Things to Do in Northwest Indiana in October

Fall colors, pumpkin patches, festivals and Halloween fun near Long Lake Memories

October is one of our favorite times of year in Northwest Indiana. The summer crowds have started to slow down, the trees around the lake begin changing color and there are plenty of reasons to spend a weekend outside.

If you’re staying at Long Lake Memories this October, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways to spend a fall day, from hiking and pumpkin picking to festivals and afternoons in downtown Valparaiso.

Spend a Fall Day Outside

You don’t have to go far from Long Lake Memories to see some of Northwest Indiana’s best fall color.

Gabis Arboretum is a great place to spend a crisp fall morning, with miles of trails winding through woodlands, wetlands and gardens. It’s especially beautiful once the leaves begin changing.

You can also head north toward Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park for hiking with views of Lake Michigan. Pack a sweatshirt, grab a coffee on the way and make a morning or afternoon of it.

And, of course, you don’t necessarily have to leave Long Lake Memories at all. October at the lake means changing leaves, cool mornings on the porch, evenings around the fire and plenty of reasons to stay outside.

Pick Apples + Pumpkins

It wouldn’t be October in Northwest Indiana without a trip to a local farm or orchard.

Coulter’s Farm in Westville is a nearby option for pumpkins and fall activities, while Garwood Orchards in La Porte offers apple picking, a farm market and plenty of fall treats.

If you’re up for a slightly longer drive, Harvest Tyme Family Farm in Lowell hosts its Fall Festival and nighttime Pumpkin Glow Trail on weekends through October 25.

Spend an Afternoon in Downtown Valpo

Downtown Valparaiso is only about 10 minutes from Long Lake Memories and makes an easy addition to just about any fall weekend.

Grab lunch, browse the downtown shops, stop for a drink and walk around Central Park Plaza. October also brings several seasonal events downtown.

The Fall Harvest Festival on October 10 includes pumpkin painting, cider, caramel apples, family activities and the final Valparaiso Market of the season.

For an adults’ afternoon out, Autumn Promenade on October 17 takes you through downtown businesses to sample fall-inspired bites and treats.

Find a Fall Festival

There’s no shortage of seasonal events happening around Northwest Indiana in October.

The final Biergarten at Sunset Hill of the season takes place October 8-10 with German food, beer and live music.

On October 17, Journeyman Distillery’s American Factory hosts Oktoberfest with seasonal food and drinks, live music and activities throughout the day.

Celebrate Halloween

Traveling with kids? Trunk or Treat at Sunset Hill is also October 17, and downtown Valparaiso hosts its annual trick-or-treat event on October 23, with more than 100 downtown businesses and organizations participating.

Chesterton also hosts its downtown trick-or-treat on October 30, with participating businesses handing out candy throughout downtown.

Make a Weekend of It

One of the best parts about visiting Northwest Indiana in October is that you don’t need a packed itinerary.

Spend the morning hiking, come back to the lake for the afternoon, head into Valpo for dinner and finish the night around the fire. Sometimes the best fall weekends are the ones with plenty of room to slow down.

Staying with us this October? Save this guide before your trip, and follow Long Lake Memories on social media for even more local recommendations and ideas for your stay.