Location: Michigan City
Top Things to do in Michigan City
The 10 Best Things to do in Michigan City, Indiana (IN)
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. Skydive Windy City
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 486 reviews
Chicago's safest, closest, and most scenic skydiving experience. No experience is necessary (18 and over only) to enjoy the 120MPH free-fall and scenic parachute flight next to Lake Michigan with an awesome view of the Chicago skyline. Tandem Skydiving, Solo Skydiving, Experience (licensed) Skydiving, Team Skydiving, Group Skydiving, we do it all. We are the closest skydiving center to Chicago, less than 1 hour drive away from the loop, or you can take the South Shore Line to Michigan City. Incredible (unmatched in the Midwest) views of Lake Michigan (we are often flying right over the lake) and the Chicago skyline. Lots of other stuff to do in Michigan City as well (shopping, casinos, the beach, great restaurants ), so make a day of it! Reservations are encouraged and get you the best prices Book online or just come out and watch us jump from perfectly-good airplanes (spectators free).
2. Main Street Theatre
3. 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!
4. Trail Creek
5. Old Lighthouse Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
The only lighthouse museum in Indiana.
Reviewed By tank1050 - Wescosville, United States
This I a nice lighthouse now a museum. Parking is easy and the admission is nominal. We had a limited time so we toured only the first floor, which was mostly lighthouse related and Lake Michigan exhibits including the usual Fresnel lenses that every lighthouse museum has and a nice section on shipwrecks. The docents inside were friendly and had lots of knowledge to impart. There was also the prerequisite gift shop. Wished we had time to see the local history exhibits upstairs.
6. 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.
7. Washington Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 364 reviews
Reviewed By Jonathangram - Adrian, United States
There are a number of activities to do in this area. It is a great spot if you’re visiting Michigan city. The pier and lighthouse is highly recommended, fishing out on the pier, splash pad, the park. Great place to take Family for the day.
8. 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.
9. Mt. Baldy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By WiseWomanWanderer - Mount Orab, United States
Peaceful and relaxing! The small parking lot fills up quickly especially on weekends. you can see the side of Mt. Baldy from the parking lot. And yes, it is rather bald! The trail to the beach is about half mile and really sandy! I had some problems walking in the deep sand and found muscles that I did not know that I had! Still, I would not have missed it for anything! The trail to Mt. Baldy is closed due to instability. So, no dune climbing. Ranger led hikes on the dune used to be available until covid closed them down. The sandy descent to the beach is about 25-50 feet. Going down was easy but coming back up was a bit more strenuous. The view up top is amazing! The walk along the beach is awesome! Lots of waves. The other side of Mt. Baldy backs up to the beach. And you can climb this area for even better views. Loved the light house! And you can see Chicago from this beach. Bathrooms were available near the parking lot.
