Crown Point, the “Hub of Lake County,” is a charming Indiana town just 40 miles southeast of Chicago. Established in 1868, Crown Point is steeped in history and beauty, which is evident as you stroll its downtown square and visit some of the buildings. There are also plenty of modern developments and activities to keep you busy in this Indiana town. It’s home to popular annual events including the state’s second largest county fair, as well as the Corn Roast and Taste of Crown Point. There are also breweries, parks, entertainment venues, and more.
So if you’re planning an excursion to Crown Point, or if you live here and just want to get some new ideas for the weekend, we’ve compiled a list of the top things to do in this quaint town. Be sure to stay safe on the road whenever you plan a trip or event with the family, and let us know if we missed any of your favorite activities in Crown Point!
Take a Stroll Around Historic Downtown
Image via Flickr by jaygannett
The town of Crown Point was incorporated in 1868. Walking its downtown streets you will see a number of impressive buildings with historic charm. The most notable is the Lake County Courthouse, affectionately known as the “Grand Old Lady” by locals. Because Crown Point had no waiting period for marriage licenses originally, the Courthouse was also known as the “Marriage Mill” — famous people were married here, including Muhammad Ali, Rudolph Valentino, and Tom Mix.
If you appreciate history and architecture, then you can surely entertain yourself for a day of wandering amongst the Crown Point Courthouse Square Historic District. There are many significant buildings in downtown Crown Point, with the Courthouse, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Criminal Court, Lake County Jail, and the Neoclassical Bank. All had enough historic or architectural significance to be considered for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
Of course, Crown Point offers plenty of other entertainment as well. Downtown provides a variety of interesting shops and attractions. The Lake County Historical Society Museum, open from May to October, will entertain you with its rotating exhibits and artifacts showcasing the history of Lake County.
Visit a Local Watering Hole
A stroll through downtown is bound to build up your thirst, and what better way to quench it than by visiting one of the local breweries or bars? Right in downtown you’ll find Crown Brewing, which offers an impressive variety of drafts, as well as rotating seasonal and guest bottles. A bit further afield is Off Square Brewing, which features, in addition to its thirst-quenching beer selection, wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and more. If beer isn’t your thing, Manic Meadery offers mead, wine, and cider in nearly endless varieties. They are devoted to high quality products using unique ingredients.
There are also a variety of restaurants in downtown, covering a diverse culinary scale. From Spanish and Latin American cooking at Provecho, to Northern Italian specialties at Lucrezia Cafe, to unique fusion offerings at Square Roots, and many more, there’s something for everyone in Crown Point.
Catch a Festival or Parade
If you enjoy outdoor social events, Crown Point has you covered. Every year, the Lake County Agricultural Society hosts one of Indiana’s largest fairs, the Lake County Fair. Nearly endless stalls with fair food, rides, 4H displays, agricultural presentations, and carnival rides will welcome you to this family-friendly event.
2023 will be the 171st Fair, August 4 – 13! The Society was formed for one purpose, to put on the annual fair. Our attendance is always right around 200,000 for the 10-day fair, so this will be a blast of a time you won’t want to miss.
Weekly, you can catch the local Farmer’s Market at Bulldog Park in the heart of downtown Crown Point. This outdoor market hosts over 30 vendors with fresh food, preserves and pickles, flowers, and much more. If you’re a real foodie, check out the annual Taste of Crown Point, where local eateries offer tastes of their most popular dishes. Bulldog Park also hosts a Summer Concert Series and weekly classic car show on Thursdays from June to September.
If you enjoy craft beer, then the Crown Beer Fest is an absolute must. Celebrating its 11th annual event this year, the beer festival brings over 50 breweries sampling more than 200 beers. One ticket gets you unlimited tastings, so be sure to get a designated driver to enjoy this event. Food vendors and music will also keep you entertained at this iconic Crown Point event.
Other local events include classics such as a 4th of July Parade (complete with impressive fireworks display), Oktoberfest and St. Patrick’s Day (think corned beef and cabbage) festivities, New Year’s Eve Party, and more. There’s always something fun going on to entertain you in Crown Point.
Spend Time Outside with the Family
On a sunny day, there’s nothing better than spending quality time outside. Crown Point offers numerous outdoor adventures for friends and family. Sauerman Woods Park has easy trails through the woods and fields, a playground for the kids, basketball court, pond and gazebo. This is a lovely place to take a picnic or host an outdoor birthday party. For the more active, the Erie Lackawanna Trail connects Crown Point all the way to Hammond, with over 17 miles of paved and unpaved portions to keep you on your toes.
If you’re a golfer (either traditional or disc), Crown Point has you covered. For disc golf fans, Lemon Lake County Park has five impressive championship courses as well as hiking trails, an impressive playground, and picnic areas to entertain the rest. Or you could swing the clubs at Oak Knoll Golf Club, or White Hawk Country Club.
Stay Safe While Exploring Crown Point
Crown Point is a truly great base for exploring the South Shore, Lake County, and Chicago areas. You’re just a short drive away from Chicago when you’re staying in Crown Point. So if you decide to venture further, you can keep yourself endlessly entertained with this Lake County town as a home base.
Of course, accidents can happen, so be sure you keep the contact information for Alvarez Law Office saved in your phone for that extra peace of mind. Enjoy your time in Crown Point, and let us know if we missed any of your favorite things to do in this fun town!
The post Things To Do in Crown Point, IN appeared first on Alvarez Law Office | Injury Law Firm in Indiana and Illinois.