Visit Marilyn’s Bakery during your stay at Indiana’s Best Romantic Getaway,                                                Songbird Prairie Inn and Spa

Well-known for its pies, this bakery was established in 1986 and is located on Johnson's Farm Produce. This family-run bake shop makes about 70,000 homemade pies per year. All ingredients that don't come from the farm are locally sourced otherwise.

October is apple season at this fabulous place. In addition to pies, this means guests can enjoy a wealth of delicious apple dumplings, apple slices, apple bread, apple donuts, and apple cake with cream cheese frosting.

Guests will also find pumpkin pies, pumpkin cheesecake, and pumpkin bread this time of year. Halloween-themed cookies and other pastries also abound.

The staff at Marilyn's Bakery begin early each morning to bake up the freshest muffins, croissants, brownies, scones, cinnamon rolls, and much more. The shop is also known for its English Toffee, which will be available from November through March.

March through October, savory options like soups, and sandwiches are served daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests enjoy savory pies, grilled cheese, and quiche. Regular hours for the bakery are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Marilyn’s Bakery is located at 2600, 8960 E Ridge Rd., Hobart, IN 46342\
#romanticspagetawaysinindiana, #valparaisoinnbedandbreakfast, #ValparaisoInn,  #spanearme,   #bestspainNWI, #bestspa, #IndianaDunes, #SongBirdPrairie, #BreakfastWithTheBirds, #HoneymoonSuite, #SpaServices,

#valparaisoInn, #breakfastwiththebirds, #

Songbird Prairie has been chosen Best Romantic Getaway for Indiana by "Official Best Of". Watch CBS Chicago on Saturday October 20th 12:30 pm or AFTER that date YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D32CcbwkD5w&feature=youtu.be
#romanticspagetawaysinindiana, #valparaisoinnbedandbreakfast, #ValparaisoInn,  #spanearme,   #bestspainNWI, #bestspa, #IndianaDunes, #SongBirdPrairie, #BreakfastWithTheBirds, #HoneymoonSuite, #SpaServices,

The Indiana Beach That’s Unlike Any Other In The World

and Indiana's Best Romantic Getaway is Songbird Prairie

Let’s face it: the words “Indiana” and “beach” don’t normally go together, especially if you’re unfamiliar with Indiana’s lakeside attractions. Hoosiers know, however, that while we aren’t a coastal state, we have plenty of amazing bodies of water and beaches that are truly unique. There’s one beach in particular, though, that’s unlike any other in the entire world.

Indiana Dunes State Park in Chesterton houses one of the most incredible beaches on the planet. Stepping onto these dunes will have you believing you just entered one of the most special places in the world.

The Indiana dunes found in this state park and beach are an ecological wonder that were formed during the Ice Age. If you love exploring nature and gawking at incredible sand dunes, you'll absolutely fall in love with this beach.

his stunning state park is home to over 2,000 miles of dunes, beaches, swamps, marshes, forests, and pine groves, with over 16.5 miles of trails. If you're looking for a beach day you'll never forget, you'll find it at the Indiana Dunes State Park.

Come spend a day basking in the sun and playing in the sand at this incredible beach. Go swimming or cozy up with a good book and read while enjoying a gorgeous day outdoors.

You can also check out the trails to see more of the dunes to turn the day into a beach adventure. You'll find this unique state park beach at 1600 N 25th E, Chesterton, IN 46304 

#bestromanticgetaway, #peopleschoice, #afternoontea, #indianadunes, #lakemichiganbnb, honeymoonsuite, #ValparaisoInn, #midwestlivingbestbnbs, #coolnorth, 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — SEPTEMBER 17, 2018

Contact: Dustin Ritchea, Promotions Director, Indiana Dunes Tourism

Phone: (219) 926-2255, ext. 223

Cell: (219) 916-4475

Email: dustin@indianadunes.com

Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/b0cwgjyhqdy0pkq/AAARHm3dU2xogI5Mdnzujd98a?dl=0

Listing:

http://www.indianadunes.com/where-to-stay/bed-and-breakfasts/songbird-prairie-bed-breakfast-spa-and-boutique/

Songbird Prairie Bed & Breakfast named Official Best Romantic Getaway in Indiana

VALPARAISO, IND. — The Official Best of America travel show will feature Songbird Prairie Bed & Breakfast as the “Official Best Romantic Getaway in Indiana.” This one-minute to two-minute segment will highlight “The Best of Indiana—2018” and will air on WBBM-CBS in Chicago, Ill. and on WWJ-CBS in Detroit, Mich. Saturday, Oct. 20 at 12:30 p.m. as well as on WDJT-CBS Milwaukee, Wisc. at a later date.

