Michigan City IndianaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Michigan City, Indiana.
1. Michigan City Beach
SCENIC LAKESIDE RETREAT
Michigan City Beach offers visitors a pristine shoreline along Lake Michigan with soft sand and beautiful views. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking during the summer months. The beach provides a perfect escape from city life with its natural beauty and refreshing waters.
2. Barker Mansion
HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL GEM
Barker Mansion is a magnificent 38-room mansion that showcases the opulence of Michigan City's industrial past. This historic home was built by freight car industrialist John H. Barker and features original furnishings, artwork, and architectural details. Guided tours take visitors through the lavish interior, offering glimpses into the lifestyle of one of the area's most prominent families.
3. Michigan Lighthouse
ICONIC MARITIME LANDMARK
Michigan Lighthouse stands as a sentinel at the end of a long pier extending into Lake Michigan. This historic lighthouse has guided ships safely to shore since the 1800s and now serves as both a functional navigation aid and popular tourist destination. Visitors can walk the pier to reach the lighthouse and enjoy spectacular views of the lake and Michigan City's shoreline.
4. Washington Park
VIBRANT LAKEFRONT RECREATION
Washington Park offers 99 acres of recreational space along Lake Michigan's shoreline with multiple amenities. The park features a marina, playground, splash pad, and scenic walking paths that wind through landscaped grounds. Visitors can enjoy special events, concerts, and festivals that take place throughout the year in this community gathering space.
5. Washington Park Zoo
LAKESIDE ANIMAL ADVENTURE
Washington Park Zoo houses over 90 species of animals in a charming setting overlooking Lake Michigan. Visitors can observe tigers, kangaroos, birds, and many other animals while walking through the zoo's historic WPA-era buildings and structures. The zoo also features a train ride, gift shop, and educational programs that make it perfect for family outings.
6. Blue Chip Casino
ENTERTAINMENT AND GAMING
Blue Chip Casino offers visitors a premier gaming and entertainment experience in its expansive facility. The casino features slot machines, table games, and a poker room alongside multiple dining options ranging from casual to upscale. Beyond gambling, guests can enjoy live entertainment, relax at the spa, or stay overnight in the hotel's comfortable accommodations.
7. Lubeznik Center for the Arts
CONTEMPORARY ART SHOWCASE
Lubeznik Center for the Arts serves as a cultural hub for the visual arts in Michigan City, featuring rotating exhibitions of contemporary works. The center hosts gallery shows, educational programs, and workshops for artists of all ages and skill levels. Visitors can explore multiple gallery spaces housed in a modern building that itself is an architectural point of interest.
8. Old Lighthouse Museum
MARITIME HISTORY PRESERVED
Old Lighthouse Museum preserves Michigan City's original 1858 lighthouse structure, now filled with maritime artifacts and local history. The museum's exhibits chronicle the development of the harbor, shipping industry, and the lives of lighthouse keepers who once maintained this important navigational aid. Visitors can climb the lighthouse tower for panoramic views of the lake and surrounding area.
9. Shady Creek Winery
LOCAL WINE EXPERIENCE
Shady Creek Winery welcomes visitors to sample locally produced wines in a relaxed setting near Lake Michigan. The winery offers tastings of their diverse wine selection along with cheese platters and light fare that complement their vintages. Guests can enjoy indoor and outdoor seating areas while learning about winemaking processes and the unique characteristics of Indiana wines.
10. Burn 'Em Brewing
CRAFT BEER DESTINATION
Burn 'Em Brewing creates innovative craft beers that have developed a loyal following among locals and visitors alike. The brewery's taproom offers a rotating selection of unique brews in a casual, industrial-chic setting. Visitors can sample flights, enjoy pints, and sometimes catch food trucks or special events that enhance the craft beer experience.
11. Indiana Dunes National Park
NATURAL COASTAL WONDER
Indiana Dunes National Park showcases 15,000 acres of stunning dunes, wetlands, prairies, and forests along Lake Michigan's southern shore near Michigan City. Visitors can hike more than 50 miles of trails that wind through diverse ecosystems supporting rare plants and wildlife. The park's beaches provide opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and witnessing spectacular sunsets over Lake Michigan.
12. Friendship Botanic Gardens
INTERNATIONAL GARDEN RETREAT
Friendship Botanic Gardens spans 105 acres of cultivated gardens and natural woodlands along Trail Creek in Michigan City. The gardens feature themed areas representing different nations and cultures, connected by serene walking paths and punctuated with sculptures and water features. Visitors can enjoy seasonal blooms, attend outdoor concerts, or simply find peaceful moments in this natural sanctuary.
13. Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets
DESIGNER SHOPPING DESTINATION
Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets offers shoppers discounted prices on designer and name-brand merchandise in an open-air shopping center. The outlet mall features over 100 stores including clothing, accessories, home goods, and specialty items. Visitors can enjoy significant savings while browsing through the brick walkways of this popular shopping destination.
14. Calumet Bike Trail
SCENIC CYCLING PATH
Calumet Bike Trail provides cyclists and hikers with a 9.1-mile path through the natural beauty of the Indiana dunes area near Michigan City. The trail follows an abandoned railroad corridor, offering a flat, crushed limestone surface ideal for recreational riding. Nature enthusiasts can observe diverse ecosystems including wetlands, forests, and prairie habitats during their journey.
15. Beverly Shores Beach
TRANQUIL LAKESIDE ESCAPE
Beverly Shores Beach offers a less crowded alternative to Michigan City's main beaches with its unspoiled stretches of sand along Lake Michigan. Visitors can enjoy swimming, beachcombing, and bird watching in a more natural setting away from large crowds. The beach is known for its beautiful sunsets and the nearby historic Century of Progress homes that were relocated from the 1933 Chicago World's Fair.