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Hotel Class: 
3 Stars - 36 Opinions
21 Buffington Harbor Dr, Gary, IN 46406
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of people enjoy staying here
36 Opinions
Douglas Center
West Beach (Indiana Dunes NL)
Downtown in 1906
Future pilots in awe
Later this month we are planning to spend a day or so (plus one evening) in the Gary, IN area on our way East. We considered stopping in Chicago but with the traffic and the expense it's just too much. So we decided to go a bit off the beaten track and do something "different". I read it's an older city so I imagine they could use the tourist dollars. We'd love to hear about any recommended hotels plus your favorite local destinations - entertainment, eating spots, museums, places to stroll etc. Am having surprising difficulty locating this information from the usual sources. And I already know all about the weather this time of year - it's OK since we're from Minnesota!! Finally I read some of the warnings about gas stations in the area so we'll definitely plan to fill up before arriving. Very weird! Thanks in advance to all for any suggestions for a quick visit!
I think you are out of your mind to stop in Gary; there is a reason why there is no tourist info, it is an industrial wasteland with an astronomical crime rate. lol
I don't believe in the exaggerated hype and dramatic hoopla you often read about some of our towns and cities. If every negative comment or off-hand slight about an urban area was to be taken literally we would be stuck at home and could never travel anyplace beyond the next little suburb! New York? Wow - too dangerous. New Orleans? No way - too dangerous. Los Angeles? Are you kidding - too dangerous. Miami? Impossible - too dangerous. I think you get the idea. Now they try to do the same with Gary (and who knows how many other older towns around the nation). I have found that a little positive attitude goes a long way in this country. So I will reiterate the request once again: Please provide useful tourist tips and suggestions for Gary Indiana (including the surrounding region) for an older couple unfamiliar with the area. Thanks!!
Hopefully this info doesn't come too late, but instead of stopping in Gary, which I'd advise again, how about heading south on I-65 from Gary not too far to Merrillville. There are plenty of places to stay around there and the area is nicer and safer. Here's a website with info on things to do in this area http://www.northwestindiana.com/cities/merrillville/merrillville.htm You could also visit the Indiana Dunes and that area is fairly decent but still, the smoke and smokestacks from the steel mills in Gary can be seen from all over the dunes area. In Michigan City, you could hit the outlet mall or Blue Chip Casino but even Michigan City isn't that great after dark. But again, I say your best bet is to head just south of Gary in I-65 to the Merrillville/Crown Point area and stay away from Gary.
The downtown Gary Library is said to have an extensive collection of material about the people who popluated the city. From the immigrants of old Europe to the exodus from the southern U.S. there are said to be information that will help your search for family. Even if you're not from Northwest Indiana, you may find information there.
220 W. 5th Avenue
Phone: (219) 886-2484 Fax: (219) 886-6829
Hours:
Monday-Thursday 9am-8pm Friday & Saturday 9am-5pm
Visit the Dunes National Lakeshore. Here you will find some of the nicest fresh water beaches in the world. Spending the summer at the beach and the winter ice skating and sledding. Also, the leaves changing in the fall and the first hint of warm weather in the spring are always exciting.
Camilo José Vergara is not from Gary, he wasn’t even born in the USA, but he is certainly relevant here as his images of the Steel City as well as Newark, Detroit, Camden, the South Bronx and more have instilled me with much contemplation of the urban world. This Chilean-born photographer has been called “the Jacob Riis of our times” for his photographic forays into the poorest urban areas of "the land of plenty," these United States. His work is haunting yet humane all at once. He’s a frequent visitor to these parts and although I have yet to meet him, let me recommend three of his books: The New American Ghetto, American Ruins and Unexpected Chicagoland.
City Methodist Church at faithfabric.com
(www.faithfabric.com/tbh/gary/citymethodist.htm)
A website for an area Christian group. This link takes you to a page featuring excellent images of a trip the group took to the City Methodist Church, which they eloquently call "Gary's Sacred Ruin."
Postcard Images of Gary Landmarks
(www.troopers87.com/history)
Part of a website for and by the Wirt High School 1987 graduating class. Lots of images and articles and be found here.
Urban Adventure: Gary
(www.urbanadventure.org/2002trip/usa/journal-gary.htm)
"Behind the keep out sign!" A website by a guy who travels around exploring abandon buildings, tunnels, catacombs, and other places most dare not tread.
David Goes to Gary
(homepages.wmich.edu/~d9kohrma/gary2002/)
Another look into Gary's ruins, this one features some excellent photography and typical smart-aleck college kid cynicism.
More than most other cities I've seen in Indiana, G.I. is known for its distinct neighborhoods. So if you wanna be down, find out what each area is like, and the official name for it:
The far south section of Gary, from the southern border at 53rd, north to IUNW is called Glen Park; GP is one of the neighborhoods whose name is commonly seen on buildings and signs, making it sort of a city within a city. You'll find several fish/chicken/shrimp type restaurants along Broadway, and many people chilling in the area or rolling through, down to Merrillville south of the border.
The far southwest of Gary is known as Black Oaks, although my guy calls it "White Oaks" since it is a poor trailer park area where most of the few White people in the city live.
Also on the further west side heading toward Hammond is the Ivanhoe neighborhood and the area that locals call "Tha Bronx."
Just a mile or so southwest of downtown (short southwest), is Tolleston, the area where Michael Jackson came from.
A mile directly west of downtown is the Ambridge area (near Horace Mann High School), which is kind of seen as the "Old Downtown."
About a half mile to a mile east/southeast of downtown is the Emerson neighborhood or simply the "East Side". This is possibly the most abandoned section of Gary overall, yet the "Emerson School" in the area has a pretty good reputation.
Further East is the neighborhood of Aetna.
Near the far east border of Gary is the neighborhood of Miller, where most of the popular beaches and dunes are located.
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Q: Quick Visit to Gary Indiana - Recommendations "Later this month we are planning to spend a day or so (plus one evening) in the Gary, IN area on our way East. We considered..."
A: "I think you are out of your mind to stop in Gary; there is a reason why there is no tourist info, it is an industrial wasteland with an astronomical crime rate. lol"
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Address: 21 Buffington Harbor Dr, Gary, IN 46406
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