Skip to Content

15 Exciting Things to do in Hammond Any Day of the Week

Tucked away near the Illinois border, just outside the shadow of Chicago’s soaring skyline, Hammond, Indiana boasts an abundance of fun activities, eateries, and recreation for individuals, groups, or families to enjoy! If you’re on the hunt for things to do in Hammond, Indiana, then you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn our top picks for the experiences you can’t miss in this slice of northwest Indiana!

aerial shot of Hammond

Restaurants in Hammond, IN

1. Byway Brewing Company

Bring the whole gang to Byway Brewing Company for a one-of-a-kind dining experience! This chef-driven location offers up a variety of innovative spins on classic plates, including sandwiches, burgers, macaroni and cheese, and more! For the adults, there’s plenty of unique brews on tap, and if you’re looking to have a private event catered, Byway Brewing has got you covered with their Box Lunch Special!

Whether you’re dropping by for a special day like Mardi Gras or just coming in for an everyday meal, this family-friendly brewery is more than just a restaurant worth visiting—it’s an experience you don’t want to miss!

2. Jack Binions Steakhouse

If you’re on the hunt for a restaurant experience in Hammond that’s a cut above, look no further than Jack Binions Steakhouse! This signature steakhouse, connected to the Horseshoe Casino, offers a business-casual atmosphere where adults can indulge in a delicious meal and sample a special vintage of wine in a plush, elegant setting. On the menu, you’ll find a top-of-the-line variety of fresh steaks, seafood, and pork chops, all prepared by award-winning chefs. This is a luxurious fine-dining experience perfect for couples or groups to enjoy!

3. The Wheel Family Restaurant

Feeding the whole family can sometimes be a challenge—but not when you visit The Wheel Family Restaurant! With over 30 years of family-focused food service under their belt, this restaurant knows exactly how to keep customers full and happy! Open from 5am to midnight every day, The Wheel offers up a vast variety of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert options.

With everything from pancakes to burgers to steak and more, there’s no need to guess or worry—you’re sure to find an affordable option for every member of your family here, even if you’ve got picky eaters in your crew!

4. 18th Street Brewery

Another great option for classic American dining the whole family can enjoy, 18th Street Brewery offers delicious apps, entrees, alcoholic beverages, and options for kiddos, too! Spark your tastebuds with a ghost pepper burger, indulge in classic chicken tenders or rich, fatty pork belly bites, grab an order of beef cheek tacos or Irish fries—there’s so much to enjoy, you’ll want to come back to this brewery again and again!

5. Sip Coffee House

A local favorite for meeting all your java needs, Sip Coffee House is the perfect place to stop by for a caffeine top off, some café work, get togethers with friends, book reading, or people watching! Located just outside Hammond proper, this laid back café shop offers a great environment and delicious coffee treats! Order your favorite caffeinated beverage and a sweet pastry or sandwich, then take your time relaxing in the casual café setup. It’s a perfect place for all your coffee shop needs!

friends enjoying a meal at at local eatery

Family-Friendly Activities in Hammond, IN

6. Green Lake Family Aquatic Center

Looking for the perfect escape from the Midwest heat where the whole family can enjoy themselves? You’ve got to visit Green Lake Family Aquatic Center in Calumet City, IL, just a short drive from the heart of Hammond! Open from 11am until 7pm on weekends and 2:30pm until 7pm on weekdays, Green Lake features zero-depth entry pool, splash pad, lazy river, water slide, concessions, and more! This aquatic recreation location is absolutely perfect for families of all sizes, with members of all ages!

7. Deep River Waterpark

Open annually from May through September, Deep River Waterpark is one of the best recreational spots for water-lovers! This park boasts a bevy of water park favorites, including slides, pools, “flush bowls”, water sledding, and so much more! This is a great place for a family day trip, where kids can ride and swim their hearts out while parents relax in a rented cabana or poolside lounge chair…or join in on the rides and slides!

All the best amenities of the nation’s more popular amusement parks are available here, but without the exorbitant costs, making this a great option for a family fun day!

