Things To Do in Michigan City, Indiana

Michigan City Things to Do

Indiana is a Great Lakes state. This is never more obvious that when you spend time in Michigan City. It lies on the banks of Lake Michigan just about an hour east of Chicago. Many Chicagoans have a lake house in the area where they go in the summer to relax and unwind. Like any other lake town, there is a lot of stuff to do for both locals and visitors. Here are some popular examples.

Mt. Baldy Dunes

The dunes are the most popular curiosity in the area when it comes to its landscape. They are giant sand hills on the beaches of Lake Michigan. Climbing them is a great workout and is very rewarding once you reach the top. The most popular one is Mt. Baldy, located in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. It is interesting to note that the dune has been slowly moving south thanks to the people mostly climbing the north side. The main reason it is moving is because of the winds that come off of the lake during the winter. Because of this, it is often referred to as a “living dune”.

Historical Lighthouses

The beach around Michigan City provides the only access to Lake Michigan in the state of Indiana. Because of this, lighthouses were built along the coast in the middle part of the nineteenth century. The two original houses, The Old Light and the Pierhead, still stand today. Old Light is still used today to help guide small boats careening around the Lake at night. Pierhead has since been converted into a museum about lighthouses and the history of the Michigan City harbor.

The Old Lighthouse is located in Washington Park and is the only lighthouse in the entire state. A visit to the museum costs $2 per adult. You should know that it is only open from 1 pm – 4 pm every Tuesday through Sunday.

Washington Park

Washington Park is where locals and tourists gather to take in the beach and maybe have a picnic. The park is rather large and consists of wide open sand. It is the home to many of the dunes and the aforementioned lighthouses. It is easily the biggest beach in the state and one of the main attractions in Michigan City.

The Lighthouse Place Outlet Mall

Bargain hunters from all over should definitely make a visit to the Lighthouse Place Outlet Mall. The shopping center is home to a myriad of different discount stores. It is one of the largest outlet malls in the area, certainly the closest one until you get to Chicago. Many shoppers make the 60-mile trek from Chicago just to come shop at one of the almost 100 stores in the shopping center. It is conveniently located just off of Highway 12, so it is easy to get to from anywhere.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Michigan City.