Visit Dune Acres Porter Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights 2025. Dune Acres, Indiana: Beach stay at Great Marsh State Park. Unique sand dunes with toterroid waves and many possibilities for surfing and windsurfing. Love shopping in the neighboring Town of Porter.
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.
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.
Find more vacation destinations near Dune Acres Porter Indiana using our map.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
