12 Best Things to Do In Michigan City, Indiana

Tourists from all over the Midwest flock to this historic seaside city at the mouth of Trail Creek on the southeast shore of Lake Michigan every summer.

There is no denying this since there are many attractions in Michigan City, starting from its fine sandy beach, lighthouse museum, Michigan city public library, and proximity to the national park. There are also a lot of things to do in Michigan City Indiana. The marina serves as a convenient home base for a variety of water-based pursuits.

Connoisseurs and beer aficionados will fall in love with the city with a visit to Shady Creek Winery, Burn’Em Brewing, or Shoreline Brewery. The regional wines and handcrafted brews in the area are one for the books. 

This sure sounds like an adventure you don’t want to miss. So stick until the end of this article to learn more.  

Our Top Recommendations

If you are wondering what to do in Michigan City you may get overwhelmed by all the great attractions you have to check out when in the city. So to make sure you don’t get lost and miss one of the best, we have rounded up some of the fun activities in Michigan City. So grab a pen and paper and be excited to cross them on your travel bucket list.

• Most Significant Landmark – East Pierhead Lighthouse
• Best Park – Washington Park
• Best Free Activity – Friendship Botanic Gardens
• Best Activity for Kids – Washington Park Zoo
• Best Activity for Adults – Hiking at the Trail Creek
• Best Food – Hammer’s Restaurant
• Best Nightlife – Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa
• Best All-around Accommodation – Spacious Getaway Vacation Home

Best Things to Do in Michigan Indiana

1. Most Significant Landmark – East Pierhead Lighthouse

Address: City Hall & 100 E. Michigan, Michigan City, IN 46360

The Michigan City East Lighthouse, which was constructed in 1904, is the only public lighthouse in Indiana that is still in operation, and it serves as an important emblem for the city of Michigan City. The Old Michigan City Light, which was constructed at the water’s edge in 1837, was succeeded by the Michigan City East Lighthouse in 1858, which was constructed at the end of a newly enlarged pier in the harbor of Michigan City. The Michigan City East Lighthouse was constructed in 1858. 

The original pier, which was referred to as the ‘catwalk,’ was used by keepers of the lighthouse to access the light tower for more than 30 years. After being on the verge of being demolished, it was renovated and extended, and it still retains the original iron walkway atop the newly extended pier. 

After almost being demolished, it was renovated and extended, and it still retains the original iron walkway atop the newly extended pier. Fishing and watching the sunset from the pier is a favorite activity for many people. This is one of the Michigan City Indiana things to do.

If you need a place to stay after catching the sunset, the Michigan City Home is a nearby accommodation that illuminates Lake Michigan’s entrance and the Brauer Museum of Art. 

2. Best Park – Washington Park

Address: 115 Lake Shore Dr, Michigan City, IN 46360

The park, which dates back to 1891 when it was opened for the first time to the general public, includes a beach as one of its features.

Washington Park has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is home to a plethora of fascinating landmarks, such as the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument (1896), as well as imposing structures that were constructed by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s.

This is the location of a zoo that has been in operation for close to a century, in addition to a multitude of other attractions, such as fitness trails, the marina, a boat launch, a fish cleaning station, a splash park, restaurants, and an old tennis complex.

The entrancing Festival of Christmas Lights, which takes place in Washington Park every year between the months of December and January, is ideally suited to be held there.

After a fun day at the park, you can head to Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Michigan City to spend a wonderful night.  This hotel is located about 10 minutes from the heart of Michigan City, Indiana, and features a fitness center, an indoor pool, and rooms with flat-screen televisions and free Wi-fi.   Each day begins with a continental breakfast. There is a business center in the lobby, and you can also use the laundry facilities.

3. Best Free Activity – Friendship Botanic Gardens

Address: 2055 US-12, Michigan City, IN 46360, United States

The Friendship Botanic Gardens are located on the eastern outskirts of Michigan City and encompass a total area of 106 acres. These botanical gardens have been meticulously maintained and exhibit a diverse collection of flora from all over the world. 

