What makes Beverly Shore's sights so special is the peculiar mix of dusty Great-Lakes charms and the constant noise of the industry, which has been floating through the streets as an invisible companion since the 1920s. I remember driving the first time by train to Indiana, leaving the old “Lake Shore & Michigan Southern” line and suddenly surrounded by a narrow landing tongue, which pushed itself like a forgotten piece of coast to Lake Michigan. The village, once conceived as a summer resort for wealthy Chicagos, today has more bungalows that look like they stole a 1950s advertising poster than real luxury hotels.
When you stroll through Pine Township, you can feel the light trembling of the old choir stones that still wake up over the port – a hint that Porter County is not only famous for its beaches, but also for its factories. I like to take the bus from Chicago to Michigan City and then get to the local minibus that takes me directly to the heart of Beverly Shores; this is faster than you think, and saves the annoying parking search.
I don't quite understand the hype about the sand dunes, but the view from the lighthouse I accidentally discovered is really great and gives the whole an almost romantic touch that one rarely finds in an area that has penetrated so much by pragmatism. And yes, the Beverly Shores attractions have more to offer than you would suspect at first glance – if you are ready to inhale a bit of dust and a bit of history.
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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 Beverly Shores, 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 I can't miss is that Indiana Dunes National Park – yes, the huge piece of sand that extends along the southern shore of Lake Michigan and is more than just a place for sunbathing. I once tried to make a picnic while a wind blow turned my ceiling into an improvised sail; that was a real reality check, but the view from West Beach is still worth every wet moment. Parking is usually easy, except for the weekend when the driveway mutates to a small battlefield from SUVs and campers.
A short detour to the north leads you to Bailly Homestead, the oldest preserved house in Indiana, which is owned by a French-Canadian fur dealer in the early 19th. century was built. I was there because I thought that was a typical museum, but the tour was rather a loose chatter about old family recipes and the occasional anecdote, as a bear visited the house – no joke, the animal actually stabbed the door before the owners noticed it. Admission is free, and parking is right next to the house, which is practical if you want to inhale a bit of history after a long walk through the dunes.
If you want a bit of maritime romance, that is Michigan City Lighthouse That's right. I knocked the lighthouse at sunset, and the stairs were so steep that I almost thought I had landed in a gym. The ascent is worthwhile because you have a panoramic view over the lake at the top, which is almost as clear as the water you cannot see just because you just slipped down the stairs. The small car park behind the lighthouse is usually empty, except when a local photo competition takes place – then you have to park a few blocks further and take the way to walk.
A little further east lies the Indian Dunes State Park, which, in contrast to the national park, is somewhat less overflowing and offers some really good hiking trails. I remember a morning I tried the trail to Mount Baldy; the ascent was a bit like an ascent to a forgotten Olympus, only that the reward was a breathtaking view over the lake, which almost let me forget that I had forgotten my water bottle at home. There is a small visitor centre with toilets and a souvenir shop where you can buy a T-shirt that you can wear later while grilling on the beach – a real starter.
A short detour to the south leads you to Porter County Museum in Valparaiso, which is not directly on the lake but offers a surprisingly interesting insight into the local history. I saw an exhibition on the railroad that reminded me of how many people once travelled by train to work – a little nostalgic, but also a hint that life here was not always just sand and sun. The museum has a small parking lot behind the building, and the staff is so friendly that they even offer you a piece of cake if you need a bit of energy after the tour.
Another highlight I can't leave is that Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Michigan City. I was there because I thought it was a bit cheesy, but the exhibition about the sunken ships of Lake Michigan really tied me up – especially the original artefacts that were borrowed from the wrecks. The museum is located directly on the shore, so after the visit you can take a short walk on the beach to hear the water that continues the stories of the ships. Parking is usually easy at the museum harbour as long as you are not there on Saturday night when the local jazz festival takes place.
For those who prefer to travel on wheels, Calumet Trail A must. I explored the trail by bicycle while trying to find the perfect playlist for a road trip – the result was a mix of 80s hits and indie rock that perfectly matched the wide fields and the isolated villages. The trail is well developed and you can stop anywhere to make a picnic or just enjoy the silence. Most of the sections have free parking at the access points, but at the more lively places, as near the Dunes State Park, you have to count on a few cars that block the way.
Whether you're looking for history, nature, maritime stories or just for a good place to cycle – the surroundings of Beverly Shores offer a colorful mix that satisfies every traveler. And if you have experienced all this, you will understand why the Beverly Shores Attractions so much more than just a few points on a map; they are small chapters of a story you can write yourself.
This guide invites you to take a small but surprisingly self-contained trip through what is commonly referred to as “Beverly Shores” – a place that feels a bit like a forgotten chapter from a 1930’s film between the sandy foothills of Lake Michigan and the tranquil rows of Pine Township.
If you first drive along the street lined by the old Art-Deco-Cottages, you might think you accidentally discovered a film set. These houses, built for wealthy Chicago people who wanted to escape the city noise, are today the heart of the Beverly Shores Historic District. I spent a weekend to investigate the creeping wood of one of the cottages – the sound was almost as loud as the noise of the lake, and that was not a joke. Most of these jewelry are private, so please don't just ring, unless you have a good conversation about architecture in your luggage.
A short trip to the beach is inevitable. The Beverly Shores Beach is not exactly an overflowing hotspot, but this is just its charm. The water is cool enough to refresh you after a few minutes in the sand, and the fine, almost powdery sand grain remains to you long after leaving in the shoe. Practical: Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem – then fight for a place between the families who unpack their barbecue equipment.
Just a few steps further lies the marina, a small but well organized spot where boats swing as if they were sleeping on a cradle. I once tried to rent a kayak, just to find out that the booking must be done online – a little hint that spontaneous adventures do not always work here. Nevertheless, it is worth looking at the boats, especially at sunset, when the light dips the water into a liquid gold.
The Community Center Park is what I would call the “social heart” of the city. There is an old, slightly rusty band stand that is still used for local events. On a Saturday I experienced a small jazz concert where the musicians had more talent than the audience – this is almost a tradition in Beverly Shores. The small playground is ideal when you are travelling with children, and the swimming pool is a refreshing retreat in summer, although the water quality does not always deserve the best Instagram filters.
If after a compact compilation of Beverly Shores Attractions you will find them here – from the historic cottages to the quiet beach to the Marina and the Community Center. Each of these places has its own character, and together they give an image that is more than the sum of its parts.
A short detour to the north leads you to the Indiana Dunes State Park, where you will find West Beach access – a little further, but definitely worth a visit if you feel that you need more sand under the toes. The way there is well signposted, and parking is more generous there, so don't worry if you are fully loaded by car.
At the end of the day, when the sun sinks behind the dunes and flickers the light above the lake, I often sit on one of the few benches on the beach and wonder why I have swept here at all. The answer is simple: Beverly Shores is a place that gives you the feeling of having a little secret – a bit off the hustle, with enough charm to get you back again and again, and enough cynicism to remind you that not everything has to be perfect.
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