Family Destinations

County Line Orchard, Hobart

For fall family fun only an hour from Chicago, County Line Orchard is the ideal stop. The orchard is the closest U-pick apple orchard to downtown Chicago. Pick apples and pumpkins, enjoy a tractor-drawn wagon ride, or get lost in the corn maze. Open from September 1st through October 31st.

Albanese Confectionery, Hobart

A must-stop while visiting Lake County! Take a tour and watch gummies, chocolates, and other confections made in front of your very eyes. Albanese is best known for their award-winning World's Best Gummi's and is home to the world's tallest chocolate waterfall and retail store with thousands of candies to choose from; including a large nostalgic candy section featuring favorites like Snaps, Black Jack gum and wax lips.

Deep River Waterpark, Hobart

Doubling its size last summer, Deep River Waterpark, is one of the hottest summer attractions in Lake County. Soar down tube and body slides at speeds of 30 miles per hour. Families love the newly added wacky courthouse, interactive river, and the world's first double dueling barrel bowl slides. Deep River Waterpark has also added a winter activity, ice-skating. Bring the family to ice-skate under the clock tower in the front of the park.

Fair Oaks Farms, Fair Oaks (Newton County)

Fair Oaks Farms and Adventure Center is an interactive and informative working diary farm. Bring the family and experience modern dairy farming and production. New to the farm is a birthing center where calves are born every hour. Fair Oaks offers tours and a retail cheese and ice cream store. Sample blue ribbon cheeses and velvety ice cream.

Lake County Parks

Buckley Homestead is a living history farm in Lowell, featuring 3 different historic areas. Deep River & Wood's Historic Grist Mill features an 1800's saw mill and is also home to the Deep River Grinders who play old time baseball under 1858 rules and attire. The county parks offer fishing, playgrounds, and a 27-hold disk golf course. Winter activities include cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and sledding.

Challenger Learning Center, Hammond

Experience the magic of space at the Challenger Learning Center. The center has mission control and space station simulators, a planetarium dome, a fiber optic starfield and more. Great opportunity for large groups.