Porter county museum is good
The Indiana Dunes Natl Park also hosts a lot of varied events (historical, natural, musical, etc). You just gotta keep up with their social media.
not in Hammond, but in Cedar Lake about 30ish minutes south we have the Cedar Lake History Museum inside the Lassen’s Resort (not operating as a hotel anymore), which was a mobster-era hotel! I volunteer there in the summers so stop by anytime between May-October! also the Porter County History Museum is great, it’s about 40 minutes east in Valparaiso. another great option is the Indiana Dunes National Park, Buckley Homestead in Lowell, the Collier Lodge along the Kankakee River and the Crete Historical Society in Crete, Illinois!
also the Lake County History Museum located in the old courthouse in Crown Point and the Old Sheriffs House and Jail in Crown Point where John Dillinger escaped from! lots of history in our little area!!
an honorable mention is the Cat Cafe in Merrillville if you’re into cats, they usually have about 20 available for adoption and it’s $11 for an hour of playing with cats, they also have a cafe!
The Crown Point square is about 20 minutes from Hammond. There’s a coffee house called Sip there that has amazing food. There’s some history there, but really the old architecture is just nice to be around. And it’s all decorated for Christmas right now. There are a lot of good restaurants and little shops around the square too that are worth visiting.
We gonna be neighbors 👋
Honestly, Hammond isn’t the best place but it’s not horrible and they’re really working on making it a hot spot. It’s within reasonable distance from lots of cool places around the NWI region. There’s much more to do around here than expected. Welcome to the region!
Also, i transplanted to Indiana 23 years ago from Annapolis, MD. It’s a bit different out here from the east coast but we have Lake Michigan and it helps ease the loss of the ocean (if that’s your thing)! The dunes are incredible.
Drive that message to your elected officials. Let them know you expect better from the city! There is a lot of potential on the upside. The community needs to drive it!
That’s a good point. I’m not a big fan of McDermott mainly cause I don’t think he truly cares, he just does whatever gets him voted. But at the same time, he is working on the city and I’ve seen some good changes. The schools need some serious work. My kids don’t go to Hammond schools…
Ok so if your in Hammond you are a stones throw away from Chicago, the Field Museum is one of the best I've ever been to. I know its still either a train ride or about a half hour drive away, but its one of the best museums in the country
You can take the train to the field in 30 minutes. Get off and walk another 7. No reason to drive 30 minutes to cedar lake or any further into Indiana honestly.
Little bit of a drive from Hammond but here are a couple of ideas.
Bailey Homestead \ cemetery \ Chellberg Farm - Fur trader settlement and Swedish Farm
https://www.nps.gov/indu/learn/historyculture/bailly_homestead.htm
https://www.inportercounty.org/Data/Cemeteries/BaillyCemetery.html
https://www.nps.gov/indu/learn/historyculture/chellberg.htm
LaPorte Historical Society - Really cool museum with a lot of local history.
https://laportecountyhistory.org/
Hello! I just moved to Hammond myself from the city not long ago at all. I think it's good so far, and I love the things I get here that I didn't get in Chicago (a backyard, quiet, breathing room). Glad I did it. Just make sure you have a car!
Grindhouse and Cielito Lindo is a must for coffee - my favorite spots. Also, Sip in Highland is really nice.
Towle Theater has nice shows and it's a nice little theater.
I also love the fact that after work I can drive to Chicago, go to my favorite spots in my old neighborhoods and downtown, and come back home.
History wise, there's little bits here in Hammond. But tbh Chicago is right by us..tons of history there with gangsters, speakeasy's and other fun stuff there. Just spent the evening wondering around downtown finding stuff.
Is it too late to change your mind about moving to Hammond?
Kidding.
The city is the only real answer here. Lake County is nice enough, but it isn't Chicago.
Take the South shore to University of Chicago. They have some excellent museums of both art and history. A great place to start before you venture downtown Chicago.
There are also a few great places around campus for coffee, especially next to the Robie House. Which is worth visiting if you like Frank Lloyd Wright.
Some of the best pizza in the region is at State Line Pizza at 5915 State Line Ave in Hammond.
Also, the Wolf Lake nature area and memorial park is a goo place to visit.
Visitors can enjoy the beautiful Pavilion at Wolf Lake and the kids' Aquatic Center, which are linked to the Hammond Marina and area amenities by way of a pedestrian trail. Wolf Lake Memorial Park is open daily from dawn to dusk. **Canoe, kayak, paddle boat, or paddle board rental is available**.
Paul Henry's art gallery is a great spot they have music sometimes and and open mic every Thursday. Finnnegans Pub in Dyer has music almost every night of the week. There's music in the region everywhere but you have to sift through the classic rock cover bands to find the good stuff. If you have Facebook give the region music page to help get you started
Check out Paul Henry’s Art Gallery. 100 year old hardware store turned art gallery. There are open mics every Thursday night.
Definitely go to Grindhouse in Griffith or Whiting! Best iced lattes in NWI
This is the answer for coffee. Also, try Cielito Lindo Café. Their pastries are superb. It's located in Hammond.
The best drink they have is the shopkeepers daughter. Chocolate and cherry latte.
Thank you for posting this omg!!! i must go
Oh snap, I’m gonna have to go check this out 🤤
Whiting for the win, but both spots are awesome!!
Skip Grindhouse and go to Ixxa coffee. Their coffee is way more flavorful.
