If you or your children like gummy bears, then the Albanese Candy Factory is heaven on earth. Here you can visit a gummy candy production line and purchase more flavors of gummies than you ever thought existed. But it does not stop there: Albanese has all sorts of candy, from chocolates to novelty candy and even some very old-fashioned favorites. The place is often very crowded, but the deliciousness is well worth the wait. You probably do not want to eat much after a visit to the Albanese, so that makes it a good night to go out: the Star Plaza Theatre has a reputation for booking the best acts, whether they be music, theater, comedy or other performances. There are 3,400 seats on two levels, with the farthest seat a mere 120 feet from the stage thrust, so wherever you sit you are sure to have a great view. Check the Website for a schedule of upcoming shows.
And now for something for your youngest kids: Funflatables has three rooms and 9,000 square feet for sliding, climbing, and bouncing—and it ensures an early bedtime, as it will certainly tire out your little ones. There is unlimited open play every day for one price, and a special toddler room. It is located inside a mall, so you can get your shopping done as well. If you would like a physical activity that the whole family can enjoy together, two walking trails wind through the Hoosier Prairie State Nature Preserve in nearby Griffith: the prairie marsh trail and the savannah trail. The area was a wasteland until the 1970s when conservation groups reclaimed it and created the wilderness you can enjoy today. Learn how prairie plants adapt to the fires that maintain their diversity and how ongoing restoration efforts work. If you are ready to eat again, then head for the Country Line Orchard in nearby Hobart, where you can walk through a corn maze, pick apples and pumpkins and enjoy some of the best apple doughnuts anywhere. A small petting area and shop round out the visit. Your teenagers may be looking for some excitement by now, and they will find it at Team Combat LIVE, a laser-tag facility in nearby Hobart offering two-hour sessions with a variety of missions. Both the missions and the quality of the equipment have been praised in reviews of the facility.
Merrillville is the place to go for family activities, whether you want walks through conservation land, visits to a farm with apple-picking, or laser tag missions. Choice Hotels in Merrillville, Indiana is sure to give you a great place to stay—and return to, when you find yourself exhausted from too much fun.