Your Current Itinerary

  • Your Itinerary Builder is Currently Empty
Print this page

FAQs


Visitor Information

WHAT IS A CVA?

CVA is an acronym for convention and visitors authority. CVAs are destination management organizations. Most CVAs, South Shore CVA included, are not-for-profit organizations that work under a governing body to promote visitor and business travel through sales and marketing initiatives.

 

WHERE IS LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA AND HOW DO I GET THERE?

Lake County, Indiana is located on the southernmost tip of Lake Michigan about 25 miles southeast of downtown Chicago. It's central Midwest location makes it easy to get to from almost anywhere in the U.S. in less than a days drive. I-80/94, I-80/90 (toll road), I-65, U.S. 30, U.S. 6, U.S. 41, U.S. 20, U.S. 12, U.S. 231, State Road 51, State Road 2, State Road 55, State Road 912 and State Road 53 are the major thoroughfares.

There are also 3 airports in or around Lake County which serve most major airlines. They are:

Gary/Chicago International Airport: Chicago's Third Airport is located in Gary, Indiana and is only 35 miles from downtown Chicago. The airport offers easy acess by highway and commuter rail. FREE PARKING. Airlines: Southeast Airlines serves Florida-St. Petersburg/Tampa and Orlando/Sanford. Casino Express serves Elko, Nevada.

Midway International Airport: Located just 10 miles from downtown Chicago and 30 miles from Lake County, Indiana, Midway is one of the fastest growing airports on the continent. Midway currently has three concourses, serving major airlines such as American, Continental and Southwest.

O'Hare International Airport: Located just 45 miles from Lake County, O'Hare offers more connections to more cities, more often than any other airport in the world. O'Hare offers direct service to more than 60 international destinations and offers hourly nonstop service to New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas, Washington DC, Detroit, Atlanta and Minneapolis.

 

WHAT TIME ZONE IS LAKE COUNTY IN?

Lake County is in the Central Time Zone.

 

Although most of Indiana remains permanently on Eastern Standard Time, Lake County is 1 of only 10 counties that observes Central Standard Time and observes both Central Standard and Central Daylight times.

 

Daylight savings time begins at 2am the first Sunday in April, when clocks are advanced one hour, and ends at 2am the last Sunday in October, when clocks are turned back one hour.

 

WHAT DOES THE SSCVA DO?

The SSCVA leads the hospitality industry and markets the South Shore as a centrally located, reasonably priced destination for business and leisure travelers. The South Shore CVA draws conventions, meetings, sporting events and group tours from around the nation.

 

HOW MANY HOSPITALITY EMPLOYEES ARE EMPLOYED IN LAKE COUNTY?

There are more than 25,000 hospitality employees in Lake County. This includes restaurants, retail, hotels, and attractions.

 

WHAT IS THE SALES TAX IN LAKE COUNTY?

Indiana retail sales tax is 7%. There is also an innkeepers tax of 5%.

 

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN LAKE COUNTY?

Lake County, Indiana has four distinct seasons. Spring begins in late March to early April, and the season tends to be warm, particularly in April and May. Summers are hot and humid and autumn is colorful and warm. Winters are cool but relatively mild with some snow, generally in January and early February. To sum it all up - humid with cool winters and warm summers.

 

Average July temperature ranges from 65 - 85 degrees.

 

Average January temperature ranges from 18 - 36 degrees.

 

WHY IS THE SSCVA IMPORTANT TO VISITORS?

The SSCVA provides valuable information about the South Shore including area attractions, restaurants and accommodation options. Our CVA provides regional information about the area between Chicago and New Buffalo, Michigan at no cost to the visitor.

 

WHAT IS THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF TOURISM ON LAKE COUNTY?

The economic impact of tourism on Lake County is $836 million annually.

 

DO MY PROPERTY AND SALES TAXES PAY FOR THE CONVENTION AND VISITORS Authority?

No. The SSCVA is funded by casino admission revenue and a hotel/motel tax.

 

HOW MUCH MONEY DO RESIDENTS OF LAKE COUNTY SAVE ON THEIR TAXES BECAUSE OF TOURISM?

Lake County residents save nearly $980 on their taxes annually (including federal, state and local savings) because of tourism.

 

WHAT IS A FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX?

A food and beverage tax is a tax on any prepared food or beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) served at restaurants, bars and festivals.

 

HOW IS A FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX USED?

Traditionally in Indiana, hospitality facilities (brick and mortar projects) are funded by a food and beverage tax. Examples include Allen County's Coliseum and Marion County's Convention Center.