Rebecca’s guidebook
House of Zen area guidebook
I've included a few of my favorite local spots in the area for hikes, wining and dining. Enjoy!
One of my absolute favor places to hike! There is a cash fee for entering and parking (I believe it's $10-12 per vehicle for out of state plates) that is well worth it.
289 locals recommend
Warren Dunes State Park
12032 Red Arrow HwyOne of my absolute favor places to hike! There is a cash fee for entering and parking (I believe it's $10-12 per vehicle for out of state plates) that is well worth it.
Warren Woods
Another great old growth woods hiking spot with free parking
Super cute updated Bnb with a wine/beer bar and delicious (but limited) dinner and brunch menu. One of my favorite spots to grab a happy hour drink with friends.
13 locals recommend
The Brewery Lodge
5727 N 600 WSuper cute updated Bnb with a wine/beer bar and delicious (but limited) dinner and brunch menu. One of my favorite spots to grab a happy hour drink with friends.
Small local brewery that's super close and casual. Beers are top notch, staff is laidback, and it's a great spot to pick up beers for the house or beach for your stay.
45 locals recommend
Burn 'Em Brewing
718 Freyer RdSmall local brewery that's super close and casual. Beers are top notch, staff is laidback, and it's a great spot to pick up beers for the house or beach for your stay.
My go-to spot for a late-night dinner and drink (because it's one of the only place that serves food and drinks until midnight--just note it is on EST since it's in Michigan)
198 locals recommend
The Stray Dog Bar & Grill
245 N Whittaker StMy go-to spot for a late-night dinner and drink (because it's one of the only place that serves food and drinks until midnight--just note it is on EST since it's in Michigan)
Al's Supermarket
1002 N Karwick RdFull grocery store within 5 minute drive
My favorite little shop in town with a juice/smoothie bar, kombucha on tap, a small selection of in house soups and salads and all your health needs.
6 locals recommend
Nature's Cupboard - Michigan City
340 Dunes PlazaMy favorite little shop in town with a juice/smoothie bar, kombucha on tap, a small selection of in house soups and salads and all your health needs.
Amazing beers, pizza and outdoor seating. They've got live music on Sundays (2-5pm EST) and lots of fun games to play.
95 locals recommend
The Haymarket Brewery & Taproom
9301 Red Arrow HwyAmazing beers, pizza and outdoor seating. They've got live music on Sundays (2-5pm EST) and lots of fun games to play.
Redamak's
616 E Buffalo StGreat burgers! Gets crowded in summer, so there may be a wait.
Awesome patio with huge outdoor fireplace. They don't serve food, but it's a great place to stop and relax with a beer on your way to/from somewhere else.
105 locals recommend
Beer Church Brewing Co.
24 S Whittaker StAwesome patio with huge outdoor fireplace. They don't serve food, but it's a great place to stop and relax with a beer on your way to/from somewhere else.
The tasting room and winery itself are lovely to try a few things and pick up a bottle to go! If you're up to drive to Baroda, MI (just a bit further) their vineyard is AMAZING. Grounds to roam, play lawn games, live music, and trails to roam with a drink in hand.
43 locals recommend
Round Barn Tasting Room - Union Pier
9185 Union Pier RdThe tasting room and winery itself are lovely to try a few things and pick up a bottle to go! If you're up to drive to Baroda, MI (just a bit further) their vineyard is AMAZING. Grounds to roam, play lawn games, live music, and trails to roam with a drink in hand.
The place itself is so close you can walk (or bike) and it is adorable! Friendly staff and that cozy locals feel.
Full transparency, I'm not a huge fan of Midwest wines... but they have a sister winery in California and there Cal blends are a lot better!
82 locals recommend
Shady Creek Winery
2030 Tryon RdThe place itself is so close you can walk (or bike) and it is adorable! Friendly staff and that cozy locals feel.
Full transparency, I'm not a huge fan of Midwest wines... but they have a sister winery in California and there Cal blends are a lot better!
Adorable little historic theatre that seats about 100 and shows amazing films you don't see in big box office theatres. Worth the drive!
70 locals recommend
Vickers Theatre
6 N Elm StAdorable little historic theatre that seats about 100 and shows amazing films you don't see in big box office theatres. Worth the drive!
My favorite beach (especially for long sunset hikes). It's dog friendly and stretched for miles along the dunes. There's also some amazing historic waterfront homes like "The House of Tomorrow" and others from the 1933 Chicago World's Fair.
Dunbar Beach
My favorite beach (especially for long sunset hikes). It's dog friendly and stretched for miles along the dunes. There's also some amazing historic waterfront homes like "The House of Tomorrow" and others from the 1933 Chicago World's Fair.
