Northwest Indiana - Prairie, Dune & Shore

Fall in Love with Local Flavors & Awesome Vintage Stops

Posted on July 7, 2022March 25, 2024 by jflegelbrooks

Michigan City, IN

Looking for something to do on your Lake Michigan Beach vacation on a rainy day?

The resale and antique stores in Michigan City, IN offer a day full of wandering and unique finds. One thing Prairie, Dune & Shore wants to do is highlight our local businesses that give flavor to NWI towns. We want to share with you our thrifty finds and a quick review of a tasty menu at an Uptown Arts District eatery.

There are no affiliate links. These were not solicited reviews.

Michigan City in Indiana has long been a tourist destination due to the beauty of its beaches. The lighthouse at Washington Park is often photographed and is a local favorite for shutterbugs at sunset. In addition to gorgeous beaches, Michigan City boasts many antique and resale shops, including several located in the Uptown Arts District.

Antique Shops Near I94

We begin our journey south of Michigan City, just off US 421. This is the main artery into the city and is one of the exits off I94. As you head north from 94, there are two antique shops on the east side of 421. The larger store is the Antique Market. Directly behind this store is Nanni’s Over the Fence Antiques.

Antique Market of Michigan City

The Antique Market is huge. Seriously. You can spend half a day easily browsing this store. We only covered half the store in the morning before heading to our next location. Plan on wearing comfy shoes. For those new to antiquing, the Antique Market can be overwhelming, due not only to its size, but also the sheer number of items on sale.

The Market is tailored to higher price antiques. That is not to say that there aren’t lower price items available, however, these tend to be smaller items. From our visit, price was definitely a con. The things we liked about this location were the number of different booths from different sellers. There is a vast array of items available to purchase. We found some really interesting old postcards from NWI, including ones showing scenes from decades ago in Michigan City, Hammond and Gary. Additionally, there was a huge area of old vinyl records and more scattered throughout in boxes at various vendor stalls.

Due to the sheer size of the store, the Antique Market has something for everyone. Jewelry, tools, furniture from different periods and so much more. If you are looking for something specific or certain types of items, make sure to ask the staff at the main counter as you enter. They are very helpful and can assist with general questions about the city as well.

Nanni’s Over the Fence Antiques

Nanni’s is just behind the Antique Market. Follow the access road next to the brightly colored doors. This was our first visit to Over the Fence Antiques. We were pleasantly surprised with all that the store offered. Although smaller in size, the shop has multiple vendors represented and a wide diversity of inventory on hand. Vintage clothing to antique toys, the variety is worth a lengthy browse.

We really had only positives about this one. We found some Marvel comic books and a few fun jewelry finds. The furniture that was for sale was decent quality for its age and reasonably priced. There was an old file cabinet at the front that was displayed as though it was from a 1920s film noir detective movie. An old wooden Singer sewing machine with foot pedal was on sale. In addition to these bigger items, there were multiple vintage hats and jewelry pieces to pick through. The owner was friendly and she is willing to deal. Inventory moves quickly here, so if you see it and you want it – buy it.

Nanni’s is a must-stop if you are antiquing in Michigan City. We will definitely be going back soon as there were a few potential gifts we want to snag. We are just hoping they will still be there next weekend!

Local Flavors: Fiddleheads Restaurant in the Uptown Arts District

Located at the northern end of the Arts District, Fiddleheads was our lunch stop. It has a beautiful indoor dining area and some limited outdoor seating. Inside, there is family dining and a full service bar. Seating is comfortable with both booth and table seating. Tables are well-spaced so that even when busy, you feel like you are having an intimate meal. All the staff we interacted with were friendly and helpful.

The menu has many options and a large selection of gluten-free and vegetarian choices. There is a make-your-own mac and cheese that allows you to add-on caramelized onions, tomatoes, onion straws, your choice of meat and more. The menu is reasonable, but there are some higher-priced item. If you are on a budget, however, you can still find some delish eats.

