Indiana contributed more than 200,000 Union troops to the Civil War effort between 1861 and 1865, and hundreds of those veterans are buried in the cemeteries of Northwest Indiana along the South Shore of Lake Michigan. The South Shore Civil War Memorial Trail serves as a guide for visitors who want to see and pay respect to the veterans' historic burial grounds and learn the stories of humanity behind the Calumet Region men in blue.
Click for Details
TASK FORCE TIPS INC.
(guided tours)
3701 Innovation Way, Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 462-6161
Task Force Tips, is a three-shift "around the clock" 7 day/week production facility. However it is open daily to visitors from 8 AM-5 PM, Monday through Friday. Your visit is sure to be memorable, as you are escorted by a TFT employee. Our new wide area broadcast presentation system can be used to allow everyone to easily hear as well as see many of the ongoing processes. This assures your visit will be a personal and individualized tour of this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
Special Note: Anyone arriving after these normal hours are STILL WELCOME. However due to the limited number of people available, we ask for at least 24 hours notice so that we can assure that a tour guide specialist will be available.
Click for Details
THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
(guided and self-guided tours)
111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 443-3600
We’re thrilled to welcome you to our galleries to experience firsthand the beauty and power of art. Below you’ll find information on how to plan your visit to the museum, named Chicago’s #1 attraction by TripAdvisor.
Thursday 11am-8pm
Friday-Monday 11am-5pm
Tuesday/Wednesday CLOSED
Admission varies depending on where you live and if you are an adult, senior, student, teen or child, from free to $25. Free access is given to children under 14, Chicago teens under 18, Link and WIC cardholders, and Illinois educators every day, and to Illinois residents on Thursdays, 5–8 p.m., May 18–August 31, 2023.
Tours come in all shapes and sizes: get insights through one of our free guided experiences, learn about favorites by listening to an audio tour on your phone, or go at your own pace with a self-guided tour like What to See in an Hour.
Click for Details
THE BARKER MANSION
*temporarily closed for renovations*
(guided and self-guided tours)
631 Washington St, Michigan City, IN 46360
(219) 873-1520
The historic Barker Mansion lives as a monument of industry, charity, and turn-of-the-century life in Michigan City, highlighting the legacy of the Barker family through community events, interpretive tours and special programs for kids and adults.The Barker Mansion is great for group tours and field trips as well. Reservations are requested for groups of 10 or larger. To schedule a group tour, please call us. Mansion tours take approximately 1.5 hours. Please contact us for event hosting or functions.
Please pardon our dust! The Barker Mansion is currently closed to self-guided tours while we renovate. We are currently in the process of making some much-needed repairs at the Mansion, including updating all of the 120-year-old electrical wiring! When we reopen, you’ll find some beautiful new spaces, including a refreshed Bridal Suite and Mr. Barker’s Room, complete with the original bathroom (but with some updated plumbing!) We can’t wait to show you our restored historic garden, with lovely new plantings and refreshed pergolas. Have your wedding or special event on the elegant bluestone, complete with rain-or-shine event tent! We appreciate your patience as we complete these renovations and conservation work, and can’t wait to welcome you soon! Please check back on our site and follow us on social media Click for Details for any updates.
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THE BEVERLY SHORES MUSEUM & ART GALLERY (affectionally known as "The Depot")
(self-guided tours)
525 South Broadway, Beverly Shores, IN 46301
gallery@bsdepot.com
Our mission is to enrich lives in Northwest Indiana by featuring shows by artists from our region, connecting community and people through museum and gallery events, and preserving and telling the history of our community.
Saturdays 11 AM–5 PM
Sundays 11 AM–3 PM
Openings Second Fridays 5–7 PM
Admission is FREE
Click for Details
THE MERRILLVILLE HISTORY MUSEUM - ROSS TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY
(guided tours)
13 West 73rd Avenue, Merrillville, IN 46410
(219) 756-2042
The Merrillville History Museum opened its doors in 1996. Prior to the current location, many of the items now on exhibit at the museum were displayed at Wood's Historic Grist Mill in the Deep River County Park. In the early 1990's, when the Merrillville town government moved its offices from old town hall/primary school to 78th & Broadway, the historical society was offered the use of the building to house a museum. Through generous donations and many years of work, the building was been transformed into today's museum filled with artifacts, historical photographs and other treasures that tell the story of the area.
