Michigan City, IN is a historic community located along the south shore of Lake Michigan, not far from the Indiana/Michigan state line. A popular summer vacation spot, Michigan City offers the natural beauty of sweeping sand dunes and calming lake views, while being only a short 60 miles east of Chicago and 40 miles west of South Bend, IN (home of the University of Notre Dame). Michigan City is a major stop on the South Shore Line, an interurban railway which runs roundtrip Chicago to South Bend. The city is known as having one of the state’s few lighthouses—the Old Michigan City Light—which now houses a museum commemorating its 100+ years of history. The lighthouse image has a prominent place in Michigan City architecture, signs, and place names, which contributes to the town’s beachy, Cape Cod atmosphere. One of Michigan City’s premiere attractions is the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets, an outdoor mall featuring a variety of designer shops, cafes, and entertaining sidewalk performers in an East Coast boardwalk setting.

One of the reasons that people enjoy living in Michigan City is that the city and surrounding area offer many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Residents of Michigan City not only have unlimited access to Lake Michigan and its miles of sandy beaches, but they also have parks, campgrounds, hiking and bicycling trails, and other activities to enjoy at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore provides fun programs and activities for the whole family, such as weekend “healthy hikes,” and holiday events at the historic Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm, both of which date back to the 19th century. Michigan City boasts the sizeable Washington Park Zoo and the International Friendship Gardens, featuring globally-inspired landscapes from all over the world. The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Washington Park Zoo, and International Friendship Gardens are all great afternoon or weekend excursions—just three more reasons to get out and explore Michigan City.