In business for 41 years, Inman’s Bowling offers fun for every age including a large games arcade with ticket redemption, 32 lanes for bowling, billiard tables, Cosmic Bowling three nights a week and air hockey.
“We also have a food and drinks at Old Prospers Pub and Panhandlers Pizza,” said Shaun Ciesielski, vice president of operations/general manager at Inman’s. “We also do a lot of leagues and offer bowling lessons.”
Ciesielski, who runs many of the youth and adult leagues and oversees Shaun’s Bowling Tournaments, credits Inman's success to excellent customer service.
“We do things the right way here and our customers are always happy and the bowlers love us — it’s all about family fun,” he said. “It’s just how we roll.”
“Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana delivers a full entertainment experience unlike anything else in the Region,” says Matt Schuffert, president of the casino. “We combine vibrant casino energy with live music, premium dining and the unmistakable Hard Rock atmosphere. Our venue feels electric, immersive and welcoming — whether you’re a first‑time visitor or a regular guest.”
Schuffert touts Hard Rock's consistency and passion that starts from the moment guests arrive.
“Our team is deeply committed to delivering unforgettable experiences, whether that’s on the gaming floor, at a concert or in one of our restaurants,” he says, adding that many guests also highlight how friendly and attentive team members are.
“While Hard Rock is known worldwide, we’ve made it a priority to feel authentically rooted in Northwest Indiana That level of care and energy is something guests feel, and we’re honored that it resonated with the community.”
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana also was voted Best Casino Dining, Best Bar, Best Live Entertainment Venue, Best Fine Dining, Best Asian Food, Place for Dinner, Place for Lunch, Best Steakhouse and Best Rewards/Loyalty Program.
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana was also voted Best Asian Food, Best Casino, Best Bar, Best Fine Dining, Best Live Entertainment Venue, Best Place for Dinner, Best Place for Lunch, Best Steakhouse and Best Rewards/Loyalty Program.
With a passion for music that started at a young age, DJ/Producer/Remixer/Video Editor Kevin Allen is known for his ability to keep any crowd rocking.
And he’s also known for always keeping busy.
For more than 12 years, he has released more than 1,300 video remix edits and more than 500 original audios and remixes of a wide variety of house music, electronic dance music such as Jackin House and Tach House.
“I also have been doing mobile gigs like weddings and parties for the past 25 years,” says Allen.
A part of the 219/Chicago Land scene, Allen has appeared throughout Northwest Indiana.
“There is something for everyone in our historic downtown from unique boutiques and antiques stores to award-winning eateries and fun hobby shops,” said Mary Freda-Flores, Crown Poont's communications director. “When voters think about an ideal downtown, they want a one-stop-shop. Downtown Crown Point has it all: Entertainment, dining, and shopping.”
Anchored by the historic Lake County Courthouse, the downtown includes the Courthouse Shops.
The downtown balances the past with modern convenience.
“In recent years, the city enhanced parking in and around the downtown area to encourage more visitors to enjoy everything the heart of Crown Point has to offer,” said Freda-Flores. “We also recently wrapped traffic control boxes around the square with Hoosier art, so people have another reason to visit our downtown area and linger longer.”
Founded almost 70 years ago, Zao Island has kept up with the times, adding more and more activities for family fun including the new Spike Jr.’s Shipwreck, a free-spinning vehicle with an elevated figure-eight track, and 65 new arcade games.
These join favorites such as its two 18-hole miniature golf courses, rated by USA Today as among the most unique in the U.S. because of such features as waterfalls and a 30-foot stone dragon.
Other fun experiences include an abstract jungle theme laser tag game, batting cages and super speed F22 Go Karts racing on an 1,100-foot track made more challenging by hairpin turns.
Zao Pizza offers pizza, grinders, boneless wings, waffle fries, and cheese sticks. And there's beer and wine for adults.
Joe Murzyn, executive director of the Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce, credits its authenticity for the 32-year success of Pierogi Fest.
“It celebrates culture, community and a little bit of humor in a way that feels genuine to people,” Murzyn said of the festival sponsored by the chamber. “It’s not just an event you attend. It’s something people feel a part of, whether they’re from the Region or visiting for the first time.”
What started as a small neighborhood festival has grown into a three-day event attracting more than 300,000 attendees, with dozens of food vendors and multiple entertainment stages.
Murzyn explains that the part of this success is a focus on consistency while still evolving.
“The core traditions stay the same, but we continue to improve our festival set-up, expand on-site offerings, and make it easier for people to engage—whether that’s attendees, vendors, or volunteers,” he said. “It’s also entirely volunteer-driven, which keeps the heart of the festival strong.
