Closed when I was here early in the morning during the offseason, so I was only able to see the outside but yes, it is a lighthouse that is since decommissioned and is no longer an active navigational aid. But it's been converted into a museum. Built in 1858 at a cost of $8,000, the Old Michigan City Light replaced an 1837 brick & stone light built at the edge of Lake Michigan. It was the second light at the site, and the predecessor to the Michigan City East Light. It was remodeled in 1904. Seven lighthouse keepers and fourteen assistant keepers served here from 1837 to 1940. [Review 20615 overall - 146 in Indiana - 1596 of 2023.] read more

Old Lighthouse Museum - Old Lighthouse Museum, Michigan City - Museums Near Me - Michigan City, Indiana

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This was a super cool museum. There was lots of cool artifacts. There is a small gift shop with t shirts ornaments and books. Got lots of pics. Sorry yelp limited how many I could post! read more

Old Lighthouse Museum - Walkway - Museums Near Me - Michigan City, Indiana

This is a fun stop if you're into history or nautical information. The staff is very friendly, but can be a bit forgetful (we were asked to pay the entrance fee around 3 times after we paid). The view from the upstairs lighthouse was worth the travel up there. The gift shop prices were good and we even took home some of the local photography. I'd say it's worth the trip for a couple of hours. read more

Small but impressive museum. I'm a lighting nerd so the optics and design of the 19th century lamp that sits in the tower was a sight to see in person. Staff was very friendly and informative. Spiral staircase was really cool and the view worth the climb. Great stuff on the magical 'singing sand' that made the old mason jars. This place has real history for days. read more

Old Lighthouse Museum - Museums Near Me - Michigan City, Indiana

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I'm just going to put it out there and let the world judge me: I don't generally enjoy museums. Forgive me. I'm usually not easily bored, but I just find it hard to stay awake whenever a visit to a museum can't be avoided. That said, I'm trying to leave my personal issues at the door for this review. There is a lot to be learned about the local area here! Topics covered in the museum are kind of all over the place as far as subjects go, but all related to the history of Michigan City and its light house. Each of 3 or 4 rooms downstairs has an audio presentation, though it wasn't always easy to hear. As shared via photo, this place is not stroller accessible. And not really handicap accessible either. There's no bathroom for visitors. Taking a star off for that. It was a bit hard to keep my two little ones from grabbing at some of the interesting, antique objects upstairs, such as teddy bears and baby dolls. Not a knock on the museum obviously, but a head's up for other parents. Be sure to climb all the way to the top! While it's not high as far as light houses go, there's still a nice view, and you can look out to the light house (light hub, I think they called it actually) that is still in use today. read more

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This little museum is packed with both nautical and regional information. The volunteer staff was attentive and extremely knowledgeable. Several have local ties to some prominent residents. A facial bust of President Lincoln and the tie-in with his funeral procession stopping in front of the light house and in the city was very interesting. The museum has tons of artifacts and information about ship and boat wrecks on Lake Michigan. As some of the pictures posted show, there is no onsite restroom which was a major problem for someone who had just drank two large glasses of tea. A port-a-pot close to the parking lot was the alternative and not a good one. My stay would have been much longer with a restroom facility which one knows is onsite as this was a home for a light keeper. The self-guided tour costs $5.00 with no military or AAA discount. It's worth it for anyone interested in history. Children would probably be bored as there are no interactive displays. The climb up the narrow steps to the top of the lighthouse is not for everyone. The displays are on tour stories and not handicap accessible. A small gift shop has t-shirts and books. Ask the volunteers any question, I'm sure they have the answer to your question. Of note: The light house no longer sits directly on the Lake. A marina has been built around it. read more

Volunteer staffed lighthouse museum at Old Lighthouse on land at Michigan City (the city also has an operational light out on a nearby pier). The museum is open from April until October and offers public tours for a small admission charge ($3 per adult at this writing). Nice exhibits about the lighthouse history and maritime history in the area on the first couple of floors of the house. An extra $1 buys you the opportunity to climb a skinny spiral staircase added to the house in 2003 (just a, um, step above climbing a ladder to get up there) and check out the view from the lighthouse lantern room. The lens is no longer in the lantern room, and it's difficult to see the nearby pierhead light from this vantage point when all of the leaves are on the trees. I did manage to get some nice shots of the marina from the lantern room, though. The best views of the pierhead light tower are from nearby Washington Park, although we had to pay a $6 fee to get in the park so we could park the car and get out to walk along the pier to get pictures of that tower. read more