The Museum is open 2-4pm on Sundays from late April/May through October!
Note that we are closed for holiday weekends. Special tours can be arranged any time of year for groups or classes, but must be scheduled in advance. To schedule a tour, please call and leave a message or email merrillvillehistory@yahoo.com.
Click for Details
THE MUSEUM AT LASSEN'S RESORT
7408 Constitution Ave, Cedar Lake, IN 46303
(219) 390-9423
Thursday & Friday: 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 2:00pm - 6:00pm
The museum is housed in the 100-year old historic Lassen's hotel and features interesting exhibits from Cedar Lake's resort era and much more. It is open Thursday through Sunday afternoons from May-September with many special events throughout the summer. Admission is free. Special tours are available anytime from May-October with advance reservations.
STEAM BOAT RIDES
Steamboat rides will be offered all summer long on Wednesdays beginning June 14th through September.
Click for Details
THE SHRINE OF CHRIST'S PASSION
(guided and self-guided tours)
10630 Wicker Ave, St John, IN 46373
(219) 365-6010
The dramatic 10,000 sq. ft. Shrine Gift Shoppe/Visitor Center and Café are open year-round. The Prayer Trail is also open year-round weather permitting. There is no charge to experience The Shrine of Christ’s Passion. The Shrine of Christ’s Passion is a 501 (c) (3) not for profit and continues to exist from sales at our one-of-a-kind Shrine Gift Shoppe and from the generous donations of our guests. All donations are much needed, welcomed and appreciated.
Click for Details
WASHINGTON PARK ZOO
(self-guided tours)
115 Lakeshore Drive, Michigan City, IN
(219) 873-1510
Admission
Adults (12-61 yrs) $10, Seniors (62 yrs and up) $9, Children (3-11 yrs) $8, Children (2 & under) FREE
Discount with an ID for Michigan City Residents
Hours
April 1 – May 26, Open Daily: 10 am to 4 pm
May 27 – September 3, Mon–Fri: 10 am to 4 pm, Sat–Sun: 10 am to 5 pm
September 4 – October 31, Open Daily: 10 am to 4 pm
The last entry is 1 hour before closing
November 1 – March 31, Closed for the season
The Washington Park Zoo is a Northwest Indiana treasure. Located on the southern shoreline of beautiful Lake Michigan since 1928, the Zoo is spread out over 15 acres. Its natural hillside terrain, meandering tree-covered pathways, and historical WPA (Works Progress Administration) structures enhance your visit as you discover the wonders of the natural world. New for 2023: WPZoo expands its paw prints with the exciting announcement that the newly renovated "Predator Ridge" habitats featuring the zoo's African Lions and Bengals Tigers is now open to visitors.
The Zoo started as a sanctuary and continues to welcome wildlife in need. Many of the animals who call the Zoo home have been pets that proved to be too wild or were confiscated as illegal and others have suffered injuries that would make life in the wild impossible.
Click for Details
WESTCHESTER TOWNSHIP HISTORY MUSEUM
(self-guided tours & professional research assistance)
700 W Porter Ave, Chesterton, IN 46304
(219) 983-9715
Housed in the historic 1885 Brown Mansion, the Westchester Township History Museum offers a variety of activities and research opportunities for local residents, area visitors, and researchers. Features are programs, exhibits, archives, genealogy and local history, undertaker records index 1885-1942, and museum store. Museum programs occur monthly and are listed on the Library calendar. They offer curriculum-related children’s programs for school groups and Scout groups.
