Trusted by Thousands of NWI Natives

🧭 On Today’s issue of NWI Explored🧭

Everything Happening in NWI in April

A Recap of Local and State News

Today’s Headlines

Weather Forecast for NWI

The Call to Explore:

Welcome, Explorers, to yet another Monday and - of course- yet another Monday edition of NWI Explored. We’re coming up on the end of the month and the full ascension of spring weather and I for one could not be more excited. The lingering frustration with unending storms and balmy weather is most likely not going anywhere, but at least we can look forward to a few weeks of mild, mid 50s to low 60s breeziness.

In other NWI related thoughts, the polls that we’ve started doing each week seem to have been a huge hit with y’all! We’ve had so many responses for places that we’d never heard of or have meant to try but can’t quite get to, so we really appreciate all of the input the Explorers have given us. We’re going to provide recaps of the results on occasion, but we want to gather a few results at a time before including it here. Thanks again for all the continued input! Now, onto the newsletter!

We Want to Hear From You!

Every week, we will be cycling in a new poll for the Explorers to answer about NWI. Favorite spots, underrated meals, hidden gems and a whole bunch else will be covered. These polls will help us to build the definitive NWI Explored guide to the Northwest Indiana, completely based on input from all of you! So, make your voices heard and answer our weekly poll!

Polls will switch out on each week’s Thursday edition, so you’ve got a full week to respond!

Login or Subscribe to participate

Your Midweek Forecast for 4/27/26

Looking to Promote Your Business?

Partner with NWI Explored!

We here at NWI Explored are looking to partner with local/small businesses! Partner with NWIE today and see what our local reach can do for you across a variety of channels.

If you’d like to inquire about partnership or advertisement opportunities with NWI Explored and discuss potential work further, click here to fill out an inquiry.

🏘The Lowdown 🏘

Every issue of NWI Explored comes with The Lowdown: a roundup of the most important news and happenings around the Region and Indiana writ large.

The NIPSCO workers lockout ends for some, but clerical workers have rejected the tentative contract agreement.

  • United Steelworkers Local 12775 workers at NIPSCO are heading back to work after ratifying a new contract late last week. Local 12775 represents physical laborers and field employees and their new contract - while full details haven’t been released yet - will grant them raises and enhanced benefits to healthcare and more. Local 13796, however, did not agree to ratify the contract and will remain locked out. This specific local represents clerical workers at NIPSCO and their chief contention with the proposed contract is how it unfairly presents raises, representation and benefits in contrast to those for local 12775 workers. The clerical workers saw less money, less rights and less benefit increases in their contract relative to the other workers, so they will continue to hold out for a more representative contract.

Indiana elected officials and leaders are urging Congress to expand programs strengthening the state’s freight rail advancements.

  • Bipartisan efforts to lobby Congress to reinvest in programs like the Railroad Crossing Elimination grant and introduce new strengthening policy to make freight rail in the state stronger. In a letter to Congress from this bipartisan group, they stressed how much of Northwest Indiana’s steel industry and agriculture industry relies on freight in order to subsist - utilizing locations like Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor to transport hundreds of millions of tons of freight out of the state. Safety improvement projects, renewed hiring efforts, grade separations: all things that this group hope to implement in order to make Indiana’s freight rail system stronger.

The ban on student IDs as voter ID is official once again. After a preliminary injunction was issued by a federal district court judge, a three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago halted said injunction.

  • The ruling’s explanation from said panel has not yet been released, but it will reinstate the statute enacted by the Republican-controlled General Assembly and Gov. Mike Braun. Indiana District Attorney Todd Rokita has called the statute “commonsense protection” and a needed provision that helps to fight out-of-state voter fraud - even though Indiana has recognized student ID as valid for voter verification since 2005 and there are over 40,000 Indiana residents who are students that have no state issued or federal issued identification.

Republican Gov. Mike Braun signed a non-binding letter of intent for the Indiana Office of Energy Development to work alongside Eli Lilly and Co., exploring and potentially pursuing nuclear energy projects in Indiana.

