Valparaiso University - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

Valparaiso is not a big city, and it never will be. Despite being the county seat, Valpo is just your average small Midwestern town with not a lot to do. If you are looking for a place that contains few instant distractions from school, Valpo will be just the right fit. A couple times each year, the town gets really fired up for Popcorn Festival and the county fair. For Popcorn Festival, vendors line the streets selling foods from Papa John’s pizza slices to G.O.P. elephant ears, and more home-made jewelry and trinkets than you would think could ever fit into the little downtown area.

If you can’t find something to do in Valpo, you always have the option of going to Chicago, which is just over an hour away (by either car or train). Chicago has everything you could possibly think of with sports teams, concerts, theaters, museums, and shopping. The small downtown section of Valparaiso is only about three blocks square, but contains enough specialty shops to keep you busy for a whole Saturday of miscellaneous shopping and wandering. Downtown Valparaiso is also home to some of the “best town secret” dining just about anywhere. The downtown may only keep you busy one whole day, but visiting some of those shops just once doesn’t do them justice as they beg to have you wander through them again and again.

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Students Speak Out

swixted says: Valparaiso University 2011 Engineering

Downtown Valpo B+ Within walking distance of campus, downtown Valpo has coffee shops that allow student musicians to make appearances and other great dining location for students. Beyond downtown, there isn't much more for students. 12345 Local Atmosphere: December 30, 2009 Report

innocence8741 says: Valparaiso University 2012 Arts, Visual and Performing

Cute but Sometimes Boring B The town offers a fair amount of activities throughout the year along with restaurants. There are a lot of volunteer opportunities. It can get old very fast though, especially if you are used to a bigger town with more things to do. It is only like an hour from Chicago however, if you are willing to take the trip. 12345 Local Atmosphere: December 14, 2009 Report

spearson says: Valparaiso University 2012 Social Sciences

Small Town College Experience A- Valparaiso is a small town with not too many things to do locally, but there are a lot of activities on campus. It's a very safe atmosphere with more diversity than you might expect, as well as there being a religious presence. 12345 Local Atmosphere: December 08, 2009 Report

efischer says: Valparaiso University 2012 Engineering

Not Enough to Do B- There are restaurants, but nowhere really for people underage to go out on weekends. It gets pretty boring for people under 21. 12345 Local Atmosphere: December 01, 2009 Report

awill1 says: Valparaiso University 2012 History

Valpo Not Much of a College Town, but Chicago Close by B+ Valparaiso is a smaller city and does not stay open for typical college student hours. Most places close at 10pm, and only a handful are open until 3am. Steak and Shake is the best bet open 24 hours. However, Chicago is really close and really affordable to go to. There are a lot of opportunities there to engage in. It is also cheap with South Shore Line so nearby- only $6 each way. 12345 Local Atmosphere: November 18, 2009 Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Valparaiso:
• Birthplace of Orville Redenbacher.
• Author Don DeLillo wrote a play about a man’s trip to the town titled Valparaiso.
• It was named after Valparaiso, Chile by sailors who had served with Captain David Porter, an area native, in the War of 1812.
• It is nicknamed “Indiana’s Vale of Paradise.”
• In 1859, what is now Valparaiso University was founded as the Valparaiso Male and Female College, one of the first coed colleges in the country.

Famous People from Valparaiso:
Bryce Drew
Orville Redenbacher

Local Slang:
The Beach – Indiana Dunes.
The Bypass – Highway 49.
The City/Downtown – Chicago.
The Lake – Lake Michigan.
Pop – Carbonated beverages.
The Shot – Bryce Drew’s game-winning three-point shot at the buzzer of the 1998 NCAA basketball tournament that took the Crusaders to their first-ever Sweet Sixteen appearance. Truly the stuff legends are made of—catch it on ESPN during any NCAA basketball tournament endless replays.
The Train – South Shore Line commuter train into Chicago.
Valpo – Slang for Valparaiso.

Most Recent Contributing Author

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Major: Political Science and History

Fun Fact: I am a die hard Packers fan... but I still love Brett Favre!

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