Valparaiso (Valpo for short) is a small city in Northwest Indiana about an hour from Chicago. The big draws to visit are the annual Popcorn Festival and the very good restaurants – some that could compete in Chicago. It’s located just an hour southeast of Chicago in Porter County.
My Posts on Valparaiso, Indiana
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Introduction to Valparaiso, Indiana
I grew up in Valpo, went to high school in nearby Chesterton, and hated both at the time. There was rarely anything to do downtown and the square was often dead, but there’s been a revival of late and many great restaurants have opened their doors. These places have been a big draw attracting day trippers coming from Chicago, a great foodie destination in itself. The downtown area is full of these restaurants. You can also find a few in north Valpo and along US 30.
Getting to Valpo
If you don’t have a car, you can easily get to Valparaiso from downtown Chicago by bus. The ChicaGo Dash is an express commuter bus service thats runs from Valpo to Chicago in the morning and back in the evening. There are a few pickup points in Chicago and the terminal in Valpo is at 252 S. Campbell Street, just a few blocks from downtown. Single rides are US$9 (as of September 2024).
Hotels in Valpo
Looking for a place to stay? You’ll find a handful of larger hotel chains along US 30 as well as the occasional bed and breakfast.
ValPLAYso
Have kids? They’ll love ValPLAYso. It’s an open play area with a playground, picnic tables, restrooms, swings, and more. ValPLAYso was originally built in 1994 and rebuilt in 2014. It’s located on the north side of town along Glendale Boulevard, just east of Roosevelt Road.
