Please check with shops and restaurants in advance for opening hours or events.

Are you just passing through?

We've asked some of our favorite people what they would do if they had only two hours to spend in our lovely little town. Here's what they said...

The Four Seasons of Culver

Glen brandeburg, main street board member, & Christine Brandebrug, OWNER of Christine’s cookies

Culver is a wonderful 4 season area. Here are our favorite things to do in each of them!

Spring - We enjoy a drink from the Culver Coffee Company and walking the Indian trails and the trail along the lake by the Academy down to the boat house and back to town. It’s a three-mile scenic walk with wonderful lakeside views and lots of wildlife to see.  A tour of the historic Culver Academies campus is highly recommended as there are old and new buildings with lots of stories and traditions unique to the Academy.  If you are in town on a Sunday attending Culver’s military parade at noon is a must see.

Summer - This is the time to be at the lake! The town park on the north shore of Lake Max offers a full day of fun.  There are lots of activities such as paddleboarding, kayaking and swimming at the beach. The great staff at the park doing a wonderful job at maintaining the facilities and making the park a beautiful place to come eat, swim, enjoy the beach or even host celebratory gatherings under the pavilions.  Kids can take swim lessons and what could be more fun that docking your boat and walking to the Original Root Beer stand to pick up a burger and some ice cream.

Fall - Fall is our favorite time of year to do a “lake lap” either by car or by bike. Starting out at the lighthouse at the park where there is a beautiful view of the changing leaves its approximately 10 miles around the lake. This is a great time to shop downtown.  After an enjoyable lunch at Café Max there are some great stores to visit for clothing, unique boutique items and crafts.  You can also visit the Culver Museum on main street. 

Winter - We like to take advantage of sporting events at Culver Academies such as hockey and basketball games and attending some of the performances and cultural events offered there.  Some of the best food and atmosphere is found at Papa’s on Lakeshore Drive where you can get drinks and have anything from pizza to prime rib and have a warm view of the lake while dining. It’s our favorite family run restaurant and never disappoints! For those more adventurous you can walk out on the frozen lake and see some ice fishing taking place.

Shop Small on Main Street

Gil Standley, treasurer of the Culver & lake Maxinkuckee visitor center

You are in Culver, Indiana, and you find yourself with a couple of hours of free time.  Perhaps you just finished lunch, or you are waiting to have supper, at one of our fine restaurants.  Whatever the case, Culver has a unique and entertaining experience waiting for you.  But first, you need to make your way to The Collective, an eclectic shopping and retail experience, located at 120 South Main Street.‘

In the back, right hand corner of the store, you will find Earthwerks Ceramics and Art, a walk-in studio offering ceramic painting and much more.  Earthwerks has an extensive selection of palates and colors and professional staff that can help the most novice artist.  In a short span of time and at a very affordable cost, ranging from $5 to $125, you can create a unique and worthy piece of art.

 Earthwerks is open to individuals, families and larger groups.  The studio is also available to rent for special events.  Call 574-356-6210 for hours and availability.  You should also check out some of the ‘themed’ events on Facebook. 

 …and don’t forget to pick up something from The Collective on your way out the door.