By Victoria T. Davis
Just 50 miles east of Chicago, the city of Valparaiso offers a range of entertainment, educational and business resources to its community of about 30,000 residents. The city is also home to the nationally acclaimed Valparaiso University, which has repeatedly been rated a top university in the Midwest. Other universities such as Purdue and Notre Dame are headquartered nearby.
Also known as “Valpo” and the “Vale of Paradise,” Valparaiso has a plethora of parks, golf, courses, bike trails and city fairs to enjoy. Following is an overview of some of the options Valparaiso has to offer.
ATTRACTIONS
Chicago Street Theatre: Celebrating its 61st season of producing first-class live theatre for Valparaiso and the greater Northwest Indiana region, Chicago Street Theatre is an award-winning company that seats 130 people. The theatre has welcomed productions such as “Beauty and the Beast,” “Frankenstein,” “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and many more.
For more information, visit Chicagostreet.org.
First Thursdays: The first Thursday of each month from 5-10 p.m. is a time for local residents and visitors to please their palate while enjoying a stroll through the streets of downtown Valparaiso. Over 10 restaurants and bars offer $5 food and drinks specials.
For more information, visit Valparaisoevents.com/eat-wine.
Summer Rhapsody Music Festival
Music lovers are invited to enjoy the sounds of the summer at the Rhapsody Music Festival beginning every Thursday in July at 7 p.m. in Central Park Plaza. Attendees are encouraged to bring their picnic baskets, blankets or chairs and music-loving family and friends. Admission is free.
For more information, visit Valparaisoevents.com/summer-rhapsody-music-festival.
Valparaiso Popcorn Festival
Thirty-seven years and counting, the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival has been named the “Best Festival of the Region” by The Times newspaper and continues to offer family-fun activities for all ages. The festival hosts over 250 arts and crafts vendors, over 30 food booths, kids’ games, two live music stages and the nation’s first Popcorn Parade. This year, the event will be held September 12 from 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
For more information, visit Valparaisoevents.com/valparaiso-popcorn-festival.
Fall Harvest Festival
The Fall Harvest Festival held in downtown Valparaiso is a two-day event full of costumes, tricks, treats and more for the entire family. The event will begin on October 16 from 4–6 p.m. with Trick-or-Treating. The following day Valpo Parks Department’s 3rd Annual Monster Dash 1K will take place.
For more information, visit Valparaisoevents.com/fall-harvest-festival.
ACCOMODATIONS
Inn at Aberdeen, Ltd
In 1995 this 1850s home was remodeled to include 11 spacious suites with king or 2-queen beds, Jacuzzi for two, fireplace, lazy ceiling fan, patio or balcony and over-sized private bath. A three-course breakfast is served during the morning hours, dessert is served in the evening and unlimited snacks and beverages are available. An 18-hole championship golf course surrounds the Inn, salon spa and restaurant adjacent.
3158 S. State Road 2, Valparaiso, Ind. / (219) 465-3753. / Innataberdeen.com.
Pikk’s Inn
With a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, Pikk’s Inn is conveniently located at 62 West Lincolnway above Pikk’s Tavern in historic downtown Valparaiso. The two guest rooms offer king and queen beds, flat screen TVs, hardwood floors and room service. With a close proximity to Valparaiso University, this bed and breakfast is perfect for family, friends and business professionals visiting the institution.
62 W. Lincolnway, Valparaiso, Ind. / (219) 476-7455. / Pikkstavern.com/pikks-inn.aspx.
Songbird Prairie
With five suites, fireplaces for winter enjoyment and double-sized whirlpools this bed and breakfast is located to the east of downtown Valparaiso. A hot country breakfast is served in the sunroom overlooking the woods, with the sounds of songbirds and feathered friends serenading and entertaining guests as they dine. Songbird Prairie also offers massages, reflexology, botanical body treatments and facials to accommodate wellness needs.
174 North County Road 600 W, Valparaiso, Ind. / (219) 759-4274. / Songbirdprairie.com.
DINING
Restaurante don Quijote
Experience Spanish cuisine at Restaurante don Quijote. The restaurant’s two chefs, natives of Spain, offer a wide variety of items such as grilled shellfish, swordfish steaks, skewered pork, Castilian style roast lamb, two versions of paella, calamares, octopus, Galician stuffed meat pastries the traditional Spanish potato omelet and much more. This eatery is complete with Spanish outdoor-style seating and European murals.
119 Lincolnway, Valparaiso, Ind. / (219) 462-7976.
Pikk’s Tavern
Looking for food and drink specials? Pikk’s Tavern has plenty. Tini-Tuesdays offer $5 martinis, Wednesdays has select alcoholic beverages are $3 and Thursdays, drafts on tap are half price. The menu consists of items such as Gulf shrimp, fresh oysters, Irish nachos, gumbo, seafood chowder and many more.
62 W. Lincolnway, Valparaiso, Ind. / (219) 476-4755.
Uptown Café
Uptown Café is a specialty coffee, tea and soda bar with cuisine set in a fusion of modern and classic designs. Not only are the ever-popular lattes, cappuccinos and mochas available, customers can enjoy Italian soda, white hot chocolate, sweet chai, frappes and gelato shakes. The food menu consists of breakfast burritos, flatbread pizzas, salads, soups and other snacks.
1400 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso, Ind. (219) 246-2526.
Valley Kitchen & Bar
“Have you tasted fresh food lately?” is the question Valley Kitchen & Bar poses to all of their customers. This establishment believes the best food to eat is the food grown close to home. Valley Kitchen & Bar has a seasonal soup of the day, fried pickles, Truffle fries, a variety of entrees and several sides served family style. The dessert menu serves fried Oreos and Southern Pig Pickin’ Cake.
55 Franklin Street, Valparaiso, Ind. / (219) 531-8888.
Valpo Velvet Ice Cream Company
It all began as the Valparaiso Home Ice Company in 1920, but today most people know this establishment as Valpo Velvet Ice Cream Company. Since then the Brown family took ownership and has been operating the ice cream shop for three generations. Valpo Velvet Ice Cream Company serves up old-fashioned ice cream, hand-dipped malts and milkshakes, smoothies, gourmet sundaes and more. Over 50 flavors of ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and sorbet are available.
55-57 W. Monroe Street, Valparaiso, Ind. / (219) 464-4141.
