“At Inman’s, we have something for everyone. It’s a place you can take your family out for affordable entertainment, food and drinks,” says Shaun Ciesielski, vice president of operations/general manager.
Ciesielski says ages range from young children to seniors who bowl in their 80s and 90s.
Inman’s installed new lanes a few years ago and now has 32 lanes for bowling. Many areas of the center have been upgraded. There are bowling balls available for people to use, and people can buy the latest in bowling equipment at Inman’s Above All Bowling Pro Shop.
“We take care of all our bowlers, whether it be league bowlers who we see multiple times a week or the casual bowlers that might visit once or twice a year. We treat people the way we would want to be treated if we were the customer ourselves,” says Ciesielski.
“The atmosphere at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is electric and inviting,” says Matt Schuffert, president of the casino. He says it offers a dynamic blend of high-energy excitement and friendly faces ready to serve.
Schuffert says Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana earned its first-place votes because: “Whether our guests are there for the games, food or a show at Hard Rock Live, the vibe is both upscale and approachable and designed to keep the good times rolling.”
He says some of the most popular games are Phoenix Link, Dragon Link, Buffalo Ultimate Stampede and anything with the name Huff N’ Puff in the title, with several iterations of that theme.
Hard Rock also was voted Best Casino Dining and Best Place for Lunch.
Anomaly DJ & Photo launched in January 2024, but its owners have more than a decade of experience in the wedding and event industry.
“We love catering to the vision of our clients,” says Stephen Vaughn, who co-owns the business with Erin Mahoney. “You can request as many songs as you’d like. Some couples know exactly what they want to hear, while others give us a general vibe and we take it from there to keep the dance floor packed.
“We use top-of-the-line equipment across the board — including our photo booth — to ensure everything looks and sounds great,” Vaughn stresses.
With a strong focus on weddings, Anomaly DJ & Photo's experienced team are trained to approach every event with positivity, patience and professionalism.
Valparaiso’s historic downtown is a vibrant gathering spot of boutiques, galleries, restaurants and businesses, a renovated 1892 opera house and even a 19th Century county jail, now a museum. All are anchored by Central Park Plaza, a place for year-round fun from ice skating to a splash pad and farmer’s market.
“We’ve worked to maintain this character with our streetscaping and the design of the downtown park,” says Kim Ranegar, communications, City of Valparaiso. “Businesses take pride in their facades, and many restaurants offer outdoor dining during the warmer months”
According to Ranegar, Valparaiso's signature events include a Beer Fest, Wine Fest and free summer concerts and movies. Then there's the annual Popcorn Festival started in 1970 as a tribute to Orville Redenbacher. This year’s event is Sept. 6 and includes the famous Popcorn Parade along with more than 300 vendors and live musical performances.
To make it all hassle free, Ranegar notes the new Lincoln Highway Garage at Morgan Boulevard and Lincolnway makes it easier to find a spot to enjoy downtown.
“Our commitment to our customers and our great staff give us an advantage and help us make Zig-E’s a great experience,” says Joe Dzieglowicz, who owns the family business with his brother Drew.
Dzieglowicz says the biggest draw is the gas-powered go-karts on a banked-turn track.
“We’re one of the few that have banked turns,” he says, adding that its outdoor tactical laser tag arena is among the best in the U.S.
“We also have 18 holes of mini-golf, batting cages, a two-building redemption arcade with over 40 games, and for adults, Funland Fuel, our own beer made especially for us by Off Square Brewery in Crown Point and only available here.”
Those scheduling a party or event get a dedicated host to provided exceptional care for birthdays, anniversaries and other events.
“We have daddy-daughters dances and also host a gathering for the Down Syndrome Association Northwest Indiana.
“We want to create memories that will last a lifetime,” says Dzieglowicz. “We care about that, which is why generation after generation bring their friends and families here.”
“Since the First Pierogi Drop on New Year’s Eve 2016, the event has grown significantly,” Andy Dybel says of the event he founded that is run by the Whiting Knights of Columbus Council 1696. “We used to use a crane but now use a dedicated, permanent 50-foot flagpole as the vehicle to drop the Pierogi. The rest of the year the flagpole flies a 10-by-15-foot U.S Flag.”
They are also on their second illuminated 10-foot Pierogi.
The popular event includes indoor and outdoor bands and beer gardens and fireworks as well as Polish food. Costumes are encouraged.
Like all great ideas, Dybell, whose brother, Marty, founded Whiting’s Pierogi Fest, says it came about when sitting around the K of C’s council bar after a meeting.
“A New Year's Eve Pierogi Drop seemed like a natural progression from Pierogi Fest, which is obviously very successful and the identity of Whiting/Robertsdale,” he says, noting the drop now has large countdown clocks, confetti machines, theatrical lighting, New Year's themed music and ringing church bells.
“We’ve been part of the community for a very long time, and people know that we’re a family owned business that has provided entertainment for generations,” says Justin Paliga, manager at Zao Island.
Founded in 1957, Zao offers several options for fun and food set in an island theme.
“Our arcade has around 65 or more games, and we’re always adding new ones,” says Paliga. “We offer laser tag, batting cages and go-karts. Everything is ala carte, so you only pay for what you use.”
