We're taking a few days and going to NW IN - any ideas of things to do? We understand the sand dunes parks are fascinating; we'd rather not go into Chicago; and we plan on ending the trip by seeing Drew Carey and his Improv tour at a local theatre. Anything else?

If you go to church, go to a service at Valparaiso Universities Chapel. It is absolutely stunning. Heck, just go by to look at it even if you aren't religious.

You can also go to Gary, IN for the smellathon, but I odn't recommend it.

Gary is at it's loveliest the first couple of weeks of November.

Gary can be lovely? Well, the sunsets do turn very unique colors....

Wow, where do I start? There's a nudist colony in Roselawn. There's a really cool place called The Shrine of the Seven Dolars (not a typo) out by Chesterton. There's an Amish community in Napanee. There's Al Capone's jail cell in Crown Point. There's Deep River State Park out by Hobart. Yes, Dunes State Park is really cool. Just don't go when it's windy. Merrillville has a good live theatre (Star Plaza) and all the shopping and restaurants you would ever want. There is a beautiful Greek Orthodox church in Merrillville too. And if you get really bored, you can check out the high school's drama wing and see if you can find me in any of the old pictures!

Wow! With these responses about things to do in Indiana, you can rest assured that I will not be planning a trip there in the near future!

Given the alternative, I will sit on my front stepas and count the cars that go by.

Going to NW Indiana and not going into Chicago to see the sights there is pretty much a waste Fraudman.

The reason it's called The Region is because it is the Chicagoland Region. Lake and Porter counties change time zones to keep up with Chicago, since so many people commute.

And yes, Chicago is great. I love it. It is, however, congested, expensive and tiring (and scary if you get lost). If they don't want to go they don't have to stay in a hotel twiddling their thumbs. There are things to do without taking 80-94.

Great suggestions - thank you, and keep them coming! Chicago deserves a separate trip; right now we just need the R&R. It's supposed to be a little chilly and occasionally rainy - highs around 60 degrees - so we'll avoid Roselawn ; ) We didn't know about the architecture and ethnic restaurants - sounds good. Drew Carey and his group are supposed to do a night at the Star Theatre - is that a renovated turn-of-the-century theatre or something newer?

Update - too windy to spend more than a few minutes at the Dunes. The Environmental Center was closed for the season. Merrillville is the least pedestrian-friendly area I've ever been in. Amazingly, the local yellow pages had nothing about the community, so we didn't learn of any sightseeing opportunities until we found a visitors center in Chestertown. Even then, one gem wasn't in the tour guides - the National Car Ragtop museum near the Lighthouse Outlet shops in Michigan City, Indiana - well worth the $6 per adult admission.

Drew Carey and his improv troupe were great!

If we ever go back, it will be in early May or late September - probably less windy and more fun for hiking, biking, etc.