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Fun w/Loft! Beach ~Nature Trails ~Grill~ Firepit ~Indiana Dunes National Park

Family-friendly cottage with kitchen, 6-minute walk to Lake Michigan

Photo gallery for Fun w/Loft! Beach ~Nature Trails ~Grill~ Firepit ~Indiana Dunes National Park

This enclosed porch space is our favorite!
Our path, just 3 blocks north, to the 2.5 mile stretch of beach, along Lake MI.
The Hummingbird Cottage - fun, colorful, & cozy😊 *Fireplace is not working*
The master bedroom, with a ladder to the loft.
Our beach area, on Lake Michigan an easy 10 min walk away - it is 2.5miles long.

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 7549.0 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

View in a map
Gary, IN
  • Place, Marquette Park
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Indiana Dunes National Park
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, East Shoreline
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Airport, Chicago, IL (MDW-Midway Intl.)
    ‪51 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Bedroom 3

1 Twin Bunk Bed

Master

1 Queen Bed

The Loft

3 Twin Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden

About this property

Fun w/Loft! Beach ~Nature Trails ~Grill~ Firepit ~Indiana Dunes National Park

~Short 3 block walk (10 min) to an incredible 2.5 mile stretch of Lake MI beach
~Surrounded by the Indiana Dunes National Park - lots of trails to explore
~Bayless Dune Hike is 1 block south
~45min drive to Chicago city center
~Fast wifi-95Mbps
~Beach towels, beach chairs & umbrella, wagon, life jackets, & beach toys provided
~Included: Weber gas grill, keurig duo, kettle, crockpot, cozy beds, firewood (outdoor firepit), 2 Roku TVs, +more
~Close drive to train station -South Shore Line goes from Chicago-South Bend/Notre Dame
~When you stay with us, you can get lost in nature or the big city (Chicago) - or you never have to leave:)
*PLEASE NOTE THAT WE HAVE STAIRS (APPROX 15) FOR ENTERING/LEAVING THE PROPERTY*
*ADDITIONAL NOTES:
1) The bedrooms don't have doors - the master & bunk room have curtains separating the rooms from the main area. The loft is open to the master.
2) The indoor fireplace (under the TV in the living room) is non-functional - it is just for looks.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor Space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
Children under 5 years are not allowed in loft.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
-No parties, illegal drugs, smoking/vaping, pets, and/or fireworks allowed on property -Children under 5, are not allowed in loft. -Swim at own risk
-Booking guest is responsible for the safety of all guests. Owner is not liable, should anything occur during the stay, on or off the property.
-Quiet Hours are 10pm-9am. -Rental Agreement must be completed to gain access. -Host reserves right to cancel (penalty free) if guest has bad review.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

About the neighborhood

Gary

Located on a lake, this cottage is in Miller Beach, a neighborhood in Gary. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Indiana Dunes National Park. Traveling with kids? Consider Deep River Water Park, or check out an event or a game at Gary SouthShore RailCats SteelYard. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Gary, IN

What's nearby

  • Marquette Park - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Indiana Dunes National Park - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • East Shoreline - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Indian Boundary Park - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Marquette Beach - 3 min drive - 2.2 km

Getting around

  • Portage - Ogden Dunes Train to Chicago - 5 min drive
  • Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) - 63 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪7-Eleven - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Denny's - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Wrap Game - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Fun w/Loft! Beach ~Nature Trails ~Grill~ Firepit ~Indiana Dunes National Park pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Fun w/Loft! Beach ~Nature Trails ~Grill~ Firepit ~Indiana Dunes National Park ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Fun w/Loft! Beach ~Nature Trails ~Grill~ Firepit ~Indiana Dunes National Park ?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Fun w/Loft! Beach ~Nature Trails ~Grill~ Firepit ~Indiana Dunes National Park located?

This family-friendly Gary cottage is located on a lake, within a 10-minute walk of Lake Michigan and Indiana Dunes National Park. East Shoreline and Marquette Park are also within 15 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 44 out of 48 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 48 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 48 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 48 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 48 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kimberley L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had a wonderful time, great little getaway place. Host was wonderful, thoughtful and available if needed.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paul L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect vacation spot for a family. Walking distance to beach was super convenient. This place provided everything we needed to cook or grill and even things to take to the beach. Whole family loved it and had an amazing time!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Thomas S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was a great spot for me to get some rnr while i had a few free days between jobs. Robin was great to deal with. Would definitely come back
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
We loved everything about it. Super cozy home! So cute and fun! Practical and safe! Close to beach! Absolutely Perfect!!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chasity S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We really enjoyed our stay! Just a quick walk to the beach. Easy drives to the state and national parks. Very comfortable place and we enjoyed sitting outside on the patio and screened in porch every night
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Liesl F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great stay! The neighborhood is very quiet. Just a few blocks from the beach, making it an easy walk. The house is cozy and charming. It had everything we needed & more. (beach chairs, umbrella, paddle board, marshmallow roasting forks, games, plenty of towels, a crockpot, etc) Checking in was a breeze and Robin was easy to contact with any questions.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Eric B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quick family getaway

