What makes La Porte sights so special is the unique mix of historical depth and slightly slanted charm that surprises me every time I stroll through the old streets. The city was founded in 1832, named after the French word for “the gate” because it was the gateway to the northwest of the Indiana Territory – a bit cheesy, but hey, that is history. Center Township, the heart of the LaPorte County, surrounds the city centre and gives the whole an almost bureaucratic framework that I personally feel useful if I want to quickly find a car park at the County Courthouse.
A short trip with the South Shore Line from Chicago will take you in the middle of what's happening, and if you prefer to travel by car, the I‐90 will take you directly to the shores of Lake Michigan, where the weather is sometimes as moody as the locals. I don't understand the hype about the small cafes on Main Street, but the crispy croissant next to the old railway shed is really great. And yes, the local “La Porte Sights” are not only museums – they are the daily life you feel when you inhale the scent of freshly mowed grass on a sunny afternoon, while a tractor gently passes. If you are looking for a bit of Indiana authenticity, you should stay here for longer than you plan.
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Here's how it works:
Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In La Porte, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first stop is the Indiana Dunes National Park, a piece of unspoiled wilderness, which extends directly to the shores of Lake Michigan – a place I constantly underestimate until I fought through the dune 12 in the summer and was almost overwhelmed by a swarm of gulls. The park is huge, so don't forget that parking at the main entrance will quickly become a small patience game on weekends; a small sideway behind the visitor center is usually a quiet sanctuary for all who want to escape the hustle. I don't quite understand the hype about the long hiking trails, but the panorama from West Beach is just great – the water glitters, and if you're lucky, you even see a few seals hiding in the reed.
Just a few miles further, almost like a twin, is the Indiana Dunes State Park. There are fewer people here, more rustic picnic tables that look better than most Instagram filters. I once organized an improvised barbecue festival with a few locals who told me that the “Dune-Brot” – a crispy maize bread that is baked over the campfire – is the true culinary highlight. Practical: The garage is free, but only if you arrive early enough; Otherwise you have to park on the beach, which can be a real trouble on hot Saturdays.
A short trip to Michigan City leads you to the iconic Michigan City Lighthouse, a red landmark that has been watching over the lake since 1858. I made the ascent to the top because I thought the view would be “just a bit better than the hotel room”, and was rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Chicago skyline – a bit exaggerated, but definitely a photo value. The entrance is free, parking is limited at the foot of the lighthouse, so better take a taxi if you don't want to stand in traffic.
Right next to the lighthouse is Washington Park, a green spot that has more to offer than you suspect at first glance. I discovered a small jazz concert that was played by a group of local musicians in an old pavilion – a real secret tip when you're looking for an authentic atmosphere. The park is well signposted, and parking is usually easy, except when the annual “Lake County Fair” takes place nearby; then the whole area becomes a small mess of stalls and crowds.
If you prefer to feel the sand between the toes, then Michigan City East Beach is just the right thing. The beach is wide, the water is cool, and the beach bars there serve the best “Fried Chicken Sandwich” wide and wide – no joke, that is better than what I find in many cities. I once watched a sunset there while an old fisherman told me that he has been fishing here for over 30 years; the conversation was so relaxed that I almost forgot that I just wanted to “fuel a little sun”.
A little further east, about 20 miles from La Porte, is Valparaiso University. The campus is a mix of historical brick Gothic and modern glass buildings, and the highlight for me is the St. Mary’s Church, whose stained glass windows are almost hypnotic. I took part in a tour where a student told me that the university was once a small teacher seminar – an interesting fact that makes the current size of the campus even more impressive. Parking is easy to find on campus, but there are often a few bottlenecks on lecture days, so it's better to arrive a few minutes earlier.
The Porter County Fairgrounds can't be missed at the end of my small tour around La Porte. The site is the heart of many local events, from cattle shows to rock-concerts. I experienced the “County Fair” there for the first time in 2019, and this was a true kaleidoscope of sugar cane, carousel and a lot of people complaining about the weather – a typical midwestern experience that should not be missed. Parking is generous, but on the main days the terrain fills up quickly, so bring a little patience.
Next time you're in the area, don't forget that the surroundings of La Porte have more to offer than just the city itself – from the endless dunes of the Indiana Dunes National Park to the historic lighthouse in Michigan City to the charming campus lanes of Valparaiso – all this makes the La Porte Attractions to a surprisingly diverse experience for anyone looking for a bit of adventure and a bit of local colony.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through La Porte as if we were going to the city after a long working day and share a cool beer.
My personal favorite spot is that La Porte County Historical Museumthat resides in the venerable old court building dating back to 1901. I don't quite understand the hype about the “old stone” but the exhibition about the shipping on the St. Joseph River is really great and lets you feel why the city has emerged here on the river. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem – then you need to clear the small side streets.
A short walk leads you to La Porte Riverwalk, a narrow promenade that winds along the St. Joseph River. Here you can meet Jogger, families with strollers and one or other group of college students who are loudly discussing the latest Meme. I once made a picnic there, while an older gentleman told me about the “big floods” of the 1930s – a little nostalgia that you don’t find anywhere.
If you like the cityscape a little more classic, take a look at the La Porte City Hall. The building with its red brick façade and the small clock tower almost looks like a relic from a movie of 1950, only that there is actually the town hall. I once caught the mayor at the weekly “coffee talk” – a short but intense exchange about the new garbage collection route that taught me more about local life than any tourist brochure.
A little more modern La Porte Public Library. This is not only a place to roll books, but a real community hub with free workshops, board games and a coffee corner that is better than some expensive cafe chain. I visited a course on local history and found out that the word “La Porte” actually means “the door” – fitting because the city repeatedly opens new doors for visitors.
For a little green area I recommend Miller Park by the river. The park is small, but well maintained, with a playground, a small boat dock and a barbecue area, which is often occupied by neighbors in summer. I once experienced a spontaneous concert of a local folk band there – that was a real La Porte moment where the sun glittered over the water and people were just there to enjoy.
Another must if you want to capture the authentic La Porte feeling is that Downtown Historic District. The cobblestone roads, the old brick buildings and the small boutiques give you the feeling of walking in another time. I have discovered a vintage café that serves the best pancakes in the region – no joke, they are so fluffy that they almost take off the plate.
The La Porte County Fairgrounds are the heartpiece for every year when the County Fair takes place. There are also exhibitions, flea markets, and even a small rodeo, which are also available outside the trade fair period. I remember an evening when I was standing with some locals at a barbeque stand and we discussed the best fishing spots on the St. Joseph River – the conversation ended only when the lights of the roller coaster began to shine in the background.
And yes, if you’re looking for a compact overview, simply tap “La Porte Sights” into your search engine – you’ll quickly realize that this city has more to offer than you suspect at first glance. But believe me, nothing replaces the personal experience I've tried to convey in a few lines.
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