Nichole Redmiles, a Managing Producer for Official Best Of, said, “We are very excited to be featuring Songbird Prairie Bed & Breakfast with the title ‘Best Romantic Getaway in Indiana—2018’ on our Official Best of America travel show. Here at the Official Best Of, we feature highly-rated attractions, which are determined by extensive research and guest experiences. We review several travel rating websites and guest reviews to determine the best places in each state.”

Redmiles went on to say that while reading reviews, Official Best Of continuously ran into words like “charming,” “beautiful” and “romantic.” Redmiles said that “[the owner] takes the time to respond and communicate with each guest individually, and it is clear to see how much love she has for what she does. We are very excited to have them as a part of our show!”

Owned and operated by Barbara and Efrain Rivera, the Songbird Prairie Bed & Breakfast, located at 174 N. County Rd. 600 W. in Valparaiso, offers one of the finest romantic bed and breakfast accommodations and artfully presented food in Northwest Indiana. This charming accommodation also includes extended relaxing spa treatments and walks along the grounds for a truly pleasurable getaway. Guests can stay in a country setting with classic Ethan Allen Furnishings inside songbird themed suites that include fireplaces and whirlpools. For locals and visitors not staying the night, breakfast, afternoon tea and spa treatments are still available. Call 219-759-4274 or visit www.songbirdprairie.com for more information.

“We’re so proud of Barbara and the amazing work she is doing,” said Lorelei Weimer, the Executive Director of Indiana Dunes Tourism. “She has taken a wonderful accommodation and combined it with a popular Indiana Dunes niche—birding. Her attention to detail and tender touch have helped create a truly remarkable destination, and the results speak for themselves. It is good to see her receiving the attention she deserves.”

When asked about the distinction, Barbara was overjoyed. “We are so pleased and honored to be named the Best Romantic Getaway in Indiana," she said, "and we are looking so forward to the airing.”

The Songbird Prairie Bed & Breakfast will air as episode nine of season 11 of Official Best of America travel show. The episode will feature the "Best of" attractions in Ind., Ill., Wis. and Mich. Along with the TV airings, the Songbird Prairie Bed & Breakfast feature will be hosted on www.OfficialBestOf.com and Official Best Of’s YouTube channel. Songbird Prairie Bed & Breakfast is also one of Midwest Living’s 30 favorite bed and breakfasts.

For more information about Songbird Prairie Bed & Breakfast and other exciting Indiana Dunes area attractions, visit IndianaDunes.com.

Indiana Dunes has one of the nation’s five best beaches for family fun—and the only one not on an ocean. Its 15 miles of beaches offer endless opportunities for splashing and playing, as well as amazing views of Chicago’s skyline and climbs up ancient sand dunes. The Indiana Dunes area offers swimming, hiking, paddling, cycling, birding, fishing and other natural adventures, along with fine dining, historical venues, exciting attractions and charming downtown communities, featuring affordable accommodations, quaint bed and breakfasts and Midwest hospitality.

The Ultimate And Definitive Bucket List For Everyone In Indiana the Dunes and stay at Songbird Prairie Inn/Spa

There is so much to do in Indiana, especially once it gets warm outside. From sporting events to cultural exhibits, fine dining to the great outdoors, Hoosiers have so much to do it can almost be overwhelming. Don’t worry! We’ve put together a bucket list of all of the best and top rated things to do in Indiana. If you’re lost on what to do this summer, use this bucket list for inspiration. Whether you've never been or haven't been in years, make sure a trip to the gorgeous beaches across the Indiana Dunes is on your list.

