Location and Directions
Eternal Sunrise will be held on the lovely land of Shirley Myers, a long time friend. Our love for organizing community events brought us even closer because of Fall Forge, a Burning Man decompression event that was held on Shirley’s land. The place that started our relationship is where we have chosen to declare our eternal relationship - with our friends and family present.
About 1 hour and 40 minutes away from downtown Chicago.
Directions:
DO NOT MAPQUEST DIRECTIONS
They are wrong, please follow the directions below.
A Suggestion: just print out this whole page… so you have all the directions you might need.
From the Chicago area or Chicago Airports
Midway Airport and Southwest / South Suburbs
The safest (timewise) route is to take I-294 southbound to where it connects with I‑94/I‑80 eastbound (Indiana). See the instructions below for taking I‑294 to Bridgman Michigan.
O’Hare Airport, North / Northwest Suburbs / City
If it were not for the Dan Ryan construction the easiest route would be into the center of Chicago, south on the Dan Ryan (I‑94/I‑90) to the Chicago Skyway (I‑90) and Indiana Tollway (I‑90). During rush hour (4 pm to 6 pm and 6 am to 9:30 am) this may involve major traffic jams and you may be better off taking (the Tri-State) I‑294 around the city or South Lake Shore Drive if you are starting out in the city.
I-Pass / Easy Pass
If you have one of these available to you make sure you bring it as the cash-only lines can get a little long and on the Illinois Tollway (I‑294) the toll is doubled for cash.
Take the Dan Ryan to Skyway
Southbound on the Dan Ryan there is an exit to the Skyway (59A). This exit is on the right of what is normally the express lanes (local lanes are now closed). Can’t predict what the arrangements will be for the June 23rd weekend. Be careful as one set of signs says the next exit is something like 73rd street and then there is an exit for the Skyway. Once on the Skyway ramp you go a couple of miles until the toll gates, the IPASS (Easy Pass) lanes are to the RIGHT.
***** See below if you miss the exit from the Dan Ryan.
After the Skyway toll booth take left lanes until Exit 21 for I‑94 eastbound at Lake Station. There will be two tolls on the Tollway. Suggest you have exact change as the toll booths can get tied up (50 cents first one and 30 cents second one). The Indiana Tollway is working on putting in Easy Pass and it may be in effect by the June 23rd weekend. Take I‑94 east.
You continue on I‑94 until past the Indiana / Michigan state line and exit Michigan exit 16 Bridgman.
***** If you miss the Skyway exit on the Dan Ryan continue south on the Dan Ryan (I‑94) and follow the signs to Indiana. At approximately 103rd street you will take the left fork toward Indiana and you will end up on the Bishop Ford Expressway which connects with I‑294, I‑80 eastbound. Follow the instructions for I‑294. While you will lose some time taking this route, you can get lost on Chicago’s southside if you try and get off the Dan Ryan and back onto the Skyway. Many of the entrance ramps are closed for construction. If you know the city you can get off the Dan Ryan and take 71st or 75th Streets east to Stony Island Avenue and then south to the entrance to the Skyway around 80th Street.
Taking the Skyway with Dan Ryan Construction
During the construction period the Dan Ryan is not recommended during rush hour if you are legally able to take South Lake Shore Drive (no trucks, no trailers).
Kennedy expressway (I‑90/I‑94) to Congress Parkway eastbound (careful easy to take Congress (I‑290) westbound to the burbs).
Congress eastbound until it dead ends at Columbus (Buckingham Fountain) - be in one of the right two lanes as you will be turning right on Columbus.
Straight on Columbus until it crosses Roosevelt and then enters Lake Shore Drive Southbound (no turns just straight feed into LSD).
Lake Shore Drive Southbound get to the left, stay in one of the left two lanes until you pass 53rd St. The right lane for 51st and 53rd are both exit only lanes and too many drivers then pull to the left to get into the non-exit lanes, this slows down the right most of the non exit lanes. This is assuming rush hour-type traffic.
Immediately after 53rd get into the right lane as you will be turning right on 57th street. (Museum of Science and Industry)
You will be following the road around so that you go to the west of the museum. There are a couple of exits onto the side roads you need to avoid but the bulk of the traffic will be continuing south. You will then be headed south through the park.
The park will end and you will find yourself on Stony Island, you want to be in the third southbound lane from the left. This will feed directly into the ramp for the Skyway after 20 blocks. Overhead signs big ramp. Right most lane is local and avoids the ramp to the Skyway, two left lanes are express on Stony and also avoid the ramp to the Skyway.
There is construction so when you get up onto the Skyway you will have to stop and feed into traffic.
When you are finally on the Skyway the IPASS (Easy Pass) lanes are to the right.
After the Skyway toll booth take left lanes until Exit 21 for I-94 eastbound (at Lake Station). There will be two tolls, suggest you have exact change as they can get tied up (50 cents first one and 30 cents second one.) Take I-94 east.
You continue on I-94 until past the Indiana / Michigan state line (last exit in Indiana is exit 42). You will exit I‑94 at Michigan exit 16 Bridgman.
Taking I-294 the Tri-State with more construction
Take the Tri-State (I‑294) southbound around the city to the far south side near the Indiana boarder where I‑294 southbound connects with I‑94 eastbound. Continue on I‑94 through Indiana until I‑94 crosses the Indiana / Michigan border after Indiana exit 42. Continue on I‑94 in Michigan until Exit 16 - Bridgman. Note this is 42 miles in Indiana, and 16 miles in Michigan.