The gardens, which are located about a mile from the shores of Lake Michigan and were established more than 80 years ago as the International Friendship Gardens and Music Festivals, still feature some of the ethnic gardens that were there when they were first established.

A dedicated children’s garden that promotes learning through touch, sight, and smell, as well as a Symphony Garden in which musical events are held, are some of the additional attractions that can be found within the preserve. Other attractions include displays of lilies, hand-carved sculptures, and spectacular rose gardens. The public is welcome to visit the gardens from the months of May through October. This is one of the things to do in Michigan City.

If you want to spend a fancy night after your stroll in the garden, you can stay at a vacation home with a Bright and Airy Home Chefs Kitchen and Pro Decor! There are kitchen facilities, a terrace, and free Internet access for guests at this vacation home. There are five bedrooms with five bathrooms, a living room, a dining area, and a kitchen with a refrigerator and an oven.

4. Best Activity for Kids – Washington Park Zoo

Address: 115 Lake Shore Dr, Michigan City, IN 46360

The Washington Park Zoo is an animal refuge that is located along the banks of Lake Michigan in Washington Park. It is home to more than 90 different types of animals from all over the world, and its natural habitats are filled with lush tropical flora.

The 15-acre zoo includes a big otter compartment with a walk-through tunnel where tourists can watch the otters swimming and playing; a walk-through aviary that is abode to 250 brightly colored parakeets that fly around freely; and a cuddle barn that is home to pigs, donkeys, goats, and domestic horses. This is rated as one of the best Michigan city things to do. 

A Discovery Center has enclosures that are home to a variety of cold-blooded animals like lizards, snakes, and frogs. Moreover, there is a Safari Train trip that children may take through the center. So if you are traveling with your little ones, this should be on your top list of places to visit. 

And if you are looking for a pet-friendly place to stay for the night, this Downstairs 2 Bedroom Apartment is an ideal place to stay. It is also close to nearby shops and the beach. The apartment features a living area with a TV and game console, central air conditioning, and a television. Also included in the apartment’s amenities are a hairdryer, a refrigerator, an oven, and a dishwasher.

5. Best Activity for Adults – Hiking at the Trail Creek

Address: 700 E Michigan Blvd, Michigan City, IN 46360

Battle of Trail Creek is a tributary of Lake Michigan that extends for 7.3 miles, runs into the lake, and features some of the best salmon fishing in the area. This is also considered to be one of the most beautiful spots in all of Michigan City.

The location is fantastic for enjoying a leisurely afternoon. A significant section of the habitat that encompasses the water body is comprised of wetland areas. Also, there is a rich diversity of flora and fauna in the region. It is possible to catch a glimpse of some rare species, such as bald eagles, as they are flying around. The streams are also dominated by salmon and trout.

This tributary even offers the opportunity to go fishing, especially for salmon. The stream contains a number of natural habitats, such as bogs and wetlands, that are frequented by a wide variety of bird species, including the Indiana bat, the Eastern, and Mitchell’s satyr butterfly. Moreover, Trail Creek offers a cold water habitat that is conducive to the reproduction of trout and salmon.

After a day of fishing, a good place to stay near the area would definitely be the Hampton Inn and Suites Michigan City. This hotel is situated between the Brauer Museum of Art at Valparaiso University and the Deep River Waterpark, which is 46 miles away. There’s a complimentary business center and Wi-Fi at this 3-star hotel. 

6. Best Food – Hammer’s Restaurant

Address: 2134 US-20, Michigan City, IN 46360

In 1947, a young sailor from Minnesota named Roger Larson opened the first in what would become a successful chain of chow-main restaurants called simply “Roger’s Chow-Mein.” The youngest Larson, Kenny, worked in a restaurant for a while at this point. From an early age, he began observing his father and grandfather as they ran their restaurant.

Kenny’s love for restaurants never waned, and he eventually bought the building that presently houses Hammer’s on Route 20 in Michigan City.

