Visit Kingsford Heights LaPorte Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the rural charm of Kingsford Heights in Indiana! Here you will find the quiet and idyllic surroundings of Lake Michigan. Relaxing hiking trails, boat trips on the lake and simple but tasty dishes await you. A must: The sunsets above the lake are unforgettable!
Honestly, if you're looking for a place that combines history and a bit underestimated charm, then the Kingsford Heights sights are just the right thing – at least from my point of view. The city was built at the beginning of the 1950s when the former Air Force Base was converted into a residential area after World War II; This is still felt on the wide streets and the old bunkers, which now serve as a warehouse for garden equipment. Union Township, which is located in LaPorte County, gives the whole an almost rural setting, although you are no more than 5 minutes away from I‐90 – so no problem when you arrive by car, and the bus to South Bend occasionally stops close, if you prefer to use public transport. I don't understand the hype around the small cafes in downtown, but the “Miller’s Diner” next to the old fire department store has a milkshake that is really great, and the historic fire department store itself is a nice photo motif if you want to capture a little nostalgia. And yes, the Kingsford Heights sights include not only what is in travel guides, but also the quiet moments at Lake Michigan, which is only a stone's throw away – perfect for letting the soul go after a walk through the old town houses.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Kingsford Heights is not some hipster café, but that St John the Baptist Catholic Church. The brick dome is not exactly an architectural miracle, but the silence you find there when you stroll through the small streets of the city after a long day is really unpaid. I was there on a rainy Tuesday, I took a place in the back bank and suddenly I heard the quiet ticking of an old watch – that was the loudest sound of the day, and I wondered why I moved back here again and again.
A short walk further Kingsford Heights Public Library. I don't quite understand the hype about libraries, but there's a corner with an old wooden writing table where I made my notes for the next road trip. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the weekly bingo event will block the few pitches. Nevertheless, the visit is worthwhile because you find not only books, but also a few yellowed city plans from the 50s that I repeatedly browse to imagine how the city looked at at at that time.
If you want a little green, look at the Kingsford Heights Park on. The name sounds like a marketing gag, but the facility is actually a nice piece of lawn, a small playground and a basketball basket that survived more than a few worn nets. I once organized a spontaneous picnic with my neighbor, because the weather suddenly became clear – that was the only time I saw the barbecue in the park, and I swear that was a real highlight because we almost occupied the entire park with a single grill.
Another must is that Kingsford Heights Community Center. Most local events take place here, from yoga classes to the infamous karaoke nights where the voice of someone from the neighborhood sounds so sloping that you ask if this is a new musical style. I took part in a “art and crafts” workshop where we made collages from old magazines – the result was a bit messy, but that was exactly what I love in this place: the mix of amateur creativity and real community.
There is also a bit of history Kingsford Heights Town Hall. The building is not particularly imposing, but the walls are full of photographs of former mayors who all have the same serious miene. I once found a random city map showing the old railroad tracks that once led through the city – a small treasure for anyone interested in local history. Parking is almost always a Klacks, because the town hall has a small plot and the road is hardly driven.
For those looking for a little retro feeling, this is Old Mill Diner a real secret tip. The shield is a bit off, the staff knows you by name, and the food is – honestly – not what you would expect from a gourmet restaurant, but the homemade pancakes are really great. I was there on a Sunday morning when the city was half-slept, and I fought over the whole week with a coffee and a plate of syrup.
And because I must not forget everything: Kingsford Heights Sights of course also include the small but fine Union Township Fire Department. There are old fire helmets and a rusty hose that could tell more stories than some politicians. I once met a former firefighter who told me about a fire in 1978, where an old tractor almost torched the entire warehouse – that was a real goose bump – and I feel that I felt a piece of real Indiana strength there.
The first impression you get from the area around Kingsford Heights is the unobtrusive noise of the Michigan Sea, which moves through the dune landscape – a sound that I learned to really appreciate when I was sunning over the sand of Mount Baldy and almost lost the balance, because the steep paths smelled more like an obstacle course than after a walk. Who comes here should not be surprised if parking at the main entrance is a small battlefield on the weekend; a few minutes walk over the side street and you have a place that is almost as good as a VIP spot.
A short detour to the south leads directly into the Indian Dunes State Parkwhere the water of Lake Michigan is so clear that when jumping into the cool wet you almost feel like landing in a huge aquarium. I remember the day that I had a picnic on the West Beach with a friend – the only thing that made the picture even more perfect was a passing crane that apparently asked us with a side view if we wanted to camp here all year round. Admission is free, that is, the only thing you really have to pay is the promise not to leave the garbage.
A bit further east, in Michigan City, this is Old Michigan City Light, a lighthouse that has more stories to tell than most guides. I started a small photo project there to capture the changing colors of the sunset, and was addressed by an older gentleman who explained to me that he experienced his first sailing adventures here as a teenager. Parking is best done in the early evening, otherwise you have to do yourself with the tourist crowds on the main promenade.
Back to Union Township attracts the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk with a mixture of urban flair and nature. I spent an afternoon there while I was sitting on a bench and listening to the passing canoe – a perfect place to turn off the phone and just watch the water. The trails are well developed, so that you can easily travel the distance of about three kilometres by bike; a small note: the bicycle stand at the main entrance is often occupied, so rather park a few meters further along.
A short jump to LaPorte brings you to Washington Park, a green gem hidden between historic buildings and modern cafés. I once discovered a spontaneous street music festival organized by a group of local students – that was a real “real super” moment because you suddenly feel like being part of a small but living community. The park is open around the clock, and parking is almost always a children's game thanks to the many public places.
For history lovers among us there is LaPorte County Historical Museum, a place where you can almost physically feel the past of the region. I remember sitting in an old school room and scrolling through an original copy of the "LaPorte Gazette" published in 1905 – that was a moment in which I understand the hype of modern museums a little less because here the authenticity is easy to grasp. The museum is centrally located, and parking is right in front of the entrance, which is particularly convenient when you arrive with heavy luggage.
Last but not least, a tip for the adventurous: The St. Joseph River Kayak Trail offers a quiet yet impressive opportunity to explore the surroundings from the water. I spent half a day there while I tried to find the best photospots – the result was a slightly blurred picture of a duck couple who was curiously watching us. Access to the trail is free, and the docking of canoes is uncomplicated in most places as long as you don't get late at the weekend, because then the boats are gone faster than you can say “Paddel”.
Whether you're exploring the rough dunes of Indiana Dunes, enjoying the historic charm of Michigan City Light or just want to paddle on St. Joseph River – Kingsford Heights' surroundings offer more than enough reasons to expand your own guide. For those looking for authentic experiences, Kingsford Heights Sights an underestimated jewel that deserves to be discovered.
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