Visit Michigan City LaPorte Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights 2025. Discover Michigan City, Indiana: Beach and Sights in one! Recreation at Lake Michigan and visit the U.S. Naval Training Center where you can learn the history of the US Navy. An unforgettable travel tip for adventurers and families!
What makes Michigan City sights so special is the unique mix of old port romanticism and modern small town luxury that surprises me every time I land there after a long working day. I remember strolling along the dusty tracks of the old Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway as a child, listening to the quiet rattling of the trains that are today overlaid by the occasional buses from LaPorte County – a hint that you can come here without a car when you use the local bus service or take the nearby I‐90. The city centre, which was founded in 1830 as “Lake Michigan City”, still carries the traces of its founders: brick buildings that tell more stories than any guided tour, and a slightly rusted lighthouse that watches over Lake Michigan, as if he wanted to remind us that once fishermen and traders fought for their daily bread.
I have to admit, I don't understand the whole hype around the promenade – too much tourists, too little real soul – but the small cafes where the Barista with an eye-catcher serve the best espresso are really great. And when you drive over Highway 12 in the summer, you can immediately feel that the whole area has penetrated by a quiet, slightly cynical serenity, which makes me stay a little longer every time, just to inhale the distinctive flair of Michigan Township.
The history of Michigan City begins long before the modern high-rise buildings, which today decorate the cityscape – it starts with the sound of steam ships that once ran on and off the port, and with the smell of freshly fished carp that I tried on a cool summer morning at the pier, while I tried to find the perfect place for my picnic. I have to admit that I cannot fully understand the whole hype about the “big” attractions here, but the small, somewhat sloping lighthouse building at the end of the Washington Park is the real heart for me.
The Michigan City Lighthouse is not only a photo motif that fills Instagram feeds, but a piece of lively history that you can actually enter. I once caught myself in the narrow spiral staircases, while an older gentleman from the area told me that the light used to warn the ships from the vicious sand benches. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, as it becomes a real problem – the road in front of the lighthouse then turns into a mini-concert of uplifting cars and eager tourists.
A short walk leads you to Washington Park Beachwhere Lake Michigan's water is so clear that you almost think you could see until the reason – until you realize that there are some brave surfers riding the waves. I made my first attempts in the stand-up paddling there; the result was a wet, but happy me, who had to look forward to the unsettling confidence of the lifeguards who always have a vigilant eye on the beginners.
If you are looking for a place where you can combine the typical “small town feeling” with a touch of glamour, then this is Blue Chip Casino That's right. I don't understand the rumble around gambling, but the buffet there is really great – I fought through a huge range of local specialties while I tried to count my lost chips. The garage is right next to the entrance, so no stress if you want to try a bit of luck after a long day.
Another highlight I always like to mention is that Michigan City Riverwalk. This narrow path along the Indiana Dunes River leads you through small boutiques, art galleries and a few hidden cafés that hardly anyone knows. I met an old man there who told me that he has been jogging here every morning since the 60s – a real witness of the changes that this city has undergone. And yes, the word “Michigan City Sights” sounds almost too formal here, but I swear the Riverwalk is one of the best I have ever seen.
For cultural lovers there is Michigan City Art Center, a quirky museum that exhibits more than just paintings – there are interactive workshops where you can become an artist yourself. I took part in a ceramic course and in the end took a somewhat sloppy but proud vessel home, which now has an honorary place in my kitchen.
Last but not least, Lake Michigan Shoreline Trail not to mention. This long, well-maintained path is perfect for an extended cycling tour or a relaxing walk at sunset. I once saw a sunset where the water was dipped in gold and flew a few gulls loudly over us – a picture I will never forget. And if you ask where you can turn off your bike: there are several free bike stands along the trail, but be warned that the most sought-after places are quickly occupied, especially on warm weekends.
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