20. Visit the Indiana Dunes and

   Songbird Prairie

#officialbestromanticgetaway, #afternoontea, #indianadunes, #lakemichiganbnb, #valparaisoIN, #bestspainNWI,

No, you’re not too late to enjoy autumn Plan your getaway at Songbird Prairie Inn and Spa
by KKosky on Oct 13, 2015 Posted in DNR,

Fall Color, Family Activities, Food & Drink, Hiking, Biking & Trails, North, NWI Travel, Outdoor Adventures, Romantic Retreats  It seems the fall colors are a little delayed this year in Indiana Dunes Country, with the brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow just now starting their breakout. But the good news is that the colors should last through October and into November. This past weekend I enjoyed the perfect autumn weather with a hike at Indiana Dunes State Park.

 My favorite trail is trail 9, which starts in the woods before making its way to beautiful views of Lake Michigan.

For those who want to take it a little easier, there are two fall drives to enjoy in Indiana Dunes Country, including the Dunes and Lake loop, which takes you through tree-lined roads and along the lake; and the Downtowns and Country Roads Loop, which features peaceful country roads and which passes through Chesterton and Valparaiso for those who want to enjoy some great dining and shopping.

Next on my agenda is hiking some of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore trails, like the Cowles Bog trail and the Tolleston Dunes trail. Looking for a weekend getaway? Indiana Dunes Country lodging features great chain hotels as well as ready-to-pamper-you B&Bs like Songbird Prairie Inn and Spa, which, as the name suggests, features a sitting area where you can see and hear birds, as well as a spa to make your stay even more enjoyable.

I’m glad the fall colors are going to be around for weeks to come. Click here for more information about fall in Indiana Dunes Country.

Indiana Dunes Country is beautiful in autumn
 Autumn is awesome in Indiana Dunes Country
July s a perfect month for Indiana Dunes,
Ways to Enjoy Indiana State Parks
Winter fun abounds in Indiana Dunes Country
#chesterton, #indianadunes, #lakemichiganbnb, #SongbirdPrairie, #valparaiso #afternoontea

SUNSET YOGA, INDIANA DUNES STATE PARK then check in at songbird prairie inn and spa

Dates: August 09 - August 30, 2018 Time: 7-8pm (CT) Venue: Indiana Dunes State Park

Address: 1600 N. 25 East, Chesterton, IN 46304 Phone: 219-926-1390

Admission: $10 per class or get a 5 class pass for $40

This 60-minute class is for all yoga levels and are taught by the Duneland YMCA instructors. Classes canceled in inclement weather. Things to bring: a mat, a blanket, water, a small towel, maybe sunglasses and sunblock. This program is located near the beach pavilion. Program held every Thursday during the month of August. #yogaonthebeach, #midwestlivingbestbnbs, #indianadunes, #breakfastwiththebirds, #visitindiana 

For songbird conservation, it's not the size that matters

August 8, 2018, University of Manitoba

University of Manitoba researchers have published new findings that can help us save grassland birds, whose populations have declined more severely than species of any other Canadian ecosystem.

Habitat loss is the usual culprit in such scenarios, but U of M graduate student Jessica Lockhart and professor Nicola Koper found that this time, it wasn't.

Working in southwest Manitoba, they found that ever-decreasing prairie habitat was less to blame than how many edges cut through the existing habitat; this results in the breaking apart of habitat, an effect known as habitat fragmentation. These edges could stem from roads, industrial development, or a patch of cropland laid among the natural grasses.

"It was surprising to find this," says Lockhart, a master's student in the U of M's Natural Resources Institute and lead author of the study. "Studies conducted in other ecosystems suggest that impacts from habitat loss are generally much stronger than those from fragmentation but in this case we found the opposite."

Habitat edges, a major consequence of habitat fragmentation, help predators find nests, and roads and croplands can also introduce noise, contaminants, or invasive plants. Further studies will investigate which factors are most influential, but for now, it's clear that in grassland habitat, even relatively small sections must remain unmarred by human activity to conserve grassland birds.

                                                          

                             

                              The endangered chestnut-collared longspur. Credit: Jennie Horvat

One key result is that grassland songbird abundance and numbers of species both declined as a result of habitat fragmentation," says Koper. "This means that these negative impacts are not restricted to just a few species, but to the grassland bird community in general. And this is a big problem, because grassland birds have declined so significantly in the last few decades. If we convert a patch of prairie to cropland, or build a new road, from the birds' perspective we lose way more habitat than from the human's perspective, because all the grassland that's now near that new human development is less usable by birds. So there's just less and less space for them to live."

Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-08-songbird-size.html#jCp

Posted in Indiana February 16, 2016 by Courtney Johnston

Everyone from Indiana Should Take This One Awesome Vacation Before They Die

Tucked away in the northwest corner of the state is the home to one of Indiana’s greatest treasures: the Indiana Dunes along beautiful Lake Michigan.

The 15 miles of coastline are home to gorgeous beaches, dunes, and fantastic hiking trails that all make a great local getaway for your next vacation.

The Dunes is a great vacation spot for families, with family friendly beaches, nearby restaurants, and dozens of overnight stay options nearby in Chesterton and Valparaiso. Stay at Songbird Prairie Inn and Spa. songbirdprairie.com

You can create your own personalized tour of the dunes so that you’ll see and explore everything that interests you.

Visit Michigan City and check out attractions such as local parks and the Michigan City lighthouse.

You can also go fishing, plan a boat ride, or just check out the local shops and restaurants.

Nearby attractions in Valparaiso and Chesterton are sure to keep you occupied. Catch a movie, see an opera, play, or taste some local wine at the nearby vineyard or Gabis Arboretum. Forget taking a shore vacation to another state: you have to visit the Indiana Dunes at least once in your lifetime.

The Best Inns in Every State for a Charming Trip Jill Fergus  3/2/2018

15/51 SLIDES © Provided by Hearst Communications, Inc

Songbird Prairie Bed and Breakfast - Indiana

At Songbird Prairie, you can actually sit back and listen to birds chirping away, thanks to the feeders located around the 6-acre property. Located in the town of Valparaiso (less than an hour's drive from Chicago), the Federal-style inn has five rooms, each named after a songbird.

What's for Breakfast?

Come to enjoy #Breakfastwiththebirds

219-759-4274

Songbird Prairie Inn and Spa

#Valparaiso IN

Nesting birds need our help—particularly those birds that nest in cavities, such as nest boxes, woodpecker holes, and other natural holes in trees. Competition among birds for limited nest sites is fierce, especially from aggressive non-native starlings and house sparrows. You can help native nesting birds by being an informed, conscientious landlord. We’ve compiled some useful tips, information, and resources to guide you as you help nesting birds in your backyard and beyond. We hope you will find this e-guide helpful.
 At Songbird Prairie Inn and Spa, we host many species of birds in our boxes. Such as swallows, bluebirds, chickadees, and wrens.

https://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/help-nesting-birds-right-way.php

AFTERNOON TEA AT SONGBIRD PRAIRIE INN AND SPA

Requires 6 person minimum choose Wednesday or Thursday afternoon 

please call to inquire about another day other than what is listed

219-759-4274 songbirdprairie.com 

Here Are The 10 Best Places In Indiana To Raise A Family

Being someone who was born and raised in Indiana and is now raising a family of her own, I think anywhere in Indiana is a great place to raise a family. However, there is no denying some towns and cities are better than others within our beautiful state. Keep in mind, I’m just one person and you may or may not agree with my opinions. But, I do go digging for statistics and figures when I compile these lists. I don’t just pull these names out of a hat. I promise. Anyway, here are the best places in Indiana to raise a family.

9. Valparaiso

Valparaiso is a town that comes highly recommended by some of our readers. This is why I decided to include it. It's a small and comfortable town that has fantastic schools. It's also significantly more affordable than some of the other towns and cities on this list. You're also pretty close to Chicago if you fancy a trip!

Dates: April 02 - April 06, 2018     Time: Times vary by date and event (CT)

Venue: Valparaiso University Harre Union and VU Athletics-Recreation Center

Address: 1509 Union Dr., Valparaiso, IN 46383  Phone: 219-464-5415 Admission: Fees vary by date

The Valparaiso University Jazz Festival is a week-long event full of performances from high school to professional level musicians featuring the University's faculty and student ensembles, and other guest artists and jazz bands. Then stay at Midwest Livings 25 Favorite B&Bs Songbird Prairie Inn and Spa. songbirdprairie.com

Valparaiso is #3 of the most exciting cities in Indiana visit Songbird Prairie Inn and Spa and the Indiana Dunes while in #valparaisoIN #visitindiana #indianadunes #ValpoU