Merrillville IndianaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Merrillville, Indiana.
1. Southlake Mall
PREMIER SHOPPING DESTINATION
Southlake Mall is Merrillville's largest shopping center featuring over 160 shops and restaurants including major department stores like JCPenney and Sears. Visitors can enjoy a comprehensive shopping experience with everything from clothing retailers to specialty stores and a diverse food court. The mall serves as a central gathering place for locals and tourists alike, offering a climate-controlled environment perfect for shopping year-round.
2. Albanese Candy Factory
SWEET TREAT PARADISE
Albanese Candy Factory is a beloved attraction where visitors can watch gummy bears and chocolates being made through viewing windows into the production area. The massive retail store offers an impressive selection of their famous gummies, chocolates, and other confections at factory-direct prices. Guests particularly enjoy their world-famous gummy bears, chocolate-covered nuts, and the opportunity to create custom candy mixes.
3. Deep River Waterpark
THRILLING AQUATIC ADVENTURE
Deep River Waterpark offers a refreshing escape with attractions including racing slides, lazy rivers, and both body and tube slides for visitors of all ages. Thrill-seekers can experience the Storm, which twists through five stories of darkness, or brave the Dragon with its near-vertical 35 mph descent. During winter months, the park transforms to offer ice skating opportunities, making it a year-round destination.
4. Chicagoland Popcorn
GOURMET POPCORN EMPORIUM
Chicagoland Popcorn delights visitors with an extraordinary variety of gourmet popcorn flavors ranging from classic butter to unique creations. The shop has become a regional favorite, offering samples of their numerous flavors before visitors commit to purchasing. Tourists and locals alike make special trips to this popcorn paradise located on US Route 30.
5. Merrillville History Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE SHOWCASE
The Merrillville History Museum preserves and showcases the rich history of this Northwest Indiana community through artifacts, photographs, and interactive exhibits. Visitors can explore the area's development from rural farmland to a thriving suburban center through carefully curated displays. The museum offers an educational experience that connects current residents and visitors to the town's unique cultural heritage.
6. Region Cat Cafe
FELINE FRIENDS & COFFEE
Region Cat Cafe combines the pleasure of quality coffee and tea with the therapeutic company of adoptable cats in a cozy, welcoming environment. Visitors can sip their favorite beverages while interacting with feline friends who are looking for forever homes. This unique concept supports animal welfare while providing a relaxing experience just off US Route 30.
7. Oak Ridge Prairie County Park
NATURAL OUTDOOR RECREATION
Oak Ridge Prairie County Park offers visitors a serene natural environment with hiking trails, picnic areas, and wildlife observation opportunities. The park preserves significant prairie and woodland habitats characteristic of the region's original landscape. Outdoor enthusiasts appreciate the park for its recreational facilities and the chance to connect with nature within the urban surroundings of Merrillville.
8. Urban Air Adventure Park
INDOOR THRILL DESTINATION
Urban Air Adventure Park goes beyond a typical trampoline park with an array of exciting attractions suitable for adventure-seekers of all ages. Visitors can enjoy wall-to-wall trampolines, climbing walls, obstacle courses, and other adrenaline-pumping activities in this climate-controlled facility. The park provides a perfect venue for family fun regardless of weather conditions, making it a popular choice for birthday parties and group outings.
9. Viking Artisan Ales
CRAFT BREWERY EXPERIENCE
Viking Artisan Ales welcomes beer enthusiasts to sample uniquely crafted brews in their taproom setting. Visitors can observe the brewing process while enjoying a variety of handcrafted beers that often feature local ingredients and innovative techniques. The brewery has become a gathering spot for locals and tourists looking to experience Northwest Indiana's growing craft beer scene.
10. Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra
CLASSICAL MUSIC EXCELLENCE
The Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra performs captivating concerts throughout the year at The Auditorium at Living Hope in Merrillville. Music lovers can experience a diverse repertoire ranging from classical masterpieces to contemporary compositions performed by talented musicians. The orchestra enhances the cultural landscape of the region, providing world-class musical experiences in an accessible venue.
11. Indiana Dunes
NATURAL LAKESHORE WONDER
The Indiana Dunes combine state and national parks spanning more than 15,000 acres of spectacular dunes, oak savannas, swamps, bogs, marshes, prairies, rivers, and forests along Lake Michigan's southern shore. Visitors can explore 16.5 miles of trails including paths that traverse Mount Tom, offering breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding landscapes. The park welcomes nearly 4 million guests annually who enjoy outdoor activities from swimming and hiking to bird watching and photography.
12. Kankakee Sands Bison
PRAIRIE WILDLIFE RESTORATION
Kankakee Sands Bison provides visitors the rare opportunity to witness American bison roaming free in restored prairie habitat—the first time in almost 200 years for Indiana. The Nature Conservancy reintroduced these magnificent animals to benefit the prairie ecosystem through their natural grazing behaviors. Visitors can observe the herd from a designated viewing area, connecting with a vital piece of America's ecological heritage that has been carefully restored after decades of conservation work.
13. Fair Oaks Farms
INTERACTIVE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE
Fair Oaks Farms offers an immersive agricultural experience where visitors can learn about modern farming techniques through interactive exhibits featuring cows, pigs, and crops. Seasonal attractions include apple picking in the fall and the enchanting Forest of Lights during winter months. The farm-to-fork experience continues at their Farmhouse Restaurant, where visitors can enjoy meals prepared with fresh ingredients or sample award-winning cheeses produced on-site.
14. Indiana Ballet Theatre
ELEGANT CLASSICAL PERFORMANCES
Indiana Ballet Theatre brings classical dance to life through beautiful performances of beloved stories like 'The Nutcracker' and 'Cinderella' in Merrillville. The professional company combines artistry and technical excellence to create memorable theatrical experiences for audiences of all ages. Their productions feature elaborate costumes, sets, and choreography that showcase both the timeless traditions of ballet and innovative contemporary approaches.
15. Shrine of Christ's Passion
SPIRITUAL WALKING JOURNEY
The Shrine of Christ's Passion presents a moving half-mile prayer trail featuring 40 life-sized bronze sculptures depicting the stations of the cross. Visitors walk a winding path through beautiful grounds with an audio narration that enhances the spiritual experience regardless of religious background. This peaceful attraction offers a contemplative space for reflection while appreciating the artistic and cultural significance of the biblical story.