The Lake Michigan Road Trip That Shows You a New Side of Indiana
June 21, 2022
Did you hear that? No, not the barking dog in the street. Listen louder. Yeah, this. It’s the sound of your soul yearning for a road trip, and guess what? We’ll give you one, and it’s centered on Lake Michigan, perfect for a whole weekend of good times. This Lake Michigan road trip in Northwest Indiana is ideal for anyone with a sense of adventure (and for lovers of all of Indiana’s amazing lakes). Get the car ready, fuel up, buckle up, and take a few days to enjoy the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan (Indiana style).
It’s a quiet little town, perfect for grabbing breakfast, and all the best things to do can be found in nearby towns, making it a great “home base” for jumping into. We start our journey in a nice and quiet place, but from now on there is plenty to do. Check out local cafes like Jackie’s Café, which is technically in New Buffalo (but close enough to Michiana Shores to mention anyway), then get going: we’ve got plenty to do.
Lake Kai, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
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Friendship Botanical Gardens, 2055 East, US-12, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
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This hidden gem is a jewel in the crown of coastal Indiana, with incredibly beautiful and immaculately manicured gardens, trails, ponds, and plenty of places to sit and reflect (sometimes literally). Best of all, it’s not huge – only 105 acres – making it a great stop to stretch your legs and enjoy the outdoors for a little while before moving on.
Washington Park Zoo, 115 Lake Shore Dr, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
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What makes it so wonderful? Well, it’s remarkably intimate, covering just 15 acres of space and full of intriguing (and downright beautiful) animals from around the world. You could kill several hours here, so be sure to wear sunscreen and enjoy safely, as it can get hot sometimes even here during the day.
Lighthouse Place, Lighthouse Pl, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
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There are plenty of places to stay in Michigan City, as well as restaurants, galleries, shops, and more. It’s a beautiful end to a perfect day.
Beverly Shores, IN, USA
Kemil Beach, Beverly Shores, IN 46304, USA
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Beverly Shore is also excellent for stargazing and for watching celestial events like meteor showers thanks to its “dark sky” city designation, which means light pollution is kept to a minimum once the sun goes down and let the stars come out to play.
Indiana Dunes National Park, 1215 N State Rd 49, Porter, IN 46304, USA
Mount Baldy, Mount Baldy, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
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But don’t worry – it’s ultimately harmless, and it’s absolutely beautiful, especially when the last rays of sunlight seem to be engulfing it.
So what do you think? Would you embark on this epic road trip on Lake Michigan in Indiana? To follow along (or add your own stops), be sure to visit the Google map we created just that.
What’s your favorite stop along Lake Michigan that we haven’t included? After all, there are many! Let us know what you think in the comments and nominate your favorite places in Indiana to be featured one day!
Address: Indiana Dunes National Park, 1215 N State Rd 49, Porter, IN 46304, USA
Address: Mount Baldy, Mount Baldy, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
Address: Beverly Shores, IN, USA
Address: Kemil Beach, Beverly Shores, IN 46304, USA
Address: Lighthouse Place, Lighthouse Pl, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
Address: Friendship Botanical Gardens, 2055 East, US-12, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
Address: Washington Park Zoo, 115 Lake Shore Dr, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
Address: Lake Kai, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
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