Since it was lunch and we had an afternoon filled with shops ahead of us, we ordered sandwiches, as well as a few appetizers. The pierogis were an unexpected treat on the menu. Another appetizer that was a big hit at our table was the stuffed mushrooms. Out of the sandwiches, we highly recommend the Hipster, a pulled pork yum-fest. The Chicken Salad Sandwich is a tasty twist on the traditional version. All-in-all, for a great sit down lunch that included two appetizers and a few adult beverages, our bill before tip was just over $80. We also had leftovers to take home as no one finished their sandwiches. Fiddleheads is worth the stop for a comfortable meal with a delicious menu and friendly service staff.

Antique and Resale Shopping in the Uptown Arts District

After lunch we started our wanderings at the southern end of the Arts District. There are several shops and eateries in the District and it is very walkable. In addition to vintage and antique stores, there are contemporary boutiques and beach jewelry stores, as well as arts options. Our goal for the day was to check out the vintage offerings, but they are just a sliver of what you can do in the Arts District.

Hoity-Toity

One of the first shops as you head into the Uptown Arts from 421 (which turns into Franklin St. as you enter Michigan City) is Hoity Toity. A home décor thrift and consignment shop, it has a ton of stuff packed into its space. The shop is very eclectic, showcasing a range of items from resale to vintage to newly made products. There is a mix of home offerings as well as a section selling incense and gift cards. In reviews we read prior to our visit, some customers had indicated that the incense smell was overwhelming. We did not find it so on our visit. Although we could tell incense was burning within the store, the scent was light and not at all overwhelming.

Good News Vintage

Of all our stops on this thrifty resale day, Good News Vintage was our fave. The store has a treasure trove of vintage finds. We scored a new pair of stools for our breakfast counter. My find of the day, however, was a board game I loved to play with my Grandmother. We always called it “Michigan Rummy,” but the official box calls it “Rummy Royale.” My daughter loved the vintage clothes corner. The store is easy to shop, with enough stock to keep you looking but not so much that it is overwhelming to the eye. There was a great mix of furniture and smaller pieces. Additionally, items were priced fairly without a ridiculous mark-up. If you are planning a trip to the Uptown Arts District in Michigan City, Good News Vintage is a must-stop. Keep in mind that the stock in this store turns over quickly. The owner is always on the hunt for unique finds to highlight in her shop and they do not stay long.

One for the Road: Carlson’s Drive-In

On our way out of town, we stopped at the local carhop to grab a gallon of fresh root beer to go. No summer day in Michigan City would be complete without a stop at Carlson’s Root Beer Stand. The restaurant is just off Franklin Street, thus it is easy to pop in for a quick bite or a gallon to go before leaving town or heading back to your home base. Carlson’s has been a staple in Michigan City for over 70 years. It boasts a full drive-in menu. One of the benefits of eating at the Root Beer Stand, you can come straight from the beach. No shirt or shoes required to eat in your vehicle.

Conclusion

Whether you live in the area and your are looking for a rainy day activity or you are visiting for vacation, the Uptown Arts District in Michigan City offers a plethora of activities. From contemporary boutiques to charming vintage shops, you can walk and window shop to your heart’s content. The District also boast several eateries from a quick bite at Mucho Mas to a sit down in Fiddlehead.

Drink Your Tea and Other Birdy Fun in NW Indiana

Posted on April 10, 2021June 5, 2021 by jflegelbrooks

Pelicans on Stone Lake, LaPorte, Indiana. Image courtesy of Nancy J Addie.

Drink Your Tea

I am by no means a birdwatcher, even an amateur birdwatcher. But. I love to hear the songs of our resident birds. The “Drink Your Tea” call of the Rufous-sided Towhee is one of my favorites. As soon as weather permits, I open the windows so I can hear their calls. There is nothing better than sipping on a morning cup of joe or tea as I am sitting in my home office, listening to the birds at the feeder while smelling the lavender from my front garden bed. I don’t keep an ongoing list of bird’s I have seen at the feeders, but bet your bottom, I dial up my dad if there is a visitor in the mix I can’t identify.

Eastern Blue Bird. Image by Jalynn from Pixabay

The day I had a molting Eastern Blue Bird show up, I was instantly texting my dad with pictures. Unfortunately, he was in a meeting. Hello! This is important. Luckily, my Dad is a nature lover too, so he multi-tasked and sent me his answer. (Spoiled? Maybe.) Even though, I’m not a formal, or even a hobby birder, I enjoy watching them when the chance arises.

