Agritourism, a combination of “agriculture” and “tourism,” denotes the sector of the tourism industry that involves farms and other aspects of rural life. It is no wonder that agritourism should thrive in Northwest Indiana, an area that boasts hundreds of miles of beautiful farmland. If you are interested in supporting the local agritourism industry, you’ll want to take a look at Visit Michigan City LaPorte’s “Orchards, Farms & Gardens” brochure and Visitor's Guide. These materials highlight some of the best agritourism destinations in and around LaPorte County.
Carey Garwood, manager of Garwood Orchards, considers the impact that agritourism has had on the Region to be a positive one.
“Much of the Region’s agritourism is based around entertaining families from large cities like Chicago who are looking for an affordable experience,” Garwood said. “Agritourism enables younger and older generations to learn where their food comes from. When they visit these agritourism locations, families are putting money into the local economy and supporting local farmers. It benefits the community overall.”
Here is a closer look at several of the Region’s top agritourism spots.
Beachside Gardens and Gift Center (Michigan City) – For over 40 years, Beachside has offered patrons throughout Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan a variety of landscape and garden solutions. These include horticultural consultation, hardscape, and landscape design. Beachside also has an extensive selection of perennial and seasonal flowers, vegetable plants, and herbs on offer. If you’re ready to take your landscaping and gardening to the next level, look no further than Beachside!
The Berry Patch at Mitzner Farms (Wanatah) – Formerly Grandma’s Berry Patch, this family-owned Berry Patch at Mitzner Farms preserves the old establishment’s legacy as it helps families create lasting memories. Take home some ready-picked blueberries or head out and pick them yourself! Stop by the on-site store to purchase sweet corn, soy-wax candles, farm-raised meats, homemade jellies, salsas, jams, pickles and more.
Billy Boy’s Blueberry Barn (Michigan City) – Whether they’re bought pre-picked or hand picked, patrons are sure to enjoy the wide variety of blueberries available at Billy Boy’s Blueberry Barn. There is more than that to be had, though: blueberry preserves, locally-sourced honey, syrups, and sugar-free fruit spreads are also available for purchase. Be sure to stop by during the weekend to pick up some pies and muffins!
Blooms Greenhouse Growers Outlet (LaPorte) – Bigger is definitely better at this wholesale greenhouse establishment. Blooms uses massive greenhouses, jumbo planter trays, a high hanging basket soil volume, and state-of-the-art horticulture methods to produce the strongest and healthiest greenery possible. As both the grower and the seller of the outlet's plants, Blooms can provide its customers with the highest-quality perennials, herbs, vegetables, hanging baskets, and annual planters, all for an affordable price.
Blue Sky Berry Farm (Wanatah) – This farm, founded by the Van Meter family in 2001, is located on U.S. Highway 421, roughly a three-minute drive south of Route 30. Purchase some blueberry jam, blueberry woodchips for your grill or smoker, or ready-picked blueberries. Patrons can relish the experience of picking their own fresh blueberries if they choose! Blue Sky Berry Farm features several refreshments, and a scenic picnic area.
Blueberries of Indiana (LaPorte) – Even after 77 years of business, Blueberries of Indiana continues to find innovative ways to grow the most delectable blueberries possible. See for yourself when you pick your own or buy them ready-picked in the store. Juice, preserves, and locally sourced honey are available for purchase. If you visit on a weekend, you might even be able to pick up some delicious fresh-baked goods as well. Don’t forget to stop by the shaded picnic area during your visit!
Burek Farms (LaPorte) – Since 1956, Burek Farms has been the farmers market of choice for many residents throughout LaPorte, Saint Joseph, and Starke counties. Visitors can purchase everything from locally crafted handmade jewelry to quilts and fall decorations. Of course, it also offers a vast array of farm-fresh produce, including sweet corn, green beans, blueberries, asparagus, tomatoes, cabbage, pumpkins, and zucchini.
Coulter’s Produce (Westville) – Whatever time of year you visit Coulter’s Produce, you’re guaranteed to find some great produce. During the spring, you can pick up asparagus, bedding plants, and hanging baskets. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, beans, sweet corn and cabbage will be available during the summer months. Not only will Indian corn, straw, squash, corn shocks, and gourds be available, but patrons can enjoy the fall farm’s corn maze and pick their own pumpkins.
