It was time for a change of pace and to head south for a road trip to Michigan City! Our recent plans took us from the hot summer days of Wisconsin to the charming shores of Michigan City, Indiana, for a two-night stay filled with sun, sand, and new restaurants.
Our journey began with an uneventful drive through Chicago (which is all you can really hope for). Our first stop was Indiana Dunes National Park, which if you’re not paying attention is rather large and has multiple entrances. We made our way to the West Beach entrance, which was a great stop. We were blown away by the park’s diverse landscapes, from towering sand dunes to tranquil forests. The dunes were very impressive, we were not expecting this type of landscape just a few hours from home and on Lake Michigan! Our son had a blast walking on the path down towards the beach, and then playing in the perfect sand. The view of the Lake Michigan shoreline stretched as far as you could see, which gave it the feeling of a beach down in Florida. The feeling of sand between our toes and the sound of crashing waves provided the perfect backdrop for some much-needed relaxation.
When the sun started to set, we made our way to our accommodations in Michigan City. The AirBnB we found was fantastic. It was a brand new house located just off the highway, but only a 5-minute drive to the beach in Michigan City. The yard had a great firepit, which made for a great place to relax at night.
Our morning started at Washington Park Beach – a local gem. The golden sands and crystal-clear water of Lake Michigan (shocking coming from Milwaukee) were incredible. We quickly learned the locals’ secret, though – arriving early is a must if you want to snag the perfect beach spot. With umbrellas, towels, sand toys, and sunscreen in tow, we spent the morning building sandcastles, playing in the water, and just enjoying the scenery. The lighthouse is just at the end of the beach, and there is a walking path to head out there for some nice views. Within walking distance from the beach is the local museum, which we did not explore, and a splash pad that was not open while we were there.
In the afternoon we decided to explore more of the city and found a nice fun park with mini golf and go-karts. The prices were very reasonable, and the course was in the middle of an upgrade of the greens. After that, we headed into New Buffalo, which is a nice little village on the shores across the Michigan border. There are a few things to note here. First, it’s an hour ahead of Indiana, so be careful as you book reservations or food orders. Second, it’s very crowded, and difficult to find parking within the village. Third, the restaurants were all packed. So, either get there early, and take your time, or when you’re like us with a toddler who’s not on island time then this spot is not for you.
No vacation is complete without indulging in the local culinary scene, and Michigan City had a few places we’d stop back for. We really enjoyed our time at Shoreline Brewery, a great spot where we all had delicious food and sampled a flight of their signature beers. The combination of food and the cold beers on their huge patio on a nice summer day made us not want to leave. On our way out of town, we made our way to Bridges Waterside Grill, which had our favorite food in the area. The ambiance was as delightful as the food, with waterfront views and a Key West vibe. The unanimous highlight of the stop was the crab cakes – a dish we’d gladly come back for.
As our two-night trip came to an end, we took some time to consider another trip south vs. our usual summer road trips to Door County. From the amazing beaches, clear water, great accommodations, and delicious food…this would be a place we’d like to come back and explore for a few more days. There are several breweries in the area that we did not have a chance to explore, but with a few more days we feel we could check them all out. If you’re looking for a close road trip from Wisconsin or Illinois for some beach days, we’d highly recommend this road trip to Michigan City!
