Every year, especially during the summer months, many of our youth participate in a multitude of recreational and enrichment opportunities available to them in the Michigan City area. The goal of our community should be to continue to encourage more of our youth to participate, and engage them in all the various opportunities that schools, churches, parks, clubs, and our businesses work so hard to provide.
For a start, we have art, football, basketball, baseball and cheerleading. There are drill teams, educational activities, fishing, and golf. We have a great library that offers a diverse list of programs, we have marching bands, and a manufacturing camp. Michigan City plays host to pancake breakfasts, robotics teams, organized runs and skateboarding. There is soccer, tennis and a triathlon. The complete list of activities in Michigan City is almost endless. Many of these activities are free or offer scholarships.
Families can always find something to do together. Michigan City is very fortunate to be adjacent to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and we have our own big beautiful beach right here at Washington Park. Take the short stroll out to the lighthouse, or hike any or all of the many miles of nearby trails.
Adults can keep themselves occupied as well. Our activities and opportunities are unlimited. If you have a skill or hobby that you enjoy; share it with your neighbors! Make Michigan City an even better place by finding and filling a need. The reason Michigan City has so much to offer is that our Michigan City residents offer themselves to our community. We volunteer our time and we start businesses. We provide services and products that make ours a vibrant and dynamic community.
Forbes Magazine took note of our proximity to Lake Michigan and the Dunes when they listed us among the best places for business and careers. No other Northwest Indiana community made that national list. While quality of life in Michigan City has a lot to do with the variety of activities we offer, our cost of doing business is also a factor. Forbes ranks us 11th of all the cities in the United States for cost of doing business, and they report that our cost of living is 13 percent less than the national average! Housing prices are the most affordable of all the south shore communities.
As a young boy, spending time fishing and hiking along our waterways, exposed me to many learning experiences. This taught me about the importance of our environment and protecting our water resources. Being exposed to such experiences can often lead individuals to an array of interests and career paths. There are so many things to do in Michigan City that, with some thought and effort, one could do something different and interesting every day of the year. If you find something that suits you, share it with others by volunteering your time. Try something outside your comfort zone. Expand your horizons. Meet new friends.
Let us open our eyes to everything that is available here in Michigan City. What other small city has a world-class art museum, zoo, and beach? Take advantage of the cultural opportunities, sporting events, and the beauty of a Washington Park sunset. It’s all here. Explore it, experience it, enjoy it, and then tell someone about it. Imagine the possibilities if we all put our time and energy into our community. Reap the rewards of this great location, friendly atmosphere, and the non-stop energy of summer!