Splash pads in Michigan City, Indiana

Washington Park sits right on Lake Michigan in Michigan City and the splash pad is the rare Hoosier water stop where you can run from spray jets straight onto a sandy Great Lake beach. Ground sprays are toddler-sized, the destination playground and zoo are right alongside, and the lake itself is the main attraction. Free parking fills fast on summer weekends — arrive before 10am. Restrooms are seasonal and clean. Parent gotcha: lake-effect breezes can make 80-degree days feel chilly mid-day, so pack a hoodie even in July. Pair with Oasis Diner for a milkshake. NW Indiana's best beach-and-spray combo.