Overview
Rensselaer is a city in Northwestern Indiana.
1 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Rensselaer
Fair Oaks Dairy Farm
By far the most interesting attraction in the Rensselaer area is the Fair Oaks Dairy Farm, one of the largest dairy farms in the United States. The huge farm store is alone worth the trip for its unbelievably fresh ice c…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Jun. (climate data from nearby Indiana Dunes National Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LAF Purdue University Airport, West Lafayette — 38 mi away. Directions
- GYY Gary/Chicago International Airport, Gary — 49 mi away. Directions
- MDW Chicago Midway International Airport, Chicago — 66 mi away (major hub). Directions
Rensselaer has two exits on I-65 at what is nearly the exact midpoint between Chicago and Indianapolis. The northern exit, 115, leads into the town via IN-114; the southern exit via IN-53/US-231.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
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Map
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Get in
By car
Rensselaer has two exits on I-65 at what is nearly the exact midpoint between Chicago and Indianapolis. The northern exit, 115, leads into the town via IN-114; the southern exit via IN-53/US-231.
By train
- Route stopping in Rensselaer:
- Cardinal operating three trips weekly between Chicago and New York City with stops in Dyer, Rensselaer, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Connersville, Cincinnati, Ashland, Huntington, Charleston, Hinton, White Sulphur Springs, Staunton, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Alexandria, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.
See
Rensselaer has a typical midwestern Main Street. It also has a neogothic courthouse built in the 19th century that is on the National Register of Historic Buildings. Rensselaer is also home to St. Joseph's College, a small Catholic college that is the former summer practice home to the Chicago Bears football team and the site for part of the film "Brian's Song".
Do
Do Fair Oaks Dairy Farm
By far the most interesting attraction in the Rensselaer area is the Fair Oaks Dairy Farm, one of the largest dairy farms in the United States. The huge farm store is alone worth the trip for its unbelievably fresh ice creams and hokey cow themed gift shop. The biggest draw, however, is the 2-3 hour Dairy Adventure, which takes you on a full tour of the farm, with a bus tour and opportunities to milk a cow yourself, watch calves being born and nursed, and some kid-oriented animated features.
Sleep
Rensselaer has three hotel/motels on IN-114 just off the I-65 exit 215. There is also a nice bed & breakfast closer to its downtown.
Nearby
Kentland
City / town · 5 listings · 19 mi away
Monticello
City / town · 6 listings · 24 mi away
Hebron
City / town · 27 mi away
Momence
City / town · 31 mi away
Aroma Park
City / town · 1 listings · 33 mi away
Crown Point
City / town · 2 listings · 35 mi away
Beecher
City / town · 4 listings · 37 mi away
Valparaiso
City / town · 12 listings · 38 mi away
My experience
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