Explore Portage

Portage Perks

• Lake Michigan access – Located at the southern tip of Lake Michigan, Portage offers convenient access to beautiful sandy beaches, dunes, and waterfront recreation.
• Boating and fishing – Enjoy Lake Michigan, the Burns Waterway, and other local waterways, with public and private marina facilities available for boaters and anglers.
• At the heart of America's steel industry – Portage is located in the heart of one of North America's largest steel-producing regions and is home to numerous industrial and manufacturing businesses.
• Convenient access to Chicago – Located approximately 40 minutes from downtown Chicago, Portage provides easy access to the city's businesses, customers, suppliers, entertainment, cultural attractions, and recreational opportunities.
• Airport transportation – City Zoom provides scheduled airport shuttle service from Portage to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, with multiple daily departures from its Portage pickup location at AmeriPlex. Private airport transportation to O’Hare and Chicago Midway International Airport is also available through Epic Limo.
• Major highway access – Portage is conveniently located near I-80, I-90, I-94, I-65, U.S. 12, and U.S. 20, providing excellent regional and national transportation connections.
• Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor – Located on Lake Michigan in Portage, Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor provides access to ocean-going ships, lake vessels, and river barges, connecting Northwest Indiana businesses to international markets and inland waterways. The port also provides connections to Class I railroads and major highways.
• Convenient air transportation – Gary/Chicago International Airport is approximately 20 miles from Portage and provides passenger, cargo, and general aviation services.
• General aviation access – Porter County Regional Airport in Valparaiso is approximately 15 miles from Portage and provides general aviation services.
• South Shore Line access – The South Shore Line provides convenient commuter rail service between Northwest Indiana and downtown Chicago, with service from nearby stations.
• Extensive rail connections – Portage and the surrounding industrial region have access to major freight railroads, including CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Indiana Harbor Belt, providing important connections for commercial and industrial transportation. Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor also maintains connections to all Class I railroads.
• Entertainment and recreation nearby – Portage is within easy reach of casinos, theaters, restaurants, museums, sporting events, concerts, and other entertainment throughout Northwest Indiana and the greater Chicago region.
• Community concerts and events – Portage offers a variety of community concerts, festivals, markets, and family activities throughout the year, including events at the Portage Amphitheatre and Woodland Park.
• Parks and recreation – Portage offers 15 parks and more than 10 miles of paved trails, along with opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, sports, disc golf, nature exploration, and other outdoor activities.
  • Disc golf at Countryside Park — the City specifically lists a disc golf course among the park's amenities.
  • Portage has numerous parks and recreational facilities, including Imagination Glen, which encompasses 276 acres and includes mountain biking, BMX, soccer, softball, fishing, nature trails and other amenities.
• Trails and outdoor recreation – Portage's extensive trail system provides opportunities for walking, running, bicycling, and connecting to recreational destinations throughout the community.