Day Trips
Want to expand your vacation experience, maybe a day trip is in order. Whether it’s Michigan’s wine country, Indiana’s Amish country or the Windy City, there are lots of things to see and do within an hour or two of the cottage.
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
The eastern end of this national treasure starts just 10 minutes from the cottage. The national lakeshore runs for nearly 25 miles along southern Lake Michigan. The park contains approximately 15,000 acres, 2,182 of which are located in Indiana Dunes State Park and managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The area includes miles of beaches, sand dunes, trails, bog, wetlands, woodland forests, an 1830's French Canadian homestead, and a working 1900-era farm.
Southwest Michigan Vineyards
Southwest Michigan has its own wine trail. The cottage is just 20 minutes from the first tasting room on the tour (#17 on their map). The wineries themselves are picturesque and are run by friendly people interested in sharing their regional wines with you.“Visit the wineries of Michigan’s Great Southwest. With light, beach-like soils and lake effect climate, this small corner of the state is a designated American Viticultural Area (AVA) classified as ‘Lake Michigan Shore.’ From the state line north to Saugatuck, and from the lakeshore east to the vineyards beyond Paw Paw, the countryside contains over 10,000 acres of grapes. Discover the world of wine in your own backyard by visiting our tasting rooms nestled among the rolling hills and inland lakes.” (from miwinetrail.com)
Hesston Steam Museum, IN
Located 30 minutes away from the cottage, working steam locomotives take you on a journey over a spectacular two and a half mile railroad, through deep woods, past lakes and farm fields. Or take a ride on a smaller railroad. There are two miniature steam-powered railroads meander over bridges and through an enchanting wooded landscape. Plus more steam-powered machinery.
Warren Dunes, MI
Located 30 minutes away from the cottage, Warren Dunes State Park is ranked #1 in the State of Michigan, and offers over 1,000 acres of dunes and parkland, with over 2 miles of Lake Michigan Beaches.
South Bend, IN
Located 45 minutes east of the cottage. Home of the University of Notre Dame, the College Football Hall of Fame and other attractions.
Downtown Chicago
Drive or ride the train to downtown Chicago. Drive is 75 to 90 minutes depending on traffic. The Carroll Avenue train station is about a mile from the cottage and has free parking. The famous South Shore Line will take you downtown and drop you off at Randolph Street Station, right next to Millennium Park, the Art Institute, the Magnificent Mile, a 15 minute walk to Navy Pier and everything else in downtown Chicago!
Amish Acres, Nappanee, IN
Located 1.5 hours southeast of the cottage. One the best places to go to experience and learn about the Amish lifestyle. Amish Acres offers guided tours, farm animals, craft demonstrations, and quaint shops in famous Nappanee, IN.
Indiana Beach Amusement Park
1 hour and 45 minutes south of the cottage (beach is on Lake Shafer, not Lake Michigan). Yep, this is the place where that annoying crow on tv says “There’s more than corn in Indiana.” Amusement park and water park next to a big lake. All day tickets are about half the cost of major theme parks or pay only $2 to get in and then pay by the ride. Also can ride the big paddle boat on Lake Shafer, or rent your own pontoon or motor boat: 3-hour rentals are less than $100.
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