  • The non-binding status of the letter creates no pressure for the state to do anything specifically, but clearly points the state in the direction of assessing the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of nuclear energy and potential development and deployment of nuclear power plants. Gov. Braun has been one of the loudest supporters of nuclear energy for the state since he took office, voicing support for curbing the extensive costs of nuclear power implementation by using SMRs (small modular reactors).

Here is a rundown of the local council and public forums that will be taking place this week.

  • Gary State of the City

    • Tuesday, April 28th at 2pm

    • Embassies of Christ, 4285 Cleveland St, Gary

      • Mayor Eddie Melton will deliver his annual State of the City address, highlighting the achievement’s of his tenure thus far and the direction he hopes to take his administration in the coming years.

  • Winfield Town Council

    • Tuesday, April 28th at 7pm

    • Winfield Government Center, 10645 Randolph Street

      • The main focus of this meeting will be considering whether or not to follow the Plan Commission’s recommendation for two different housing developments within town limits. Full agenda for this meeting can be found here.

  • Crown Point Plan Commission

    • Monday, April 27th at 7pm

    • City Hall, 101 N. East Street

      • Considering primary plats for several new commercial subdivision spaces, as well as multiple other commercial and residential plats. Full agenda can be found here.

  • Hammond Common Council, Monday, April 27, at 6 p.m.

  • Valparaiso City Council, Monday, April 27, at 6 p.m.

  • Highland Town Council, Monday, April 27, at 6:30 p.m.

  • Dyer Town Council Special Meeting, Tuesday, April 28, at 1 p.m.

  • Porter County Council, Tuesday, April 28, at 5:30 p.m.

  • Merrillville Town Council, Tuesday, April 28, at 6:30 p.m.

➡️What’s In, What’s Out? ➡️

A quick summary of the businesses around NWI that have come and those that have gone

  • Ledger & Proof, a high-end cocktail-focused bar with a wide whiskey selection, has opened in downtown Lowell. The location at 405 E. Commercial Ave. will be offering 25 different cocktails at opening, with a selection of over 145 different bourbon releases as well. The bar boasts about its focus on classic cocktails presented in an intimate setting - no TVs adorning the walls and a special focus on doing classic things well and doing them simply.

  • Pizza Hut has reopened in Merrillville after around a year and a half of absence from the area. New management has taken on the pizza chain, with the new spot being located at 1501 W. 81st Ave.

  • Red Apple Buffet will soon be taking over the absent Taj Indian Cuisine spot in Michigan City, located at 5820 Franklin St.. Owner Jay Yang is aiming for a July or August opening for the MC location, with a Warsaw location coming soon as well. The buffet will be offering over 200 different foods, mostly Chinese, Japanese and other Asian favorites.

  • Tropical Smoothie Cafe opened a location at 879 Joliet St. in Dyer, next to the Jewel-Osco off of U.S. 30 and Calumet Ave. They offer a variety of smoothies and smoothie bowls in a wide swath of different flavors and focuses.

☑️Recurring Reminders for NWI Locals☑️

EARLY VOTING IS OPEN TO ALL INDIANA RESIDENTS AS OF TUESDAY, APRIL 7TH.

BELOW, YOU CAN FIND A LIST OF ALL THE EARLY VOTING SITES.

For the near future, I will be leaving this information about early voting sites in the newsletter each edition so that all Explorers know where they are able to vote early for Indiana’s primary coming up.

  • Lake County Early Voting Sites

    • All sites, other than Crown Point, will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays through May 1; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 25 and May 2; and 9 a.m. to noon May 4.

      • Lake County Government Center Admin Building, 2293 N. Main St, Crown Point

        • Open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays through May 1; 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 25 and May 2; and 8:30 a.m. to noon May 4.

