Traditions, Collections and Culture

From the Windy City to The Hoosier State, this itinerary will take you from the urban jungle of Chicago, Illinois to the rural communities of Indiana.

Explore Amish Country as you travel across Northern Indiana and follow in the footsteps of James Dean in Fairmont.

Stages of the trip

1. Arrive Chicago to South Bend

   Arrive into Chicago and drive to South Bend, Indiana home to the Studebaker National Auto Museum, Northern Indiana Center for History, University of Notre Dame, and the exiting new College Football Hall of Fame.

   93 miles / 149 km
   Suggested overnight atSouth Bend, Indiana

2. South Bend to Elkhart

   Enjoy the quiet traditions of the Amish lifestyle with the Heritage Trail or Furniture Crafter’s Audio Tours. Your back road journey of Northern Indiana Amish Country may include an Amish dinner and hand-crafted quilt shopping.

   15 miles / 24 km
   Suggested overnight at Elkhart, Indiana

3. Elkhart to Michigan City

   Travel south to Fairmont and visit the hometown, museum and grave sight of the legendary Hollywood star, James Dean. Afterwards, travel back up to the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan.

   51 miles / 82 km
   Suggested overnight at Michigan City, Indiana

4. Michigan City to Merrillville

   Start your day with charter boat fishing on Lake Michigan, then make a stop at Prime Outlet Mall. In the afternoon, visit the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Park and climb Mt. Baldy, a living sand dune. In Lake County, visit any of the three casinos, and enjoy top name entertainment at the Star Plaza Theater.

   30 miles / 48 km
   Suggested overnight at Merrillville, Indiana

5. Merrillville to Chicago

   Travel back to Chicago for your return flight home from O’Hare International Airport.

   35 miles / 56 km