Surrounded by Lake Michigan and all it has to offer, the shoreline of Michigan City is full of community, beauty, and fun all year long.
“Nobody has a beach quite like ours,” Michigan City Port Authority Harbormaster Tim Frame said.
Coupling the shore with the Indiana Dunes National and State Parks makes experiencing the marina in Michigan City even more appealing.
“We have state parks and we have national parks all along the shoreline,” Frame said. “I’ve had the experience of traveling to other beaches, and they just don’t have what we have.”
Open April 1-November 1, The Michigan City Port Authority and shore are full of vibrant activities during the summer months and into the fall.
“On the shoreline, we have Hobie cat racing on some weekends,” Frame said. “In August we have the Great Lakes Grand Prix power-boat race and throughout the summer there’s a handful of sailboat races.”
Beyond organized activities, the Michigan City Port Authority notes several informal groups and gatherings enjoyed by local residents and boaters alike.
“There is an informal sailing group,” Frame said. “They set up buoys out in the lake, and every Saturday morning they go out there and do some casual sailboat racing.”
Visitors to the shoreline can rent jet skis for the day, join a boating trip hosted by the National Parks Service, or view the Festival of Lights. In fact, some enjoy the marina so much that they make the Michigan City Port Authority their summer home.
“99% of our boat slips are rented at any given time,” Frame said. “About 25% are from Northwest Indiana, about 25% from the Chicago area, and 50% come from everywhere else. Some of those people live on board while others just come down on the weekends.”
Each pier then becomes its own little community with full-time and part-time visitors forming neighborhoods and communities all their own.
Michigan City’s shoreline also brings in visitors without a boat of their own. Emita II offers daily sunset cruises with live music and open seating. In addition, the marina is home to various charter boat services available for boating and fishing.
For visitors who want to stay close to the shoreline, Michigan City boasts a wide-range of events and activities for people of all ages.
“There's a lot of interesting stuff along the shoreline,” said Frame. “Michigan City’s Washington Park always has something going on.”
Linda Simmons, Visit Michigan City LaPorte director of marketing agrees.
“In addition to Washington Park Zoo there is the Old Lighthouse Museum, restaurants, and more along the shoreline,” Simmons said. “'It’s the proximity of the beach that’s just amazing. You don't have to go to the other end of town to enjoy all our assets in Michigan City.”
Neaby you’ll find Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets, Blue Chip Casino Hotel and Spa, the Barker Mansion, and Michigan City’s art district where families and visitors could spend an entire weekend and never see it all.
“This makes the Michigan City’s shore a great place to visit and stay awhile,” Simmons said.
To learn more about the Michigan City Port Authority, visit mcmarina.org. Visitors hoping to learn all about activities and happenings near Washington Park and throughout Michigan City should visit michigancitylaporte.com.