Did you hear that? No, it’s not a dog barking in the road. Listen more closely. Yeah, that’s it. It’s the sound of your soul yearning for a road trip, and guess what? Here’s one of the best ways to spend a fun weekend, centered around Lake Michigan. This Lake Michigan Road Trip in Northwest Indiana is perfect for anyone with an adventurous spirit (and who loves all of Indiana’s great lakes, including Lake Kai, Indiana). If you’re looking for places to visit in Indiana, listen up. Load up the car, fill up with gas, fasten your seat belt, and take a few days to enjoy the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan (Indiana style).
We begin our adventure in Miciana Shores, a cute little town on the Indiana/Michigan border.
It’s a small, quiet town, perfect for breakfast, and a great “home base” to jump off to, as all the best activities are in nearby towns and cities. We start our journey in a nice, quiet place, but there’s plenty to do from here on out. Check out some local cafes like Jackie’s Cafe, in New Buffalo to be exact (but close enough to Miciana Shores too) before heading out. There’s plenty to do.
Our first stop is Kai Lake, a small developed lake located between Michiana Shores and Michigan City.
Kai Lake, Michigan City, Indiana 46360, USA
The lake has several sandy beaches and many luxury homes built along the shoreline. Many of these homes are available for rent on VRBO as unique cabins in Indiana, and the lake is beautiful enough that you’ll definitely consider staying for a while. Your next stop will be closer to Michigan City and a visit to the world-famous Friendship Botanical Garden.
Friendship Botanical Gardens, 2055 US-12, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
This hidden gem is the crown jewel of Indiana’s coastal region and is full of stunningly beautiful, perfectly manicured gardens, walking trails, ponds, and places to sit and reflect (sometimes literally). Best of all, it’s not that big, just 105 acres. This makes it the perfect rest stop to stretch your legs and enjoy the outdoors for a while before moving on.
But don’t worry. It’s not going far. We’re just on our way to Washington Park Zoo, which is one of the best zoos in Indiana.
Washington Park Zoo, 115 Lake Shore Dr, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
What’s so great about it? Well, it’s a surprisingly intimate place, packed with interesting (and downright beautiful) animals from all over the world in just 15 acres. You’ll be spending a few hours here, so be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen and enjoy it safely, as it can get hot during the day even here.
Next, arrive at Michigan City’s most famous site: the lighthouse. The lighthouse sits at the end of a gorgeous pier and makes you feel like you’re at sea (rather than inland). Midwest).
Lighthouse Place, Lighthouse Place, Michigan City, Indiana 46360, USA
The Michigan City Lighthouse is amazing and definitely one of the most beautiful places in Indiana. The scenery is spectacular from sunrise to sunset, and if you like photogenic scenery, this might be your favorite spot on your trip.
Michigan City has plenty of accommodations, as well as restaurants, galleries, and shops. A wonderful end to a perfect day.
We’re planning to play at Beverly Shores today, so let’s get up early and hurry.
Beverly Shores, Indiana, USA
Kemil Beach, Beverly Shores, Indiana 46304, USA
With Indiana Dunes National Park, amazing beaches (including Chemil Beach), top-notch restaurants, galleries, shops, eateries, bakeries, and all the outdoor fun you could ever want to do, all just steps away, and a love of Indiana. Camp, fish, kayak, boat or do whatever you want on beautiful Lake Michigan, one of the clearest lakes in Indiana.
Beverly Shores, Indiana, USA
Beverly Shores is also a designated “dark sky” city, making it ideal for stargazing and observing celestial phenomena such as meteor showers. This means that when the sun goes down and the stars shine, light pollution is kept to a minimum.
Finally, we recommend a stop at Indiana Dunes National Park to admire Mount Baldy, which is both beautiful and unusual considering it once swallowed a child.
Indiana Dunes National Park, Porter, Indiana 46304, USA
Mount Baldy, Mount Baldy, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
But don’t worry. It’s ultimately harmless, and it’s truly gorgeous, especially when the last rays of the sun seem to flare up.
So what do you think? Why not take this epic Indiana road trip near Lake Michigan? To travel with you (or add your own stops), check out Google, which was built for just that. Visit the map.
What is your favorite Lake Michigan destination that we didn’t mention? There are so many! Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Also, nominate your favorite place to visit in Indiana to be featured someday!
Lake Michigan isn’t the only place worth visiting in Indiana. Here are some of our favorite road trips in Indiana that you’ll love.
Indiana Road Trip Ideas: 11 Best Road Trips + Itineraries
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lake michigan road trip
Sarah M. | October 20, 2022
What are the best places to stay along Lake Michigan in Indiana?
The best road trips in Indiana take you through charming small towns near Lake Michigan. Washington Park Beach is one of the best places to stay along Lake Michigan. Here are some more of our favorite Lake Michigan vacations.
We may be biased, but we love Michigan City, as you can see from the Lake Michigan road trip highlight locations above. Also known as Washington Park Beach, it has more than two miles of pristine beach that bears no resemblance to the ocean. There’s plenty to do on the shores of Lake Michigan in this Indiana town. In addition to beautiful beaches, it’s also home to the state’s only working public lighthouse. Nearby attractions include the Washington Park Zoo and Splash Park, not to mention marine activities like fishing and boating. If you’re looking for suggestions for where to stay in Michigan City, we found this cozy beach cottage rental on Vrbo. Simply adorable and perfect for your Indiana beach vacation.