      • Carrie Gosch Early Learning Center, 4001 Indianapolis Blvd, East Chicago

      • Gary Public Library, 220 W. 5th Avenue

      • Hammond County Courthouse, 232 Russell St.

      • Wicker Park Breezeway, 8554 Indianapolis Blvd, Highland

      • Police Communications Center, 705 E. 4th St., Hobart

      • Lowell Town Hall, 501 E. Main St

      • Munster Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Road

      • Schererville Town Hall, 10 E. Joliet St.

      • St. John Township Assessor, 9157 Wicker Ave.

      • Winfield Government Complex, 10645 Randolph St.

  • Porter County Early Voting Sites

    • All Porter County sites will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through May 1; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on April 25 and May 2; and 8:30 a.m. to noon May 4.

      • Chesterton Town Hall, 790 Broadway

      • Hebron Community Center, 611 N. Main St.

      • Portage

        • NIRPC Building, 6100 Southport Rd.

        • North County Complex, 3560 Willowcreek Rd.

      • Valpo

        • Porter County Admin Building, 155 Indiana Ave.

        • Union Township Fire Station #2, 267 N. 600 W

        • Valparaiso Fire Training Center, 355 Evans Ave

  • LaPorte County Early Voting Sites

    • Michigan City - 8th and Wabash, 302 W. 8th St.

      • April 7th to May 4th

        • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8am -4pm

        • Wednesday: 10am - 6pm

    • LaPorte County Fairgrounds, 2581 W. State Rd 2

      • April 13th - May 4th

        • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8am - 4pm

        • Wednesday: 10am - 6pm

    • Rolling Prairie - Wills Township Community Center, 6981 E. 350 N

      • April 21st - May 4th

        • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8am - 4pm

        • Wednesday: 10am - 6pm

    • Wanatah Town Hall

      • April 21 - May 4th

        • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8am - 4pm

        • Wednesday: 10am - 6pm

  • Starke County Early Voting Sites

    • Starke County Courthouse, 2nd Floor

      • April 7th -30th

        • Weekdays from 8am to 4pm

        • Saturday, April 25th from 8am to 3pm

        • Saturday, May 2nd from 8am to 3pm

        • Monday, May 4th from 8am to noon

    • North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department

      • April 23rd and 24th from 11am to 5pm

      • April 25th from 9am to 2pm

    • Koontz Lake Sewer District Building

      • April 30th and May 1st from 11am to 5pm

      • May 2nd from 9am to 2pm

  • Jasper County Early Voting Sites

    • Jasper County Courthouse

      • April 7th to May 1st - 8am to 4pm

      • April 25th and May 2nd (Saturdays)

        • 8am to 4pm

    • American Reformed Church

      • April 7th to April 30th

        • 9am to 6pm

      • April 25th and May 2nd (Saturdays)

        • 9am to 4pm

  • Free tax sessions, focused on property taxes and how they are calculated, are available to NWI residents at the following locations, on the following dates

    • 6-7 p.m., April 28, Valparaiso Library

🌽Farmer’s Market Rundown🌽

A look at the local farmer’s markets and the like that will be running imminently

  • Crown Point Farmer’s Market

    • 183 S. West St. (Bulldog Park)

      • Every Saturday from 8am to 1pm, starting May 23rd

  • Cedar Lake Farmer’s Market

    • 7408 Constitution Ave

      • Every Wednesday from 3-8pm starting May 13th, some Saturdays starting May 23rd

  • Miller Beach Farmers Market

    • 667 S. Lake St

      • Every Sunday from 11am to 1pm, starting June 4th

  • The Sunday Vibe Market

    • 4405 N Calumet Ave, Valpo

      • Every Sunday from 10am to 4pm, starting May 17th

  • Coffee Creek Farmers Market

    • 2300 Village Point, Chesterton

      • Every Wednesday from 3-7pm, started on April 8th

  • Farmed and Forged Market

    • 435 Sibley St., Hammond

      • Every Thursday, from 3:30 - 7pm, starting May 28th

    • 800 Washington St, Michigan City

      • Every Saturday, from 8am to 12pm, starting May 23rd

    • Corner of Monroe and Lincolnway, LaPorte

      • Every Sunday from 10am to 1pm, starting May 24th

  • Chesterton European Market

    • Downtown Chesterton

      • Every Saturday, from 8am to 2pm, starting May 2nd

💲Local Garage Sale Rundown💲

An overview of NWI community garage sales, collected in one place for your convenience. Relevant links will be provided if possible.

