Living in Michigan City, INMichigan 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. Contributed by:  | More Local Area InformationDue to its convenient location, natural beauty, and exciting attractions, Michigan City is a great choice when looking for homes on Lake Michigan’... Read moreSquire Isaac Thompson built the first homestead in Berrien County in 1823. The county became official in 1831 and received its name from U.S. Senato... Read moreThe collective "Duneland" communities create an idyllic hometown atmosphere for residents who enjoy a location along the southern shore of beautifu... Read moreThe rapidly growing community of Porter experienced rapid expansion during the 1990s, welcoming many new residents and families to vibran... Read moreThe bustling Portage community had its genesis as an industrial city and still supports an impressive number of companies and businesses includin... Read moreServing as the seat of county government as well as a bustling hub for healthcare, education, and culture, Valparaiso bears a name that means "Val... Read moreSaint Joseph County is located on the southernmost bend of the St. Joseph River in northern Indiana. The river dips down into Indiana from Michigan... Read moreThe community of Lake Station was the site of a major steel operation at the turn of the century. At one time, the town was marketed as "East Garv... Read moreNewcomers to Hobart will discover a community that blends the finest aspects of urban convenience with the relaxation and slower place of countr... Read moreThe bustling metropolitan city of Gary serves as the hub of Northwest Indiana, just minutes from downtown Chicago. Lake Michigan and three majo... Read moreThe small town of Kouts blends quiet neighborhoods with scattered shops and services that add convenience to a rural lifestyle. The close-knit spiri... Read moreThe sprawling community of Merrillville enjoys a strategic location at the center of several major transportation links. At one time, th... Read moreGraced by the natural beauty of two lakes, the communities of Winfield and Lakes of the Four Seasons are located near Crown Point and are served b... Read moreOften called the "Workshop of the World", East Chicago is an exceptionally diverse and cooperative community of hard-working residents – of whom ar... Read moreFounded in 1854 and incorporated around the turn of the century, the community of Griffith boasts 60 miles of streets in a seven-square-mile area... Read moreNestled in Boone Township, the historical Town of Hebron offers a variety of housing options-the first significant development being Crest Knoll tha... Read moreOne of the best-kept secrets in Northwest Indiana lies on the south shore of Lake Michigan. Whiting claims the distinction of historic architectur... Read moreThe bustling university town of Hammond offers a suburban setting that incorporates residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The Jea... Read moreBerrien Springs, Michigan, received its namesake from John M. Berrien, a U.S. Senator and Attorney General serving under President Andrew Jackson. I... Read moreSouth Bend, Indiana, is the fourth largest city in Indiana and the county seat of St. Joseph County. According to the 2006 census, the population wa... Read more |