Dunestead: A Cape Cod House, near Indiana Dunes National Park, Beach and Firepit
Enjoy our sunny, charming year-round beach house known as “Dunestead.” It is a restored Cape Cod style family home in the heart of the Dunes National Lakeshore. The house is a short walk (1 and a half blocks) from the beach, Marquette Park, playground, picnic area, bike paths, and hiking trails. The home is a perfect base for family reunions, day trips to apple farms, local vintage shops, a cozy weekend, or hiking/biking the Dunes National Park trails.
This beautiful four-season home sits on a half acre of wooded land and combines all new modern amenities with the charm of original woodworking, mahogany doors, and hardwood floors. The home is a classic Cape Cod style property built in 1928, and is now is completely renovated. Downstairs features a large living room with comfortable seating area for 6-8 people, a full size dining room, and a fully-equipped modern kitchen. French doors lead to a delightful large sunroom (can be used as a fourth bedroom). Upstairs is light and airy, with windows looking over the back hill, gardens, 18 oak trees, and visiting deer every day.
The Dunestead beach house is located in the Miller Beach community, known for its organic farmers market, thriving artisan community, and welcoming community. A 5-minute drive brings you to the town pizzeria, two cafes, one serving homemade omlettes, lattes, and Anna’s local kombucha. The beaches are just walk or bike ride away.
WiFi allow you to connect to the modern world and there is a newly-installed Roku TV. However, we highly recommend you unplug instead - perhaps build a puzzle or play a board game on site. Summer visits are full of breezes and sand, the Fall is our favorite season for hiking, and winter stays are warmed by an oversized fireplace. This is an ideal getaway for a large family vacation, an artist residency, or a retreat with friends.
The Garrison Suite The master bedroom features a King size bed and has its’ own door leading to the main bathroom. The Garrison faces the West side of the house, overlooking the dining deck and front yard, and sunset views through the trees. Sleep 2 (or 3 if you also have a child)
The Reese Double This bedroom features two matching twin beds and faces the front and East side of the house, overlooking the side yard which is known as “deer highway.” Sleeps 2
The Bernadette Single (still under renovation) This rear-facing room features a Full/Double bed with a twin trundle that pulls out. This room also has a second level back deck off the back of the house, overlooking the half acre of wooded backyard. Sleeps 2
The Silver Fox Sunroom The back Sunroom on Floor 1 can also be converted to a bedroom. There is a sleeper sofa that converts to a full bed. Linens are kept in a chest in the room for your convenience. Sleeps 2
Other items available to you at Dunestead: • parking for up to 3 cars • a large variety of board games • beach towels and toys • firewood (available in the winter)
Indiana National Dunes Lakeshore / Miller Beach Area: Miller Beach is a marvelously creative, fun, and artsy beach community - lucky enough to be surrounded by a beautiful national protected landscape of nature. The scene is beach, beach, beach! There are hiking and biking trails all over the region - some easy for the whole family, some more challenging for a workout. We keep a book in the house with the local trail maps and descriptions. A few of the trailheads are just a few blocks from our Dunestead home. There is also a “Wednesdays at Wells St.” which features live music and family-friendly dinner events in the Miller downtown strip from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday.
We do our best to meet every guest at the house when they arrive. We will be in touch the week before your arrival to confirm arrival times and details. If we are unable to meet our guests, then we do have the house key in a lockbox.
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The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load the dishwasher
Take out the rubbish
Return the keys
Bedrooms: No need to strip the beds; our maids take care of this. :-)
Wet Towels: Please leave in the bathroom tub or hang over the shower rod to allow them to air before the staff arrives. :-)
Kitchen: Please take your garbage and recycling to the trash cans at the curb. Thank you! Other food can remain in the fridge and kitchen and the cleaning staff will take care of it.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 1549001vb
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Gary
Miller Beach, a neighbourhood in Gary, is home to this holiday home. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Indiana Dunes National Park and Lake Michigan. Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts and Deep River Water Park are also worth visiting.
Indiana Dunes National Park - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
Getting around
Portage - Ogden Dunes Train to Chicago - 9 min drive
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) - 69 min drive
Restaurants
7-Eleven - 9 min drive
Taqueria Mazamitla - 10 min drive
Beach Box - 13 min walk
Dunkin' - 8 min drive
Burger King - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Dunestead: A Cape Cod House, near Indiana Dunes National Park, Beach and Firepit pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Dunestead: A Cape Cod House, near Indiana Dunes National Park, Beach and Firepit?
As of 15 Aug, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Dunestead: A Cape Cod House, near Indiana Dunes National Park, Beach and Firepit on 22 Oct, 2026 start from S$2,158, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Dunestead: A Cape Cod House, near Indiana Dunes National Park, Beach and Firepit?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Dunestead: A Cape Cod House, near Indiana Dunes National Park, Beach and Firepit?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Dunestead: A Cape Cod House, near Indiana Dunes National Park, Beach and Firepit?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Dunestead: A Cape Cod House, near Indiana Dunes National Park, Beach and Firepit located?
Located in Miller Beach, this holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Marquette Park and Lake Michigan. Indiana Dunes National Park is 1 mi (1.7 km) away.
Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
It was a lovely little home with plenty of charm and character. I was pleased with the home. The only thing that could be better is the city of Gary, other than that I was perfectly satisfied.
This house is very home like and cozy. Loved the kitchen. We made breakfast at the house every morning.
Just down the road from the beach, which was great!!! Not alot to do for the kids other than the beach unless you wanted to drive out somewhere. But the kids loved being in close range to the water.
Dawn M.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019
About the host
Hosted by Kelly Friedl
We are a Chicago-based family with 2 kids (and a dog that weighs more than anyone in the pack.) Born and bred in the Midwest, we love this Northern Indiana region and the trail hiking in the National Park. Our oldest went to college in Boston and our youngest is currently living the life of a gap year. So I guess the term "empty nesters" is starting to enter our vocabulary.
Why they chose this property
We have been looking for the perfect Indiana Dunes house for a few years - and when we spotted this unique Cape Cod - it was love at first sight. The home was built in 1927 by a German carpenter; he also built a few of the other houses on our unique and historic block. Purchased in the Spring of 2018, we spend 8 months renovating every detail, from the original mahogany doors all the way down to the coal shoot. The kitchens and bathrooms was completely replaced, as we wanted the modern amenities within the charming setting. Miller beach has become a second home and a second community. We named the house "Dunestead" and even gave it an instagram account (@dunestead) during the construction. The home has been a labor of love, and it will be in our family for generations.
What makes this property unique
When we realized that deer live in our yard, we were completely mesmerized. My daughter named the mother deer Mona; she wandered all summer though our side yard with her two babies. The following Fall, two bucks started passing through. They are now officially named Wayne and Garth.