Michigan City is full of incredible small businesses just waiting to be discovered. They’re the kind of places you won’t find in mass-produced travel brochures or generic ‘top things to do’ lists. As a small business ourselves, JOYRide knows this firsthand. We work in our community all year round; downtown for festivals, on the lakefront during the summer, and at local events, connecting with the people and the places that make Michigan City special. One of the most commonly asked questions when we take our trikes out is, “Where should we go?”
That’s exactly what inspired the Insider’s Guide to Michigan City, and why your business belongs in the 2026 version.
A One-Of-A-Kind Guide
There’s no other guide quite like ours in our community. The Insider’s Guide to Michigan City isn’t a national publication, a sponsored tourist pamphlet, or a list pulled together by someone who has never actually spent time here. It’s a keepsake-style guide built by locals, for locals and visitors, highlighting the businesses that define our community.
The guide fills a much-needed space for those looking to explore Michigan City. It’s something people can pick up, flip through, and return to again and again, whether they’re visitors here for a weekend or summer, or they’re locals wanting to discover something different. Being featured means your business is part of our community’s story.
Created By Locals Who Want To See Your Business Thrive
JOYRide isn’t just promoting Michigan City; we’re the locals, neighbors, and friends who spend time here every day. As our drivers meet and greet the people taking our trikes, we’re constantly asked for recommendations. We point people towards coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques, bars, art galleries, and hidden gems. When we say we’re locals, we mean we actively guide people to local businesses.
It’s that local knowledge that makes the Insider’s Guide a trusted resource. Visitors know that the businesses featured in our guide aren’t just paid promotions. They’re recommendations from people who love our city and want others to experience it like a local.
Small Businesses Supporting Small Businesses
As a small business, we understand budgets, seasonality, and how important it is for marketing dollars to actually make an impact. That’s why the guide is built to be accessible, meaningful, and community-focused, not just another advertisement. When you choose to feature your business in the Insider’s Guide, you’re supporting a fellow local business that’s invested in the success of Michigan City.
Exposure Beyond The Printed Page
The Insider’s Guide to Michigan City doesn’t just stop at print. Businesses included in the guide are also highlighted on our digital events calendar and our directory, which are used by both locals and visitors looking for things to do, places to go, and experiences to check out. This creates ongoing visibility beyond the guide itself, especially during busy weekends, festivals, and tourist seasons. Your small business becomes part of the larger conversation about what’s happening in Michigan City.
Reaching Locals And Tourists
Our guide is intentionally designed to appeal to both locals and visitors. For tourists, it answers the question of, “Where should we go that feels authentic?” For locals, it’s a reminder of the businesses they already love and an introduction to ones they haven’t discovered yet. That dual audience is powerful. Locals become repeat customers and word-of-mouth advocates, while tourists bring traffic and visibility. Being in the guide puts your business in front of both audiences the moment they want to explore.
A Keepsake That People Actually Want To Keep
Unlike flyers or brochures that get tossed aside, the Insider’s Guide is designed to be a keepsake. People take it home, bookmark specific pages, and bring it back when they visit. It lives on coffee tables, in beach bags, and in glove compartments. This means your business gets long-term exposure, not just a one-time glance. For a small business, that kind of staying power is invaluable.
Strengthening Our Community
At its core, the Insider’s Guide to Michigan City is about community, lifting up the businesses that make it unique, encouraging people to shop local, and creating stronger connections between visitors, residents, and business owners. When small business owners support each other, everyone benefits. More visibility leads to more foot traffic, which leads to a stronger local economy and a community that people want to keep coming back to.
The 2026 edition of the Insider’s Guide to Michigan City is already in the works, and this is your opportunity to be a part of something that will continue to grow year after year. Spots in the guide are limited to keep it curated and meaningful. Being included means your business becomes part of a trusted resource that will represent Michigan City far into the future.
If you’re interested in being featured, send us an email at smile@joyridemc.com.
