The Lake Michigan Road Trip That Shows You a New Side of Indiana
Indianapolis

The Lake Michigan Road Trip That Shows You a New Side of Indiana

By Judy J. Beasley


Posted in Indiana
June 21, 2022
by Tori Jane


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).

We begin the adventure in Michiana Shores, a cute little town right on the border of Indiana and Michigan.

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.

Our first stop will be at Lake Kai, a small landscaped lake between Michiana Shores and Michigan City.

Lake Kai, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA

The lake is home to several sandy beaches and many wonderful homes built right on the shore. Many of these homes are available for rent as unique Airbnbs in Indiana or VRBO, and the lake is beautiful enough that we’re definitely considering staying for a while.

Our next stop brings us closer to Michigan City, where we will visit the famous Friendship Botanical Gardens.

Friendship Botanical Gardens, 2055 East, US-12, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA

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.

But don’t worry, because we’re not going far – we’re just heading to Washington Park Zoo, one of the best zoos in Indiana!

Washington Park Zoo, 115 Lake Shore Dr, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA

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.

Then you’ll find yourself in what might be the most famous part of Michigan City: the lighthouse, which is perched at the end of a beautiful pier that will make you feel like you’re at sea (instead of landlocked in the Midwest).

Lighthouse Place, Lighthouse Pl, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA

The Michigan City Lighthouse is a stunner and easily one of the most beautiful places in Indiana. It’s amazing from sunrise to sunset, and might be your favorite stop on this trip if you’re a fan of photogenic scenery.

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.

Wake up early and leave fast, because we’re hanging out in Beverly Shores today.

Beverly Shores, IN, USA

Kemil Beach, Beverly Shores, IN 46304, USA

It has it all: it’s close to Indiana Dunes National Park, beaches to die for (like Kemil Beach), upscale restaurants, galleries, shopping, restaurants, bakeries, and all the fun outdoor activities you know and love Indiana.
Camp, fish, kayak, boat, or do whatever your heart desires on beautiful Lake Michigan, which is easily one of the clearest lakes in Indiana.

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.

Finally, you’ll want to end up at Indiana Dunes National Park to see Mount Baldy, both beautiful and unusual, considering that it once swallowed a child.

Indiana Dunes National Park, 1215 N State Rd 49, Porter, IN 46304, USA

Mount Baldy, Mount Baldy, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA

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

Judy J. Beasley
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