Gary

Gary is a city in Lake County (Indiana) | Lake County, Indiana. It is perhaps best known as the birthplace of the legendary pop star Michael Jackson. Gary Palace - Gary, still waiting for the good days to return Founded in 1906 as a company town for U.S. Steel, it thrived in the 1950s and early 60s and earned the nickname "The Magic City". In 2007, it was described by writer Jessica Hopper as "the Pompeii of the Midwest, a city of ruins where life can seem to have just suddenly stopped".

Gary Halal Travel Guide

Gary is both famous and infamous. It's the "just one place that can light my face" and "home sweet home" effusively described in the song of the same name from the 1957 musical The Music Man. It's the childhood home of Michael, Tito, Jermaine, and the rest of the Jackson family. It's also home to an unattractive and often industrial-smelling stretch of highway east of Chicago, and has repeatedly ranked first in the nation among large cities for homicides per capita. When designing the city and the U.S. Steel Corporation bragged that its engineers "took for their guidance the motto that hangs in the office of the big company's chief executive, "It can be done," and made Gary at least an attractive, if not a beautiful, residential town," and posited Gary as evidence that "management has always shown its realization of the fact that "not by bread alone does man live"; that the mere paying of employees a living wage is not sufficient, and that even the least educated worker has an aesthetic sense, even though often uncultivated, that should be developed and pandered to within reasonable limits if the best good of the worker and the employer is to be achieved." As U.S. Steel began to struggle in the late 1960s and the city's economy followed, and it has yet to recover. Two casinos, legalized in Gary out of sheer desperation, make it a destination for gamblers on short trips and local residents on pay-day. Its crumbling architectural legacy also makes it a favorite—and dangerous—destination for Urbex|urban exploration.

Travel to Gary

Gary's City Hall - City hall

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Gary

Gary/Chicago International Airport IATA Flight Code: GYY garychicagoairport.com - 41.616389, -87.412778 at the northwest corner of the city, and is accessed from I-90 at Gary Rd/SR-912 at Exit #19 - Gary/Chicago International Airport There's no regular commercial air service, but there are occasional charter flights.

The closest airport for regular commercial Flights to Gary is Chicago/Southwest Side#By plane|Chicago Midway International Airport (IATA Flight Code: MDW), miles 30 northwest of Gary via I-90 and West 59th Street (Exit #58A). Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier here. Midway is more compact, less crowded, has fewer delays, and usually cheaper and closer than Chicago O'Hare International Airport (IATA Flight Code: ORD) which is miles 46 away.

Travel by train to Gary

The Chicago/South Shore Line has two stops in Gary, with departures at least every two hours. Gary/Chicago Airport GPS 41.605573,-87.394539 and Adam Benjamin JR Metro Center GPS 41.604363,-87.338919 and the latter one is near downtown. Tickets vary depending on how far you are traveling. The nearest HTTPS://WWWW.Wmtrak.com Amtrak stations are 10 miles (16 kilometers) away in Dyer and Hammond.

By car

Take the Indiana Toll Road from Illinois ($3 from Chicago) or Ohio to exit 14A (Gary West) or exit 17 (Gary East). Exit 17 intersects with Interstate 65 and U.S. Routes 12 & 20.

Travel on a Bus in Gary

D & J Bus | (bus stop) Mark O's Grill, 2385 Willowcreek Road in Portage - Connects New York to Chicago via Toledo, South Bend and Portage (nearest to Gary).
Indian Trails - (bus depot) Adam Benjamin Jr Metro Center, 100 West 4th Ave ☎ +1 219 886-1623 +1 800 292-3831 - Indian Trails travels primarily on I-94/69 (Chicago-Gary-Benton Harbor-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek-Lansing/East Lansing-Flint). Passengers transfer in Benton Harbor, Flint#By bus|Flint, Lansing#By bus|Lansing or Chicago#By bus|Chicago to continue to additional destinations.
Greyhound - (bus depot) Adam Benjamin Jr Metro Center, 100 West 4th Ave, Suite 106 ☎ +1 219 886-3041 +1-800-231-2222 Greyhound travels primarily on I-65 (Chicago-Gary-Lafayette-Indianapolis-Louisville), 90/76 (Chicago-Gary-South Bend-Toledo-Cleveland-Pittsburgh. Some variations of this route continues from Cleveland towards New York instead). Passengers transfer to other buses in Chicago#By bus|Chicago, Cleveland#By bus|Cleveland, Toledo_(Ohio) | Toledo, Pittsburgh#By bus|Pittsburgh and Louisville#By bus|Louisville to get to additional destinations.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Gary

Lake Michigan and the Grand Calumet River are nearby.

