Sandy Shores

The Sandy Shores Treasure Map

Unrolling the map…
The treasures

22 things worth finding at Beachwalk Resort.

A Beachwalk Resort map drawn from the Sandy Shores front door: the heated pool, Lake Kai, the boardwalk to Sheridan Beach on Lake Michigan, the courts, the parks and the café. Mapped by the Keepers of Sandy Shores. Walk times are estimates from 121 Thomas Blvd; most amenities need a Resort Band in season (about $15 per person, ages 4 and up, mid-May to September). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Home

  • Sandy ShoresYour home base at 121 Thomas Blvd on Beachwalk's west side, between Central Park and Waterfall Park. Everything on this map is a one- to ten-minute walk from this porch.

Lake & Beach

  • Lake Kai Fishing PierCatch-and-release fishing from the pier on Lake Kai, Beachwalk's private stocked lake. Bluegill and bass are the usual suspects.
  • Activities DockRent kayaks, paddleboards and pedal boats at the Activity Center dock. Calm water, no waves: the perfect first paddle for a kid.
  • Boardwalk to Lake MichiganBeachwalk's boardwalk crosses the dunes from Lake Shore Drive to Stop 7 on Sheridan Beach: a public Lake Michigan beach with a long esplanade and pavilions.
  • Upland StairsA stair climb up the dune west of the boardwalk to a lookout over Lake Michigan. An easy summit for small legs.

Pool & Clubhouse

  • Pool & Splash PadA heated pool that's 4 ft deep end to end, with a toddler pool and a lighthouse splash pad alongside. Band check at the gate.
  • ClubhouseBeachwalk's hub: the café downstairs, ping pong and a pool table, restrooms, the golf-cart rental office and an observation tower with a view over the dunes to Lake Michigan.
  • The Beach HutThe resort café at the Clubhouse: coffee, breakfast, burgers, cold drinks and ice cream. Seasonal hours.

Courts & Games

  • Tennis & PickleballFenced tennis and pickleball courts north of the Clubhouse. Pickleball is Beachwalk's social sport; expect to be invited into a game.
  • BasketballA full court painted in Beachwalk blue, next to the tennis courts.
  • Sand VolleyballA beach-style sand court beside the Clubhouse and pool.
  • BocceA bocce court at the Activity Center on Lake Kai's south shore. Easy for a five-year-old and a grandparent to play on equal terms.
  • ShuffleboardLakeside shuffleboard at the Activity Center, right next to bocce.

Parks & Play

  • Putting Green ParkA pocket park with a putting green and a small fishing pond, up at the north end of Power Lane.
  • Central ParkThe green beside Sandy Shores and the stage for Beachwalk's Music in the Park summer concerts.
  • Waterfall ParkA pocket park with a pond, a waterfall feature and benches: the quiet spot closest to the house.
  • Butterfly GardenNative plantings on Childers Lane that draw butterflies and birds. The calm corner for bird watching.
  • Cason Park PlaygroundThe Sandcastle Playground in Cason Park: a wooden castle with slides, climbers and a nest swing.
  • Picnic AreaPicnic tables east of Lake Kai, a shady lunch stop between fishing and paddling.
  • Lakeside TrailsWalking trails through the dune woods on the east side of Lake Kai, with the Singing Sands Trail a little further south.

Getting Around

  • Welcome CenterWhere Resort Bands are handed out and questions get answered, at Moss Parkway by the Clubhouse.
  • Golf-cart ParkingGolf-cart parking on Lake Shore Drive at the foot of the boardwalk to the beach.
The Area

67 day trips, pinned at their addresses.

Zoom the map out past the resort for Michigan City, New Buffalo, the Indiana Dunes, Valparaiso and Chicago by train. Drive times are from the house. Michigan runs on Eastern time, an hour ahead. Each town has a full guide: browse the town guides.

