Photo courtesy Felicia Fairchild.

Every August, the Super Boat Great Lakes Grand Prix draws more than 80,000 enthusiasts to the lakeshore, and is the only race on the Super Boat International schedule to take place on Lake Michigan. The five-day event features some of the world’s best offshore powerboat racers, speeding past Washington Park Beach and the East Pierhead Lighthouse at more than 150 miles per hour. Mariners also love Michigan City’s In-Water Boat Show, the largest on Lake Michigan and one of the largest in the Midwest, held in late August.

Michigan City offers a combination of history, outdoor recreation and civilization. Take an architectural tour of downtown’s 27 historic properties dating back to 1833. The lakefront is the center of outdoor activities, featuring 99 acres of parkland where families enjoy walking among the dunes, picnicking and taking the kids to the Oasis Splash Pad. Visitors looking for a dose of modern civilization can lose themselves among the 120 outlet stores at the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlet Mall. Michigan City is the only port on the lake with an outlet mall within walking distance of the docks.

Photo courtesy Felicia Fairchild.

Hungry? Check out the Pierside Grill, Kelly’s Table at Creekwood Inn, Maxine’s or Rodini Restaurant. Before you cast off to complete Lake Michigan’s Triangle with the 38-mile leg west to Chicago, reprovision your boat at Michigan City’s farmers market. Anyone who drools over beautiful cityscapes ought to return at dusk to view in panorama Chicago’s architectural wonders glowing from within.  

For more information on these ports, check these websites:
saugatuck.com
michigancitylaporte.com