Lifestyle
Rich in cultural and recreational attractions and amenities, the region is home to symphony orchestras, theatre groups, spectacular venues, university performing arts centers, dance companies, art galleries, and fine museums. The Governors State University’s Center for Visual and Performing Arts facility is equipped with the latest technology to offer a peerless setting for a variety of productions. Also on this campus is the internationally renowned Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.
Tinley Park’s First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre draws an audience from Metropolitan Chicago and beyond, booking the biggest names in the musical industry. Indiana residents enjoy a wide range of performances and special events in such venues as the Star Plaza Theatre, the Valparaiso University Center for the Arts, and the Center for Visual & Performing Arts in Munster. Valparaiso University also boasts the Brauer Museum of Art, with its nationally recognized collection of 19th and 20th-century American art as well as traveling exhibits.
Opportunities to enjoy outdoor adventure and four-season recreation are never far from the front doorstep. Thousands of acres of forest preserves, lush county and city parks, and a myriad of recreation programs appeal to every age group and interest. Hundreds of miles of Lake Michigan’s most pristine shoreline stretch between Gary and Michigan City in Indiana, forming the Indian Dunes National Lakeshore and encompassing the Indiana Dunes State Park. Golfing, tennis, camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, sailing, boating, water sports, and nature study are just a few of the common pastimes.
Chicago Southland residents can cheer on some of the nation’s favorite professional sports teams in Chicago, but they can also enjoy regional attractions like the Gary Southshore Railcats baseball team or popular racing venues like Balmoral Park and the Chicagoland Speedway. Festivals, celebrations, and annual events crown the region with a 12-month calendar of exciting dates to remember. Great food, games, rides, live entertainment, arts and crafts, parades, and competitions bring family, friends, neighbors, and visitors together.
Newcomers will be amazed at the variety of housing in Northwest Indiana and the southern suburbs, providing some of best values within commuting distance of Chicago. Meticulously restored turn-of-the-century homes are nestled in historic communities, while rapidly growing suburbs and luxurious subdivisions offer fine new executive and family homes. Some planned communities like Lakes of the Four Seasons are centered around premier recreational amenities like a championship golf course. Young families can select from a number of comfortable “hometown” settings with lush parks, an active recreation program, and strong support for local schools. Urban, suburban, or rural—the ideal home is waiting for you in Northwest Indiana and Chicago Southland.
