If you want to discover the authentic charms of a small town, you have to talk to a local. While camping at Indiana Dunes State Park, I spent one morning wandering around the small town of Chesterton, Indiana. They have several blocks of historic buildings, a couple of coffee shops, an ice cream parlor, and many interesting shops.
Talk to Local Residents
However, my experience deepened when I talked to the residents of this small town. I sat in the Red Cup Cafe, sipping my coffee, when I struck up a conversation with a man heading out with a sack of muffins, “These are the best to be had anywhere. I have to force myself not to get them sometimes.” They looked good, but I had already eaten breakfast at the RV, so I managed not to succumb to the temptation.
Then, I walked into the Chamber of Commerce office. I’ll be honest, the office was just a small room with some brochures, but the conversation I had with a woman inside was priceless. She told me one of her favorite places in town was The Flower Cart. I didn’t need any flowers, but her description of the various products caused me to head over there after we finished talking. I found a beautiful coffee table book I bought as a souvenir of the trip.
She also told me about Joe’s Bread. “If you are really lucky, they might have some almond scones. They are amazing!” This coffee shop is off the main square in a house. I would never have noticed this place if she hadn’t told me, and yes, the almond scones were amazing!
The woman at the Chamber of Commerce also told me about the antique bookstore, but I needed to leave before it opened. So a few days later, Mike and I stopped at OGara Wilson Booksellers after we enjoyed some ice cream from the Dog Days Ice Cream Parlor. Mike and the bookstore owner had a wonderful conversation while I wandered around perusing the thousands of books. My dad would have made this place a part of his daily routine. I could see him grabbing a coffee, spending hours talking with the owner, and finding a new/old book to read.
Buy Local
At home, our small town is always preaching to “buy local.” This can apply when you are traveling as well. Not only did we buy a few local items from the downtown shops, but we also visited a farmer’s market and bought some cheese while at Indiana Dunes. You will support small business owners, and learn more about the region and culture you are visiting as well.
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