Overview
Valparaiso is a city of 43,000 people (2019) in Porter County, in Northwestern Indiana. It is home to namesake Valparaiso University. The university is a cultural center of the city, hosting venues such as the Brauer Museum of Art, home to more than 2,700 pieces of 19th- and 20th century American art
3 sights · 4 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Valparaiso
Valparaiso University
Brauer Museum of Art
PoCo Muse
Valparaiso Beacons
Sports teams of Valparaiso University, competing in 10 men's and 11 women's NCAA Division I sports. Valpo, as the school (and town) are affectionately called, moved most of its teams to the Missouri Valley Conference in …
Chicago Street Theatre
Memorial Opera House
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.
- MGC Michigan City Municipal Airport, Michigan City — 20 mi away. Directions
- GYY Gary/Chicago International Airport, Gary — 21 mi away. Directions
- MDW Chicago Midway International Airport, Chicago — 42 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Brauer Museum of Art, Valparaiso University
- Lunch Kelsey's Steak House
- Afternoon Valparaiso Beacons, Valparaiso University Theatre
- Dinner Don Quijote
- Evening Duffy's Place
Day 2
- Morning PoCo Muse, Memorial Opera House
- Afternoon Chicago Street Theatre
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
- V-line - runs a shuttle bus service Friday-Sunday to and from the South Shore Line's Dune Park train station in Chesterton once every two hours (the trip takes half an hour each way, give or take five minutes)
- ChicaGo DASH - weekday commuter bus that goes from Valparaiso to Chicago in the early morning and from Chicago to Valparaiso in the late afternoon
Get around
- V-line - city bus service includes four routes that connect to various destinations throughout the city. Red and Brown Line run all week, while Yellow and Green line run Monday-Saturday. The Brown Line doesn't run when Valparaiso University is not in session.
See
Do
Do Valparaiso Beacons
Sports teams of Valparaiso University, competing in 10 men's and 11 women's NCAA Division I sports. Valpo, as the school (and town) are affectionately called, moved most of its teams to the Missouri Valley Conference in July 2017. Its new league features a mix of small to medium-size private and public schools in the Midwest. The highest-profile team on campus is men's basketball, a frequent contender for conference titles and NCAA tournament berths. While Valpo has a football team, it plays in the second-level Division I FCS in the Pioneer Football League, a football-only conference that does not allow athletic scholarships. Most of the Beacons’ venues, most significantly the Athletics–Recreation Center (basketball and volleyball) and Brown Field (football and soccer), are on campus.
Events
- Valparaiso Popcorn Festival Annual festival takes place on the Saturday after Labor Day. Features live music, arts and crafts, and the Popcorn Parade. It honors Orville Redenbacher, a former resident who built a popcorn factory there.
- The Porter County Fair offers carnival attractions and hosts a variety of shows such as a demolition derby, motocross races, and live musical performances.
Eat
Eat Kelsey's Steak House
A famous regional steakhouse known for their "6 Lb. Challenge." Eat three 32-oz top sirloin steaks, potato, salad and bread within one hour and your dinner is free. If not, you get to pay a big $42.95. You have to make reservations to take "the challenge" and if you win you get your picture on the website. Fresh seafood and steak is served up all evening. The earlier you arrive the better - grab a late lunch or early dinner - around 4pm - or you'll be swarmed by families, retirees, and large parties.
Eat Don Quijote
One of the only Spanish restaurants in Indiana; Don Quijote is a pleasant treat. It features unique dishes and has a romantic and exotic atmosphere that will invite you to stay for hours.
Drink
Drink Duffy's Place
A dive bar with a great atmosphere. Is it possible? Yes, and for that reason Duffy's Place has become a hotbed for nightlife activities in Valparaiso. A common place for college students to come since it is within walking distance of the university. They have some great specialty nights and they definitely won't break your bank.
Sleep
Nearby
Chesterton
City / town · 1 listings · 9 mi away
Portage
City / town · 2 listings · 9 mi away
Porter
City / town · 1 listings · 10 mi away
Hobart
City / town · 11 mi away
Indiana Dunes National Park
Park · 13 listings · 12 mi away
Lake Station
City / town · 12 mi away
Hebron
City / town · 13 mi away
Merrillville
City / town · 2 listings · 14 mi away
My experience
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