Thanks to my sister Nancy and her husband Dave, I discovered Riley’s Railhouse, a railroad-themed B&B owned by the Riley family in Chesterton, Indiana.

Located near Indiana Dunes National Park and Lake Michigan, Riley’s Railhouse opened in 2010 upon the complete transformation of Chesterton’s old freight station, built in 1914. Riley’s Railhouse is home to decades of collected railroad antiques, art and memorabilia.

Owners Richard and Annmarie Riley live upstairs in the main building, which also has two additional guestrooms, an upper and lower berth. A fireplace, a kitchen area and big breakfast table are featured on the main floor. There is also an overhead track complete with chugging model train.

For even more of the railway feel, there are two railroad boxcars converted into guestrooms featuring queen-sized beds, a private bath and shower and a loft with two twin beds. There’s also a luxury caboose with a full bath and an antique clawfoot tub.

In addition to the Indiana Dunes and beaches, other area attractions include the 49er Drive-In Theater, 4th Street Theater, Blue Chip Casino, Schoolhouse Shop & Antiques and Lighthouse Place Premier Outlet Mall. If you choose not to make your own meals in the kitchen, there are several excellent nearby dining options.

You don’t have to be a fan of trains to enjoy your stay at Riley’s Railhouse. Either way, it is a great place to get away from everything without having to go far.

— John Wroblewski, online writer