25 Unique Attractions

In celebration of the convention and visitors bureau's 25th year anniversary, we invite you to enjoy 25 of the South Shore's unique and can't miss attractions.

Feel young again by visiting a real-life candy factory, Albanese Candy Factory in Hobart. This candy factory is home to the world's tallest chocolate waterfall and award-winning gummies.

Windsurfing in Indiana? Yes! Wolf Lake in Hammond was recognized by the New York Times for its conditions as being one of the best lakes in the country for windsurfing.

See the story behind John Dillinger, Public Enemy #1, at the John Dillinger Museum inside the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond. This museum illustrates that "crime doesn't pay" with interactive displays, life-size exhibits and historical artifacts. For more Dillinger history, visit historic Crown Point, where the Public Enemy #1 escaped from the infamous Lake County Jail and Sheriff's House in the 1930's.

Lake County, Indiana has a unique blend of history and cultural celebrations. Pierogi Fest in Whiting is an Eastern European celebration centered around the stuffed dumpling (pierogi). This summer festival has been featured on the Travel Channel and the Food Network for its quirky entertainment and of course, the pierogi.

 Jean Shepherd narrated and co-wrote A Christmas Story which was based on his childhood growing up in Hammond. Look for A Christmas Story themed events in Hammond during the holidays.

Whiz down waterslides at up to 30 miles per hour at Deep River Waterpark in Merrillville. The waterpark is open from late May to August and in the winter features ice-skating for the entire family under the clock tower. 

The "Grandfather of Aviation," Octave Chanute, built and tested the first successful heavier-than-air glider at Marquette Park in Miller Beach. The 3rd largest over-water air show in the nation takes place over Marquette Park and Beach on July 12th and 13th. This free show will wow spectators with death defying maneuvers overhead.

Dr. Scholl, the famous foot doctor, started his practice in Cedar Lake. See many of his original tools at the Lake of the Red Cedars Museum.

The Indiana Dunes State and National Parks welcome nearly 4 million guests each year. Mount Baldy, the "living" dune, stands at an impressive 123 feet tall and is the largest moving dune that trees cannot hold in place. Mount Baldy moves at a rate of four to five feet south each year and is located in Michigan City.

Indulge in the freshest grilled cheese sandwich you've ever eaten at Fair Oaks Farms Restaurant. The blue-ribbon cheeses and velvety ice creams can be purchased in the retail store. Fair Oaks Farms Adventure Center offers interactive exhibits and visitors are welcome to tour the farm to see the milking process first-hand.
Travel back to the mid-1800's with the Deep River Grinders vintage baseball team. The Grinders play according to rules from 1858 and wear vintage attire. Games are played at Deep River County Park in Hobart.

Visit one of the last and highest quality remnants of dune and swale topography in the Midwest at Gibson Woods County Park in Hammond. The park was formed by a glacier that moved through the region thousands of years ago. Don't miss the bird room located onsite, which overlooks a bird sanctuary.

Buckley Homestead, a living history farm in Lowell, depicts rural lifestyles on a farm with historic building including the Buckley home, schoolhouse and log cabin.

During your visit to the South Shore, you may find yourself along the nation's first transcontinental highway, Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30). Be sure to take advantage of the many shopping and dining opportunities along this stretch of road. In Schererville, the intersection of U.S. 30 and U.S. 41 is referred to as the "Crossroads of America."

Visit the historic Crown Point Courthouse, also known as the Grand Old Lady. The courthouse was built in 1878 and was said to be "one of the finest architectural expressions in Indiana." The bottom floor of the courthouse houses many unique shops.

Action-packed excitement awaits at one of the South Shore's five lakefront casinos. Horseshoe Hammond, Resorts East Chicago, Majestic Star Casinos in Gary and Blue Chip in Michigan City offer 24-hours of entertainment.

Lake County's newest attraction, the Shrine of Christ's Passion is located in St. John. The interactive half-mile winding path features 40 life-size bronze statues depicting the Stations of the Cross. 

The convergence of the Lake Michigan flyway on Lake County's northern border and the Kankakee flyway on the southern border creates some of the best Canadian goose hunting and bird watching in the nation.

The Community Veterans Memorial pays tribute to soldiers from every U.S. conflict of the 20th Century. Artifacts, such as a helicopter and war weapons, are on display at the park in Munster. The brand new Centennial Park is directly across the street from the Veterans Memorial and will boast an array of special events and live performances throughout the summer.

Serving as an interchange for five major railroads and nearly 180 trains passing through daily, Griffith was known as "the town that came to the tracks." You can learn more about the history of the railroads at the Griffith Historical Park and Railroad Museum located there.