Michigan City · About 10 minutes

  • Washington Park BeachWashington Park, Lake Shore Dr, Michigan City, IN 46360Two miles of soft sand with shallow, gently sloping water, plus a splash pad and picnic shelters.
  • Lighthouse pierWashington Park pier (north end of On the Lake), Michigan City, IN 46360Walk the pier at Washington Park out to the 1904 lighthouse. Go at sunset.
  • Mt. Baldy & Central Avenue BeachMount Baldy parking lot, 101 Rice St (US-12), Michigan City, IN 46360The Indiana Dunes National Park's Michigan City beaches. The Mt. Baldy summit is reached on ranger-guided tours.
  • Friendship Botanic Gardens2055 E US Hwy 12, Michigan City, IN 46360105 acres of woodland trails, gardens and a meadow around Lake Lucerne.
  • Washington Park Zoo115 Lakeshore Dr, Michigan City, IN 46360More than 90 species right by the beach, with views over Lake Michigan.
  • Old Lighthouse Museum100 Heisman Harbor Rd, Michigan City, IN 46360Lighthouse keepers, the harbor and Lake Michigan shipwrecks, at Heisman Harbor.
  • Washington Park splash padOasis Splash Park, Fedder Dr, Washington Park, Michigan City, IN 46360Cool off between the zoo and the beach.
  • Shoreline Brewery208 Wabash St, Michigan City, IN 46360Local craft beer and pub food.
  • Sunset GrilleNorth Pointe Pavilion, 6 On the Lake, Michigan City, IN 46360Dinner with a view of the water, at the Washington Park beach pavilion.
  • Royale with Cheese110 W 9th St, Michigan City, IN 46360Burgers that keep the whole crew happy.
  • Dune Billies Beach Cafe201 Center St, Michigan City, IN 46360A laid-back beach café stop and our go-to breakfast before a beach day.
  • Cool Runnings501 Center St, Michigan City, IN 46360Jamaican cooking made in house: jerk chicken with extra sauce on the side, an indoor bar and a renovated patio.
  • Bartlett's Fish Camp12 On the Lake, Michigan City, IN 46360Our dinner pick in Michigan City: fish-camp cooking by the water.
  • Leeds Public House401 Franklin St, Michigan City, IN 46360A downtown favorite for dinner on Franklin Street.
  • Fiddlehead422 Franklin St, Michigan City, IN 46360One of our downtown Michigan City favorites.
  • Matey's110 Franklin St, Michigan City, IN 46360Casual food and drinks near the harbor, a local favorite.
  • Galveston Steakhouse10 Commerce Sq, Michigan City, IN 46360Steaks downtown when the grown-ups get a night out.
  • Hokkaido725 Franklin St, Michigan City, IN 46360Japanese and sushi, one of our local go-tos.
  • Mucho Mas727 Franklin St, Michigan City, IN 46360Mexican food the whole crew agrees on.
  • Patrick's Grille4125 Franklin St, Michigan City, IN 46360A south-side Michigan City standby for a relaxed dinner.
  • Brewery Lodge & Supper Club5727 N 600 W, Michigan City, IN 46360A supper club and brewery out in the country south of town.
  • Blue Chip Casino777 Blue Chip Dr, Michigan City, IN 46360Gaming plus concerts and shows from nationally known entertainers.
  • Lighthouse Place outlets601 Wabash St, Michigan City, IN 46360Outlet shopping for a rainy afternoon.
  • Lubeznik Center for the Arts101 W 2nd St, Michigan City, IN 46360Galleries and exhibitions on the lakefront.
  • South Shore Line station114 E 11th St, Michigan City, IN 46360Take the train to downtown Chicago for the day. No parking, no traffic.

New Buffalo · About 15 minutes east

  • New Buffalo Public BeachN Whittaker St & Marquette Dr, New Buffalo, MI 49117A wide, sandy beach with summer lifeguards, an easy walk from downtown.
  • Oink's Dutch Treat227 W Buffalo St, New Buffalo, MI 49117A summer tradition for 30+ years: more than 50 flavors and a shop full of pig memorabilia.
  • New Buffalo Railroad Museum530 S Whittaker St, New Buffalo, MI 49117A small train museum that's a hit with young rail fans.
  • Redamak's616 E Buffalo St, New Buffalo, MI 49117The legendary char-grilled burger joint, with a big outdoor patio.
  • Stray Dog Bar & Grill245 N Whittaker St, New Buffalo, MI 49117By the harbor, known for its signature tacos.
  • Bentwood Waterfront Tavern600 W Water St, New Buffalo, MI 49117Elevated tavern fare on the water.
  • Brewster's Italian Café11 W Merchant St, New Buffalo, MI 49117A contemporary take on Italian for date night.
  • Terrace Room111 W Water St, New Buffalo, MI 49117Rustic handmade pasta at the Harbor Grand.
  • Beer Church Brewing Co.24 S Whittaker St, New Buffalo, MI 49117Small-batch beer and Neapolitan pizza inside a Civil War-era church.
  • Ghost Isle Brewery17684 US-12 (E Buffalo St), New Buffalo, MI 49117Craft beer brewed on site and frequent live music.
  • Four Winds Casino11111 Wilson Rd, New Buffalo, MI 49117Restaurants, bars and live entertainment under one roof.

