The Ultimate Weekend Itinerary If You Love Spending Time Outdoors In Indiana
By Tori Jane|Published May 05, 2023
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
The American Midwest is a place where the landscape is unpredictable and wild. Sure, if you were to ask someone what they would expect on a trip to Indiana, they might mention the expectation of lots of farmland, but it’s highly unlikely they’ll mention things like, say, beaches. Well, perhaps they should – Indiana is nestled right up along beautiful Lake Michigan, which means it’s home to all sorts of incredible opportunities for adventure. The lesser-appreciated Indiana coastline is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream come true, and we’ve compiled an amazing adventure perfect for a two-day escapade in the beautiful outdoors. If you’ve been looking for ideas about outdoor adventures and activities in Indiana, this is the perfect place to begin.
From national parks and campgrounds to waterfalls, canyons, and more, there is so much to love about America’s natural splendor — and June, designated as Great Outdoors Month, is the perfect time to get outside.
With a drive time of less than one hour total, you can spend that time instead indulging in all the natural splendors you'll find on this adventure. Visit Google Maps to follow along.
Lounge On The Sand At Washington Park Beach
First things first: let's spend a few hours relaxing on the soft sands of Washington Park Beach.
Washington Park Beach, City Hall & 100 E. Michigan, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
Washington Park consists of 140 beautiful acres right on the lake, which looks and feels just like the ocean in this amazing spot. You'll find two miles of amazing shoreline featuring gorgeous, clean sandy beaches; there's plenty of room to spread out and get some sun. Should you feel like getting wet, there are some excellent swimming spots off Washington Beach. The beach is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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Walk The Pier At Michigan City Beach
If you didn't think you'd ever see a lighthouse in the Midwest, well, surprise! The Michigan City Lighthouse is an iconic aspect of the Indiana shoreline.
Michigan City East Pierhead Lighthouse, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
The amazing walk down the Michigan City Pier will take your breath away. The East Pier is the longer of the two; the lighthouse was originally built back in 1904. After spending a few hours on the beach, a walk down the pier is the perfect way to top it off before dinner.
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Enjoy Dinner On The Patio At Bridges in Michigan City
Bridges is a delightful bar-and-grill dining option in Michigan City nearby all the fun stuff you've been exploring today.
The menu has plenty of options for all dietary preferences. Indulge in the best crab cakes you'll ever have outside of the east coast followed up with anything from burgers and wraps to shrimp skewers, grilled fish, and so much more. The drink menu is to die for, too, so plan on getting a ride to the vacation rental.
Spend The Night At A Michigan City Beach House
You won't believe the incredible views from this gorgeous beachfront vacation home in Michigan City.
This stunning eight-bedroom home sleeps up to 24 and is ideal for families or groups. However, if you're feeling up to it, it also makes the perfect escape for you while you're indulging in this awesome adventure. You can book your stay in advance (strongly recommended) on the official VRBO website.
If you're on the lookout for something in a different price range, no worries! You can find all kinds of amazing vacation home rentals in Indiana just steps from the beach.
Check Out The Natural Wonder of Mount Baldy
The next morning, head out to Indiana Dunes National Park to explore all the wonders therein - but most especially Mount Baldy.
Who knew there are sand dunes in Indiana? Yep - and Mt. Baldy is one of the most incredible. Mt. Baldy is a mature sand dune rising 126 feet above the water line of Lake Michigan. Interestingly, it actively moves inland at a rate of about four feet per year - which is relatively quickly for a geological process.
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Mount Baldy, Mt Baldy, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
Take the Summit Trail Hike to traverse to the top of Mt. Baldy - if you dare. It's challenging, as you'll be climbing a literal sand dune, but we promise the amazing view from the top is more than worth the extra effort. As we mentioned a moment ago, Mt. Baldy is located within Indiana Dunes National Park, and we strongly suggest exploring more of the park if you have the time. It's stunningly beautiful, and unlike anywhere else in the Hoosier State. If you play your cards right, you can spend the entire day at the park exploring the dunes; it's ultimately up to you.
What do you think? Would you ever embark upon this amazing outdoor adventure in Indiana? What outdoor adventures and activities in Indiana are ones you’d consider doing? Let us know!
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