On the southernmost tip of the shore of Lake Michigan, tucked onto the coastline of Indiana, you can find the hidden-gem historic neighborhood of Miller Beach. This special town in Northwest Indiana offers something for everyone, whether you’re a beach bum looking to soak up the sun, a nature enthusiast searching for picturesque landscapes, or a history buff seeking unique stories.
This popular Lake Michigan beachfront neighborhood is a fantastic spot to book a vacation rental and is known for its miles of tranquil white sandy beaches. Miller Beach welcomes visitors from across the United States throughout the year, with activities, explorations, and family fun events to enjoy no matter the weather.
Summer in Miller Beach
As one of the closest beaches to Chicago, it goes without saying that summer in Miller Beach means breezy nights, watersports, and lazy days at the beach!
Explore Local Beaches
The rugged sand dunes and coastline of the Indiana Dunes National Park that surrounds Miller Beach boast some of the most breathtaking beaches in the Midwest. With its sandy shores and rolling waves, no question that soaking up the sun on the sand is one of the top things you can’t afford to miss in Miller Beach.
With more than five miles of public beaches in the Miller Beach area, visitors can sprawl on sandbars, swim in the lake currents, and enjoy other water sports activities. From peaceful walks at Miller Woods Beach in Indiana Dunes National Park to the popular boating area of Lake Street Beach, the area supports an abundance of activities.
The area’s most popular beachfront is in front of Marquette Park, which is packed full of amenities for a family-fun day by the water. The area boasts several historic bridges, multiple playgrounds, and hiking trails. This park is part of the Miller Beach Arts and Creative District and hosts festivals like Food Truck Fest and the South Shore Summer Music Festival.
When you’ve had your fill of sand and sun, you can also explore the historic Marquette Pavillion and the Gary Bath House.
Enjoy Local Watersports
Watersports are one of the most exciting things to do in the Miller Beach locale. With plenty of access points to the Lake Michigan waters, you’ll be able to play in the waves in no time!
Marquette Park and Indiana Dunes National Park are the best places e to enjoy boating or other waterfront activities in the area. Parkgoers should take advantage of the opportunity to paddle around the south shore in a kayak or on a paddleboard. It’s the perfect place to try out a new water sport!
Get Out Into Nature With Birdwatching
At the tail end of summer, bird migrations are beginning to offer prime opportunities for birdwatching in the Indiana Dunes area. The national park is ranked as one of the top National Parks for birding, with more than 300 species utilizing the famous “Mississippi Flyway” each year.
Some popular birds to see include the American Goldfinch, Sandhill Cranes, and the elusive Jaegers.
Shop and Dine Downtown
Don’t forget to head downtown to the Miller Beach Arts & Creative District, a space where artisans, festivals, and live music are played with new events every weekend all year long! In the summer, in particular, the Miller’s Beach Farmer’s Market is definitely a great place to pop into and score some local bread, cheeses, honey, and even fresh-roasted coffee for a morning pick me up!
Fall in Miller Beach
Fall is a fantastic time to book a vacation rental in the Miller Beach area, as the crowds from high season begin to peter out after Labor Day, but plenty of the beach areas and amenities are still open for a family-friendly getaway.
Take Relaxing Beachfront Hikes
The Indiana Dunes are accessible in the fall, with gentle winds sweeping up the shoreline of West Beach. Taking walks along the public beaches and riverwalk is a relaxing way to fill up an afternoon.
Participate in Local Birdwatching Season
Birdwatching is actually best in the months from August through to December, so birding is in full swing during these fall months. The Marquette Park Concession, a critical birding area, rounds up visitors from all over the area. This is a fantastic spot to grab lunch and enjoy hunting the horizon as you take in the scenery from one of the picnic tables that are available year-round.
Another great location for birdwatching is the Paul H. Douglas Center which is located within the confines of Indiana Dunes National Park. Some nesting bald eagles, Golden-winged Warblers, and many other watchlist birds have been found in the wetlands and the Calumet River.