Casual American cuisines such as steaks, burgers, pasta dishes, and specialty wood-fired pizzas are served in a laid-back atmosphere at Hammer’s Restaurant. This is a laid-back restaurant and bar that is family-friendly and features a relaxed atmosphere.

The restaurant, which is owned and operated by a family and is located just a short drive from Lake Michigan, serves lunch and supper every day and has a variety of house specialties such as fresh lake perch, barbecue ribs that have just come off the grill, and hand-tossed pizza. 

Catering services, both on and off the restaurant’s premises, are offered in addition to the restaurant’s private banquet rooms, which are perfect for hosting important gatherings and events. After a full day, you can stay at the nearby Travel Inn Motel. Rooms feature traditional decor and cable TV. Lighthouse Place Premium Outlet Mall is only 4.3 kilometers away and it also offers free Wi-Fi. 

7. Best Nightlife –  Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa

Address: 777 Blue Chip Dr, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA

Since 1997, this blue chip casino in the shape of a riverboat has stood just across from the Trail Creek Marina in Michigan City. Since then, a significant amount of expansion has taken place at the complex, and the adjacent tower, which was built in 2009 and has 22 stories, is currently the tallest structure in Northwest Indiana outside of South Bend.

The gaming area of the Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa spans a whopping 65,000 square feet, all of which are conveniently located on a single level of the establishment.

This encompasses more than 40 table games in addition to 1,900 slot machines. There is a choice of three dining establishments, including a deli, a casual sports bar, and a steakhouse, in addition to the 10,000-square-foot Spa Blu, which is located on the second level of the tower.

A comprehensive menu of services and packages, a fitness center that features the latest equipment, a private transformation room that is perfect for hosting special events, and a salon that offers everything from hair styling to pedicures are all available here. Other options aside from the hotel are the nearby The Cedar Porch. This holiday home has a full kitchen with a refrigerator and a living area with a flat-screen cable TV and DVD player.

8. Best All-around Accommodation – Spacious Getaway Vacation Home

Address: Michigan City, IN, 46360

With an exceptional rating at various booking sites, the Spacious Getaway Vacation Home tops the list as the best all-around accommodation in Michigan City.

In addition to the private heated pool, it also has a spa bath. The Brauer Museum of Art and Valparaiso University may be reached 33.8 kilometers from the site. In addition, there is free Wi-Fi available anywhere on the premises.

The holiday rental has 5 bedrooms, a flat-screen cable TV, and an entirely equipped kitchen with a refrigerator, an oven, a washing machine, a dishwasher, a microwave, and other modern conveniences.  The closest airport is South Bend Regional Airport, which is 53.1 kilometers from the vacation house.

Travelers who stayed here praised it highly. The house was ideal for their large party. They said it was a great place for a perfect getaway. Whether you’re traveling with family or a large party, you’ll appreciate the hotel’s comfortable common areas, delicious bar food, relaxing pool, and stimulating sauna. The building management was helpful and easy to get in touch with whenever a tenant had any issues.

9. Best Nature Experience – Indiana Dunes National Park

Address: 2134 US-20, Michigan City, IN 46360

There is a national park located east of Michigan City that safeguards an extensive stretch of the shoreline of Lake Michigan as well as the one-of-a-kind dune systems that are located behind it.

More than 15,000 acres of dunes, oak savannas, bogs, marshes, grassland, river ecosystems, forests, and wetlands can be found here in Indiana Dunes State Park. The park, which features 11 different nature paths and is one of the best places in Michigan City to enjoy the great outdoors, is home to all of these attractions, all of which may be visited.

The Great Marsh, however, is located behind that and is a rich wetland ecosystem that plays host to wood ducks, Canada geese, peregrine falcons, and flycatchers for the entirety of their spring and fall migrations. In addition, wood kites, kingfishers, and red-crested parakeets can be found there.

You can travel about in this area via a path that is 1.3 miles long. A portion of the interior forest known as the Heron Rookery is home to a plethora of different species of flora and fauna, and it is particularly stunning during the springtime when the wildflowers are in full bloom.

