I-94 and INDIANA

Indiana is a study in contrasts. Southern Indiana is mainly agricultural. Its rolling hills become the foothills of the Appalachians to the south and east. This southern area is the only part of the state not reached by the mammoth glaciers during the ice age.
The north, or Lake Area through which you'll be driving, is mainly flat with small hills of debris left during the melting of the glaciers. This area (through which I-94 is routed) became one of the prime manufacturing areas in the country. At one time it was one of the top ten in the U.S.A. During the last two decades, much of the manufacturing has been moved overseas as manufacturers try to maximize their profits. When you exit the Interstate, you are frequently faced with the evidence of this severe loss of jobs and income - both to the individuals and the community governments.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Valparaiso
LaPorte
Heston

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore - The area around Lake Michigan, from the Illinois border to near Lake Station, is part of the Chicago megalopolis. Stretching intermittently from near Lake Station to Michigan City (to the east), along the lake front, is the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. You can read about the Lakeshore Park at the National Park Service web site: Indiana Dunes.

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Valparaiso

Anderson's Orchard & Winery - at 430 East US-6. Telephone 1-219-464-4936.
These folks have set up tours to carry you in style, on a wagon, through the vineyard. Then to the pond, then to their special country farm market where they have a wide array of eats (including baked items) with expectations that you'll buy some. Than you get to the tasting room to sample a variety of their own wines - FREE! There are even fancier tours but they must be schedules in advance.
Take exit 31 of the Indiana Toll Road (I-90) and drive south toward Valparaiso. At the intersection of US-6 (about 2 miles from I-90) turn left and follow US-6 about 3.5 miles to the orchard (on your right). You won't miss the sign!
You can view their attractive web site at: Anderson's Winery.

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LaPorte

Back Road Brewery - About 6 miles south of I-90 is LaPorte. A few miles back we told you about Anderson's Winery with their (FREE) tasting room. LaPorte is the home of the Back Road Brewery. They claim to make "mind-numbing, award-winning beer".
Certainly, you are familiar with the cliché, "bring your own bottle." These folks take that seriously. Bring your own bottle, jug, or even a water-proof plastic bag, and they will fill it... FREE! (Hope you have a designated driver!).
Exit the Indiana Toll Road (I-90) at exit 49. Turn left and follow Hwy 39 south to Us-35. Continue on US-35 heading to LaPorte to the intersection of Lake Street (on your right just after you pass the lake). Turn right and the Brewery is a little more than a block ahead just across from the lake. They do have a phone which is rarely answered. The promise is that if you leave your phone number they'll call you back. 1-219-362-7623.

Door Prairie Auto Museum - Most of the 'auto museums' along I-90 or in barns or even out in a field, somewhere. This one is high class. Arranged in a very unusual, 3-story building at 2405 Indiana Avenue is their collection of some 50 classics plus collections of antique toys (and lots of other things).
If you just visited the Brewery on Lake Street, turn around and go back to the end of Lake Street at Pine Lake, turn right, cross the tracks and turn left on Washington. Go the one block to US-35 (which is Indiana Avenue), turn right and follow US-35 to the Museum (it is a taller, red structure with a roof like an up-side-down ice cream cone) at 2405 Indiana Avenue. Phone: 1-219-326-1337.
Web site: Door Prairie Museum.

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Heston

Heston Steam Show - There are a lot of people who find this exhibit (and steam train ride) very interesting if not exciting. So we are including it.
They are only open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5p (Chicago time). Admission is free BUT to ride the 2-mile long, dual gauge train is $5 ($3 for kids).
If you can get here Labor Day weekend, they have a big, annual Labor Day Show (extending from Friday to Monday). Everything is working and it is all steam powered. It is really quite a sight.

Continue into Michigan and take exit 1 onto MI-239. Turn right on MI-239. About 2 miles south of exit 1 (you will be returning to Indiana) is Galena River Road*. Turn left abd follow this road (east) about 2.5 miles to the Heston Steam Show and Museum of Railroad, Agricultural and Steam Equipment (1201 East 1000 North). There is a very noticeable sign with 5 foot-high letters on the machine shop on the left side of the road.
Phone 1-219-872-7405 or 1-219-778-2783. They also have a web site: Steam Show. Click on 'Exhibits' at the bottom of the page to view lists of their many exhibits.

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I-94 and INDIANA

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