Overview
East Chicago is a city in Lake County, Indiana, and a suburb of Chicago. East Chicago had its start in 1893, and, with the arrival of Inland Steel in 1903, it soon became the most industrialized city in America, with some 80% of the area relegated to heavy industry. Other firms like Republic Steel, Youngstown Steel, LaSalle Steel, and U.S. Steel began operations too, pushing out some 600,000 tons of steel in 1914 and 8.6 million tons at peak capacity in 1978. Refineries and plants lined the Indiana Harbor Ship Canal that connected the Grand Calumet River to Lake Michigan.
The downside of all this was substantial pollution such as lead, resulting in the town becoming a Superfund site. Then the steel crisis of the 1970s happen, and unemployment and depopulation skyrocketed. These events transformed East Chicago into the emerging more diversified community that it is today.
Clayton Mark built a model community called Marktown here during the heyday of steel operations, and it is somewhat of an urban exploration attraction in its dilapidated state.
1 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about East Chicago
Marktown Park
Here you can see the remnants of Clayton Mark's planned worker community from 1917 to house workers of the Mark Manufacturing Company, in its shabby state since it was abandoned when things went south in the city, so muc…
Jeorse Park Beach
This is great if you like urban beaches next to steel mills. Actually, it's not so bad, as Lake Michigan's allure manages to compensate for some of the grit. You can also step out here from the casino if you've just lost…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Jun. (climate data from nearby Indiana Dunes National Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- GYY Gary/Chicago International Airport, Gary — 3 mi away. Directions
- MDW Chicago Midway International Airport, Chicago — 18 mi away (major hub). Directions
There are direct commuter trains from Chicago via the South Shore Line.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Marktown Park
- Afternoon Jeorse Park Beach
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
There are direct commuter trains from Chicago via the South Shore Line.
Go East Chicago railway station
See
See Marktown Park
Here you can see the remnants of Clayton Mark's planned worker community from 1917 to house workers of the Mark Manufacturing Company, in its shabby state since it was abandoned when things went south in the city, so much different from the pristine state when the architect Howard Van Doren Shaw designed it. It has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Due care and vigilance are recommended if visiting due to the depressed nature and heightened crime of the area.
Do
Sleep
Stay Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago
Variety of amenities including deep soaking tubs and glass enclosed showers. Choice of a single king-sized or a pair of queen-sized beds. Hotel directly connected with 56,000-square-foot riverboat casino - which has four playing levels, 1,800 slots and video poker games and 50 table games - and a pavilion with a sports book. A 24-hour fitness center is also available.
Nearby
Hammond
City / town · 16 listings · 2 mi away
Munster
City / town · 13 listings · 6 mi away
Lansing
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Gary
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Harvey
City / town · 2 listings · 10 mi away
Schererville
City / town · 1 listings · 10 mi away
Dyer
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Blue Island
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My experience
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