Reader feedback: Indiana Dunes

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The great advantage of the Indiana Dunes for Chicagoans is that the Indiana Dunes is accessible using public transportation! The South Shore Line makes three stops in the Dunes Region at Odgen Dunes, Dune Park & Beverly Shores.
You can find fare information and schedules at: http://www.nictd.com

YEA What will you miss??? ALL THE POLLUTION, IF NOT MISTAKEN B.P. IS YOUR VIEW. DON'T SPEND A DIME IN INDIANA

Why would anyone go to Porter when another 15 minutes will get you to New Buffalo?

some of the better outlets for shopping are just a stones throw away in michigan city.
Head over to Johnny's for some great chili cheese dogs.

DUNE'S BOY by famed naturalist Edwin Way Teale won the 1943 Pulitzer Prize for its author.Teale spent his summer months as a young boy with his grandparents on their farm.Stop in at the Lakeshore Hqs,off US 20 and get some cool posters done in the 20's for the South Shore RR, and ask about Teale's contributions to conservation and ecology.

Beachwalk Resort in Michigan City is the Indiana Dunes best kept secret. It is a charming community with pastel colored houses--some sleep up to 20. You can rent a house for a week or a weekend. Has a pool, basketball court, cafe and kids feel free to wander around safely. The best thing is that it's only an hour from downtown Chicago and is on one of Lake Michigan's most beautiful beaches. We have our family reunion there every year. It's perfect!

we were just at Beachwalk a few weeks ago. It's beautiful and so laid back. Our daughter is thinking of having her wedding there next year.

Cowles Bog trail and the Bakery in Gary's nearby Miller Beach for great sandwiches and goodies

And LA is full of smog, crime and oil wells, so don't spend a dime in California.

Brilliant logic. Hope you never drive a car. Gas doesn't appear through some devine method you know.

this area has so much to offer...the beach, the marina, Michigan City Zoo, Washington Park, Lighthouse Premium Outlets, and recently, a nice assortment of restaurants in Michgan City...Try McGinnis Pub, right near the Outlets...beautiful outdoor patio with large stone fireplace and music on the weekends. The entire trip is so close to Chicago.

Michigan City is making great strides as a go-to destination, Washington Park is a great facility (hosts a big boat show in August) and they've just made a lot of renovations to the zoo. There are lots of little cottages or other accomodations to rent in Sheridan Beach (the little neighborhood by the beach and zoo). Great for families and generally affordable. Our best recent new find is Sahara, a mediterranean restaurant that's probably the most Chicago-like restaurant in MC.

It's true that these beaches have some industry within sight - from Michigan City all the way to Burns Harbor and west beach. But it only reinforces how astoundingly beautiful the beaches are, because you're not 3 hours away in South Haven, you're just an hour from Chicago and it's like another world. And the beaches are national park property, not owned by the homeowners like in Michigan where they tell you to keep off. It's not well known and we'd like to keep it that way. So don't tell anyone - except your friends. LA boy, go get a botox treatment.

Headed up to the North shores of Indiana this week. Can anyone suggest the best destination and hotel? Finding a hotel online has not been helpful.

Have been going to the dunes for 50 years. There have been times in the past that it was very dirty and rowdy as a young person i found this fun but as a dad it was not family friendly Within the last several years it seems that the dunes has been a clean well maintained beach and very family friendly and safe I dont like to change clothes in the bathroom. The old changing areas are no longer accesible We always get there early and there is always plenty of parking. The 1 thing that I question is why do Indiana residents get a discount on the parking rate at a National Park? Don't forget to continue your trip to Michigan City Light House outlet mall for some excellent shopping

To jmom for lodging along the Indiana lakeshore try looking in Michigan City http://www.michigancity.com/
They also have a beach, a zoo and great shopping this weekend is the in water boat show which is spectacular

My grandparents bought a cottage on Central Ave in Beverly Shores in 1953 and we had the property for more than 40 years. Lot of great memories growing up