Discover La Porte
Events, Lakes & Local Life
Our 5th annual Spook-Fest features a variety of over 100 vendor booths! The first 100 adults will receive a goodie bag with all kinds of tricks & treats. Wear your Halloween costume for an added touch of magic & check out the photo op area to make some memories!
All aboard for a frighteningly good time! The Hesston Ghost Train Rides take passengers through the haunted woods aboard a real steam train, where the fate of Engineer Bones Jones, Fireman Freddy, and their crew awaits. Running weekends October 3-25.
Beale Pottery celebrates 10 years with Rhythm and Raku Fest in Westville on October 10! Live music, food and drink vendors, and the one-of-a-kind Raku Pumpkin Experience make this a truly unique fall festival.
Celebrate spooky season in Downtown La Porte. The Downtown La Porte Trick or Treat will take place from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, October 10. Bring the kids downtown to fill their bags with candy from downtown businesses. This event is put on by the Downtown La Porte Events committee and is not to be confused with the city-wide trick-or-treat that takes place from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, October 31.
Lubeznik Center for the Arts hosts a free Family Day on October 10, featuring drop-in art-making, a gallery scavenger hunt, and free snacks - all inspired by the exhibition Kindred Spirits: Margaret Wharton and Betsy Odom.
Meals on Wheels brings its Trivia Through the Decades fundraiser back! The fun-filled night of trivia also includes a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and balloon pop to raise funds for a worthy cause.
Redline live @ Zorn Brew Works
History Hour at the Barker Mansion illuminates the remarkable story of Harriet Colfax, Michigan City's legendary lighthouse keeper, presented by local author Sandra L. Young -- who has portrayed Harriet on several occasions at the Old Lighthouse Museum.
All aboard for a frighteningly good time! The Hesston Ghost Train Rides take passengers through the haunted woods aboard a real steam train, where the fate of Engineer Bones Jones, Fireman Freddy, and their crew awaits. Running weekends October 3-25.
A fun, no care, no lines to stay in, you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying yourself and a really cool fall festive decoration!
Live music @ Shady Creek Winery!
Let nature inspire you on a short walk around the park, then create your own nature journal style watercolor art by following along or creating something on your own.
Come get into the spirit of the season by carving a pumpkin with us! Enjoy homemade donuts and cider while you carve.
Bingo @ Union Mills Conservation Club! Everyone welcome.
Live music @ Shady Creek Winery!
La Porte County Parks hosts a free Halloween Glow in the Dark Night Hike! Hayrides, Halloween yard games, campfire s'mores, and a blacklight hunt for ghosts and goblins after dark make for a spooky evening!
Andrew Scott Denlinger performs @ Zorn Brew Works
A safe trick-or-treating experience for your ghosts and goblins! Area businesses sponsor booths along the decorated zoo paths and hand out candy to the kids. Advance tickets are recommended due to limited supply. Cost: Regular admission rates apply
Bring a friend, create one of these beautiful 12" suncatchers, bond with other creative souls, maybe laugh a little, enjoy the morning and take home a really cool piece of art!
Families are invited to join the Historical Society Museum for story time and an activity!
Vendors, music, food, games, crafts, pumpkin painting, even a face painter/balloon artist, and bounce house! Don’t forget to bring your pooch for a pet costume parade, and contest! Also stop by the Park Board tent to see some really cool, silent auction items.
All aboard for a frighteningly good time! The Hesston Ghost Train Rides take passengers through the haunted woods aboard a real steam train, where the fate of Engineer Bones Jones, Fireman Freddy, and their crew awaits. Running weekends October 3-25.
Gather your team for Anam Cara's Western Trivia Night, with costume and table decorating contests, food trucks, and a silent auction supporting local mental health care.
The Old Souls live @ Zorn Brew Works
Join Shady Creek for an unforgettable day filled with live music, buffet style food, grape stomp, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin painting craft station and fall fun for the whole family.
All aboard for a frighteningly good time! The Hesston Ghost Train Rides take passengers through the haunted woods aboard a real steam train, where the fate of Engineer Bones Jones, Fireman Freddy, and their crew awaits. Running weekends October 3-25.
Paint a vibrant fall scene with step-by-step instruction at HotSpot Cafe's Autumn Stroll Coffee & Canvas. All supplies and coffee included in registration fee ($35).
Get into the Halloween spirit at Haunted Trails at Friendship Botanic Gardens! Kids are encouraged to come in costume for a festive path through the Gardens, with candy, games, cider, storytellers, a bonfire, and a food truck.