 Hilton Garden Inn Chesterton is a nearby accommodation and is within driving distance from the Indianan Dunes State Park as well as Valparaiso University. There are also a variety of shopping centers, restaurants, and golf courses nearby.

10. Best for Summer Enthusiasts – Dunes Summer Theatre

Address: 288 Shady Oak Dr, Michigan City, IN 46360, United States

The Dunes Summer Theatre is a community theater that not only puts on plays, musicals, and other events during the summer but also provides acting training and seminars for both children and adults. This is a perfect stay for people who are into arts.

Nora Tully MacAlvay, a former student of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Goodman Theatre School, is the person responsible for establishing the theater. MacAlvay also taught art and literature.

The theater is located in Michiana Shores on a picturesque 20-acre woodland site, and in addition to providing summer camps and seminars, it also includes eight basic cottages available for use by summer players and interns. 

Young actors can improve their creative abilities and learn a wide variety of dramatic and theatrical skills at summer camps. These camps are designed to help young actors advance their careers.

To complete the perfect artsy experience, you can stay at the Art and Lodging. This affordable and best-reviewed location has rooms with wardrobes and certain rooms are equipped with a kitchen with a fridge, an oven, and a dishwasher.

The Studebaker National Museum, the Century Center Convention Center, and the Morris Performing Arts Center are all within easy driving distance of the hotel. Additionally, the South Bend Regional Airport is located around 4 kilometers from Art and Lodging.

11. Best Historic Place – Barker Mansion

Address: 631 Washington St, Michigan City, IN 46360, United States

During the 19th century, the Barker family, which was comprised of railroad industrialists, was instrumental in contributing significantly to the growth of the Calumet region.

Their home, which has 38 rooms and is kept in pristine condition, operates as a community center right in the middle of Michigan City. The earliest part of the Barker mansion was built in 1857, and it was expanded in the early 1900s using the Renaissance Revival architectural style that is characteristic of traditional English manor houses.

This structure is distinguished by its rounded gables, mullioned windows, patterned maroon brickwork, and dressed Indiana limestone used for the trim. The lavish interior furnishings of the Barker Mansion were bequeathed to the municipality along with the property, and it is now used as a tourist destination and a location for weddings.

On a tour, there is a lot to discover, from the lives and spheres of influence of the Barkers to exciting tiny things such as hidden buttons used to summon the staff. Al & Sally’s Motel is a nearby accommodation. It has a garden, free Wi-Fi, and free parking for visitors with cars. This facility also has a playground in addition to family rooms.

Each room at Al & Sally’s Motel features a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, a private bathroom with a shower and complimentary toiletries, and a patio. Bedding and bath towels are provided in each room at the hotel.

12. Best for Shopping – Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets

Address: 601 Wabash St, Michigan City, IN 46360, United States

If you want to know what to do in Michigan City Indiana for a shopping spree, this is a premium outdoor shopping mall that was designed to look like a beautiful coastal hamlet. This originally opened its doors in 1987 on Michigan City’s North End. It is located on the North End of the city. With the hundreds of factory stores and clearance centers that are all located under one roof at Lighthouse Place, you can receive discounts of up to sixty-five percent off of your purchases.

You will be able to choose from a wide variety of brands, some of which include Columbia, Adidas, Skechers, Nike, Calvin Klein, the North Face, Le Creuset, Crocs, Old Navy, Samsonite, Puma, Under Armour, Gap, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Eddie Bauer. These are just some of the brands that are available to you.

There are a few restaurants dispersed around the shopping center, including locations of Subway and Starbucks, in addition to specialty stores offering items such as Lindt chocolate and Pepperidge Farm products. Several of the eateries are tucked away in obscure corners of the complex.

Baymont by Wyndham Michigan City is a hotel located nearby. Amenities include a full breakfast buffet, free wired and wireless Internet, a complimentary newspaper, free coffee, and free local calls. In addition to a standard set of services, this hotel also offers its visitors a hot tub, an exercise room, a copy center, a fax machine, and a ballroom for large gatherings.

Resources:

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