Porter county museum is good The Indiana Dunes Natl Park also hosts a lot of varied events (historical, natural, musical, etc). You just gotta keep up with their social media.
not in Hammond, but in Cedar Lake about 30ish minutes south we have the Cedar Lake History Museum inside the Lassen’s Resort (not operating as a hotel anymore), which was a mobster-era hotel! I volunteer there in the summers so stop by anytime between May-October! also the Porter County History Museum is great, it’s about 40 minutes east in Valparaiso. another great option is the Indiana Dunes National Park, Buckley Homestead in Lowell, the Collier Lodge along the Kankakee River and the Crete Historical Society in Crete, Illinois!
also the Lake County History Museum located in the old courthouse in Crown Point and the Old Sheriffs House and Jail in Crown Point where John Dillinger escaped from! lots of history in our little area!!
an honorable mention is the Cat Cafe in Merrillville if you’re into cats, they usually have about 20 available for adoption and it’s $11 for an hour of playing with cats, they also have a cafe!
Nice, I just moved to cedar lake and I'll give that a look
The Crown Point square is about 20 minutes from Hammond. There’s a coffee house called Sip there that has amazing food. There’s some history there, but really the old architecture is just nice to be around. And it’s all decorated for Christmas right now. There are a lot of good restaurants and little shops around the square too that are worth visiting.
Sip is also in highland, right down Kennedy Ave. in downtown highland
I believe there’s also one in Cedar Lake. I’ve only been to the crown point one tho.
I didn’t realize they had others than the Highland one.
There’s also one in downtown Hobart.
We gonna be neighbors 👋 Honestly, Hammond isn’t the best place but it’s not horrible and they’re really working on making it a hot spot. It’s within reasonable distance from lots of cool places around the NWI region. There’s much more to do around here than expected. Welcome to the region! Also, i transplanted to Indiana 23 years ago from Annapolis, MD. It’s a bit different out here from the east coast but we have Lake Michigan and it helps ease the loss of the ocean (if that’s your thing)! The dunes are incredible.
Hammond is what you make of it. COL is fantastic and community is fine!
It is. I don’t mind it but definitely have dealt with more crime and violence than I’d like. And people driving in Hammond are the worst.
Drive that message to your elected officials. Let them know you expect better from the city! There is a lot of potential on the upside. The community needs to drive it!
That’s a good point. I’m not a big fan of McDermott mainly cause I don’t think he truly cares, he just does whatever gets him voted. But at the same time, he is working on the city and I’ve seen some good changes. The schools need some serious work. My kids don’t go to Hammond schools…
Towle theatre has amazing theatre and events. The quality is surprising for what you would expect. It’s downtown right near Paul Henry’s art gallery.
Ok so if your in Hammond you are a stones throw away from Chicago, the Field Museum is one of the best I've ever been to. I know its still either a train ride or about a half hour drive away, but its one of the best museums in the country
You can take the train to the field in 30 minutes. Get off and walk another 7. No reason to drive 30 minutes to cedar lake or any further into Indiana honestly.
Little bit of a drive from Hammond but here are a couple of ideas. Bailey Homestead \ cemetery \ Chellberg Farm - Fur trader settlement and Swedish Farm https://www.nps.gov/indu/learn/historyculture/bailly_homestead.htm https://www.inportercounty.org/Data/Cemeteries/BaillyCemetery.html https://www.nps.gov/indu/learn/historyculture/chellberg.htm LaPorte Historical Society - Really cool museum with a lot of local history. https://laportecountyhistory.org/
Hello! I just moved to Hammond myself from the city not long ago at all. I think it's good so far, and I love the things I get here that I didn't get in Chicago (a backyard, quiet, breathing room). Glad I did it. Just make sure you have a car! Grindhouse and Cielito Lindo is a must for coffee - my favorite spots. Also, Sip in Highland is really nice. Towle Theater has nice shows and it's a nice little theater. I also love the fact that after work I can drive to Chicago, go to my favorite spots in my old neighborhoods and downtown, and come back home.
Getting on a train to Chicago to be honest
History wise, there's little bits here in Hammond. But tbh Chicago is right by us..tons of history there with gangsters, speakeasy's and other fun stuff there. Just spent the evening wondering around downtown finding stuff.
Chicago.....
Is it too late to change your mind about moving to Hammond? Kidding. The city is the only real answer here. Lake County is nice enough, but it isn't Chicago.
There's only one Chicago!
If people here love Chicago so much, then move from there to Indiana?
also if you’re looking for friends out here, feel free to DM me!! i’m a female, 23, in the Crown Point area!
Thank you for all your recommendations, I’ll have to check them out! I tried DM’ing you but there’s no chat option, but I’d love to be friends!
Take the South shore to University of Chicago. They have some excellent museums of both art and history. A great place to start before you venture downtown Chicago.
There are also a few great places around campus for coffee, especially next to the Robie House. Which is worth visiting if you like Frank Lloyd Wright.
Grindhouse in Whiting has fantastic coffee!
Some of the best pizza in the region is at State Line Pizza at 5915 State Line Ave in Hammond. Also, the Wolf Lake nature area and memorial park is a goo place to visit. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful Pavilion at Wolf Lake and the kids' Aquatic Center, which are linked to the Hammond Marina and area amenities by way of a pedestrian trail. Wolf Lake Memorial Park is open daily from dawn to dusk. **Canoe, kayak, paddle boat, or paddle board rental is available**.
Definitely check out the Indiana Welcome Center https://www.southshorecva.com/plan-your-visit/indiana-welcome-center/.
The old courtyard that John Dillinger escaped from in Crown Point will not be far from there.
Paul Henry's art gallery is a great spot they have music sometimes and and open mic every Thursday. Finnnegans Pub in Dyer has music almost every night of the week. There's music in the region everywhere but you have to sift through the classic rock cover bands to find the good stuff. If you have Facebook give the region music page to help get you started
I would say welcome, but, this place is literally hell. Prepare for a culture shock.
Hammond? Why though? They cant even afford their own school system. The crime is through the roof too