Certainly, Springtime in Northwest Indiana is flush with bird species with the regulars waking up and doing their Spring things and the migrating species stopping in for a visit. Indeed, this seasonal flow of species is how we end up with a group of pelicans swimming on Stone Lake in LaPorte (see pic at top of page) in April.

Bugling Calls and Cranes, oh My

Along the Indiana Dunes, and the wetlands near it, you can find a variety of migrating species at this time of year. Once that first Robin makes an appearance, you know that you can start looking for the water birds that will be passing through the area. My favorite migrants are the sand-hill cranes. Check out my post on Spring is Peeking to hear the bugling call of the sand-hill cranes.

Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area

The Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area indicates that the best viewing time for these majestic birds is during their Fall Migration (peaking usually between October and December). In the 2020-2021 season, the Indiana DNR stats show a weekly high of 30,701 sandhills for December 1st! That’s a lot of birds! It has been years since I have made the journey down to Jasper-Pulaski in the Fall, but I never get tired of hearing them flying over my house in early Spring.

Birdy Things To-do in Northwest Indiana

If you are looking for birdy things to do in Northwest Indiana, you won’t be disappointed. The diversity of bioregions offers the opportunity to see a great variety of species (more than 350, in fact!). Indiana Dunes Tourism has a cool self-guided birding tour that includes some great sites, including:

Indiana Dunes State Park

Indiana Dunes National Park – Great Marsh Trail

Below are just a couple of the pictures I took on a recent hike through the Great Marsh Trail. Of course, we had Luna the Lunatic along with us on this day. Although she was quiet as a Cowboy Corgi can be, the birds weren’t impressed. Subsequently, the birds tended to be heard rather than seen.

Indiana Dunes National Park – Heron Rookery Trail

Dunes National Park Cowles Bog (one of my favorites!)

I really can’t stress how much I love the Dunes, regardless of whether you visit the State Park or the National Park. You never know what you are going to see. For instance, driving along Highway 12 near the Dunes is the first time I saw a pair of Bald Eagles in the wild. And, yes. I made my husband pull over, even though it was probably going to make him late for picking up his work trip. Again, important stuff happening here!

Another cool thing happening in the Dunes for bird lovers occurs May 13th -16th, 2021 when the Indiana Dunes hosts the Indiana Dunes Bird Festival. This year (thanks, Co-Vid) the event is hybrid, meaning they will offer both virtual and in person events.

There are many more birding things to do then those I have listed here, but I am a dabbler, not a true player. Comment below and share your favorite bird watching location or birding program in Northwest Indiana!

Signs that Spring Is Finally Peeking

Posted on March 30, 2021April 4, 2021 by jflegelbrooks

We’re almost into April. In other places, that may mean Spring is here. When I lived in Washington, D.C., it meant things were already blooming, maybe even past their peak. Here on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, April isn’t always, clearly, or undeniably Spring-like. The weather forecast for later in the week is calling for snow (even though it is in the mid-60s and pleasant right now) and, sigh, possible lake effect snow showers. Although, the news will bring groans and moans because so many of the folks in the Region are ready for Spring, it is pretty typical. When you go out for the day here, you pack for all four seasons!

Despite the snow in our forecast, there have been undeniable signs that Spring is indeed being coy. She is peeking around the corner and giving us a glimpse, here and there, that she will see us soon. The Spring Peepers have been peeping – these are little frog that sing like the chorus at school at the first signs of Spring. Another example of the changing season, a couple weeks back I heard the flocks of cranes migrating through the area. If you haven’t heard their call, you should check it out! When you first hear it, you have no idea what it is. It is that different from other bird calls. You can find a good example here from MyBackyardBirding.

Moreover, the daffodils are fully bloomed in my front flower bed. Some years, if they are really late, we wont’ see these until my birthday at the end of April. I have two volunteer crocuses in the middle of my backyard. They have been a constant source of wonder to our Cowboy Corgi puppy, Luna (aka the Luna-tic).

All this means that despite the snow if the forecast, the seasons are transitioning. Soon, we will be planting new annuals and cleaning up the perennial beds. Keep an eye out for our post on our go-to local nurseries and garden centers.