Featured image courtesy of Paul Kemiel
There is always something fun to do in LaPorte County, and the team at Visit Michigan City LaPorte welcomes everyone, welcoming locals and visitors to all upcoming events. Established in 2009 as the brand of the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the organization works to enhance economic growth through attractions and activities in the area.
Visit Michigan City The LaPorte team, led by CEO Jack Arnett, spreads the word via the organization’s website events calendar, social media (including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.), the website regional website (Indiana’s CoolNorth.com), the state website (VisitIndiana.com) and the Western Michigan Tourism Association calendar (wmta.org). The official Visitor Information Center is conveniently located in the Marquette Mall and is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. The friendly and professional staff at the Visitor Information Center can help with questions and provide printed versions of their brochures and other publications related to destinations, including LaPorte County.
Michigan City and LaPorte are top destinations in northern Indiana, with everything visitors need for a couple or family getaway—the perfect weekend getaway that’s convenient and affordable, according to Linda Simmons, team member, director of marketing for Visit Michigan City LaPorte.
“We have something for everyone all year long,” Simmons said. “Our Lake Michigan and Indiana Dunes National Park offers four seasons of activities that are fun for everyone. Visitors can also enjoy the delights of small rural towns, marinas, agricultural heritage attractions, performing arts events, historical museums and sports competitions when in the area.”
Shopping ranges from the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlet Mall to the quaint downtown areas of LaPorte and Michigan City, with specialty stores, boutiques, and antique shops. There are many art galleries to explore and find treasures.
Some of the many attractions include Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa, Washington Park Zoo, Friendship Botanic Gardens, Lubeznik Center for the Arts, LaPorte County Historical Society, and the Old Lighthouse museums. Numerous orchards, breweries, and wineries await discovery throughout the year, and seasonal farmers’ markets are also an option for those visiting between May and October. The historic Barker Mansion is pleased to reopen in December for tours and the opening of the new permanent exhibit, Haskell and Barker Car Company and Legacy of Freight. These exhibits will take you through Michigan City from the 1830s to the 1900s. The exhibit pays tribute to the Haskell and Barker factory and workers through state-of-the-art visual displays. The Barker Mansion will officially open in the summer of 2023. For more information about the Barker Mansion, visit barkermansion.org.
Shady Creek Winery is another popular destination located in Michigan City. Located on more than 20 acres of land, the winery recently expanded its footprint to include a redefined backyard seating area, wine shop, upstairs outdoor patio terrace, event center and a new wine production facility. The winery has continued to expand its offering, which now includes more than 30 wines, frozen wine slushies, a full food menu, and dry cider. Their goal is to combine world-class food and wine in the heart of the Midwest to introduce or further enhance a love of wine among their guests. For more information on Shady Creek Winery, visit shadycreekwinery.com.
Visitors then have the option to choose from a wide variety of restaurants to create their own unique culinary experiences. There are excellent steakhouses and charming bistros, cafes and coffee shops, waterside bars and grills to sweet shops, pizzerias and burger joints.
Some of the upcoming fall/winter activities recommended by the Visit Michigan City LaPorte team include:
LaPorte’s Downtown Spooktacular: Saturday, October 8
Franklinstein Horror Fest: Friday, October 14
Hesston Ghost Train: Saturdays and Sundays, October 15 and 16, October 22 and 23, October 29 and 30
Haunted Trails & Family Fall Fest: Sunday, October 16
Boo at the Zoo: Saturday, October 22
LaPour Brew & Wine Fest: Saturday, November 12
LaPorte Santa Parade: Saturday, November 26
Michigan City Festival of Lights: Saturday, December 3 to Sunday, January 8
Santa’s Candy Cane Express: Saturdays and Sundays, December 3 and 4, December 10 and 11
Holiday at the Pops: Saturday, December 10
Sparkle & Joy Holiday Light Show: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 16, 17, and 18
Hoop fans can visit Visit Michigan City LaPorte for details on the upcoming US Marines National Intercollegiate Basketball Conference (NIBC) Invitational on January 5-7, 2023 at LaPorte. The NIBC is a national high school league basketball tournament to be held at the LaPorte Civic Auditorium.
To make it easier and more affordable to get to all of these events and activities, Express Air Coach is now the hub for picking up and dropping off passengers at O’Hare and Midway airports from the visitor center location at Marquette Mall.
Express Air Coach is now starting pick up at the visitor center with shuttle service to Midway and O’Hare airports. The shuttle also picks up visitors to the Northwest Indiana area from Chicago airports and takes them to the visitor information center at Marquette Mall as a last stop.
“People need to go online to book their tickets and pay in advance,” Simmons said. “So far it has been very successful. I think once the holidays come, it will be even more popular. Collections are scheduled three times a day. We have a good partnership with Express Air Coach and people love it! I think it will get bigger and better as more people find out about it.”
Online reservations can be made at expressaircoach.com before taking the bus and for more information.
For more information on upcoming events and activities in Michigan City and La Porte, contact the team at Visit Michigan City LaPorte, Marquette Mall, 4073 S. Franklin Street, Michigan City, IN 46360-7328, 219-872-5055 or online, michigancitylaporte.com.