Valparaiso, known to locals as Valpo, 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.
My Posts on Valparaiso, Indiana
General Info:
Introduction to Valparaiso, Indiana
The site of Valparaiso was purchased from the Potawatomi people by the US Government in 1832. The town was founded as Portersville in 1836 as the county seat of Porter County. It was renamed after Valparaíso, Chile, which is Spanish for Vale of Paradise, in 1837. The county’s namesake, David Porter (1780-1843), fought in the Battle of Valparaiso during the War of 1812.
In 1858, Valpo became a transportation hub. The last passenger train station closed in 1991 with the termination of the Amtrak Calumet commuter service. Although the city is diverse today, there were no black residents from the 1890s to 1969. This was due to its reputation as a sundown town and significant activity by the Ku Klux Klan.
I spent my teenage years 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. The restaurants 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).
Where to Stay 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.
