Merrillville, Indiana has a plethora of great places to eat, drink, shop, and fun for all ages and interests. For the simpletons just looking to blow a few hours, check out the local movie theater or do a little shopping. Maybe you’d like to try something new and different. Whatever piques your interest, get to know Merrillville’s fun side a little better.
Movies and Shows:
Merrillville offers a few locations big, small, and obscure for movies or shows. The local AMC Showplace Hobart 12, is a quick trip after a nice meal. Placed right in the middle of all kinds of restaurants and shopping, it’s easy to drop in for the next showing.
The Indiana Ballet Theatre is a dancing gem of Merrillville, offering lessons and performances in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, modern, and ballroom. The theatre offers performances of all kinds from local people, including the littlest of dancers.
If you’re looking for a performance with a little more bang, take a peek at the event calendar for the Star Plaza Theatre. The theatre offers plays, concerts, musicals, and other performances. In the next coming months, the Star Plaza will be holding performances for Weird Al Yankovic, Queen Killer, Bring it! Live, and even a comedic performance on Father’s Day, the Father’s Day Laugh Fest.
Golf Courses and Clubs:
If you’re looking for a peaceful day in the outdoors away from all the hustle and bustle of Merrillville, a local country club and golf course maybe just the thing for you. Innsbrook Country Club is a private club that offers golf, an Olympic-sized swimming pool with a water park, luxurious restaurants, outdoor grilling, wine tastings, live performances and so much more. Innsbrook can be down Taft Street, far from all the city noise for a perfect day of relaxation.
Where the Innsbrook course ends, the Turkey Creek Golf Club course begins. Both locations with Turkey Creek running through them. Turkey Creek Golf course is a great choice for those just looking for a game of golf and a lunch without all the extra amenities or a Club membership.
Shopping:
Merrillville is one of the many great places in Northwest Indiana to put a dent in your shopping list. The most obvious choice, the Southlake Mall has an abundance of stores to choose from for all ages, styles and needs like Albert’s Diamond Jewelers, American Eagle Outfitters, Bam!, A Children’s Place, the Disney Store, Finish Line, Lane Bryant, Hot Topic, Justice and so much more. There are also larger stores attached like JcPenney, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sears and Macy’s. The mall is also surrounded by other large stores like Target, hhgreg, Kohl’s and Gander Mountain.
Art and Education:
Located in Clifford Pierce Middle School, the Merrillville Community Planetarium serves the Merrillville Community School Corporation and the public. Most known to Merrillville students as a destination for classes looking to take a quick field trip, the Planetarium also holds public shows. This summer the Planetarium will be presenting “Destination Mars!” on July, 8, 15, 16, 22 and 23, where participants can observe Mars close up for only $4.00 per adult and $2.00 per child.
Paint Nite Northwest Indiana is a great way to stretch those artistic muscles this summer. Paint Nite NWI holds painting demonstrations all around the area with professional artists guiding participants with step-by-step instructions. The next event will be held at Merrillville’s own Tapas Cafe on July 20. Gather your friends together and get creative.
Family Fun:
There’s quite a few fun, family-friendly locations in Merrillville that are a must when you’re heading out with the family this summer. Deep River Waterpark is a go-to for waterslide lovers of all ages. Take a relaxing dip in the BAYOU river or enjoy the the rush of water slides, a wave pool and other water games to keep you cool all summer long. You don’t even have to bring the kids to join in on the fun.
FunFlatables is an easy destination if you’ve got kids and little ones that need to run off some of that energy they’ve been honing all day. Send the running wildly through an entire facility of inflatable bouncers, obstacle courses, climbers and slides.
Sweet Treats:
End the day exercising that sweet tooth at Albanese Candy Factory. The Factory offers thousands of different kinds of chocolates, nuts and gummies for any taste. Want to know how it’s all made? Albanse also offers guided or unguided factory tours of its facilities. Guided tours are led by a tour guide and roughly last thirty minutes, perfect for a quick trip before you pick out your favorite candies. This summer, Albanese will be celebrating National Gummi Bear Day on July 15 with their limited edition five pound Albanese Gummi Bears.
Chicagoland Popcorn, known as “The Popcorn Flavor Superstore,” has over 250 flavors of popcorn, located almost right across the street from Albanese Candy Factory on Route 30 in Merrillville. The store has a flavor for every mood or every craving you could possibly have. Some of their wacky flavors include Pizza, Sour Cream and Onion, Cotton Candy, Banana, Bacon and Cheddar, and all the other delicious classics. The flavors are inspired by all sorts of thing like fruit, candy bars, and even a flavor for a local school, the Purdue Northwest Crunch.
Restaurants and Bars:
Still haven’t had your dinner yet? If you haven’t filled up on candy and popcorn, there is still lots of great restaurants to taste in the area.
Head back to the Star Plaza at the Radisson Hotel, to enjoy their attached authentic Irish pub, TJ Maloney’s, where they serve traditional Irish food. Just down the street from there is Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom where you can enjoy some tavern appetizers, a delicious chicago thick pizza and enjoy their huge selection of world-class craft beers.
A little further down the road is Catch 22 Bar and Grill. This place is a great choice if you’re looking for a large selection of burgers, fish, shrimp, and steak. This is also a great place to try an assortment of beers, with 20 on tap and even more craft beer in bottles. Looking for something a little different? Asparagus is a fine dining restaurant and lounge dedicated to combining Thai, Vietnamese, American and French Cuisine under one roof. Dress your best and enjoy a mouthwatering flavorful selection of foods.
Another fine dining establishment can be found back at the Southlake Mall, Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant. While you wait for your table, spend some time in the tasting room trying out some of Cooper’s delicious reds, whites and specialty wines. After picking out your favorites, take note, the items on the menu have a bin number so you can match your dinner with the wine that would go best with it. Bottles of wine and delectable chocolates are also available for purchase.
If Mexican cuisine is more your style, check out La Carreta Mexican Restaurant and Bar. This well known establishment is a common pit stop for most regioners looking to get their hands on authentic Mexican food and an oversized margarita that takes two hands to sip.
Merrillville also has some diamonds in the rough with fantastic food and great people. Maxims Restaurant and Lounge is the perfect place to enjoy a classic bowl of lemon rice soup and other great diner classics at this family style restaurant. This cozy restaurant is tucked away from the noise of route 30 and I-65. It’s a great place to grab some lunch or a hometown breakfast before heading out for the day.
And finally, head over to R-Place, if you’re looking to drink some beer, watch the game and enjoy some good ole fashion bar food. Cheese fries, burgers, hot dogs, you name it. It’s definitely one of those places where you’ll always get a cheery welcome and everyone knows your name. And if you’re lucky, the pretty girl working the kitchen might come out and say “hello.”