Lake County delivers refreshing “One-Tank Trips” along South Shore for Michiana residents through spring

As the lake-effect snow and cold winter melt into spring, Michiana residents can find a complete vacation experience without a long-distance drive. The South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority (SSCVA) promotes Lake County as an ideal one-tank trip for travelers in South Bend, Elkhart, Niles and nearby cities this late winter and early spring. 

“We have a lot to do just 30-90 minutes away from their home base,” said Heather Becerra, chief marketing officer for SSCVA. “There are winter activities, indoor attractions, festivals and Restaurant Week without having to drive too far.”  

The South Shore offers a full itinerary of indoor entertainment, seasonal dining, and local landmarks. Becerra also recommended checking out their friends at Indiana Dunes Tourism who offer a great Coffee & Sweets Trail. Download the Indiana Dunes Tourism App and discover cafes and earn a commemorative mug. Participating stops include Tiny’s Coffee Bar in Gary, Blackbird Café in Valparaiso and Steamwhistle Coffee Roasters in Crown Point. From there, visitors can explore downtown Crown Point.

“Crown Point has great shopping,” Becerra said. “They have the historic Grand Old Lady, which has courthouse shops, and there’s a Ramen District restaurant downstairs. They also have a lot of cool boutique shops and a candy shop. There is an old record store and an antique place. I would definitely recommend visiting some place like that.” 

For those seeking an early outdoor stroll, the Shrine of Christ’s Passion in St. John features a half-mile trail with 40 life-size bronze statues. The interactive site recently added displays of Moses, the Ten Commandments and Our Lady of Guadalupe. While the site draws up to 10,000 visitors on Good Friday, it offers a quiet, year-round walk through detailed artistic vignettes.

“You would probably want to wait for a warmer day, but the Shrine of Christ’s Passion is a big, inspirational attraction in Lake County,” Becerra said. “It is one of those things that I feel you have to see to believe it.”

Families with children under 10 can explore Bellaboo’s Play & Discovery Center in Lake Station, which features themed rooms for construction, cooking and art. As it warms up, the outdoor Imagination Garden offers even more space to play. For older guests, Up Your Alley in Schererville provides boutique bowling, laser tag and cyber sport, a hybrid of bumper cars and basketball. Travelers can also collect digital stamps along the South Shore Brewery Trail to earn prizes. You will need to download the South Shore Passport for this trail.

“We also have Albanese Candy Factory in Merrillville and Barker Mansion to do something different,” Becerra said. “They are indoor attractions, so it’s great for the winter months, and the latter is a beautiful historic home that people can tour and see some of the history of Michigan City.” 

Visitors may end the day exploring the region’s culinary and entertainment scene. From February 23 through March 8, Savor the South Shore restaurant weeks showcase more than 30 eateries offering discounted seasonal menus.

“Savor the South Shore is a two-week-long celebration of our local restaurants,” Becerra said. “It is a great way to try a three-course meal for a discounted price. Then we have our casino scene if people are looking for more of an adult night out or a late-night dinner with entertainment.” 

In early March, maple syrup festivals, including Maple Syrup Time at Deep River County Park in Hobart and Indiana Dunes National Park’s Chellberg Farm in Porter, feature sap-boiling demonstrations and local treats. The festivities continue in mid-March with Crown Point’s nighttime St. Patrick’s Day parade. For evening entertainment, adults can visit the Hard Rock in Gary, Ameristar in East Chicago, or Horseshoe Hammond casinos for live music, comedy, and lodging. The Region’s culinary scene completes the trip and offers a range of dining from family-owned landmarks to upscale steakhouses.

“I am excited to see people back out and about,” Becerra said. “Whether it’s at the breweries or the nature trails, there is a certain energy that comes with this time of the year. We have so many new ventures and partners, and seeing it all come together is really what makes this work rewarding.” 

For more information to help plan your local trips, visit alongthesouthshore.com. For visitors to find the full list of participating restaurants for “Savor the South Shore,” download the South Shore Passport app and explore detailed maps and itineraries for all the local attractions. If visitors wish to explore the local trails and parks, visit nps.gov/indu.