Location: Michigan City
Top Things to do in Michigan City
8 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Michigan City That You Shouldn't Miss
Michigan City is a city in LaPorte County, Indiana, United States. It is one of the two principal cities of the Michigan City-La Porte, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Chicago-Naperville-Michigan City Combined Statistical Area.
Restaurants in Michigan City
1. Xscape Quest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Xscape Quest is an interactive escape room game in which players try to escape a themed room by solving a series of puzzles using codes, ciphers, teamwork and strategy to complete the objectives at hand. Players must use and manipulate their surroundings to unlock, decode and escape the room within 60 minutes. Xscape Quest will be sure to thrill and challenge participants as they work together to Xscape before time runs out.
Reviewed By 8675309js - Singapore, Singapore
I took my teenage nephews and niece. We had such a fun time working together to figure out the puzzles. The operator was so kind and helpful. We did the Blackbeard’s revenge and loved it. I was so surprised at how fast the time went. I highly recommend trying this out! Thanks so much!
2. Barker Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Learn more about the mansion built by one of the founding fathers of the rail car industry, John H. Barker. This house, while actually lived in for only a very short time, has brought many years of enjoyment to the Barker family, and to the residents of the City of Michigan City. From educational guided tours to special seasonal functions, the Barker Mansion and Civic Center is a true jewel in the crown of Michigan City.
Reviewed By interceptpubs - Columbus, United States
The Barker family played a major role in the development of industry in the Michigan City area in the 19th and early 20th centuries. John H. Barker, Sr., moved to Indiana in 1836 from Massachusetts searching for economic opportunities in the fast closing pioneer state of Indiana. Initially a general merchant, he branched into grain brokerage before opening a commission house to handle merchandise being shipped on the Great Lakes. In 1855, he bought an interest in a railroad car manufacturing business that was relocating to Michigan City. It was an opportune investment as the coming of the Civil War just a few years later resulted in a huge demand for railroad cars. When he retired in 1869, his son, John H. Barker, Jr., joined the firm and eventually became the company's president. By 1910, the family fortune was estimated to be $60 millions dollars (the equivalent of $1.6 billion today). As befitting the wealthiest family in town, the Barker's had the most impressive home in Michigan City. Originally built in 1857, the house underwent an extensive expansion in the early 20th century. When completed in 1909, it had 38 rooms, ten bathrooms, and seven fireplaces. Built in the style of an English manor house, its two-and-a-half stories are clad in dark red brick with limestone trim. Unfortunately, Barker's wife died of a sudden illness in May 1910, with Barker himself dying of pneumonia in December. This left their only child, 14-year-old Catherine, an orphan and also one of the wealthiest women in the world. She completed her education in New York where she made her home after graduation - the mansion in Michigan City stayed in the family, but was seldom visited by the young heiress. In 1915, she sold the family's interest in the railroad car factory (it eventually became part of the Pullman Company and continued to operate until the decline of the railroad industry led to its closure in 1970). She subsequently embarked on several philanthropic enterprises that aided the people of Michigan City and eventually gave the mansion to Purdue University, which used it as a temporary regional campus from 1948 to 1968. After Purdue University vacated the structure, the house is gifted to Michigan City. Before Catherine's death in 1970, she provided money for the mansion's restoration and arranged to have its original furnishings returned. The result is that today, the mansion looks very much like it did in its heyday, both inside and out. We visited it recently and took the guided tour (offered Tuesdays through Saturdays at 1 p.m. - self-guided tours are also available on Saturday afternoons). This lasts a little more than an hour and takes visitors through the public rooms on the first floor, the family quarters on the second floor, and even the servants quarters. Rooms look pretty much as they did in the day - with proof in most rooms provided by period insurance photos. We actually got here a little after 1, so joined the tour shortly after they finished a short video on the family - we watched the video after the tour ended, but it is definitely good to watch (and probably more helpful if seen first). Overall, we really enjoyed the tour and thought it was very well done.
3. Shady Creek Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
"A great winery experience on the southern Lake Michigan shore". Featuring custom crafted wines and a first class facility situated on nearly 20 acres of grounds with expansive views, comfortable patios, covered porches, fireplaces, tasting room, specialty foods, gifts and local artwork.
Reviewed By JefferyJ - Granger, United States
The staff were very friendly and knowledgable. The pizza is delicious and the wine is very good. My wife likes White Caps and I like the Petite Sirah. We loved sitting outdoors with the live entertainment.
4. Shoreline Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By I4107TYchrism - Le Claire, United States
Food was really great! Scotch eggs and fried pickle spears were excellent! Lamb burger and pulled were great. Beer was really good. I would go back again just for the apps alone!????
5. Michigan City Public Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By Steve1943 - Michigan City, United States
This is one of the best libraries I’ve ever visited. For a small town they have a lot available. There is a large section for children and they have many programs for the children and for adults. Service is friendly. A very good place to visit.
6. The Antique Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By RBalog - Irwin, United States
We visited while staying in Chesterton. The staff was really nice and friendly. We found a railroad lantern to add to our collection. They had a great number of nice antiques. It took us an hour to browse quickly; you could easily spend longer.
7. Lubeznik Center for the Arts
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By SuzettePea - Michigan City, United States
I love the way the Lubeznik Center showcases student art works! It is a fabulous art space and the gift shop has unique gifts, often locally made.
8. Blue Chip Casino
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 467 reviews
The 35-acre Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa entertainment destination in Michigan City, Indiana includes a full service casino with 65,000 square feet on one level, a 102,000 square foot pavilion with five restaurants, an entertainment lounge, a spa, gift shop, two hotel towers with a total of 486 rooms and the Stardust Event Center for conventions, meetings and special events.
Reviewed By KarenW770
casino took most of my shopping money the night before they were nice enough to let me win it back next morning LOL made my shopping experience so much better the shuttle bus takes you right to the outlet which you catch at the valet there are lockers for your bags and large clean washrooms plenty of lunch places to eat lots of great bargains i bought 5 coats that would have cost over 1000 for a couple hundred tons of bargains in the kitchen store and clothing lots of goodies from the candy store buffet at bluechip had plenty of choices and the sports bar had a great breakfast as well