How to get around in Gary

There is a limited local bus service. The depot is two blocks west of the baseball stadium, and it's quite easy to walk around the four-five blocks of downtown Gary (including the City Methodist Church ruins). However, while visiting Gary, use of a vehicle is strongly advised, both due to limited transport, and relatively high levels of violent crime (even downtown, at night).

What to see in Gary

City Methodist Church, Gary - Modern ruins at the City Methodist Church

Architecture

Gary was a thriving city in the 1950s and early 60s, and it has the architecture to prove it — intact or otherwise.

The Ingwald Moe House (669 Van Buren) and The Wilbur Wynant House (600 Fillmore) were designed by master architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1910 and 1916, respectively. The Wynant House is in rough shape, with several years of start-and-stop restoration work and changes in ownership.
For more Prairie-school action, head to Marquette Park for the Marquette Park Pavilion (tours Monday to Friday 9AM Monday - 5PM) and the [HTTPS://WWWW.Wquatorium.org/ Gary/Chanute Aquatorium (+1 219 938-8081), designed by George Maher in 1922 as the Gary Beach & Bathing House. An aquatorium is a place where one can view — not swim in — water, so don't show up in your bathing suit. There's a major display dedicated to the Tuskegee Airmen.
The old Gary Post Office (Sixth and Massachusetts) is missing a few things, most notably the U.S. Postal Service and a roof, but it's still there; built in 1936 and the interior is now off-limits, but fans of tree-in-building shots who can't make it all the way to Angkor can catch a glimpse of several saplings behind the teller windows.
The Gary Memorial Auditorium (Seventh and Massachusetts) and the City Methodist Church (Sixth and Washington) are former city monuments, in ruins after the Great Gary Arson of 1997. The latter is something of an Urbex mecca, and well worth a visit if you're willing to brave it. Don't let the barbed wire fence fool you and there are two wide open entrances on Washington, no "no trespassing" signs, and, happily, a parking lot opposite the building! The stairs are well-tested and safe enough, although the upper levels are not interesting compared to the amazing theater & main room on the first. Be sure to look for the last of the church's grand fireplaces in between the theater and main church — it's the last, as the rest have been stolen by enterprising, and quite undoubtedly strong, thieves.
The Gary Mural Project redecorates boarded-up storefronts along Broadway.

Others

The Gary Children's Museum (273 Cleveland St; +1 219 882-7061) is in town.
The West Side Theater
The Morning Bishop Theater Playhouse
Jackson family home 2300 Jackson St.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Gary

Gary Aquatorium - 290px|The Gary "Aquatorium"

Gary SouthShore RailCats | U.S. SteelYard Stadium ☎ +1 219 882-2255 Opening Hours: Home games are played between mid-May and early September $10 per ticket, parking free - Northern league (minor league) baseball team.
Marquette Park is a beloved outdoors area, and is really quite beautiful (especially Marquette Aquatorium listed above). The beach is by far the nicest west of the Indiana Dunes National Park's West Beach, and is a fine place for a dip during the day. A stroll through around the lagoon and its pretty bridges west of the Aquatorium is also a nice way to kill some time.

Casinos

There are two casinos along the lakeshore, both of which have plenty of Vegas glitz and few traces of the city outside. One of the two casinos had once been a Trump Casino, and Trump brought the Miss USA pageant here, but now they are operated by the Majestic Star, and as before and they are reached from the same parking lot and entrance platform.

Majestic Star Casino and Hotel - 1 Buffington Harbor Drive 41.64, -87.42 ☎ +1 219 977-7932 +1 219 977-7811 - Majestic Star Casino

Study in Gary

Indiana University Northwest has a campus in Gary, with about 5,000 students.
Ivy Tech Community College is also in the area.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Gary

The city is not widely renowned as a shopping destination, and with good reason. There's little to buy here that you couldn't buy elsewhere, and most (budget) shops are in strip malls outside the downtown. Gary is, however, perhaps ground zero for Michael Jackson and Jackson Five memorabilia. An easy (and, it must be said, cheesy) spot to pick up the goods is the small indoor marketplace at 487 Broadway, which also boasts a good collection of over the top celebratory Obama tees.