It’s all about community commitment.
“It only works because of the volunteers, sponsors and local support behind it,” said Murzyn.
Urban Air, an indoor amusement facility, is designed for all ages with enough interactive activities to keep kids and their families engaged and excited.
Choose according to energy levels and interests from a list of safe immersive offerings that emphasize hands-on experiences. There are climbing walls, APEX Trampoline Zone of wall-to-wall trampolines, indoor ziplines, dodge ball games, laser tag, Slam Dunk Zone and ropes course. Besides that, the Leap of Faith challenges participants to jump off a tower, and the Warrior Course tests and improves agility and balance.
A café offers pizza and snacks.
Urban Air Adventure Park was also voted Best Place for a Child’s Birthday Party.
“White Hawk Country Club stands apart by combining exceptional course conditions with a welcoming customer-focused atmosphere,” General Manager Anthony Lopez-Alexander said, pointing out that the 36-hole semi-private facility spans more than 600 acres and is fully accessible to the public. “What truly sets us apart is our commitment to service as we believe that every guest deserves a first-class experience from beginning to end.”
The club offers 36 uniquely designed holes and multiple tee options to accommodate golfers of all abilities, added Duane Borcherding, director of golf.
It’s all about making people feel comfortable and part of the club.
“From the moment they arrive, our goal is to create an inviting atmosphere where everyone can relax and enjoy themselves,” said Lopez-Alexander. “We want that experience whether they’re here to golf, dine, listen to live music, enjoy a relaxing lunch, or simply unwind with a drink.
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana was also voted Best Asian Food, Best Casino, Best Casino Dining, Best Bar, Best Fine Dining, Best Place for Dinner, Best Place for Lunch, Best Steakhouse and Best Rewards/Loyalty Program.
“The sculptures, the music, the natural setting and the narrations blend together to make the shrine a life-changing experience,” said General Manager Paul Anderson. “All of these things have created an atmosphere of peace rarely found anywhere.”
Anderson describes visitors as being in awe of the experience at the shrine, which also offers a sense of hope in these uncertain times.
“We estimate that we welcome 250,000 people from all over the country and the world every year,” Anderson said. “This is a huge impact on tourism in Northwest Indiana."
When the shrine first opened, a goal was to attract people of all faiths and people from all over the world. One day in May 2008, before the shrine was completed, a busload of people of all faiths from Japan, Italy, Greece, Mexico and more showed up. "We looked at each other and just said ‘wow.’ ”
The Shrine of Christ's Passion also was voted Best Gift Boutique and Best Place to Volunteer.
“It’s fast, loud and a little chaotic, but that’s part of what makes it fun,” said Kelsey Sterns of South Shore Roller Derby. “It’s real.”
And it’s welcoming.
“We follow an inclusive model and expect people to treat each other with respect, and that carries over to the environment fans walk into,” she said. “The goal is that anyone can show up and feel like they belong there, even if it’s their first time through the door.”
The concept is creating a comfortable environment where it’s OK to ask questions of volunteers and members.
“They make sure people don’t feel like outsiders walking into something they don’t understand,” she said, adding that the goal is for people to have fun and come back again when the team plays in Crown Point, Hammond, Valparaiso and more.
The Sparta Dome, with 120,000-square-feet of climate-controlled, easily customized space, can accommodate a variety of sports including softball, soccer, lacrosse, football and field hockey.
“There’s something for everyone no matter their age,” said manager Adam Wilkie. “The facility and the schedule are run very well and besides that, we also focus on customer service.”
That's why it has generations of customers and a lot of repeat business, said Wilkie.
“We’re also known for our birthday parties as well as other parties and our concession stand where people can get snacks such as hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn and nachos,” he said.
Sparta Dome also recently added a volleyball league.
“We want there to be something for everyone,” said Wilkie.
Fine dining. Luxurious surroundings. Impeccable service. Stunning views. What more could you ask for in a wedding venue? A top fine dining spot in the Region since 2009, The Lighthouse has also been a favorite of couples planning marriage celebrations.
The view over Cedar Lake, especially as the sun sinks into the horizon, is unlike any other other in Northwest Indiana. Guests can enjoy signature menu items such as sea bass and chicken St. Jacques and popular wedding entrees such as salmon and filet mignon.
The service and hospitality sets this venue apart, providing a comfortable at-home feeling in a glamorous and scenic space. This season The Lighthouse unveils a new patio experience and is remodeling and updating the interior and exterior of the property under the new ownership of Meraki Hospitality Group.
Lighthouse Restaurant was also voted Best Seafood.
