Home to the Port of Indiana, Portage is a lively industrial city on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. It flourished with the arrival of the railways in the 19th century and again during the inter-war years with the increased demand for steel from the area’s mills.
Things to do in Portage
Sweeping views across Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline can be enjoyed from the Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk, a 23-hectare green space established on the site of a former steelworks. You can cast a fishing line from the breakwater or launch a kayak to explore the lake under your own steam. Elevated panoramas are on offer from the Portage Dune Overlook.
A short walk west leads to a section of Indiana Dunes National Park, which encompasses the sparkling waters of Long Lake. It is best explored along the West Beach Trails, a network of paths that take in stands of jack pines and rugged dunes. Through the interpretive signs, you can learn about the local activist “Diana of the Dunes” and spot a few of the 350+ bird species that have been recorded in the area.
Travelling with kids? They can let off some steam at Portage Imagination Glen Park, which boasts two children’s playgrounds and sporting fields where you can throw a ball around. It encompasses more than 100 hectares on the eastern edge of the city, with the meandering Salt Creek traversing the park. Cyclists can take advantage of the Outback Trail system or challenge themselves on the family-friendly BMX track.
Getting around Portage
Portage is around an hour’s drive from the centre of Chicago and Chicago Midway International Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America. Regular trains connect from Chicago to the Portage-Ogden Dunes railway station and buses travel throughout the city.