A great park with amenities for a picnic, a hike, a beach adventure and for just listening to the…read morewaves. We found parking quickly and we're able to download the app and pay for an hour to sit and have our picnic lunch near the water. They had plenty of pavilions and tables for eating, as well as benches along the paths. We loved the various play equipment and options for families and especially the green spaces right next to the dunes. Something for everyone! We only saw portapotties, so that might be the only small issue but we were also there before the official start of the season. A fun spot and will definitely return when in the area!

I decided to go to Gary Indiana's WindDown Wednesdays @ Marquette Park/ Beach to SUPPORT My Amazing…read moreCity. Full Bar, Live Music with both an Amazing Band and my cousin DJN4RED provided the perfect Music. This Is What Gary n the Summer Time is All About. They have Food Trucks , Full Bar and Great Music. Perfect Day in the Summer Time. I Love to have a Great Time with old Classmates, Family and Good Friends. Ambience was off the Chain; out in the Fresh Air right off the Lake Michigan. Great crowd and friendly staff. Overall experience is 5 Stars.

This is a nice park. It is kind of small, but has a down home feel to it. It was built as part of a…read morelocal Boy Scout project. The park dates back to 1976 to honor the nation's 200 years of independence. The park has an adequate parking lot that it shares the neighboring veterans park. The park features a shelter with a couple of picnic tables under it. You will also find a small boat dock here that can be used for kayaks or small paddle boats. The dock has seen better days though. The park runs along the Deep River and has immediate access to the body of water. It is very picturesque and has a soothing feel about it. The park features a flag pole and a weathered stone monument commemorating the 200 year anniversary of American independence and honoring service members. The monument consist of a small slab that is flanked by two larger slabs, one on each side. All 3 slabs have inscriptions and the center slab has a soldier kneeling in front of a cross on top of it. The lab on the left reads "THIS BICENTENNIAL PARK CREATED IN 1976 To MARK THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, ONE NATION INDIVISIBLE UNDER GOD." The inscription on the center panel reads "THIS BICENTENNIAL PARK BUILT BY TROOP 20 BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA WITH THE COOPERATION OF LAKE STATION INDIANA CITIZENS IN HONOR OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR OUR COUNTRY". The third panel reads " BURN ON O FLAME OF LIBERTY IGNITED IN 1776 AND IN 1976 LIVING SAFEGUARDED AND REFUELED ANEW. As i mentioned, the monument is in pretty bad shape. This is a nice pocket park that happened to spill over into neighboring Veterans Park. This is not a destination park, but still a nice place to visit, hang out and chill.

It was a pretty park. We only drove around it while looking at the town. I think we were looking…read morefor coffee. But I do remember it being pretty. Looked like a very nice place to walk and ride a bike.

It's beautiful out here. No wonder this is where we fell in love! I gotta spend some time with him…read more I would recommend.

This is my favorite beach to go to on Lake Michigan in Indiana. I find it to be an especially…read more*cozy* spot to go to if you want a beach date, as the beach is on the south edge of a small baylike projection of Lake Michigan into the surrounding land. So you can see land to the left and right while on the beach, and there are dunes on all of that land. There are also dunes to the rear when you are on the beach; it is a 40 foot decent from the parking area to the beach. All of these dunes make the area feel like it is surrounded like cliffs, giving this place a unique feel. There is also the riverwalk to go on that is alongside the Little Calumet River as it drains into Lake Michigan, a path through through the dunes going south from the visitor center, a small boardwalk jutting out into the lake that you can walk on, and a visitor's center with a concession stand, so it's still good to go to if you can't swim! Unfortunately, beach access has been off for most of 2019 due to a collapsed portion of the walkway down the dunes to the beach, but the rest of the park is open. HOPEFULLY they will have this repaired by next season. By the way, it is a little tricky to get to this beach. Make sure you get off on EXIT 19 when coming here from I-80! Head north on State Road 249 at this point. Travel about 5/6 of a mile north at this point, and get off on U.S. Steel Road which branches to the north, MAKING SURE TO STAY IN THE LEFT LANE so you can CROSS OVER U.S. 12 and make your way to the beach. Once you cross the overpass, it will at first look like you are entering an industrial area. The path to the beach winds northward through this area and will require crossing over the Little Calumet River on a small bridge.

I was here for the lighthouse and enjoyed much of the walk. I would have gone the whole way but the…read morewind was too strong for my comfort. And also, I hadn't purchased a park pass and didn't want to stay long enough that they might notice. The park and the riverwalk are lovely. The view of the lake is amazing. Well worth the visit. If you're planning on buying an annual park pass, it's even better. [Review 20619 overall - 150 in Indiana - 1600 of 2023.]

I enjoy going to Festival Park to feed my feathered friends. The ducks and geese waddle and quack…read morewith joy as soon as they see me spreading out the cracked corn on the grass. The best time to feed them is in the winter or when it's cool outside. If the birds weren't there, I wouldn't even bother going to the park.

Absolutely beautiful beach & views of Lake Michigan. This national park is awesome. The trails were…read moreamazing & easily accessible. Lifeguards on duty, although there was a riptide warning & no swimming when we were there mid August. Concession stand had lots of choices. We got a Chicago dog & cheese fries.

Parking for twenty five is insane for in state, the views right and left of industrial waste…read moregenerators really adds to the Indiana, at least sand was cool for the cloudy weather and bathrooms clean.

If you haven't seen the beach at Marquette Park in person, you might be shocked by the expanse of…read morenatural beauty of the dunes, beach, and park. Friends and family who visit for the first time are amazed that a gorgeous public beach exists in the Midwest, let alone Gary. Renovations are almost complete on the Bath House, park, and concession stand. A biking/walking path around the perimeter of the park is great for walking the dog or a quick ride. The view of the Chicago skyline is phenomenal from the beach and even better from the Bath House. I've attended a few private parties and community events in the Bath House, which is an incredible venue for a summertime shindig.

Hosted a beautiful baby shower here back in July. Jan and her husband are good people.read more