Perfect little spot for a quick family getaway. We loved the fire pit and the screened in porch!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kim Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Couple nights away

Property is clean and well stocked. The host is wonderful and easy to communicate with. Had a great stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Becky J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome Rental

My daughter and I came for the Indiana Dunes birding festival. Wverywhere we needed to be was about 15 minutes away. Great location. Loved the decor. Would definitely rent again
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Mike H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Super cute and colorful

This place was a great little place full of color and fun. Kitchen was very well stocked. We really enjoyed our stay
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Crystal C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great time. The beach was very close. The cottage had everything we needed. We really only had to buy food everything else you could think of was supplied. Very easy to communicate to the host.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We enjoyed our stay. Our young kids enjoyed the bunk beds and playing games in the loft. Appreciate all the beach items available for our use and convenient walk to access Miller Beach. The counter/seating area was not swept but it was a minor oversight overall. The host was incredibly helpful and responsive from booking through checkout.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dave G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hidden Hummingbird Gem!

This house is fabulous from the decor, amenities, and location!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

JEFF M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very cute house!

It is small but very cozy, and the screened in porch really helps add to the size. The kids loved the loft area and that really helped add to the sleeping arrangement as well. I would stay there again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Emilee H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fun house

House is great for a family! Kids loved the loft area. Short walk to the beach was perfect. The outdoor/patio area was fun.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fun times

The place is very bright and colorful. Good vibes ! Would stay again
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Monika W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quick winter visit

The place is incredible, stayed in January when it snowed but the cottage is well insulated and heater works flawlessly. Super clean, colorful and we can only imagine how awesome it would be in the summer. Great communication, great accommodating host.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

josina m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The best

Our whole family ages 3 to 73 had a great time! We love what my kids call “the colorful house!”
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tina D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Super cute cottage

Super cute cottage! Small, but they have used the space well. Walking distance to a beautiful beach that is pretty much private. Owner is very communicative and cottage was very clean.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Emily W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Close to beach with great a kiddo/family friendly stay

Robin communicated very well with our family. The rental is so charming with fun bright colors, full of family board games, a kitchen with everything you need and a yard screened porch for guaranteed relaxation. Rental is close to the Indiana Dunes National Park which was our main reason for staying in the area. We would for sure stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house and great location

House was perfect for four of us for 4 nights. House was located close to Indiana Dunes State and National Parks. Online description was very accurate and the house was well stocked with everything we needed. Communication with the host was excellent!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Barbara

Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
The house was quaint and the kids loved it. They really try to provide you with everything to make your stay enjoyable. Property manager was phenomenal. It was a nice get away. Loved that the beach was a short walk away. We enjoyed watching the sunset on the beach.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amy S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Dunes get away

Me and the boys had a great time staying at the Hummingbird. It was very close to the beach and had lots of room to run and play. The description of the property was spot on. The decorations were awesome and the amenities great. If we are in the area again, we will choose this location again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melanie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Melanie Sharp

Property was well maintained. Easy check in and out process. Sand Dunes, trail, beach and Lake Michigan were amazing. Great communication with property manager.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kourtney V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great space and location

We were attending a wedding at the Aquatorium and the cottage was convenient for all the festivities. Check in was super easy! Great location - the beach is an easy walk (especially with the wagon available at the cottage). Cottage is cozy but well appointed- so nice to have everything for the beach provided! We were sad we were to busy to really enjoy the outdoor spaces but my youngest loved the loft! Thanks for a great stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

About the host

Hosted by Robin Secord

Host profile image
We love to travel & want to be able to share our love of travel with others.

Why they chose this property

This property is so fun, plus the location can't be beat! The location is perfect if you want to get lost in nature or the big city, of Chicago:) We hope you enjoy your stay, as much as we enjoy the area.

What makes this property unique

You feel like you are in a different world when at the house, but you have access to anything & everything right outside.

It is also a great beach escape from the hustle & bustle of the big city or the chaos of a Notre Dame football game @ the Notre Dame Stadium.

We also have a fabulous guide book, full of local ideas to keep busy with (if that is what you prefer). There is everything from a local festival guide, the beach swimming flag color of the day, U-Pick farm suggestions, & local favorites.

Languages:

English

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