Dudeck’s Pine Country (Rolling Prairie) – For over 60 years, the spruces, firs, and pines raised at this family-owned-and-operated farm have been used as Christmas trees, greens, wreaths, and more by hundreds of local residents. This year, join the many customers who make traveling to this 80-acre farm a tradition and find the perfect Christmas tree!
La Porte Farmed & Forged Producers Market (LaPorte) – This free-to-attend, hyper-local craft farmers market features products from breweries, artisan vendors, farmers, nonprofit organizations, and restaurants from within a 100 mile radius of LaPorte’s historic downtown. You can find Farmed & Forged on Monroe Street in downtown LaPorte every Sunday from May 28 through September 24, so bring the family to peruse the stalls and enjoy some live music.
Fischer Farm (LaPorte) – You’re going to want to put a trip to Fischer Farm on your calendar this fall! This family-owned and -operated farm offers fresh-picked corn daily. Additionally, when not navigating the farm’s massive corn maze, you can browse the farm's pumpkins, gourds, and Indian corn.
Friendship Botanic Gardens (Michigan City) – With over 105 acres of walking trails, 14 heritage gardens, a health and wellness garden, and an educational children’s garden, there is no shortage of things to see and do at this beautiful location. Take a stroll through these volunteer-maintained gardens – some of which feature plants from all over the world – and explore 89 years’ worth of the rich natural and cultural history of Michigan City and Northwest Indiana at Friendship Botanic Gardens!
Garwood Orchards (LaPorte) – There’s much more than apples to be found at this 194-year-old, 500-acre orchard. It features the Bake Shoppe, the Garwood Grill, and a farm store with fresh produce, candy, cider, preserves, meat, and cheese. Patrons can take horse- and tractor-drawn rides out to the fields to pick their own apples, pumpkins, strawberries, tomatoes, and raspberries during U-Pick season. Be sure to stop by in September for Garwood Orchards’ annual Apple Festival and Craft Show!
GuseBerries (Wanatah) – If you have a hankering for some delicious strawberries, make it a point to visit GuseBerries this year! Ready-picked strawberries are available beginning June 1 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT. Berries are only available for purchase until mid-June, so be sure to procure your own batch of strawberries as soon as possible!
Huber Farms (Union Mills) – This small, family-owned-and-operated farm is plentiful in blueberries, raspberries, and ready-picked asparagus. Patrons can pick their own blueberries and raspberries and procure honey sourced from the farm’s beehives. From June to September, Huber Farms is open for business from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT.
Lakeside Lavender and Herbs (LaPorte) – If you are a lover of lavender, then this is a must-see destination for you! Fresh lavender and lavender plants are available when in season, along with dried lavender, culinary and medicinal herbs, and handmade spa products. Tinctures and salves are available for purchase and patrons can receive herbal consultations as well. Don’t forget to stop by Lakeside’s Lavender Festival, which is held the weekend before the 4th of July.
Mark’s Farm Market & Greenhouses (LaPorte) – This farm truly has it all: from bedding plants, perennials, and hanging baskets to homegrown vegetables and Christmas trees, Mark’s Farm Market & Greenhouses has the farm-fresh products you need all year round. Stop by the farm itself or check out its stall at the Farmed & Forged Market every Sunday in September!
McClure Christmas Tree Farm (LaPorte) – Since 2007, three generations of the McClure family have provided local families with top-quality fir Christmas trees. Stop by this year to pick out your tree, enjoy a cozy Christmas hayride, and warm up by a bonfire. Be sure to visit the farm’s Christmas Shoppe, which is housed in a renovated turn-of-the-century dairy barn. There you can find such products as log reindeer, hand-decorated wreaths, and jewelry. Dogs are welcome to tag along on the trip!
Michigan City Farmed & Forged Producers Market (Michigan City) - Nestled in Michigan City's Uptown Arts District, Farmed & Forged Producers Market takes place from May 24 to September 27 and features the wares of local farmers, producers, and makers. The raw food items available for purchase at Farmed & Forged are harvested from land within a 100 mile radius of the market. Stop by to sample some local food and drink while listening to live musical performances by local bands. Farmed & Forged supports a different nonprofit each month. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are accepted and can be tripled at the market info booth.
