Did you hear that? No, not the dog barking down the street. Listen harder. Yeah, that. That’s the sound of your soul longing for a road trip, and guess what? We’re gonna give you one, and it’s Lake Michigan-centric, perfect for a whole weekend of good times. This Lake Michigan road trip in northwestern Indiana is great for anyone with a sense of adventure (and for lovers of all the amazing lakes in Indiana, such as Lake Kai Indiana). If you’ve ever wondered about things to do on the Lake Michigan shores, listen up! Pack up the car, gas up, buckle that seatbelt, and take a couple of days to enjoy the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan (Indiana style).

We begin the adventure in Michiana Shores, a cute little town right on the border of Indiana and Michigan.
Google Maps
It's a small, quiet town, perfect for getting breakfast at, and all the best things to do are in nearby towns and cities, making it an excellent "home base" to jump from. We begin our journey in a nice, quiet place, but from here on out, there's plenty to do. Check out local cafes like Jackie's Café, which is technically in New Buffalo (but close enough to Michiana Shores to mention anyway), and then head out: we've got plenty to do.
Our first stop will be at Lake Kai, a small, developed lake between Michiana Shores and Michigan City.
Lake Kai, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
Ralph Hutches/Google Local
The lake is home to several sandy beaches and many gorgeous homes built right on the shoreline. A lot of these homes are available to rent out as unique cabins in Indiana on VRBO, and the lake is beautiful enough that we'd definitely consider staying a while.
Our next stop brings us closer to Michigan City, where we'll check out the world-famous Friendship Botanic Gardens.
Friendship Botanic Gardens, 2055 US-12, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
Friendship Botanic Gardens/Facebook




This hidden gem is a crown jewel of Indiana's coastal region, with stunningly beautiful, perfectly-kept gardens, trails, ponds, and plenty of places to sit and reflect (sometimes literally). Best of all, it's not enormous - just 105 acres - making it a great pit stop to stretch your legs and enjoy the outdoors for a little while before moving on.
But no worries, because we're not going far - we're just heading up the road to Washington Park Zoo, one of the best zoos in Indiana!
Washington Park Zoo, 115 Lake Shore Dr, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
michianamoments/Flickr
What makes it so wonderful? Well, it's remarkably intimate, covering just 15 acres of space and full of intriguing (and downright beautiful) animals from around the world. You could kill several hours here, so be sure to wear sunscreen and enjoy safely, as it can get hot even around here during the day sometimes.

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Next, you'll end up in what might be the most famous part of Michigan City: the lighthouse, which is perched at the end of a gorgeous pier that'll make you feel like you're at sea (instead of landlocked in the Midwest).
Lighthouse Place, Lighthouse Pl, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
Dirtman's Images/Flickr
The Michigan City Lighthouse is a stunner and easily one of the most beautiful places in Indiana. It's amazing from sunrise to sunset, and it might just be your favorite stop on this journey if you're a fan of photogenic scenery.

There are lots of places to stay in Michigan City, as well as eateries, galleries, shops, and more. It's a great ending to a perfect day.

Wake up early and get going fast, because we're going to hang out in Beverly Shores today.
Beverly Shores, IN, USA
Kemil Beach, Beverly Shores, IN 46304, USA
Adam Moss/Flickr
It's got it all: it's close to Indiana Dunes National Park, to-die-for beaches (like Kemil Beach), top-notch restaurants, galleries, shops, eateries, bakeries, and all the fun outdoorsy stuff you've come to know and love about Indiana.
Go camping, fishing, kayaking, boating, or do anything else your heart desires right on beautiful Lake Michigan, which is easily one of the clearest lakes in Indiana.
Tom Gill/Flickr
Beverly Shore is also excellent for stargazing and for watching celestial events like meteor showers thanks to its designation as a "dark sky" city, meaning light pollution is kept to a minimum once the sun goes down and the stars come out to play.

Finally, you'll want to end up at Indiana Dunes National Park to admire Mount Baldy, which is both beautiful and unusual, considering that one time it swallowed a kid.
Indiana Dunes National Park, Porter, IN 46304, USA
Mount Baldy, Mt Baldy, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
Tom Gill/Flickr
But don't worry - it's ultimately harmless, and it's absolutely gorgeous, especially when the sun's final rays of light seem to set it ablaze.

So, what do you think? Would you embark upon this epic Lake Michigan road trip in Indiana? To follow along (or add your own stops), be sure to visit the Google Map we’ve created for exactly that.

What’s your favorite stop along Lake Michigan that we didn’t include? After all, there are lots! Tell us your thoughts in the comments and nominate your favorite places in Indiana to be featured someday!

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More to Explore

Lake Michigan Road Trip

Sarah M. | October 20, 2022

What's the best place to stay along Lake Michigan in Indiana?

Washington Park Beach is one of the best places to stay along Lake Michigan.

Call us biased, but, as you could see by its feature place in the above Lake Michigan Road Trip, we're partial to Michigan City. Otherwise known as Washington Park Beach, this place features more than two miles of totally pristine beach not at all unlike those of the seas. There are so many things to do on the shores of Lake Michigan in this Indiana town; in addition to the beautiful beaches, it's also home to a publicly-operating lighthouse, the only working one in the state! Other nearby attractions include the Washington Park Zoo, a splash park, and, of course, maritime activities like fishing and boating. And if you're looking for a suggestion on where to stay when in Michigan City, we found this cozy beach cottage rental on VRBO that's simply adorable and perfect for a beach getaway in Indiana!

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