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Home > Explore the Area > Indiana Dunes > Seasons > Winter

Winter in Indiana Dunes Country

When winter sweeps into Indiana Dunes Country the adventurous strap on their snowshoes and hike along the meringue-like Dunes to admire the beautiful ice formations along the edge of Lake Michigan. Cross-country skiing is best along the interconnecting loops of the National Lakeshore Ly-co-ki-we Trail. And Mt. Tom, the tallest dune in the State Park is ideal for sledding. If you’d rather lace up skates, Hebron boasts an outdoor ice skating rink.

Get in the holiday spirit with the annual Kouts Open House. Good cheer is abundant as residents open their homes as holiday shops, each featuring a trade or craft. Pick up a map and tour around the community—you’ll start looking at your gift list as a scavenger hunt. Homemade sweets, check. Gorgeous holiday decorations, check. And so on.

Yesterday's Treasures

If you’d rather stay indoors, the winter is a great time to take advantage of incredible Indiana Dunes Country shopping and restaurants. From downtown Chesterton, through Porter, along the Portage Lakefront to Valparaiso’s Lincolnway, there’s plenty of unique and interesting shops to explore—and lots of great places to stop in for a warm cup of coffee or hearty bowl of soup. Don’t forget to stop by The Schoolhouse Shop for a quirky and charming alternative to national department stores.

Come in from the winter chill and enjoy a great night of theater. Lose yourself in a production at the intimate 1893 Memorial Opera House or select an intense drama or hilarious comedy from the line-up at the award-winning Chicago Street Theatre.

Photographs Copyright: Craig Berg, Jeff Greenberg