Backyard + Beach Getaway Guidebook
Food scene
Flamingo Pizza of Miller
8341 Locust AveWalking distance!
Beach Cafe
903 N Shelby StWalking distance!
Tequila and Tacos
642 S Lake StDelicious tacos - sometimes a bit of a wait.
Zorn Brew Works Co.
605 E 9th StGreat brewery!
18th Street Brewery Tap Room and Craft Cocktails
5725 Miller AveLocal brewery
Anderson's Winery and Vineyard
430 E U.S. Hwy 6Sometimes live music - great outdoor space.
Hobgoblin
2 W Dunes HwyA little upscale with nice outdoor seating.
SO good. The food and beer selection is great. Always really friendly to families too!
6 locals recommend
Big Time Burgers + Brew
2545 N Founders SqSO good. The food and beer selection is great. Always really friendly to families too!
Bartlett's Fish Camp
12 On the LakeVery good oysters - right near the water in Michigan City
Do not be put off by the barbed wire fence! In true Gary fashion, this gem pop up is just soooo delicious even if it’s just assembled in a parking lot. The family that runs it only hosts during the summer months. They feature amazing Caribbean sandwiches and empanadas.
324 Lake St, Gary, IN 46403, USA
Do not be put off by the barbed wire fence! In true Gary fashion, this gem pop up is just soooo delicious even if it’s just assembled in a parking lot. The family that runs it only hosts during the summer months. They feature amazing Caribbean sandwiches and empanadas.
Sightseeing
Nice hike through the forest and dunes, ending at the beach.
22 locals recommend
West Beach - Indiana Dunes National Park
376 N County Line RdNice hike through the forest and dunes, ending at the beach.
This church is in ruins, but tells part of the history of Gary's economic turns. It's interesting to drive by. https://www.thetravel.com/abandoned-church-cathedral-in-gary-indiana/
City Methodist Church
577 Washington StThis church is in ruins, but tells part of the history of Gary's economic turns. It's interesting to drive by. https://www.thetravel.com/abandoned-church-cathedral-in-gary-indiana/
Shopping
Indie Indie Bang Bang
625 S Lake StReally good for gifts!
Daring Dive Bars
Rusty Nail Sports Bar & Grill
2420 Dombey RoadNice outdoor space. DIVE.
Thumbs Up
620 S Lake StAttractive to third shifters and people who like very cheap pitchers!
City advice
What to pack
What's Available At the Cottage
FOR THE BEACH: There are about 5 beach towels and 2 lawn chairs. There are beach toys and floaties too - and a ball (for the hoop in the pool- not a basketball).
FOR FUN: We also have bikes there if you want to use them- there’s a tandem and a beach cruiser. There is a bacci ball set, and a badminton net and racquets.
Travelling with kids
Nearby Entertainment for Kids
FOR KIDS:
--> There’s Michigan city zoo (21 miles away), Bellaboo's Play and Discovery Center (4.5 miles away) - looks really fun with outdoor and indoor options, Jump Zone (4.8 miles away), Deep River Water Park (10 miles away), and Blast Camp Paintball (10 mi away).
--> Within walking distance, Marquette Park has a playground, rental scooters, a kayak launch, and a cafe (with cocktails for 21+ chaperones). —> Lastly Railcats games are really fun, easy to get tickets to and park at, and so cheap that you don’t have to stay the whole time :)
Customs and culture
First Friday of the Month
There are activities and usually an open gallery on the first Friday of each month on Lake Street.
Customs and culture
European Market (Farmer's Market Plus other vendors)
Each Saturday in the summer, there's a European Market (Farmer's Market but with vendors of non-farm things as well) in Chesterton from 8am-2pm.