The Market City Flea Market (4121 Cleveland St., +1 219 887-3522) is open F-Su 9AM Monday - 5PM.

Halal Restaurants

Gary, 5th Ave - 5th Ave near downtown, one of the main streets Gary is extremely short on sit-down eateries. Take out is much easier to find if you have a car—look in and around the run down strip malls along 5th Ave outside of the downtown. Lake St, on the way from the city proper to Marquette Park, has about two blocks that look incongruously charming, and there you'll have no trouble getting a slice of Pizzas.

Arman's Dog House | 5875 Melton 41.596482, -87.267438 ☎ +1 219 939-1000 Opening from Monday to Saturday 10AM Monday - 10PM Also known as Dawg Fish Grill, has plenty of Meat and no qualms about frying it up for you.
Italian Sandwich Shop | 487 Broadway ☎ +1 219 880-2636 Opening from Monday to Saturday until 5PM The appetizing soul food cafe at this location has been replaced by a less interesting sandwiches shop. It is, however, an easy place to stop in when downtown—it's less than a block from City Hall, friendly, and welcoming. And there is at least one local sandwich—try the "U.S. Steel."
Juice Garden | 2700 Fifth ☎ +1 219 881-0212 Opening from Monday to Saturday 8AM Monday - 6PM, with breakfast until 11AM A grocery store and health-food restaurant that serves organic grub because they believe God wants it that way. It's run by a local minister and his family. It's vegan-friendly (but not exclusively).
Miller Bakery Cafe - 555 South Lake 41.600580, -87.267277 ☎ +1 219 427-1446 Opening Hours: Lunch Tuesday - F, dinner Tuesday - Sunday Thit is as upscale as dining gets in Gary, with contemporary American, Asian, French and Italian dishes, a nice location, and a sizable list. Call to confirm hours and for reservations.

There are bars and lounges all over Gary. The trouble is and they're all shuttered, having closed or burned down in years gone by.

Chops Lounge | 3100 West 5th Ave ☎ +1 219 949-1810 - Notable for being open, and it may offer live musical performances.
The Palace on 5th | 529 E 5th Ave ☎ +1 219 886-9346 Opening Hours: Music usually starts after 9:30PM

The place to go for live music in downtown Gary. Music is near and dear to Gary local residents, and their blues and jazz acts are of a quality very rare in small cities. (And, as you might imagine, Gary is a natural incubator for the blues.) Since there are so few real venues for musicians and the caliber of local performances here can be really high. Other acts include the occasional (Chicago-style) steppers dance night, as well as regular R&B karaoke on Wednesdays.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Gary

Gary - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Gary, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Gary. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Gary and its surrounding regions. With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Gary. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values. The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Gary. Key components include: Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Gary: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Gary. Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Gary: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Gary, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Gary. Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Gary, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations. Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Gary, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values. Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Gary and beyond. Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Gary, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Gary, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Gary without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients." The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Gary is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Gary. About eHalal Travel Group: eHalal Travel Group Gary is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values. For Halal business inquiries in Gary, please contact: eHalal Travel Group Gary Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Gary

eHalal Group Gary is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Gary. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Gary. At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Gary ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property. For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Gary. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living. If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Gary, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values. For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Gary are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

You'll probably want to day-trip from Chicago, which is about 45 minutes away; Hammond (about 20 minutes) has some reasonably non-decrepit discount options.

Majestic Star Casino - 1 Buffington Harbor Dr in the eponymous Casino listed above $90-150 Thit is not a good hotel—seedy lodgings in a seedy casino. But it's the nicest in Gary, and it's not so bad that you must avoid it if at the casino, or on a business trip.

Stay Safe

As mentioned above, Gary has repeatedly ranked first in the United States for murder rates per capita, so take care. Due to the economic depression, many businesses close in the evening, so call ahead to confirm that wherever you're going is still open, and don't set out at night without a destination in mind. If you're tempted to do some urban exploration, bear in mind that the poverty of the city means that much more potential danger from people squatting in abandoned properties. Make sure someone knows where you're going, and check in with them as you go.

Stay healthy

Methodist Hospital Northlake Campus | 600 Grant Street ☎ +1 219 886-4000

News & References Gary

Travel Next

The Indiana Dunes are a short trip away.