Over two miles of hiking trails snake through the 37 unique gardens. These sprawling grounds cover over 100 acres and include butterfly gardens, riverside old-growth forests, an Irish maze, and an English Tea House. The Friendship Botanic Gardens lie east of town along the edge of Pottawattamie Park. A Hidden Gem Cuisines: Italian, Steakhouse, Seafood Reserve Hardee's 94 of 110 Restaurants in Michigan City 1 review 5223 Franklin Street 3.3 miles from Blue Chip Casino Typical Hardee's/ Matched McDo. Its exhibits tell the story of the area's maritime history, including artifacts from shipwrecks and the old lighthouse lenses. 10 reviews 3311 Pottawattomie Trl 4 miles from Blue Chip Casino Finally a nice restaurant in t. You can also tour the Old Lighthouse Museum, a 19th-century structure that preceded the construction of the east tower. Its red-and-white tower has become an iconic attraction, and the neighboring pier serves as a popular fishing spot for locals. This historic lighthouse, constructed in the early 20th century, remains the last remaining publicly run lighthouse in the state. Or you can simply lounge about on the sand and swim in one of the Midwest’s largest stretches of protected shoreline. The inland forest ecosystems, along with the wetlands and grass-crowned sand dunes, provide plenty of opportunities to hike. Just west of town, you’ll find the Indiana Dunes National Park, with its 15 miles of coastlines, 50 miles of trail systems, and 15,000 acres of parkland open for exploration.