New York Times bestselling author Michael Koryta discusses his historical fiction thriller Die Famous at Michigan City Public Library. With work translated into more than 20 languages, Koryta is one of the most celebrated voices in the genre. Free admission.
Join us for an afternoon of activities that might be found at any Home Extension meeting including games, recipes, sewing, crafts and more!
Come discover the parks with Ranger April. At every program we will read a story, go for a hike and explore, and make a nature craft. This month’s topic will be bones. Program for children ages 8 to 11 years.
Paint a spooky scaredy cat and pumpkin canvas at HotSpot Cafe, just in time for Halloween. Supplies, instruction, and drinks included ($35).
Learn more about squirrels and make a wooden squirrel craft. All ages welcome!
Get ready for a spook-tacular weekend at Halloween Happenings at the La Porte County Fairgrounds! Trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, a chili cook-off, ghost hunt, costume contest, and more!
Live music @ Shady Creek Winery!
Upcoming Events
Things to do in and around La Porte!
Looking for ways to spend the day in LaPorte?
From time on the water to trails through the woods, local dining, and seasonal markets, there’s plenty here to explore. This section highlights some of the best activities and spots around town to help you plan your next outing.
The LaPorte area offers some great spots to swim and enjoy time by the water. With calm lake settings, nearby parks, and sandy beaches, it's easy to find a place to cool off or spend a fun-filled, relaxing afternoon. Many areas include amenities like picnic tables, restrooms, and parking, making them easy destinations for a day trip with family and friends. Grab a towel and take a break by the lake!
Launch into lake life with a day on Pine Lake! Cruise the open water on a pontoon, kick up some spray while waterskiing, or grab your crew and a towable tube for some serious summer fun. With calm waters, scenic shoreline views, and plenty of room to ride, Pine Lake is the go-to spot for all things boating in La Porte.
Pine Lake and Stone Lake offer the perfect setting for a relaxing paddle or an energizing kayaking adventure. Both lakes welcome visitors to explore their calm waters, scenic shorelines, and beautiful natural surroundings. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful sunrise paddle or a fun afternoon on the water with friends, kayaking here is a must-do experience in La Porte.
Stretch your legs and soak up some fresh air! From peaceful lakeside strolls and shady woodland loops to elevated views and winding park paths, the LaPorte area is packed with scenic routes waiting to be explored. Lace up, bring your furry friends (on leash!), and explore the natural beauty of the Laporte area.
Grab your clubs and get ready for a great day out on the course. From laid-back rounds with friends to testing your skills on championship fairways, LaPorte’s golf courses have something for every golfer.
Ready to cast a line and enjoy a peaceful day on the water? La Porte has plenty of great fishing spots for anglers of all ages.
From flowy woodland loops to challenging technical lines, the La Porte area is home to some of the region’s most engaging mountain-bike trails. Riders can wind through forests, roll along ridgelines and tackle a variety of features designed for all levels of experience.
Discover the best birding spots in La Porte County, from the drive-through marshes of Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area to easy walking trails at Luhr County Park, Clear Lake, and Soldiers Memorial Park. With wooded preserves, open lakeshores, and even a stop on the Indiana Birding Trail, the region offers year-round opportunities to spot everything from Sandhill Cranes to colorful warblers.
La Porte has no shortage of green space to enjoy. From lakeside parks with trails and beaches to little neighborhood playgrounds tucked around town, each one gives you a reason to get outside and spend some time in the fresh air.
La Porte is full of great spots to grab a cup of coffee, enjoy a fresh pastry, or meet up with friends for breakfast or lunch. From bright cafés that are perfect for working or studying to cozy diners serving classic comfort food with your morning brew, there’s something for every taste.
The LaPorte area hosts several farms, orchards, and markets that showcase the best of the region’s local flavors and traditions. Visitors can stroll through flower patches, pick apples straight from the tree, or explore markets filled with handcrafts and fresh produce. Some farms even offer hands-on experiences, such as tours or seasonal festivals.
Whether you’re looking for a casual afternoon tasting with friends, live music on the patio, or a bottle to take home for dinner, these wineries offer the perfect blend of charm and flavor to make your day extra special.
La Porte has no shortage of places to grab a drink, share a meal, or kick back with friends. From neighborhood taverns and sports bars with hearty pub fare to lakeside lounges serving craft cocktails, you’ll find plenty of spots to match the mood of your night out.