What makes Dune Acres so special is the almost secret way with which this tiny coastal village breathes history on the banks of the Michigan Sea. I have always wondered why the founding in 1925 – thought of as an exclusive retreat for wealthy Chicagoers – still smells a little bit like the scent of champagne today, although most of them only touch the car. Those who drive over the old railway line from Valparaiso to Chicago quickly realize that the rails here are more a relic than a means of transport; Instead, the US‐20 sounds like a narrow river through the Westchester Township and lets you land in a few minutes in the heart of Porter County.
Once you get out of the car, you can immediately feel that the houses here smell more like “family dyll” than “tourist trap”. I don't quite understand the hype about the luxurious lake views, but the small café on the Dune Acres Road, which is only frequented by locals, serves the best coffee I ever had in Indiana – without a tourist discount. The few, but well-kept green areas along the beach are perfect to hear the quiet pleasing of the waves while considering whether you want to spend the next weekend here. And if you ask yourself how to come here: a short detour from I‐94 to the north, then turn right onto County Road 50, and you are in the middle of the charming Dune Acres, where life flows slower but no less interesting.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance – taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
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 Dune Acres, 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 place you can't overlook here is that Indiana Dunes National Park, a huge piece of untamed coast that stretches along the Michigan Sea and is overrun almost every weekend by families, dog owners and the one or other hardcore walkers. I once tried to photograph the sunrise, just to find out that the sun was blocked by a group of joggers who loudly shared their playlist – no joke, that was almost a ritual. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem, because then all the Chicago Berlins will pick up their tents.
A short trip after Miller Beach feels like a small but fine counterpart to the wild national park: here there is a well-kept sandy beach, an old, slightly weathered pier building and a few cafés that talk more about their own Instagram feeds than about the water. I don't understand the hype around the Miller Beach Boardwalk, but the small fish restaurant that sits right on the pier serves the best crabs I've ever eaten – and that's a reason enough to stay here, even if the gulls steal the food.
Just a couple of miles away Bailly Homestead, the oldest preserved house in northwest India. The museum is a bit like a time travel cinema led by a family that seems to know more about the history of the region than any professor at the university. While I stood there and looked at the old tools, a little boy came by and asked if the house was “like a castle” – I had to laugh because the house is rather a sturdy block house, but the enthusiasm was contagious. Admission is free, and parking is right in front of the house, which makes the whole quite straightforward.
A little further south, in Portage, waits West Beach – a popular spot for surfers who have declared the smooth waters of Michigan Lake to their playground. I once tried to ride a few waves there, just to realize that my wings had more uplift than my skills. Nevertheless, the beach café is a real secret tip: the homemade lemonades are really great, and the staff knows every visitor by name, which is almost refreshing in an area that is otherwise overrun by tourists.
If you're ready to drive a few kilometers further to Michigan City, you'll encounter the Marquette Park. The park is famous for its wide green areas and stunning views of the lake, but what really impressed me was the small amphitheater where local bands occur in the summer. I happened to be in an open-mix evening and heard some pretty sloppy guitar sounds that still created a charming, almost nostalgic atmosphere. The parking lot is large enough that you rarely have to look for a free space, unless you come to the main event.
Another highlight you should not miss is the Michigan City Lighthouse. The lighthouse stands proudly on the shore and offers a fantastic view over the lake – perfect for an Instagram photo, which is then of course commented by everyone who has never been there. I spent a bit of time there to climb up the old stairs, and I had to find that the steps crawled as if they had their own lives. The entrance is free, and parking is right next to the lighthouse, which makes the whole very comfortable.
Lastly, Indian Dunes State Park mentioned that, unlike the national park, is somewhat smaller, but better maintained. There are well-marked hiking trails, a visitor center that explains more about the local Flora and fauna, and a small lake where you can swim in the summer. I once made a picnic with friends, and we made fun of the fact that we had more insects than people in the picture – a typical Indiana experience. Parking is free at the main entrance as long as you don't come at the weekend with a group of school classes.
If you are looking for a place that offers both nature, history and a bit of local flair, you will quickly notice in the vicinity of Dune Acres that the selection of activities is almost as diverse as the people who come here. Whether you want to explore the wide dunes, the charming lighthouse or the old homestead – the Dune Acres Attractions offer for everyone something that makes the stay unforgettable, even if you occasionally stumble over a few gulls or crunching stairs.
This guide invites you to immerse yourself in the sleepy but self-willing flair of Dune Acres – yes, just the tiny little town in the Westchester Township, which you would easily overlook if you don't accidentally stroll past the shores of Lake Michigan.
I must confess, my favorite place here is this Dune Acres Beach. Not just an overflowing tourist beach, but a narrow strip of sand, which the residents guard with a mixture of pride and light arguing. When you arrive there in the summer you will notice that the water is so clear that you almost feel you swim in a huge aquarium. Parking is usually easy, except for the hot weekends in July, then there is a small mess at the small parking lot behind the beach house – then you have to walk a few meters, but this is almost part of the adventure.
A short walk I land at Dune Acres Parka tiny green piece that has more charm than surface. There is a playground that is more intended for children of neighbors, but I have often used it as a picnic place because the benches offer a perfect panorama on the lake. I once set up an improvised jazz set with my friend from Chicago – no joke, people actually applauded, although we had only one guitar and an old saxophone.
Go on Dune Acres Boat Launch. Here most locals start their small boats, kayaks and sometimes even a folding inflatable that makes more noise than an old diesel tractor. The launch area is not large, but the atmosphere is unmistakable: a touch of freedom mixed with the occasional squeaking of a rusty pump. I once tried to follow the sunset with a kayak – the result was a wet, but happy me that landed on the shore while the other boats had already disappeared in the dark.
A little further, almost hidden behind a few old trees, this is Dune Acres Community Center. The building is not particularly imposing, but it is the social heart of the community. Here the weekly Bingo evenings take place, and I even learned a few surprisingly good dance steps from the seniors there – who would have thought that you can still dance the Cha‐Cha at the age of 80? The center has a small kiosk where you get a few snacks; this is practical if you need some energy after a long walk at the lake.
If you want to make a little story, you should Dune Acres Historic District explore. The houses here mostly come from the 1920s and 1930s and show a mixture of craftsman and Tudor styles that are otherwise found only in more expensive suburbs. I once made a walk where I almost felt like walking in a film by Frank Capra – the street is lined with ancient oaks, and the façades look like they were whispering stories from another time. A little hint: the neighborhood is mostly private, so keep on the paths and be respectful.
Another slightly overlooked jewel is the Dune Acres Water Tower. This rusty colossus protrudes over the roofs and is a popular photo motif for Instagram users looking for the perfect “Lake-Michigan vibe”. I once made a selfie that was later called “the epic water tower shot” by friends – a bit ironic, but hey, this is Dune Acres.
Finally, and that may not be what one would expect from a guide, there is that Dune Acres Cemetery. A small cemetery on the edge of the place where the graves of the founding families lie. I once spent a quiet minute to think about the transience – watching a squirrel that was brave enough to steal a piece of bread. This is a perfect example of how life pulsates here in small, unexpected moments.
If you now think that this is too little to describe Dune Acres, then you probably don't have the Dune Acres Attractions in its entirety. Each of these places has its own, slightly self-willing charm, and together they create an image that is vivid and surprisingly alive at the same time. So, grab your car, your bike or your kayak and let yourself be enchanted by this little spot Indiana – I promise you won't be disappointed as long as you're ready to sneak a bit and love the imperfect.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
