Named one of the "Best in the Midwest" by Midwest Living Magazine, Songbird Prairie Bed and Breakfast (songbirdprairie.com) is surrounded by botanical gardens, including a certified wildlife habitat. Each guestroom is songbird-themed and service includes a warm three-course breakfast. You can add a massage, dinner package, food and flowers to your stay at an added cost. This is a great place to go if you need to get away from it all and enjoy a romantic night out.
The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (nps.gov/indu/index.htm) is 15-mile drive from Valparaiso. You'll get to see the famous steep dunes as large waves from Lake Michigan crash onto the shore. You can hike Mount Baldy, visit moraines from an ancient glacier, or just enjoy a walk along the lake. Camping sites at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Park are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Twenty miles to the west of Valparaiso, in Crown Point, you will find Deep River Waterpark (deepriverwaterpark.com). Open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, the water park is great for families and will keep everyone busy with water slides and wave pools. Chain hotels and a couple of campgrounds are within a 15-minute drive, and some offer discount admission tickets to the Deep River with your stay.
If you're not looking for quiet and romantic or family fun, consider heading 50 miles up to Chicago for a night. Downtown Chicago offers attractions for everyone. Shop along Michigan Avenue or head to Navy Pier for a ferris-wheel ride. Lincoln Avenue and Clark Street on the north side offer restaurants for every budget and an active bar scene. The city is easy to navigate by public transportation and you will find an array of hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts.