🎟️What’s Going On in NWI?🎟️

Every issue of NWI Explored, we give you the best events and spots to check out during the current month.

Recurrent Events:

Here we will try to aggregate all of the weekly specials available to Explorers around the Region. If you own a local business and want people to be aware of your weekly specials or events, let us know by sending an email to [email protected]!

Tuesday is Trivia day at White Rhino in Dyer. Find out more about this weekly event at the link here. Wednesday at White Rhino is Bingo night, starting at 6:30pm.

18th Street Brewery has its weekly Music Trivia and Karaoke night every Wednesday. Doors open at 4pm, with trivia starting at 6pm. Find out more here. On Thursday nights, they also host a weekly Line Dancing night with host Mizz Coco. Find out more here.

Shady Creek Winery hosts a weekly live music event each and every Sunday. Find a schedule of upcoming artists at the link here.

Anderson’s Winery in Valpo hosts weekly live music each and every weekend. Find a schedule of upcoming performances at the link right here.

Find out info about the classes and everything the Chesterton Art Center has going on here. The Center constantly has events for beginners, young artists, and apprentices alike, so anyone looking to build their skills and learn new ones should keep tabs on what the Chesterton Art Center has going on.

Off Square Brewing in Crown Point hosts a weekly Bingo Night on Thursdays, running from 7-9 pm each and every week. One lucky number can make you the big winner of the night! Find further info here. They also host a weekly Trivia Night on Wednesdays from 7pm.

Up Your Alley in Schererville has regular specials all week, perfect for families and groups of friends. Monday is a bowling special, Tuesday is Laser Tag, Wednesday is Dark Rides, and Thursday is the Arcade. Find more info and the specific deals available each week right here.

Every Monday, from 7-9 pm, Journeyman Distillery in Valpo hosts a Trivia Night. Three rounds of trivia keep the night alive, with teams of up to six people fight to win the grand prize every week. Find more info right here.

Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake has a weekly wine special running through dinner service. Happy hour specials and heavily discounted bottles every single Wednesday!

Every second Saturday each month, Beale Pottery in Westville hosts a “Make Cool Stuff Club”. This is a group that meets to, well, make cool stuff in the form of pottery! Find more info about the spot and their events right here.

On the last Tuesday of every month, Downtown Highland hosts a restaurant crawl. This community event always features a bunch of the local spots offering specials and deals, so its a great way to spend an evening hopping from meal to meal. Find more info right here.

Tiny’s Coffee Bar in Miller Beach has recurrent events every single week. Check out their page to find the full slate of events.

Sip Coffee House in Highland has a Wednesday Game Night every single week from 6-9pm. In partnership with the Northwest Indiana Board Game Association.

Valparaiso Pathways Committee holds Free community rides once a month during the warmer months. Click here to look at their schedule of group rides across the city.

Conway Observatory in Lowell hosts open houses once a month for all ages to come in and take a look into the deep stretches of space. Totally free and with different focuses at each open house, you can learn about a host of cool space topics across the year. Find their schedule at the link right here.

Getting into photography or a seasoned vet looking to get out there and shoot more? Lake County Parks Photo Club has regular meetings every 2nd Wednesday at Turkey Creek Golf Course, with regular field trips out in the NWI expanse. Find more info and the full schedule at the link right here.

Gibson Woods Nature Preserve in Hammond holds a weekly Hike through nature every Wednesday. Find their full schedule right here. Pre-registration is required.

