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| Indiana
Beach Resort And Amusement Park |
| Proof positive that's there's
more than corn in Indiana! |
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Amidst
the cornfields, rolling hills and grassy plains of Indiana,you'll find an attraction unlike others, where fun and
excitement reign supreme. A fun place where families can away
from the hectic schedules of their workaday lives for reasonable prices. This little jam packed amusement park is proof that big things often come in small packages. I don't know how the do it.
Recently acquired by Morgan RV Resorts, the very popular Indiana Beach got it's humble start back
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| 1926. Originally named Ideal Beach, it opened with only a sand beach swimming area, bath house, and a small refreshment stand on the newly formed, Lake Shafer. The lake waters
began when a dam was built on the
Tippecanoe River. Earl Spackman hoped to buy land for a small
vacation cottage. He visited the area only to find that the
shoreline too steep to allow for swimming. The
project attracted a lot visitors to view
the construction. When news came the lake level would be
lowered to provide flow for Lake Freeman, an idea to create a place
for travelers to picnic and swim occupied Earl's mind. That's
it! A beach in Indiana. A bathhouse was built for changing clothes, then a concession stand. |
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It's wasn't until 1950 until the name was changed to Indiana
Beach. Located on a peninsula surrounded by the waters of
beautiful Lake Shafer, the park contains a traditional boardwalk.
This is the last of it's kind that is not found
on either the East or West coast. The coming 2009
recreation season marks the start of
it's 83rd year of family friendly fun in the sun. |
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| We tend to call the entire recreation area ' Indiana Beach' but its
really specifically the amusement park and logging at the end of
the peninsula. It is surrounded by a number of private resorts
and lodges offering cabins, rooms, swimming and boating. |
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| There's something here for kids of all ages, from the small and tame to the large, wild and crazy roller coasters, Skycoaster and Double Shot. Whether you keep your feet planted firmly on the ground or choose to fly high in the skies over Lake Shafer, you'll have a time you'll not soon forget.
The more than 45 different rides and attractions promise to keep you occupied from the moment you arrive until the day draws to a close. There are also plenty of amusements,
games and an arcade. When you have time to notice you're a bit hungry, there's a lot to choose from. You'll be able to grab something fast and tasty or settle in at a lounge or a fine restaurant. |
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Located in northwest Indiana, it's conveniently situated just
110 miles southeast
of Chicago and.95 miles north of Indianapolis.
Family
friendly low admission prices combined with the variety of
attractions make this a popular Midwest attraction. In today's
uncertain economy, you can always plan on a great time
visiting the Monticello - Lake Shafer area. |
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 Not exactly oceanfront but making waves on the web It
ranks #4 in Yahoo 'beach' searches behind only Myrtle, Virginia, and Panama City
Beach. It surpassed even Daytona Beach. Wow! |
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Now, about the coasters! Indiana Beach has drawn national attention as it has continued to innovate coaster technology in very creative ways. My first visit here was a musician playing in the ballroom for teen dances in 1963. What impresses me the most is how the Spackman family packed continues so much fun and excitement into such a finite space. Tucked into a small peninsula on Lake Shafer, the park has no land on which to expand. |
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But that has never stopped the addition of new and creative innovation. There's a roller coaster built on the roof of a building and others that weave in an out of another coasters in and out of other rides.The Cornball Express was last year voted #1 by a prominent web site that evaluates rides across the country. The park is home to one of the state’s largest coasters, the Hoosier Hurricane, and dozens of other amusement rides. Some of its other coasters include two older steel coasters, the Galaxi and the Tig'rr, and two other wooden ones, the Cornball Express, and the Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain. |
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 Boardwalk - Lots to see and do along the traditional style boardwalk. Find shopping, games and gifts, fast food and restaurants, rides for all ages, souvenirs, a Skyride for a fantastic view of the park and on o=and on. There's a Kiddyland, Miniature Golf, sandy beach and an incredible Ferris Wheel. |
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 Shafer Queen -
Indiana's largest regularly scheduled paddle wheel sightseeing vessel. The boat is 26 feet (7.9 m) wide, 82 feet (25 m) long, weighs 76 tons, and has a capacity of 250 passengers. Between 50,000 to 60,000 passengers per year cruise.
Tour Indiana Beach from a water view on either a 30 or 75 minute tour. |
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 Shopping - attractions along the boardwalk offer an adventure in
themselves! Visit the Emporium, Boardwalk Gift, the Summer
Shop, and My Little Corner for gifts and reminders of your
fabulous Indiana Beach Vacation! Visitors
can also enjoy food and shopping along the boardwalk, or a
variety of special attractions. |
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 Camp resorts - Adjacent to the amusement park is the Indiana Beach campground with over 1,400 camping sites. Indiana Beach Camp Resort and the Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park have fully equipped campsites that can accommodate even the largest of RVs. |
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