Visit East Chicago Lake Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. East Chicago, Indiana: Experience the industrial city at Lake Michigan Bay and discover the U.S. Steel Yard or the Marquette Park.
Travelers from all over the world appreciate East Chicago attractions because the city offers a slanted caleidoscope of industrial history and local charm. I have to admit that I have never understood the whole hype about the rusty steelworks completely – until I even strolled through the old warehouses of North Township and heard the echo of past workers, which almost seemed poetic. Founded in 1889, East Chicago grew rapidly thanks to the steel and chemical industry, and the heritage is still felt in the brick buildings and the silent testimonies of the Union Parks.
The view over Lake County, where the water of the Indiana Lake is almost a bit too quiet, reminds me that not only factories, but also fishing families had their roots here. When you arrive with the South Shore Line from Chicago, you can immediately see that the city balances between the city's urban and industrial grunge – a bit like a hipster café next to a junkyard cant.
I like to take the bus 93 that brings me directly to the heart of East Chicago, where I try a “real” Indian curry in a small diner – no joke, that is better than anything you find in the tourist guides. And while I'm standing here, I realize that people here have a peculiar self-confidence: they talk openly about the rough times, but celebrate every little bit of progress as if it were a festival. Those who want to experience the true, unsightly picture of East Chicago find more than just the usual sights – you get a piece of history that still breathes.
The history of East Chicago begins long before the steelworks, which today dominate the cityscape, and I feel that every stone here breathes a bit of this rough past – especially when you get to the East Chicago Riverwalk strolls along and hears the noise of the Grand Calumet, which has more stories to tell than so many guides.
I must admit, I was skeptical when a friend put the new waterfront in my heart. But after a rainy afternoon, when I hid under a folding wooden pavilion and had a glimpse over the old shipyards, I realized that this is not a cheesy photo pot, but a real one. district destressing location. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the local anglers and the a few hipsters want to put on with their e-bikes at the same time.
A short detour to East Chicago Historical Society Museum is a must if you East Chicago Attractions really wants to understand. The museum sits in the former Carnegie library building and is stuffed with photos of chimneys that used to censor the sky, and old workers' uniforms that are hardly found in museums outside the Middle West. I remember spending almost the whole day there because I discovered an old photo of my great-grandfather that shows him in a layer in the Indiana Harbor – a small but fine moment that made the city history personal.
If you're looking for a place where you can recover from industrial noise, look at the Calumet Trail on. The path stretches through parks, over old railroad tracks and offers surprising views of Lake Michigan. I once made a picnic with a friend while a van full of steel beams passed by – that was the most beautiful contrast image I have ever seen. The trail is well signposted, and you can park almost anywhere for free as long as you don't land in the narrow streets of the city center where the residents block their garages.
Another highlight is the St John the Baptist Catholic Churcha Gothic gem from the early 20th century. The stained glass windows are so colourful that they illuminate even the grayest day, and the organ sounds as if they remind every visitor that there is more than just steel and dirt. I visited the fair once on a Sunday, just to chat with an older gentleman about the changes in the church – he told me that the church was the center of social life before the factories took everything.
For all who love the water is the small East Chicago Marina at Lake Michigan a underestimated jewel. The access is free, and you can rent boats or just sit on the ridge and enjoy the fresh breeze. I spent a few hours there in the summer, while a fisherman told me why the local species are particularly tough – a conversation I will never forget because it freed the city from its purely industrial façade.
Last but not least, Indian Harbor do not leave, even if it is more known for its rough silhouettes. A walk along the harbor at sunset when the ships slowly sink in the light is almost poetic. I took a photo there that I later published in my blog, and the picture was immediately shared by a local blogger – proof that even the toughest corners of East Chicago hide a bit of romance.
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