Pretty stays on the shores of Porter
Fur traders, railroad bigwigs, Swedish Lutherans and pioneers crossing the Midwestern divide have all stopped off in Porter over the years, imparting the place with an eclectic heritage, a smattering of National Register Historic Places and an interesting story to boot. That said, most people don't come for the history. Instead, they come to settle in one of many Porter vacation rentals that line the edges of the beautiful Indiana Dunes State Park. With miles of glowing, yellow-white beachfront on the doorstep, the lapping waves of Lake Michigan and beautiful nature trails stretching across the sand hills, it's easy to see why.
Life on the dunes in Porter
Covering a whopping 25 miles along the edge of southern Lake Michigan, the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is the jewel in Porter's crown. It's a must for those who've bagged a stay close to the beaches, offering a medley of sand stretches, singing dunes and sightings of bald eagles and hawks. In the summer, you'll be able to join the locals on the designated sunbathing and swimming section of beach, or head into the web of trails that cross the highest sand hills and offer views of Chicago's skyline from across the water.
The pretty side of Porter
Get ready to feel the laid-back Midwestern character of Northern Indiana as you settle into one of the available Porter vacation rentals on the lakefront. Beachcombing as the sun sets across Lake Michigan will quickly turn to stargazing as twilight gives way to night. Come morning, you can pull on your walking boots and hop across wetland boardwalk trails in search of rare turkey vultures, kestrels and other birds of prey. You can scale the hulking dunes, enjoy picnics in the secluded woods, or even do interpretative nature tours with trained ecologists.
Seasonal weather in Porter
If you're planning a vacation around warm-weather activities, July, June, August and September are the hottest months to visit, when temperatures average 70°F.
Porter spills into Lake Michigan
Porter is primarily known as the gateway to Lake Michigan's iconic Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. A designated US preserve, it encompasses some truly unique landscapes. There are high dune hills that whistle eerily in the breezes, and you'll also find wetlands and woods where rare and fearsome birds flit overhead. There are bogs and prairies and marshes that feather off the Little Calumet River. And there are beaches, of course – long, sandy and often totally empty, perfect for a picnic or a day spent sunbathing.
Transportation to and around Porter
The nearest airport is in Chicago O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD), located 49.5 mi (79.7 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you could also fly into Chicago Midway Airport (MDW), which is 36.4 mi (58.6 km) away.
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