Hike and Cycle to Your Heart’s Content
Fall is also a fantastic time for hiking and cycling in the area, with more than 20 miles of trails connecting Gary, Miller Beach, and the Indiana Dunes National Park. Trails like the Bayless Dune Trail and the Beachfront Trail offer the opportunity to meander along the Miller Beach neighborhood and get your feet a little sandy.
Winter in Miller Beach
This small beach community in northwest Indiana certainly slows down as the weather changes. However, although the water is definitely too cold for swimming during the winter, there is no shortage of things to do in Miller Beach after the weather turns.
Create Winter Beachfront Fun
The Indiana Dunes State Park is perhaps even more stunning when the dunes are covered in frost, offering beautiful reflections of light onto the water of Lake Michigan. The walking paths situated throughout the park are, of course, still burgeoning with wildlife in the surrounding wetlands.
And, while we wouldn’t recommend donning a swimsuit and perching yourself on a beach chair, building a firepit on the beach is one of the fun local pastimes that have become a family-friendly must-do during your vacation to Miller Beach. Winter is much more fun if you pair it with sticky fingers and smores!
In addition, while many think that the iconic Marquette Park is not as popular during the off-season, they could not be more wrong! It is open year-round for visitors, with some very unique things still to do when the weather is chilly.
Compete in a Friendly Game of Ice Hockey
Perhaps one of the most exciting things to do during the winter season in the Miller Beach neighborhood happens when one of the largest bodies of water in the area, Calumet Lagoon, finally ices over. This sheet of ice in Marquette Park quickly turns into the ice rink of dreams as locals grab skates, sticks, and nets and take their turn shooting pucks across the ice.
Marvel at City Skylines
Not to be missed, the still winter landscape and lack of atmospheric interference create the perfect conditions for the stunning lake view of the Chicago skyline just across the water.
Admire Local Galleries
Art lovers can also rejoice during the winter in Miller Beach since there are exhibits featuring local artists on display at the year-round Lake Street Gallery. Much of the unique work is inspired by the region, so this is the perfect chance to grab a unique piece of Indiana to bring on home.
Indulge in Local Culinary Delights
Finish your perfect winter day with a slice from Miller Pizza Company, a family-owned Chicago-style pizza joint that is sure to leave you full and happy!
Spring in Miller Beach
Spring in Miller Beach is a time of transformation when the true beauty around the lakefront starts to bloom and adored activities like hiking and birdwatching are born again.
Get Active at Marquette Park
The famed Marquette Park is easily one of the most popular things to do during the spring season in Miller Beach. The park offers several outdoor recreational activities, such as beach volleyball, picnicking, hiking, and biking.
See the Wildflowers Bloom at Indiana Dunes National Park
What most people head to the park for, though, is the abundance of things to do for nature lovers. Explore more than 20 miles of hiking and biking trails and watch the surrounding ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, ponds, and sand dunes, begin to unfurl at the first sight of spring.
Most notably, Indiana Dunes National Park is among the most bio-diverse National Parks in the United States, making it a destination for anyone who enjoys picking their way through flora and fauna to discover species of plants and flowers.
Wildflowers bloom all along the park in April and May, just in time for vacationers to enjoy some of the tame spring weather in addition to the beautiful blooms.
Park Rangers engage kids in programs that are family-friendly, like yoga classes, nature walks, and even paddling classes on the Indiana Dunes lakeshore.
Enjoy Dog-Friendly Trails
Plus, kids and families aren’t the only ones who love sniffing around the dunes and the Lake Michigan beach shorelines during the spring- bring your furry friends, too! Miller Beach is dog friendly (aside from Wells Street Beach), and they are always welcome at Marquette Park on the many walking trails, so long as they’re leashed!
Peruse Downtown Miller Beach
Don’t forget to head downtown to the Lake Street District, where you can peruse the many shops and boutiques the area offers before hunkering down at a delightful restaurant as you enjoy live music and other local businesses.
Miller Beach, No Matter the Season
Whether you’re looking to indulge in farmer’s market goods in the summer months after a long day at the shore or meander the breezy fall and winter coastline searching for the best birdwatching before you delight in one of the culinary masterpieces of the area, Miller Beach has something for you no matter when you book your vacation home rental!