EAT, EXPLORE AND EXPERIENCE
Book a Cooking Class at Cooks Cottage w/ Your Own Private Chef
Your host Michelle offers many cooking classes and private dinner events when we don't have guests at Cooks Cottage, however you can book your own private one during your stay at Cooks Cottage. If you enjoy cooking and would like to schedule a cooking class while you're staying at Cooks Cottage, reach out to Michelle in advance to discuss menu options and costs. Popular options include Surf & Turf or homemade Stromboli to name a few. Must be booked at least three weeks prior to your stay.
Historical Boat Tours & Sunset Cruises - Lake James Tour Co.
Your host Corey runs a commercial tour business on Lake James each year from April 15th until Oct. 31st teaching hundreds of visitors to Steuben County about the history of the lake. Most of these tours depart from the Potawatomi Inn at Pokagon State Park, however you can book your own private lake tour during your stay at Cooks Cottage and depart right from our dock. We offer two and three hour tours cruising around Indiana's 4th largest glacier-made lake. Learn about the history of the lake dating back to native Americans, encounter sea planes, natural wildlife & stunning real estate! Prices start around $33/per person for a two hour tour and the sunset one is most popular!
Water Activities and Rentals!
If you'd like to rent a wave runner, pontoon or fishing boat during your stay at Cooks Cottage or try your hand at yoga while balancing on a stand up paddle board, we have a list of vendors who provide these services. It is strongly recommended to book these well in advance of your stay, as they tend to sell out months in advance.
Indiana Rail Experience
Named Indiana’s “Best New Experience” by state tourism officials in 2023, the Indiana Rail Experience offers a variety of train trips and events including hour-long rides, themed event trains (wine and chocolate, cigar and bourbon, scenic fall rides, polar express with Santa), and all-day excursions aboard our historic passenger trains from the 1940s and 50s! To check schedules and buy tickets visit: https://www.indianarailexperience.org
Stand up Paddle Boarding Yoga with SUP 101 Lakes
Take a yoga class while balancing on a stand up paddle board on Lake James! Kelly teaches classes at several nearby lakes and also on Lake James. If yoga isn't your thing, you can rent a board from her during your stay as well!
Photo used with permission from Steuben Tourism Bureau
The 6 on James
BOURBON, BOURBON, & MORE BOURBON! Owned by some dear friends of ours... This is our favorite restaurant in the area and boasts over 1300 different varieties of bourbon behind the bar!!! They have great food, two outdoor patios (one covered, one open) with views of Lake James and live music every night that they're open! Tell them you're staying at Cooks Cottage! If you're planning on dining out in our area - this is where you should go! They have boat parking as well and it's accessible by water from our cottage. To make a reservation call 260-624-3644
Farrand Hall
This is a one of a kind fabulous dining experience! Only a 45 min. drive from Cooks Cottage in Colon Michigan. Michelin star chef's from big cities come to this gorgeous scenic farm property and cook for the public (outside weather permitting) in a farm to table setting. This was one of the highlights of 2024 for us and we highly recommend buying tickets if they have a spot during your stay! www.farrandhall.com
Midwest FlyBoarding
Learn how to fly board on Lake James during your stay at Cooks Cottage. Book an appointment with Ryan to learn one of the coolest things you can do on the lake! All skill levels welcome! Call Ryan at (260) 431-6380
Toboggan Run at Pokagon State Park
Enjoy a thrilling ride on Indiana's only refrigerated toboggan and reach speeds of 35-40 mph. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from Thanksgiving through Feb. 26, 2023. The cost is $20 per hour per toboggan and each toboggan holds up to four people. The track is refrigerated so it doesn't need snow to go! Guests are required to wear gloves on the 1/4-mile track. Children are allowed to ride, as long as they are old enough to understand and follow directions. Concessions are available at the warming center and no carry-in food is allowed in the toboggan area.
STEUBEN COUNTY TOURISM BUREAU
Plan Even More During Your Visit!