Visit Hudson Lake LaPorte Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Hudson-Lake, Indiana: Discover the beautiful islands in Lake Hudson. Camp, boating or swimming - a dream for water sports lovers!
What makes Hudson Lake sights so special is the quiet way, with the history and present a bit of struggling. I remember driving over the old railway bridge for the first time, the agricultural goods from the 19th century. The century went to Chicago, and suddenly I heard the quiet stroller of the lake of the same name, which today provides more for anglers and picnic families than for freight transport. Hudson Township, embedded in LaPorte County, was formerly a melting pot of German settlers and American pioneers – a mix that still shows itself today in the half-timbered houses on the edge of the village, although most of them now serve as Airbnb-Cottages.
If you take the US‐31 north from Chicago, the approach is surprisingly uncomplicated; a short stop at the small gas station café is enough to get the first impression of rural idyll. I have to admit that the “Hype” around the annual boat races at Hudson Lake is more of a lousy place for me, but the cozy café at the lakeside, where the barista knows more about local history than about Latte Art, is really great. And yes, the Hudson Lake sights include not only the water, but also the small paths that slew around the lake – perfect to ventilate the soul after a long working day while listening to the occasional quak of the frogs.
Even at first glance at the glistening Hudson Lake, it becomes clear why I become a bit humble every time I leave the shore – the water has this lightly metallic shimmer, which you otherwise only see in badly illuminated commercials for engine oil, and yet it is somehow soothing. I did my first fishing attempts there, and although I never caught a fish, the piercing of the waves was enough to convince me that this is my personal retreat. Easy parking there is a small, but well signposted parking place next to the public boat dock; on weekends, however, it can be a bit tight, so it's better to come early, otherwise you're in the mud.
A short walk leads to the Hudson Lake Park, a place I like to call the “Herzschlag-Pflaster” of the municipality. The playground is not exactly an architectural marvel, but the swinging children give the whole a charming noise, which excites the otherwise so quiet village. I once organized a picnic with my sister – we had brought a couple of sandwiches and a bottle of lemonade, and suddenly a swarm duck came, who were courageously sneaking at our food. No joke, the ducks almost stole the whole meal, but that was the highlight of the day.
If you have enough of land, the Hudson Lake Marina is the next stop. The dock is small but functional, and the staff there knows every angler who has ever tried to catch the infamous pike. I remember standing there with my uncle, picking up the net and then finding that we had held the net more for a picnic towel – the result was a loud laugh and a short but intense course in “How to throw a net right”. Easy payment by cash or card works here, and renting the boat does not cost more than a good dinner.
A little further I end up at the Hudson Lake Community Center, a building that houses more events than one would expect from a place of this size. From weekly bingos to occasional art exhibitions of local talents, social life is pulsating here. I took part in a “retro-film evening” where an old projector knistered more than a campfire, and the audience was so excited that we looked at the projector sound almost as part of the soundtrack. Parking there is right in front of the building, and the sign “Only for visitors to the center” is more a friendly hint than a strict order.
The St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, a small building from the early 20th, stands a bit away from the hustle and bustle. Century that breathes more history than most museums. The benches are worn, the glass windows still show the original colors, and the organ play sounds like someone hasn't touched the buttons for decades. I once participated in a Sunday Mass, only to see that the community discussed more about the weather than about the Gospel – a real insight into the rural Indiana. Entry is free, and parking is possible at the rear end of the Kirchhof, where a few old trees donate shade.
For those who prefer the green, there is the Hudson Lake Golf Course, a modest 9-hole course that offers more charm than challenge. The fairways are lined with trees that develop a red and yellow fireworks in autumn, and the clubhouse serves the best coffee I ever drank in a golf club – strong enough to rebuild a tired golfer. I remember a game where I accidentally hit the ball in the pond and then realized that the water there was so clear that I almost forgot fishing. Easy check-in at the reception, and parking is right next to the clubhouse, where some old cars like relics stand from another era.
When you put all this together, you get a pretty good picture of the Hudson Lake AttractionsI personally consider the best in the area. Every place has its peculiarities, and I must admit that I do not fully understand the hype around some “Must-See” lists – for example the allegedly spectacular “Lake-Sunrise Tour” that works with me more like an early rise without coffee. Nevertheless, there are enough little wonders here that will make you come back again and again, even if you look past the shore for a short coffee or a few minutes of rest.
The first place you cannot miss here is that Indiana Dunes National Park, a huge piece of unspoiled coast that extends along the southern shore of Lake Michigan – just a short drive from Hudson Lake. I stood there once at sunrise, while the first rays dipped the water into an almost tangible gold; that was less romance, more a short shock, because I was suddenly overtaken by a group of joggers who loudly discussed their playlist. Parking is usually easy at the main entrance as long as you do not arrive at the weekend between 9 am and 11 pm – then the field becomes a small battlefield made of cars and picnic baskets.
A few miles further, almost like a hidden jewel in the shadow of the national park, lies this Indian Dunes State Park. There are not only the usual hiking trails, but also a small but fine sandy beach, which is called “the quiet place” in locals. I found an old, rusty bike there that someone apparently had buried in the sand – a hint that not everyone here only shoots Instagram photos. The entrance is free, and the visitor center has a small souvenir shop that reveals more about the local flora than I ever thought necessary.
If you want enough of nature and more of city flair, the path leads Miller Beach, a part of the national park that feels surprisingly urban. The beach promenade is lined by cafes that offer more Latte Art than real meals, and an old lighthouse that today serves as an art installation. I remember buying a hot July afternoon an ice cream from a stand that immediately melted and turned my pants into a small, sticky seaweed monster – a small price for the sunset over the lake.
A short trip after Michigan City brings you to the iconic Michigan City Lighthouse. The old lighthouse, which has been guarding over the lake since 1858, is no longer in operation, but the stairs up are a real test for the condition – and for the patience when sharing with a group of tourists who all want the photo from the summit at the same time. I found an old logbook that was handwritten by a former lighthouse guard; that was the only “authentic” piece of history that really impressed me because it made the effort and soleness of this job noticeable.
Only one cat jump further Washington Park, a classic city park with a small lake, a playground and an amphitheater that is used for outdoor concerts in summer. I have arranged a picnic with friends there, which became an improvised dance in the rain thanks to a sudden rain shower – the locals have acknowledged this with an agreeing head nodding as if it were the most normal in the world. Parking is available on the edge, but on day of play you can take the bike better because the road is then blocked by families with strollers.
A little further south, on the banks of Lake Michigan, is the Bailly Homestead, the oldest preserved building in northwest India. The property was once the home of Jean Bailly, a French dealer, and today a museum that traces the life of the early settlers. I've seen an old carriage there that crawled so that I almost thought it would fall apart every moment – a good example that history is not always smoothly polished. Access is free, but parking is a narrow gravel path that becomes a small mud pit in rain.
A last stop that sounds almost too self-evident is that Marquette Park in Michigan City, a popular place for families and dog owners. The park offers a small lake, a playground and a barbecue area, which is always full in summer. I once saw a dog there, who so enthusiastically chased a duck baby that he finally landed himself in the water – an image that always gives me a smile when I think of the relaxed atmosphere here. Parking is usually sufficient as long as you do not arrive at lunchtime at the weekend, then parking and parking becomes a small patience sample.
Whether you're looking for nature, history, or a relaxed city park, Hudson Lake's surroundings offer a colourful mix that takes every traveler a little while surprises. The above goals show that the region has more to offer than just the small lake itself, and they give a good overview of what can be experienced in the area. So it becomes clear why the Hudson Lake Attractions among the underestimated highlights in northwest India.
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