8. Mascot Hall of Fame

Learn more about the “unsung heroes” of sports at the Mascot Hall of Fame, an interactive and educational children’s museum—and one of the hidden gems of family-friendly things to do in Hammond, Indiana! Children and adults alike will enjoy the bright, colorful exhibits, labs, activity areas, games, make-your-own-mascot stuffing stations, and more. There’s no doubt your whole family “team” will have an unforgettable visit to the Mascot Hall of Fame!

9. Indiana Welcome Center

It may not seem like it at first blush, but the Indiana Welcome Center is a fantastic, family-friendly place to visit! After admiring the uniquely designed building, which pays homage to everything Indiana from the waves of Lake Michigan along the state’s northern reaches to the grain and corn silos that pepper its heartland, you can step inside for a fun family visit!

Enjoy the Exhibit Hall, with rotating exhibits for the holidays as well as some permanent fixtures; dip into the gift shop for some Hoosier paraphernalia, including items from “A Christmas Story”, famous to this region; or request an exciting educational movie at the In-Vision Theater! The Indiana Welcome Center a great place for a mixture of learning and pure fun!

10. Gibson Woods Nature Preserve

Perched on nearly 180 acres, Gibson Woods Nature Preserve plays host to a one of a kind blended habitat of dunes and swale, offering some great hiking and exploratory opportunities for the family to experience together. The hiking trails here offer a perfect option for those who prefer more outdoor-based recreation, with plenty of opportunities to spot birds, wildlife, and the unique and endangered flora native to this local ecosystem. This nature preserve is a great location to enjoy Indiana’s beautiful nature, let off some energy, and make memories as a family!

kids riding floats on a lazy river

Educational and Recreational Activities in Hammond, IN

11. Hammond Lakefront Park and Beach

A beautiful, relaxing, scenic beach experience awaits at this lakeshore location! Inland in this small slice of the Indiana Dunes, you can spot plenty of birds, beautiful scenery, and wildlife in the narrow walking track and bird sanctuary; down at the shore itself, you can lay out a beach towel, soak up some sun, and go for a cool and calming swim in Lake Michigan! Despite its close proximity to urban areas, this park and beach are lauded for their tranquil, laid-back atmosphere—a great place for a small getaway in the heart of the busy world!

12. Horseshoe Casino

If you’re looking to try your hand at the tables, Horseshoe Casino is the place for you! This stylish, exciting casino is a favorite recreation spot among many adults in northern Indiana, offering slots, table games, and an on-site eatery and bar. You’ll also find many famous, top of the line musical acts performing at the Horseshoe as well! This is a great place for adults to indulge, have some responsible fun, and enjoy the glitz and glamor of casino life without having to travel all the way to Las Vegas!

13. Towle Theater

This local performing arts theater provides entertainment and education to patrons 6 years old and up, with unique shows designed both to engage the audience and teach them something new! The Towle Theater offers a one of a kind theatrical experience with a vast array to its subjects and themes, and is a fantastic opportunity to support local art and artists while enjoying a day or night out on the town! (Note: Patrons are advised to contact the theater for information on any shows about whose subject matter or content they have questions or concerns before attending.)

14. Olympia Lanes

If you’re pining for that classic bowling alley experience in northwest Indiana, Olympia Lanes is one place you can’t afford to miss out on! Here you can enjoy a great game of bowling on one of the many lanes while you indulge in some pizza made on site; or you might drop by the lounge, or even visit the Pro Shop! This is a great option for individuals, groups, or families to kick back, relax, and try for a strike in that fantastic, famous bowling alley setting.

15. Lost Marsh Golf Course

There’s nothing like a game of golf on a glorious, sunny day—and Lost Marsh Golf Course is where you’ll want to have it! This idyllic, scenic golf course located near Lake George in Hammond is a classic and unbeatable location for golfers to enjoy some “tee time” in luxury! Here at Lost Marsh, you can play the beautifully-maintained course and then sate your appetite at the elegant, on-site fine dining restaurant. You’re guaranteed to have a lovely and memorable day when you spend it golfing at Lost Marsh!

golf course in Hammond

Conclusion

We hope our guide has you pumped up and excited to experience some of the amazing things to do in Hammond, Indiana! Which activity or restaurant are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below!

And after you have explored everything Hammond has to offer, consider visiting some of the other great cities in Indiana, like Evansville or South Bend.