Beachwalk – Our Family Vacation Close To Home

I haven’t dropped off the face of the blogosphere – I’ve just been on Vacation!

Vacation with my family at an adorable, beach community only 4 1/2 hours from my house near Chicago. Yes, I said a “beach” community. It’s called Beachwalk and it’s in Indiana. White picket fences line the old-fashioned, Key West – style homes on Lake Michigan. Sandy beaches filled with sand dunes and all!

We spent the past week lounging on the beach, at the community zoo, outlet malls, watching the sunset with the Chicago skyline in the background and taking dips in the pool. Beachwalk is a hidden gem of a community. Family oriented, yet quiet enough for retirees or a romantic weekend away. Homes are both rentals and owned by full-time residents, but you would never know everyone didn’t live there full-time. Clean, quiet and full of laughter and ball games on most days.

Beachwalks’ New Urbanism—a new twist on an old idea. Beachwalk is Indiana’s first “new urban” community, but certainly not the last. Other well-known new urban communities include Seaside, Florida, Kentlands, Maryland, I’on—Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and Celebration—Orlando, Florida. New urbanism, with its attention to detail in street development and commons, generates walkable communities and an intricate fabric of mixed uses and amenities. It puts a 21st Century twist on the way towns were designed generations ago—for people and families to connect and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

Little wonder why Beachwalk is a touch point for people taking walks, jogging, or bicycling through the Michiana area. Visitors stop by the café, or wander through the Waterfall Park and Butterfly Garden. Most come to admire the architecture of the charming cottages and grand vacation homes—no two are alike.

Our vacation rental – Robin’s Nest – was an amazingly, comfortable home. With it’s 3 floors with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, there was more than enough room for the 4 of us. There was a full kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances to make us feel right at home while preparing meals. The decor was comfortable, stylish and “beachy”. You would never know that you weren’t at the Atlantic ocean if you didn’t know better. My kids thought they were at the ocean all week – and I did too!

The only complaint I have for the week is that it didn’t last longer! We will definitely be back next year – and maybe sooner! I could see us vacationing for long weekends throughout the year!

Check out this wonderful community if you get a chance – you’ll be glad you did!