Recreation

Sightseeing

Architecture

Gary's Genesis Convention Center, a modern structure featuring rounded corners and an imposing glsas wall across the front, is well worth viewing. Built in 1921, the Gary Bathing Beach Aquatorium is one of the first examples of modular block construction in the world. Other notable buildings include the City Methodist Church, a massive Gothic structure of limestone completed in 1926, and the old Westside neighborhood historic district, part of the company town built by U.S. Steel Corporation in 1906, which reflects a variety of architectural styles.

Natural Wonders

The Indiana Dunes extend intermittently along the lakeshore from Gary to Michigan City, Indiana. Poet Carl Sandburg described the dunes as being "to the Midwest what the Grand Canyon is to Arizona and Yosemite is to California. They constitute a signature of time and eternity." The dunes, home to woodland hiking and miles of sandy beaches, have been recognized as a national treasure by the U.S. Congress. The Paul H. Douglas Environmental Center at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore provides an opportunity to learn about the disciplines of ecology and environmental science. Also at the dunes is the Bailly Homestead, which offers a look at pioneer and Native American life, and the Chellberg Farm, where visitors may catch a glimpse of turn-of-the-century farming. The Brunswick Park savanna, a 49-acre park on the city's Westside, features rare plants such as black oak, blue joint grass, and prairie sunflowers that have been safeguarded in the preserves, as well as tennis courts and picnic areas.

Sports for the Spectator

Gary Steelheads
Professional basketball has found a home in Gary with the USBL's Gary Steelheads www.steelheadshoops.com. Home games are played on the hardcourt at a revamped Genesis Center.

Gary Southshore Railcats
Professional, independent league baseball is played by Gary's Southshore Railcats www.railcatsbaseball.com. Home games are played at the beautiful Steel Yard stadium.

Sports for the Participant

Lake Etta Park offers 70 acres of open space with a stocked fishing lake, a fish cleaning station, a fishing pier, concession, a swimming beach, a playground, picnic shelters, walking trails, and paddle boats. Gary has fifty-one other parks, including North Gleason Park, Marquette Park and Beach, and Wells Street Beach. Northwest Indiana has more than one hundred privately and publicly run golf courses, including Gary's Calumet Golf Club and South Gleason Golf Course. The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Park preserves over 12,000 acres in its natural splendor, and offers swimming, fishing, hiking, picnicking and horseback riding along the miles of sandy beaches on Lake Michigan.

Festivals & Holidays

• June - Gospel Festival at U.S. Steel Yard Stadium
• July - Indedpendance Day Parade
• July - Independance Day Music Festival (each year this event includes 2 days of nationally known recording artist)
• July - Gary Air Show at Marquette Park (garyairshow.com)
• August - Jazz Festival
• September - Labor Day Blues Festival