Closed: Sun/Mon
By appointment only: Tues, Thurs, Fri
Open to public: Wednesdays and 2nd & 4th Saturdays 12-5pm*
*A maximum of 10 members of the public at any time in the exhibit area, and a maximum of 7 members of the public at any time in the mansion. You may be asked to wait approximately 20-30 minutes for entry.
For more information or to schedule, call 219-983-9715 or email museum@wpl.lib.in.us.
Click for Details
WORLD'S FAIR HOMES AT BEVERLY SHORES, INDIANA (1933)
(self-guided tours and guided tours)
Century of Progress Homes Tour
The annual tour is held on the last weekend of September. The tour is sponsored by the non-profit organization Indiana Landmarks. Tickets go on sale early in August and usually sell out within one hour. For information on the exact tour date, ticket sale date, pricing, and all other information, please visit the Indiana Landmarks' website.
The 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago—called the Century of Progress—offered millions of people in the depths of the Great Depression a hopeful vision that highlighted futuristic changes on the horizon. Developer Robert Bartlett brought a dozen buildings from the fair including five from the Homes and Industrial Arts housing exhibit that make up the Century of Progress Historic District. The buildings were moved by barge and truck to Beverly Shores, a resort community he was developing on the Indiana shore of Lake Michigan. You can visit the cluster of five landmarks on the annual Century of Progress home, sponsored by Indiana Landmarks in partnership with the National Park Service. The tour admits you to the first floors of the Florida Tropical, Rostone, Armco-Ferro and Cypress houses. As you can tell by their names, the houses at the fair promoted products for residential living—Florida’s beachy appeal, and artificial stone, enameled steel, and cypress wood as building materials. Four of the five houses looked wildly modern in 1933, so ahead of their time that they remain modern looking today. The Cypress House, honoring its material, looks like a rustic log cabin, albeit with modern amenities.
To save the structures, Indiana Landmarks leased them from the National Park Service, then subleased four to people who have restored them in exchange for long-term leases. You’ll also tour the House of Tomorrow (declared a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation) in its dilapidated state. Indiana Landmarks is currently accepting proposals for the property’s restoration and long-term lease. The tour lasts a little over two hours and is guided by park rangers and volunteers who will provide histories and architectural overviews at each property. Because there is no parking available in the historic district, your timed entry ticket includes shuttle transportation to the district from the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, 1215 North State Road 49, Porter, IN, 46304. The private homes are clustered together on either side of Lake Front Drive within easy walking distance of one another. Touring the historic homes requires walking and climbing stairs. If you require accommodation, please call Indiana Landmarks’ Northern Regional Office, 574-232-4534. Tickets cost is $35/person, ($30/member of Indiana Landmarks or Dunes National Park Association) (2018 prices, subject to change).
Click for Details
VIRTUAL MUSEUM TOURS
While there's nothing like setting foot inside an iconic museum and laying eyes on a world-famous sculpture created by a renowned artist centuries ago, it's not always possible to hop on a plane to New York City, Paris, or Florence to tour the gallery halls in person. But there is a way to get a little culture and education while you're at home, virtual tours! Check out Travel & Leisures list of 12 museum tours you can take on your couch. Click for Details
Date & Time
July 18, 2020
Additional Dates
This event also occurs on:
08/01/2020, 09/05/2020, 10/03/2020, 11/07/2020 and 39 other dates
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The Town Planner calendar is mailed FREE via the USPS to over 106,000 homes across the region annually and offers superb savings from local businesses and organizations alongside gorgeous color photos of our area. Our calendars provide daily exposure as your business is put on display every day alongside important events and community information.
In addition to our annual printed calendar, we offer intuitive digital resources such as our website that is sourced locally from many Northwest Indiana businesses and organizations. It features all of the benefits of our calendar but makes it easy for the community to check events, click on local business links, and access coupons on the go.
You can also sign up for our FREE weekly e-newsletter to ensure that you never miss an event or chance to save money. Simply click on “newsletter” at the top of the page, fill in your zip code & email address!
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Schererville, Indiana 46375
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