Zao Island’s two 18-hole miniature golf courses were rated by USA Today as among the most unique miniature golf courses in the U.S. They incorporate such features as a 30-foot stone dragon and more than 20 waterfalls. One of their newest additions to the island is Spike Jr.’s Shipwreck, a spinning elevated eight track coaster.
Food includes a pizza bar, boneless chicken wings, sandwiches and beer and wine for adults.
“We make our own pizza sauces,” says Paliga, noting one of their best sellers is the buffalo chicken pizza. “There really is something for everyone. Parents can relax while their kids play.”
An 18-hole golf course featuring topography typical of the Carolinas, Sandy Pines underwent major changes by golf course architect Tim Nugent.
Golf Now says that players report Sandy Pines as being a sporty yet challenging golf course. Based on almost 300,000 golfer-submitted reviews in 2023, Golfer’s Choice ranked Sandy Pines No. 12 in the Top 50 U.S. Public Golf Courses.
Its SP19 American Kitchen + Bar is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and features sandwiches, burgers, pizza, wings, salads and entrees such as ribs, grilled salmon and pasta.
In 1941, Hobart Art Theater opened as a single-screen movie house. As such movie houses have waned, the Art Deco-style facility has been repurposed with a full lineup of live entertainment and outdoor festival shows.
“As you can imagine from 1941 to 2025 there is a big difference in how things were built and engineered, and there’s so much that had to be changed such as adding sound and LED lighting upgrades as well as new in-house equipment,” says Shane Evans, who co-owns the theater and the Brickhouse Bar & Grill next door with Blake Gillespie.
Evans, who credits his staff and the community for winning Best Live Entertainment Venue, sees the 500-seat venue as being an integral part of the city.
“We're here every day being engaged and involved, doing community style events and supporting our downtown,” he says, in a friendly and safe environment. “So, we're very busy every day of the week but it’s a blast. I spent 20 years as a retail store manager, and this this has got that beat by a long shot because there’s value in doing what you love and what makes a difference.”
“What makes Morkes Chocolates of Cedar Lake stand out is the personalized service and attention for your party,” says Mark VanderPloeg, who owns the business with his wife, Kris. “Being a small locally family owned business we pay special attention to any attending details.”
Open for three years in Cedar Lake, Morkes Chocolates has been in business since 1920. VanderPloeg credits the company’s success to the quality of their candies, connection to the community and tailoring party packages for birthdays, Boy and Girl Scout outings, school groups and even gatherings of adults. It offers three types of chocolate making projects for children, who take home their creations.
“Kids have plenty of time for the chocolate-making experience, eat a little pizza and enjoy a piece of Dairy Belle Ice Cream Cake,” says VanderPloeg. “For adults there are chocolate fondue parties.”
“In today's chaotic world, people come to The Shrine of Christ's Passion looking for hope and peace,” says General Manager Paul Anderson. “On Good Friday, 8,000-10,000 visitors come from all over the Midwest; many have made it a family tradition for many years.”
According to Anderson, the shrine regularly receives thousands of people from around the world.
“Our staff is always welcoming and joyful,” he says. “If someone needs to ‘talk,’ one of our staff or volunteers will talk to them.”
The shrine is open year-round with exhibits including a half-mile interactive illuminated path that follows the life of Jesus starting with the Last Supper. A new Family Plaza celebrates Jesus with bronze statues depicting “The Joy of Family” and “Joseph with the Child, Jesus” among others.
“We are very honored to receive this award and hope this will inspire more people to come to the shrine and experience what it has to offer,” says Anderson.
The Shrine of Christ’s Passion also was voted Best Place to Volunteer and Best Gift Boutique.
“We’re more than just a team — we’re a whole vibe,” says Kelsey Stearns of South Shore Roller Derby. “We bring the intensity and strategy of full-contact sport and the heart of your favorite local nonprofit to The Region in an exciting and nostalgic way. We're simultaneously a new and engaging event and the event folks remember watching on TV in the '70s, so we appeal to a large diverse group. Our bouts are high-energy, fast paced and packed with talent, but it’s the atmosphere that really hooks people. You’re not just watching a game—you’re part of the action, cheering alongside family, friends and fans who care about the community as much as we do.”
Besides the vibe, Stearns counts their deep connection to the community because of a dedicated volunteer crew who run its 501(c)3 organization. This year, it's supporting Indiana Kids Belong, dedicated to improving the experiences and outcomes for foster care kids. League members also volunteer throughout the area.
“We come together because we love the sport, but we stay because of the community we've built,” says Steans. “We’re fiercely inclusive and proudly grassroots.
“We offer something for everyone from our seniors who walk in the morning to our preschool playtime for ages 0 to 6 years old,” says Cathy Witte of Sparta Dome, a 120,000-square-foot facility.
Its climate-controlled environment guarantees consistent field conditions. “And because of how we’re set up we can offer a wide variety of activities.”
Besides baseball, softball, soccer, training, summer camps, flag football and leagues, Sparta Dome also offers social events including birthday and anniversary celebrations; batting cage and turf rentals; corporate, church and other gatherings; and the annual Sparta Dome Arts and Crafts Fair in the fall.
“We get over 200 vendors at the fair,” says Witte, “and tens of thousands of people attend the fair.”
