What makes Gary Sights so special is the unique mix of rusty industrial history and surprisingly lively present that brings me back to wonder every time I stroll through the streets of Calumet Township. I remember seeing the old steelworks on the banks of Lake Michigan as a child – once the backbone of American production, today silent witnesses of an era that produced more than just steel: community, pride and a touch of indestructibility. Who dares to venture here immediately senses the harsh charm that extends from brick buildings to the faded advertising boards.
A short trip by bus from Chicago (line 30 goes directly to Gary) leads you to the heart of the neighborhood, where I like to enjoy a cup of coffee in a small diner and take a look at the old harbour basin – a place that tourists rarely observe but which I feel as the true pulsation of the city. I don't understand the hype about the big museums, but the small local galleries along 4th Street have more soul for me. And next time you drive over Highway 12, stop briefly, breathe in the cool breeze from the lake and let yourself be caught by the quiet size of this city – that's the true Gary I keep discovering.
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One might think that the true heart of Calumet Township will only be beaten when you leave the dusty plaster of Gary behind and swing towards the north on Highway 12, where the water of Lake Michigan finally gets the chance to flood the industrial slags. The first stop is Indiana Dunes National Parka huge piece of untamed nature stretching over 15 miles of coast. I spent a few hours with my folding bike there, and that was no joke: the dunes are so loose that you almost feel that they would push a bit further down every time you try to catch the perfect photo moment. Parking is usually a Klack at the main parking lot, except for the hot summer days when the families with picnic baskets like ants emerge from nothing and occupy every free gap.
A short trip to Portage leads to Indian Dunes State Park, where the visitor centre reveals more about the local Flora than you would find in every guide. I remember there a sign about the rare Pitcher Plant read and suddenly felt like being a botany nerd, while an older gentleman, beside me, said loudly that he comes here every year to the “Moor” fair. The trails are well marked, and the bathing lake on the edge is a refreshing retreat when the sun burns mercilessly – the water is not crystal clear, but that makes the charm.
Back to the south, but still outside the actual city boundaries, the Calumet Trail. This 16-mile-long path stretches through old industrial areas, past quiet lakes and abandoned warehouses that tell more stories than any museum tour. I straightened the trail once at sunrise; the light glittering over the water of Lake George makes the rusty silhouettes seem almost poetic. A little hint: Most sections are asphalted, but a few places are still sandy, so better not attract the high heels.
A bit further east, in Crown Point, this is waiting Lake County Fairgrounds. The annual county fair spectacle takes place here, but even outside the high season the terrain has something magnetic. I discovered a local food truck festival where the “Fried Lake Chicken” tastes almost better than the original from Gary. Parking is usually free as long as you do not arrive on Saturday night – then the terrain turns into a parking-mosh-Pit, and you have to get in touch early.
Just a few minutes further lies the historical Crown Point Courthouse Square. The impressive brick building from the 19th century The century is not only a photo motif, but also a place where you can feel the true “Midwest feeling”. I once met an old city guide who told me that the court building was once called “the most beautiful piece of wood in Indiana” – a bit exaggerated, but the attention to detail is noticeable. The surrounding cafés offer good coffee, and parking is a children's game thanks to the wide streets.
A last, slightly underestimated spot is that Marquette Park on the outskirts of Gary, which is technically still part of the city, but due to its location on the lake almost acts as an independent refuge. There is a small amphitheater in which local bands occasionally occur in the summer – I was randomly at an open-mix evening and witnessed how a teenage rapper brought the crowd to death with an improvised beat. The lake is small, but the water is clear enough to observe the ducks, and parking is almost always free as long as you do not choose the weekend.
After a day full Gary Attractions Going back home remains the feeling that the surroundings of Calumet Township have more to offer than one would suspect at first glance – from wild dunes to quiet lakes to historic places that make the heart of any easily cynical traveler beat higher.
The history of Gary begins long before the first steel pipe, here in the 20th. The century was raised from the ground – and you can immediately see that when you see the old, slightly rusty fence at the entrance of the Gary work crossed. I made a random tour there with a former layered conductor who told me that the gigantic halls do not allow full production to run, but the echo of the machines still echoes through the concrete walls. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the “steel fans” from all over Indiana move.
A short walk leads you to Marquette Park, the only real green piece that still breathes a bit from the once splendour of the city. There is a small lake where ducks are shading, and an old amphitheatre, which is sometimes opened for local bands – no joke, that is actually a popular spot for indie acts from Chicago that appreciate the favorable entry. I made a picnic with friends there in the summer, and while we complained about the heat, an elderly man came by with a binoculars and told about the “big concerts” of the 70s that took place here. This is the real Gary feeling you don't find in travel guides.
If you're looking for a little culture, take a look at the Gary Public Library. The building is an architectural relic from the 1930s, and the shelves are full of local newspapers you don't get anywhere else. I discovered an old photo album that shows the city in the upswing – a little nostalgic, but also a hint of why some locals still hold on to the “golden days”. The staff is friendly, but not exaggerated, enthusiastic about what I feel as refreshingly honest.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Miller Beach. Yes, this is technically a part of Gary, and it is one of the few places where you can enjoy Lake Michigan's water without the usual crowds from Chicago. The sand is a bit rough, but it makes the charm. I remember how I had almost caught the waves with an old surfboard that I borrowed from a friend – the result was rather a wet fall, but the laughing of my companions was unpaid.
For those who prefer to travel on wheels, Calumet Trail, which runs along the shores of Lake Michigan and is perfect for a relaxing bike tour. The path is well developed and you can walk past small art installations designed by local artists. I once met an old bike courier who told me that he used to transport packages between Gary and Chicago – a job that hardly exists today, but the stories are worth gold.
A bit away from the usual paths Lake County Fairgrounds. This is where fairs, flea markets and the annual County Fair take place all year round. In autumn I discovered a stand with handmade leather goods produced by a former steel worker – a perfect example of how Gary transforms his industrial past into a creative present. Parking is always a mess there, but this is part of the charm when you feel the crowds and the scent of burnt almonds in the air.
Of course, Gary/Chicago International Airport do not forget that this is not exactly a tourist destination, but is practical for travellers who want to get to the city quickly. I missed a flight there once, because the staff was too friendly and invited me to a coffee – no joke, that was the most friendly “excuse me, we missed you” experience I ever had.
At the end of my small tour through the city I want to Gary Aquatic Center mention. The swimming pool is not exactly an architectural wonder, but it is clean, the water is warm and there is a small kiosk that serves amazingly good hot dogs. I played there on a hot summer day with a few local Badminton – that was a real one Gary Attractions-Moment, because it shows that life continues here despite all the challenges.
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