Miller Beach Arts and Creative District holds a free community yoga session every Sunday, beginning at 10am at the District building. Find info and other event listings here.

For all the fellow writers out there, Tiny’s Coffee Bar in Miller Beach holds a weekly writing group each and every Saturday, starting at 10:15am. Sometimes all it takes to spark inspiration is being around fellow creatives. Find more info about the group right here

Coffee Creek Farmers Market will be running every single Wednesday from April 8th to October 28th, 3-7pm at the Coffee Creek Pavilion Parking Lot. Find full info about the market right here.

The Dig the Dunes Beer Run & Wine Walk will be starting up on April 23rd, running once a month through the summer and early fall. A new spot in the Dunes area will be selected each month, with a 2-3 mile walk/run taking place before the group kicks back to enjoy a drink along the lakeshore. Find full information at the link right here and find the schedule right below.

Starting on April 25th, and running every Saturday through August, Indiana Dunes National Park’s 1966 Hiking Challenge begins! 19 hikes that cover 66 miles of the Dunes Park trails, celebrating the foundation of the park in 1966. Every Saturday at 8:00 am, hokes will take place in different areas of the park ranging from 1-7 miles. Complete them all and you earn a free 1966 Hiking Challenge sticker to show off to the world. For more details and specifics, click here.

In partnership with the NWI Ultimate League, we want to issue a special announcement about their spring leagues!

NWI Ultimate, with partnership of the Portage Parks Department, is the preeminent local ultimate frisbee league for NWI. Featuring COED divisions for all ages, these leagues are open to new players and seasoned experts. Find all the information at the link right here or in the infographic below.

Local Theatre

A Rundown of all the local theatre companies and their upcoming productions.

Chicago Street Theatre, Valparaiso - info here

Memorial Opera House, Valparaiso - info here

La Porte Little Theatre, LaPorte - Info Here

4th Street Theater, Chesterton - Info Here

  • Hamlet; running from June 5th to 21st

Beatniks on Conkey, Hammond - Info Here

Footlight Players, Inc, Michigan City - Info Here

Indiana Ballet Theatre Company - Info Here

  • Swan Lake - April 18th (two performances - 1pm and 7pm)

Marian Theatre Guild, Whiting - Info Here

Towle Theater, Hammond - Info Here

  • Doublewide Texas; running from May 1st to 17th

Valpo University Theatre- Info Here

Ticket information and the full schedule can be found right here.

What’s Left in April

Running Vines Winery in Chesterton has a slate of events, specials and programming for the whole month of April - including singo events, trivia nights, live music and brunch specials. Find their full schedule below.

Tulip Tyme at Harvest Tyme Farm is now open to the public. Wander through the fields of over 300,000 tulips and take in the beauty and serenity of NWI spring. Concessions will be available, but the amusement rides will not be in operation. Learn more at Harvest Tyme’s website right here.

Purdue Northwest’s Food and Beverage Festival will be taking place on April 29th, starting at 5pm until 7pm. Sample a variety of culinary offerings and beverage options, all prepared by the HTM students. Tickets and full info can be found here.

Live Music For the Month of April

May’s Events Begin!

The Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts will be opening their new exhibition - A Shared Territory in Imagination: Three Artists in Abstract - on May 1st. It will be running through June 6th and feature works from mixed-media artist Matthew Kowalski, wax and oil artist Patty Roberts, and acrylic-on-wood artist Wes Thorn. Find more information about the exhibition right here.

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo at the Hammond Civic Center with their Cinco De Mayo Fiesta on May 1st, starting at 5pm. With performances by Ballet Folklorico Yolotzin and food provided by El Gran Taco Mexican Grill, it’s sure to be night of fun and celebration. Find tickets and information at the link right here.

The 28th Annual Munster Car Show is right around the corner and it will be taking place at Community Park in Munster on May 2nd - starting at 9am and running until 3pm. Automotive excellence and stunning feats of engineering will be on display for all to see, so if you’re a gearhead you won’t want to miss out. Find more info at the link right here.

