From April through October, your family can visit the Taltree Arboretum and Gardens (450 West 100 North, Valparaiso). Taltree was our final stop during our action packed vacation weekend. The first thing we noticed at Taltree were the prairie gardens. There are also rose gardens, wetlands and woodlands. This is THE place to visit if you like hiking and are looking to find scenery beyond the beach.
Our visit was limited to the Railway Garden because the gardens weren’t really conducive to our stoller but since you know our family so well by now, you know that we LOVE watching trains. The railway garden is one acre and has scenes from different parts of railroad history (and some Indiana history). There are waterfalls, tunnels, bridges and waterfalls and of course plants — 500 varieties of miniature plants that make up a gorgeous railroad system that will amaze your whole family! The trains run from 10am-6:30pm.
The visitor center near the Railway Garden had Thomas the Tank Engine activites, food for sale and offered 
Thomas rides on a golf cart. The golf cart was decorated to resemble our famous friend and for $1 kids could ride (adults are free) and see other areas of Taltree such as the prairie grass gardens. This was a great alternative for us since we couldn’t make the trip with the stroller.
Taltree is a brand new place to visit and you won’t want to miss it on your trip! Admission is $5 for kids 5-12 and $10 for 13 and older. Special events such as concerts take place throughout the season.