Pavolka Fruit Farm (Michigan City) – Everything sold at this 105-year-old family-owned farm is proudly grown onsite. The orchard features over 30 traditional and innovative apple varieties that patrons can pick themselves or purchase ready-picked. Grapes and cider are also on offer! The farm opens for business from Labor Day through October and welcomes guests every day of the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Perennials Galore (Mill Creek) - With 12 greenhouses open to the public and 40 greenhouses in all totaling over 90,000 square feet, Perennials Galore has the largest walk-through showroom in LaPorte County! The greenhouse offers a wide selection of fresh produce and luminous flowers, helping to beautify thousands of gardens for over 28 years.
Radke’s Orchards (Michigan City) – If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, then you should visit Radke’s Orchards, a 131-year-old family-owned-and-operated farm on the outskirts of Michigan City. Feel free to bring your pet along as you take in the country air and pick honeycrisp, mutsu, golden delicious, and cameo apples. Apple cider doughnuts along with other sweet treats are available on weekends. With free admission, wagon rides, and tours, you are guaranteed to have an enjoyable day at the orchard!
Rosey’s Berry Farm (Michigan City) – This farm produces sweet and delectably juicy strawberries, all without the use of growth enhancers, herbicides, or pesticides. If you aren’t sure what to do with all of the strawberries you pick, not to worry. Rosey’s has a selection of delicious strawberry-centered recipes that you’ll be enjoying for years to come.
Sevick Gardens (Michigan City) – To say that this farm’s selection is diverse would be an understatement! Customers can find everything from Amish-grown fruits and vegetables to chrysanthemums and other flowers here. Hand-crafted soaps, jams, pickled products, salsa, candles, honey, and Amish-made wooden outdoor furniture are also for sale. Enjoy the delicious products of the smokehouse deli which include smoked chicken, turkey, and ham.
Small's Family Garden Center (La Porte) - Family-owned for over 70 years, this 13-acre licensed, bonded, and insured garden center and stone supply yard offers an array of landscaping services. It provides free estimates for these services, which include hardscaping and garden bed planting. Small's staff works with you during every stage of the process, from the planning to the installation of your dream landscaping design. Remember to stop by the center's gift shop to browse its wide selection of garden décor!
Stateline Blueberries (Michigan City) – Only four miles from Lake Michigan, this 30 acre farm has 10 varieties of blueberries available for families to pick or purchase ready-picked. Relax at one of the farm’s picnic tables and be sure to pick up some pure raw honey, maple syrup, and jam before heading home. Don’t forget to give Stateline Blueberries’ signature Blueberry BBQ sauce, Blueberry Mustard, and Blueberry Beef Jerky a try, too!
Transitions Equestrian Center (LaPorte) – A full-service training facility, Transitions Equestrian Center offers lessons from beginner to advanced levels in all riding disciplines, along with several youth riding programs. The center offers training for horses of all experience levels and can provide overnight stable accommodations for horses as well. Be sure to check out Transitions Equestrian Center’s kids camps, horse shows and other exciting events. You can even book pony parties that feature horse and pony riding and games!
Williams Orchard (LaPorte) – A charmingly rustic wedding venue and historic orchard all rolled into one, Williams Orchard offers everything you need for the perfect fall day. This 135-acre orchard promises families of hours of fun and fellowship as they pick their own apples and peaches. Williams Orchard features many other family-oriented activities like a corn maze.
Friendship Botanic Gardens Director Jenilee Haynes Peterson is of the opinion that Northwest Indiana has much to offer in the way of agritourism.
“Whether you are living in the area or just visiting, it’s important to learn about its natural aspects” Haynes Peterson said. “Northwest Indiana is such a wonderful area to explore. It contains so many diverse habitats and has an ecological uniqueness to it. It is crucially important that we be good stewards and preserve as much of the natural world as we can.”
There is no shortage of Region-based farms, orchards, and businesses that can help local residents and tourists develop a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the natural world. Not only do the agritourism spots highlighted in Visit Michigan City LaPorte’s “Orchards, Farms & Gardens” brochure and its Visitor's Guide allow visitors to connect with Mother Nature, but they help forge important historical and community connections as well.
For more information on these and other attractions found throughout the Region, please visit michigancitylaporte.com.
