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Indiana Dunes Country Sample Itineraries

Shopping & Dining

Day 1 Chesterton

Shopping and Dining in Mahone BayMorning: Begin your day with brunch at the Chesterton Galleria’s Third Coast Spice Café (we highly recommend the Gianduja French toast). Then start shopping—right next door are Molly Bea’s INGREDIENTS and Nature’s Cupboard. Just a short jaunt down IN 49 is Regal Rabbit, where you can pick up everything you need for gourmet cookery.

Afternoon: Head into downtown Chesterton and grab a bite to eat at Red Cup Café and Deli. Thusly fortified, it’s time to shop your way along the downtown district—all the way from 4th & Broadway to Calumet & Porter. (Make sure you’re wearing your walking shoes!)

Evening: Treat yourself to a filling, Italian-style meal in the anyone-friendly atmosphere of Popolano’s. Be sure to save some room for the big-enough-for-four cookie dough pizza.

Day 2 Kouts, Hebron, Porter and Portage

Morning: Grab a cup o’ joe in Kouts at George’s Koffee Kup, and then shop your way along the crossroads of SR 49 & SR 8. When you get to Hebron head to Main St. & Sigler St. to check out their quaint little shops (and duck into the Stagecoach Inn Museum if there’s time. Be sure to call ahead).

Afternoon: On your way out of town, head out to Anderson’s Winery and enjoy some housemade vintages (and free samples of yummy baked goods). Porter, with its five restaurants, makes a great place to have lunch (Santiago’s is a favorite), and then explore its shopping district before heading to the Bass Pro Shops in Portage.

Evening: Head to Cappo’s in Portage for dinner, and then spend the evening shooting pool at TJ’s Billiards, or a sunset stroll through Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk or watching a movie on the supersized screen of Portage 16 IMAX.

Day 3 Valparaiso

Morning: Eat breakfast at Evelyn Bay Coffee Company—and make sure to eat something fortifying, because you’ll need the energy! Once you’re ready to roll, head west along the downtown shopping district of Lincolnway Ave.

Afternoon: Take a mini coffee tour of downtown Valparaiso, eating and drinking your way through the Uptown Cafe, Cornucopia Coffee Company, Blackbird Cafe, Chocolate Café and Hudson Coffee Company. Or, keep on truckin’ along the shops of Lincolnway. (And if you need a break, Designer Desserts and its ginormous cupcakes make a great pit-stop.)

Evening: Celebrate your eventful day with gourmet American cuisine at Bistro 157.

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Photograph Copyright: Christine Livingston