Local Instructions
Michigan City to New Buffalo — North, South, East and West
Because of the curvature of Lake Michigan from Michigan City to New Buffalo, directions given as north, south, east and west are confusing. Local usage puts New Buffalo north of Michigan City, although it is actually east-northeast. To some extent we have used local usage in describing the roads so that US 12, runs north/south. Within Michigan City, the Lubeznik Center is described as at the north end of town (it’s called the “North End”) and but driving to the Lubeznik Center one comes from the west (Chicago), northeast (New Buffalo) or south (I‑94).
Wedding Site – 10359 Gast Rd. – Bridgman Michigan
From I‑94 exit Michigan exit 16 (Bridgman) which takes you to Red Arrow Highway. Turn right or north and take Red Arrow Highway to Lake Street in Bridgman. Turn right (east) onto Lake Street. Take Lake Street past both Church St. and Tower Street to Gast Rd. Turn right (South) on Gast Rd. and continue until you see signs for the wedding. If you find a park on your left or cross Snow Rd. you have gone too far.
From Lubeznik Center, Michigan City or Harbor Grand, New Buffalo
Toss up as to choice of which route to take. Both the Lubeznik Center and the Harbor Grand are within a couple of hundred yards of US 12. If you take US 12 north (marked “East”) north of New Buffalo US 12 turns east. At this junction you want the left fork and road which continues is Red Arrow Highway. You will pass the Warren Dunes State Park on the left and then you will go under I‑94. Shortly after you pass under I‑94 you will need to turn right (east) at Lake Street in Bridgman. Take Lake Street past Church St. and Tower Street to Gast Rd. Turn right (south) on Gast Rd. and continue until you see signs. If you find a park on your left or cross Snow Rd. you have gone too far.
If you choose you can get on I‑94 northbound (marked “East”) and get off at the Bridgman exit (Exit 16). If you do this see the I‑94 instructions above. If you are taking I‑94 the faster exit to get on is in New Buffalo as this avoids driving from the north end to the south end of Michigan City.
To the Lubeznik Center
If you are going directly to the Lubeznik Center from out of town see the first arrival instructions at the end of the instructions.
The Lubeznik Center 101 Ave of the Arts (101 W. 2nd St.) is one block north of US 12 (called Michigan Blvd.) in Michigan City. From the north (actually northeast) on US 12 you come into Michigan City by crossing the large bridge next to the Blue Chip Casino and then take the 2nd right (Pine Ave). This is immediately after the Chamber of Commerce Building and immediately before the News-Dispatch building. You will curve through the park and take the first left. The Lubeznik Center will be on your right.
From the south (actually southwest) you will come into town and pass the court house on your right. Be prepared to make a left turn into the park at Pine St. Curve through the park and take the first left. The Lubeznik Center will be on your right.
To the Harbor Grand – from Michigan City, Bridgman or St. Joe
The Harbor Grand is on the water in New Buffalo. The main north-south street through New Buffalo is US 12 (called Buffalo Street). This road is US 12 south to Michigan City (Lubeznik) and forks north of New Buffalo where US 12 goes east but Red Arrow Highway continues what seems like the same road north.
Take US 12 either northbound from Michigan City or southbound from Bridgman or St. Joe to Whittaker St. in New Buffalo. This is the main intersection and has a stop light. Turn north (left if coming from Michigan City, right if coming from Bridgman) and continue on for several blocks. You will pass Merchant St., Mechanic St., and Oselka Dr. After you cross the railroad tracks you will find Water St. Turn left or west onto West Water Street. The Harbor Grand will be visible 111 W. Water St.
To the Holiday Inn Express – St. Joseph
The Holiday Inn Express is on Lakeshore Drive in St. Joe. This is the same road as Red Arrow Highway and is also called I‑94 Business. The I‑94 exit for the hotel is Exit 23 which is about 4 miles south of the hotel. This exit can be reached by going south on Lakeshore Drive which becomes Red Arrow Highway until the I‑94 entrance.
To go to or from the wedding site Red Arrow Highway is a good route, or you can take I‑94 and exit at Exit 16.
To go to New Buffalo or Michigan City it will be faster to take I‑94 to exit 1, New Buffalo.
I‑94 Exit 1 New Buffalo
This is the exit to take for the Harbor Grand in New Buffalo or the Lubeznik Center in Michigan City. Whether you are coming from the north or south you will have a choice to go to New Buffalo or LaPorte. Head north to New Buffalo (right turn coming from St. Joe or Bridgman). You will be on Whittaker St. Cross the railroad tracks and continue into town. You will come across an intersection with a stop light. This will be Buffalo St. or US 12. Continue straight for Harbor Grand (see above instructions), turn left or south for the Lubeznik Center (see instructions above).
First Arrival Instructions
Here are some tips to get to the Wedding site, hotels or Lubeznik Center if you are coming directly from out of town.
Harbor Grand I‑94 exit 1 Michigan – See instructions above for I‑94 exit 1 and then instructions for the Harbor Grand.
Holiday Inn Express – St. Joe I‑94 exit 23 (Michigan) – see instructions above for the Holiday Inn Express.
Wedding Site I‑94 Exit 16 (Michigan) Bridgman. See instructions above for the Wedding Site.
Lubeznik Center I‑94 Exit 22 B (Indiana) US 20 east. Take US 20 east to US 520 to US 12 east. Continue on US 12 east until enter Michigan City and then follow instructions “To the Lubeznik Center” above.
Parking Once You Arrive
Please please please carpool. There will be street parking. Additionally, we hope to have additional parking in the ample school parking lot about a ¼ of a mile down the road. But parking will be tight. We all know the more people in the car the more fun it is. Plus it saves on gas.