Riley’s Railhouse Bed and Breakfast in Chesterton, Indiana Train Car
Knowing that Riley’s Railhouse in Chesterton, Indiana is a train depot turned Indiana bed and breakfast still didn’t prepare us for what we found.
At this Porter County lodging option, we discovered simple elegance, abundant coziness, and small town friendliness. Even breakfast was delicious.
Riley’s Railhouse in Chesterton, Indiana
Riley’s Railhouse Bed and Breakfast in Chesterton, Indiana
Two friendly dogs, Jackson and Chloe, will rush over to greet you, barking excitedly and looking for attention. Our boys happily complied while my husband, Jeremy, and I stood in awe.
It took owners Richard and Annmarie Riley three years to get the old Chesterton train depot into shape. Taking it down to the studs, replacing the roof, cleaning the brick…Riley’s Railhouse is a labor of love. It is an attention to detail that has paid off. The result is nothing short of gorgeous.
Exposed beams now add a casual warmth to the open floor plan of this Indiana bed and breakfast. The old slate tiles? Well, the 75 salvageable tiles have been converted into the acrylic-topped counter for the spacious open kitchen. The scale, that once weighed incoming freight, still stands–and is functional.
Walk over to the wall to the right of the large fireplace, just after the scale, and you’ll notice writing in pencil. These are the numbers from the long ago weighed freight from trains stopping at this depot. If you look carefully, you can even see a few dates, like 10/10/23.
Chesterton, Indiana Bed and Breakfast
Riley’s Railhouse Bed and Breakfast in Chesterton, Indiana Pancakes
Our room was incredible. The upper-level room contains a queen-size bed, a full-size sofa sleeper, and a full-size bed. But it’s the full-size bed that really stands out. It’s also a huge hit with kids.
Set into a recess in the wall, there is a ladder leading to the top. Our boys thought that was so cool–and couldn’t wait to test it out. With its own light and a couple of books scattered nearby, it became their favorite hangout. We always make sure to bring along plenty of books to read. They made good use of that space in our limited downtime.
Another unique feature I can’t forget to mention is the huge diamond shaped window that looks right down in the open floor plan of the kitchen and living room area below. How neat is that?
If you want to get a view from above, there is a door that leads to the outside balcony. The perfect spot to stand and watch the trains, some 58 a day, go through this neat Indiana town. Light sleepers will notice the jar of earplugs on the bedside tables. There is a room on the first floor that may be the better choice for a very light sleeper.
History and Fun in Chesterton
As nice as Riley’s Railhouse Bed and Breakfast in Chesterton, Indiana may be, it’s also kid-friendly. You should include the two dogs in that assessment. I don’t just mean that they accept kids, I mean that they go out of their way to make sure that children in your group will have plenty to do. That was a nice, unexpected touch.
Children’s train books and bedding waited in the upstairs bedroom’s nook, while a rocking train and shelf of trains and tracks are found in the open lounge below. No matter the age, Riley’s Railhouse Bed and Breakfast is a chugga chugga choo choo good time.
Small Towns: Destinations, not Drive-Thrus. I’m Jessica Nunemaker and THIS is Little Indiana.
Just don’t forget to tell them that Little Indiana sent you.
Riley’s Railhouse
123 North 4th Street
Chesterton, Indiana 46304
219.395.9999
View Larger Map
Special thanks to Ken Kosky of Visit Indiana Dunes for hosting our stay. My opinions remain mine and mine alone (as always).
Targeted. Relevant. Affordable! Little Indiana advertising.