Three Oaks & Harbor Country · About 25 minutes east

  • Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail9145 Union Pier Rd, Union Pier, MI 49129One of the Midwest's best wine trails starts just up the shore. Book a driver and make a day of it.
  • Warren Dunes State Park12032 Red Arrow Hwy, Sawyer, MI 49125In Sawyer: 240-foot dunes, three miles of shoreline and six miles of trails. Climb to the top at sunset.
  • Journeyman Distillery109 Generations Dr, Three Oaks, MI 49128Organic whiskey, gin and rum tastings and craft cocktails in the historic Featherbone Factory.
  • Vickers Theatre6 N Elm St, Three Oaks, MI 49128A restored vintage movie house on Elm Street showing popular, foreign and independent films.
  • The Acorn107 Generations Dr, Three Oaks, MI 49128Touring musicians, comedy, theater and film in the old Featherbone Factory.
  • Three Oaks' Elm StreetN Elm St between US-12 and Ash St, Three Oaks, MI 49128Art galleries, antique stores and boutiques for an easy afternoon stroll.

Indiana Dunes & Chesterton · About 25 minutes west

  • 3 Dune Challenge1600 N 25 E, Chesterton, IN 46304Indiana Dunes State Park's 1.5-mile climb over Mt. Holden, Mt. Jackson and Mt. Tom: 552 vertical feet. Finishers get a free sticker at the visitor center. Best for older kids.
  • Dune Succession Trail376 N County Line Rd, Gary, IN 46403Just under a mile at West Beach, from bare sand to oak forest, with 270 stairs up to a lake overlook. Not stroller-friendly.
  • Dunes PavilionIndiana Dunes State Park beach, 1600 N 25 E, Chesterton, IN 46304The restored 1929 beach pavilion at the state park, with restaurants, a rooftop deck and summer food carts.
  • Chellberg Farm618 N Mineral Springs Rd, Porter, IN 46304A historic farm and the Bailly Homestead inside the national park.
  • Indiana Dunes Visitor Center1215 N State Rd 49, Porter, IN 46304Start here for the national park: maps, ranger advice, and the 3 Dune Challenge sticker when you've earned it.
  • The Port Drive-In419 N Calumet Rd, Chesterton, IN 46304A classic Chesterton drive-in with roller-skating carhops.
  • Chesterton's European MarketThomas Centennial Park, Broadway & 3rd St (Calumet Rd), Chesterton, IN 46304Saturdays from May through October: pastries, produce, prepared food and handmade goods.

Valparaiso · About 40 minutes southwest

  • Zao Island1050 Horse Prairie Ave, Valparaiso, IN 46385Mini-golf, go-karts and an arcade.
  • 49er Drive-In Theatre675 N Calumet Ave, Valparaiso, IN 46383Pajamas, blankets and a double feature under the stars.
  • Gabis Arboretum450 W 100 N, Valparaiso, IN 46385Themed gardens, exhibits and grounds to explore.
  • Blackbird Café114 E Lincolnway, Valparaiso, IN 46383Around the square in downtown Valpo.
  • Don Quijote Restaurante119 E Lincolnway, Valparaiso, IN 46383Spanish cooking around the square in downtown Valpo.
  • Main + Lincoln210 E Lincolnway, Valparaiso, IN 46383Around the square in downtown Valpo.
  • Meditrina Market Café24 N Washington St, Valparaiso, IN 46383Around the square in downtown Valpo.
  • Parea69 Franklin St, Valparaiso, IN 46383Around the square in downtown Valpo.
  • Roots Market Café108 E Lincolnway, Valparaiso, IN 46383Around the square in downtown Valpo.
  • Industrial Revolution Eatery & Grille1084 Linwood Ave, Valparaiso, IN 46385Just outside downtown Valpo.
  • Kelsey's Steak House2300 E Morthland Dr (US-30), Valparaiso, IN 46383Just outside downtown Valpo.
  • Tomato Bar Pizza Bakery2310 Laporte Ave, Valparaiso, IN 46383Just outside downtown Valpo.
  • Memorial Opera House104 Indiana Ave, Valparaiso, IN 46383Live shows downtown, alongside the Chicago Street Theatre.
  • Chicago Street Theatre154 W Chicago St, Valparaiso, IN 46383Community theater downtown.
  • Chapel of the Resurrection1400 Chapel Dr, Valparaiso, IN 46383See the striking Chapel of the Resurrection at Valparaiso University, or catch a Valpo basketball game in season.
  • Central Park Plaza68 Lafayette St, Valparaiso, IN 46383Downtown's festival grounds: Popcorn Festival, Summer Rhapsody, the Food & Wine Festival, Valpo Brewfest and Holly Days. Check dates before your stay.

Stevensville · About 45 minutes north-east

  • Peat's Cider Social6201 Red Arrow Hwy, Stevensville, MI 49127Our rainy-day rescue: a retro bowling alley with cider on tap, in Stevensville near St. Joseph. Worth the 45-minute drive when the lake is grey.

Chicago · About 1 h 45 by train

  • Chicago by train151 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601The South Shore Line runs from Michigan City's 11th Street station to Millennium Station under Michigan Avenue, steps from Millennium Park and the Loop.