City of Valpo’s Chocolate Walk will be taking place on May 2nd, running from noon to 4:30 pm. Take a stroll through Downtown Valpo and indulge in luxurious chocolate treats from a host of local businesses. Find the full list of participating businesses and find more information at the link right here.

Byway Brewing is hosting a Derby de Mayo party on May 2nd, running from 11am to close. Celebrate both of early May’s biggest traditions in one over-sized celebration - full of festive flavors, themed cocktails, various hats and a whole host of other fun. Find more information right here.

Three locations along the Dunes Lakeshore will be taking part in the Mom’s Day Shop & Hop on the weekend of May 2nd and 3rd. Beale Pottery (Westville), The Goblin Duneside Bar & Eatery (Beverly Shores), and Blue Moon Vintage Market (Westville) are the participating spots, offering beautiful shopping experiences and a relaxed spring day of shopping for mothers all around NWI. Find all the info right here.

Gabis Arboretum’s Railway Garden will be opening on May 2nd. This two-acre attraction tells the story of the American railroad through large displays and miniatures, providing a great day out for the family. Find more information about the spot and their hours at the link right here.

Hobart Art Theater is hosting a unique Mother’s Day event in the form of a Listen to Your Mother show on May 3rd. This is a live, local storytelling show celebrating mothers in all of their forms with a collection of diverse stories from local writers and performers. Sounds like a really interesting and singular way to celebrate the most important people in all of our lives: our moms! Find tickets and further information at the link right here.

Shipshewana on the Road will be coming to Crown Point at the Lake County Fairgrounds on the weekend of May 2nd and 3rd. This gift, food and craft show makes its way all around NWI across the year and it’s Crown Point’s turn. Find unique trinkets, handmade goods and a certainly unique day of shopping on this weekend. Find more information at the link right here.

The Town of St. John is putting on a Mother’s Day Crochet Workshop on May 7th, providing a unique hands-on way to celebrate Mother’s Day. Find tickets and further information at the link right here.

The Museum at Lassen’s Resort on Cedar Lake will be holding their Season Opener on May 7th, starting at 6pm. The night will feature awards presentations, ribbon cutting of new exhibit experiences, a cash bar with beer and wine and other celebrations of yet another summer season for the resort. Find more information and RSVP right here.

The Brewery Lodge & Supper Club in Michigan City will be hosting its 6th Annual Tequila Convention on May 9th, running from 5pm to 10pm. Fine tequilas will be available to sample, with experts on hand to teach about the technique and history behind this beloved spirit. Get tickets and find the full lowdown at their site right here.

May 9th will be the date for Girls on the Run Festival and 5k at Fair Oaks Farms, capping off their season with a celebration and a moment of joy. Learn more about the program and this event at their site right here.

Celebrate Mother’s Day at Wild Wood’s in Hobart with their Mother’s Day Tea on May 9th, starting at 11am. The incredible women in our lives deserve to be appreciated, so treat them to a elegant and charming afternoon tea surrounded by soft spring flowers and a curated brunch and tea assortment. Find tickets and information right here.

Yet another option for those looking to celebrate the mothers in their lives, The Barker Mansion’s Mother’s Day Tea is the perfect option. Taking place on May 9th from 1pm to 4pm, celebrate mom with a Gilded Age afternoon tea service, capped of with a guided tour of the Barker Mansion. Find tickets and information right here.

Live Music in May!

May Events will continue popping up in the newsletter on each upcoming edition of NWI Explored.

That’ll do it for this Monday Edition of NWI Explored.

Happy Exploring,

Eric & Luke, The NWI Explored Team

❝

“My hometown... was always there, at all times, unchanging. What I think... is not that we go back to our hometowns, but that someday our hometowns come back into each of our hearts.”

Jiro Tanaguchi

Keep Reading

© 2026 NWI Explored.
Report abusePrivacy policyTerms of use
beehiivPowered by beehiiv