The BEST pizza in the whole area. Eat in or carryout. They've got a great patio and Italian wines, too!
Note: They change there hours seasonally and are usually closed Dec-March, as well as Tuesday and Wednesday in the spring/summer.
63 locals recommend
Stop 50 Wood Fired Pizzeria
500 El Portal DrThe BEST pizza in the whole area. Eat in or carryout. They've got a great patio and Italian wines, too!
Note: They change there hours seasonally and are usually closed Dec-March, as well as Tuesday and Wednesday in the spring/summer.
Quaint high-end grocery store on Red Arrow highway that serves up delicious pastries, quiche, and sandwiches.
68 locals recommend
Whistle Stop Grocery
15700 Red Arrow HwyQuaint high-end grocery store on Red Arrow highway that serves up delicious pastries, quiche, and sandwiches.
This is my favorite place in the area! They've got a great juice bar inside, a few healthy pre-made options, kombucha on tap and excellent selection of local produce. Probably the only place you can find ample vegan, GF, paleo, etc. stuff. The staff is lovely as well!
6 locals recommend
Nature's Cupboard - Michigan City
340 Dunes PlazaThis is my favorite place in the area! They've got a great juice bar inside, a few healthy pre-made options, kombucha on tap and excellent selection of local produce. Probably the only place you can find ample vegan, GF, paleo, etc. stuff. The staff is lovely as well!
A local's favorite/secret spot. Only a 1/2 mile from my place. If you can find your way to the second half, you'll walk through an enchanted tunnel of trees to a small loop. Wear bugspray ;)
6 locals recommend
Ambler Flatwoods Nature Preserve
Meer RoadA local's favorite/secret spot. Only a 1/2 mile from my place. If you can find your way to the second half, you'll walk through an enchanted tunnel of trees to a small loop. Wear bugspray ;)
Dining
My new favorite spot! Great happy hour specials, lovely atmosphere (service can be hit or miss, but that’s the norm for this area).
58 locals recommend
Leeds Public House
401 Franklin StMy new favorite spot! Great happy hour specials, lovely atmosphere (service can be hit or miss, but that’s the norm for this area).
Now Farina's Supper Club (previously Duneland Beach Inn), now boast a fabulous patio with Italian fare. Gets busy on the weekends, so either come early when they open or make a reso.
Note: Post covid our local restaurants and shops are under-staffed to do a shortage of workers in our area, so be extra patient and remember service isn't as fast as in the big city.
27 locals recommend
Duneland Beach Inn
3311 Pottawattomie TrailNow Farina's Supper Club (previously Duneland Beach Inn), now boast a fabulous patio with Italian fare. Gets busy on the weekends, so either come early when they open or make a reso.
Note: Post covid our local restaurants and shops are under-staffed to do a shortage of workers in our area, so be extra patient and remember service isn't as fast as in the big city.
My go-to brunch spot, and an all around favorite. One of the few places with some healthier options, but also a great wine list.
104 locals recommend
Bentwood Tavern
600 W Water StMy go-to brunch spot, and an all around favorite. One of the few places with some healthier options, but also a great wine list.
This place is like a time capsule, so if you're looking for something super local--this is it! If you want a stiff old fashioned, fish fry or prime rib you'll love it.
41 locals recommend
Heston Supper Club
2003 E 1000 NThis place is like a time capsule, so if you're looking for something super local--this is it! If you want a stiff old fashioned, fish fry or prime rib you'll love it.
Newly renovated post-covid, it's probably the most upscale place in the whole area. Great homemade pasta and wines.
50 locals recommend
Terrace Room
111 W Water StNewly renovated post-covid, it's probably the most upscale place in the whole area. Great homemade pasta and wines.
One of the newer spots in the area, very cute! Great menu (service can be hit or miss), but I still enjoy it.
56 locals recommend
Goblin & The Grocer
1 W Dunes HwyOne of the newer spots in the area, very cute! Great menu (service can be hit or miss), but I still enjoy it.
Neighborhoods
If you want to take a little side trip, I love Valpo. My favs are: Ricochet Tacos, Don Quijote (spanish cusines), the Ella Jayms boutique, Roots Market and Cafe and Valpo Velvet ice cream has a bit of a cult following around here.
24 locals recommend
Valparaiso
If you want to take a little side trip, I love Valpo. My favs are: Ricochet Tacos, Don Quijote (spanish cusines), the Ella Jayms boutique, Roots Market and Cafe and Valpo Velvet ice cream has a bit of a cult following around here.