By V. Lori Hedges
As far as I’m concerned, there is never a bad day to go to the beach. I would go every day if it were up to me. There is nothing more therapeutic than the sound of waves crashing on the shore. But since I live in southern Indiana, the only shoreline near my home is bordering the Ohio River. While our riverfront is beautiful and relaxing, it’s just not the same as the beach.
If my beach fix was limited to trips to the Atlantic, Pacific or Gulf Coast, I’d be in trouble. Luckily, there are miles of sandy, beautiful beaches just four hours to the north! From the Indiana Dunes National Park to the multitude of other beaches, Lake Michigan has sandy shoreline as far as the eye can see.
Recently I had the pleasure of visiting Michigan City, Indiana – a town that is a perfect getaway destination. My husband was there on business, and I got to tag along, and we turned the down times into a two-day getaway vacation. Michigan City has historic sites, a Casino, theater, music venues, great restaurants and bars, parks, and (of course) beaches.
Since it was such a quick trip, we didn’t get to go everywhere on our list. (I guess that just means we’ll have to go back again soon!) However, we had the opportunity to visit several amazing places, including Michigan City’s Washington Park Beach.
One of the things I love about beaches on the Great Lakes is you have the sensation of being at the Ocean without all the wildlife risks, meaning there are no sharks, jellyfish or stingrays to worry about! Like the ocean, however, you do have to pay attention to the water conditions. Big water is big water, and like the ocean, waves can get rough, and riptides form on a regular basis. So, use caution when swimming, and pay attention to the flags posted at the beach.
Washington Park Beach has life guards on duty during the day, which makes it the perfect place to take your family. The beach is beautiful and clean, with restrooms and concessions on the beach. It’s the perfect place to swim, wade and look for shells and sea glass.
Michigan City has lots to do!
Just a short walk down the shore is the Old Lighthouse Museum, located at 100 Heisman Harbor Road, in Washington Park where you can learn about Great Lakes history and the role lighthouses had in that history. The museum is open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday from April to October. Admission is $5 for person age 14 and older, $2 for persons younger than 14, and free from preschool age and younger.
If you want to see a working lighthouse, just follow the walkway along the shoreline to the Michigan City Lighthouse. The walkway is a great place from which to throw out a fishing line or kick back and watch the sunset – or do both at the same time!
If you need even more stuff to do, Washington Park also offers a zoo, a senior center, a splash park, picnic shelters, a boat launch, a marina, public fishing areas, a fish cleaning station, public art, and a restaurant. Also, if Washington Park’s beach isn’t enough for you, the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is just west of Michigan City and offers many miles of beautiful beaches.
However, if your family is like mine, just going to the beach is not enough to keep active offspring happy. Michigan City has tons of things to do and see. There are several museums, including the Historic Barker Mansion, a beautifully preserved Victorian-era home built in the 1800s by one of Michigan City’s most important citizens, or the Hesston Steam Museum or the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum.
If art and theater is your thing, you’re in luck. Michigan City has a variety of art galleries, and the Canterbury Theatre offers a full season of plays, musical theater, and concerts. Need more excitement? The BlueChip Casino has a blackjack table or slot machine waiting just for you! (Just remember to play responsibly.)
Finding a tasty meal
After a full day of beach lounging, museum tours, and whatever else you manage to crowd into your day, a good meal is more than necessary. During our stay in Michigan City, we ate at several restaurants. A couple really stood out from the rest.
First, let me suggest Galveston Steak House. A family-owned restaurant, located at 10 Commerce Square, Galveston believes in great food, big portions, and friendly service. Eating there was a great way to end a wonderful day.
I also had the opportunity to pop into Ryan’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, located at 401 Franklin Street. I was just looking for a snack and something to drink, but boy did I get more than I bargained for! I had skipped lunch so I asked for an order of deep-fried cauliflower, thinking it would be a little something to get me through until dinner. What came to my table was a huge heaping bowl of deliciousness! Stop in for a snack, but you may want to bring someone with you to help eat it!
Staying in Michigan City
Accommodations in Michigan City run from one extreme to the other. We stayed at the BlueChip Casino in a room which I consider to be a typical no-frills hotel room. I recommend you check out the other accommodations offered in the town as the walls at the BlueChip are thin, making for a noisy abode. If you’re visiting on a budget, there are campgrounds and RV parks available, with some offering cabins. On the other end of the spectrum, there are several hotels, including the BlueChip, that offer luxury suites. The city also has a variety of beautiful B&Bs, or you can opt to rent a beach house through a site like HomeStay.
Regardless of where you decide to stay, your visit to Michigan City is sure to be a highlight of your summer. I know my family is excited to spend a couple days this summer enjoying the beaches near Michigan City.
All photos are the property of V. Lori Hedges, and may not be used without permission.
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