A Family Weekend in Lake County
A complete Saturday-to-Sunday itinerary for families exploring the best of the 219.
By Liz Rytel July 6, 2026 13 min read
A complete Saturday-to-Sunday itinerary for families exploring the best of the 219.
One of the best things about living in — or visiting — Lake County, Indiana is how much there is to do with kids. This isn't a place where you run out of options after an afternoon. Between Crown Point's walkable downtown and Farmers Market, Cedar Lake's waterfront fun, and the Indiana Dunes just 20 minutes east, you can fill an entire weekend without repeating a single activity. Here's the itinerary I'd give any family exploring the 219.
Downtown Crown Point · Bulldog Park · Cedar Lake
Start your weekend at the beloved Saturday morning Farmers Market (May–October). Fresh local produce, baked goods, artisan crafts, and live music set the tone for the day. Grab a coffee from Sip Coffee House or Steamwhistle Coffee Roasters while the kids sample fresh donuts.
Walk the historic downtown square — one of the most charming in Indiana. Browse boutiques, pop into shops, and let the kids check out the Lake County Courthouse lawn. The square is compact and walkable, with plenty of spots to stop for a treat.
Crown Point has a dozen family-friendly restaurants within walking distance of the square. Bombers BBQ is a hit with kids (and adults), Station 21 American Grill is great for a sit-down lunch, and Square Roots offers farm-to-table options for the more adventurous eaters in the family.
Bulldog Park is Crown Point's modern community park with a splash pad that kids love on warm days, an amphitheater, open green space for running around, and plenty of room to spread out. It's the kind of place where kids burn off energy while parents relax on the lawn.
Head 15 minutes southwest to Cedar Lake for beach time, swimming, and waterfront fun. The lake's public access areas are perfect for wading, throwing a ball, or just relaxing by the water. If you're hungry, the Lighthouse Restaurant offers waterfront dining with lake views.
End the day with dinner at a local favorite. Crown Brewing on the square has a family-friendly patio, or try Teibel's Family Restaurant in Schererville for a classic family dining tradition that's been going since 1929. If you stayed at Cedar Lake, the Lighthouse is perfect for a sunset dinner on the water.
Munster · Indiana Dunes National Park · Porter County
Start Sunday with Munster Donut — a 50+ year institution serving fresh old-fashioned donuts that are worth the early morning visit. Pair them with coffee from Just Be Coffee Roasters next door for the perfect family breakfast.
Head east to the Indiana Dunes — America's newest national park. West Beach is the most family-friendly option with lifeguards in season, a dramatic dune staircase, and a wide sandy beach on Lake Michigan. Kids love climbing the dunes, and the views of the Chicago skyline across the water are unforgettable.
Pack a lunch from the Farmers Market finds or grab something on the way. The Dunes have excellent picnic areas near West Beach, and eating lunch with the sound of Lake Michigan waves in the background is a quintessential Indiana Dunes experience.
Take a family-friendly hike through the Dunes. The Gilligan's Loop Trail is an easy 2-mile option through forest and dune habitat. For older kids, the 3 Dune Challenge at Indiana Dunes State Park is a more strenuous adventure with incredible panoramic views from the top.
Head home to Lake County for a relaxed evening. If the kids still have energy, Highland's Wicker Memorial Park has playgrounds and open fields. Or just settle in for a quiet night — sometimes the best family weekends end with pizza on the couch.
A family weekend is just the beginning. Lake County offers family-friendly activities in every season — here are the year-round highlights that keep families coming back:
Saturdays, May–October
Weekly family-friendly market with fresh produce, crafts, and community vibes.
Memorial Day–Labor Day
Bulldog Park splash pad in Crown Point, Wicker Park pool in Highland, and park district pools across the county.
Summer months
Highland's free outdoor concerts at Main Square Park are a family favorite — bring lawn chairs and blankets.
Year-round
Beach days in summer, fall color hikes in October, and quiet winter walks through the dune ecosystem.
November–December
Crown Point Christmas Walk, Highland Holiday Market, and family holiday programming at libraries and park districts.
Year-round
Soccer, baseball, basketball, and more through Crown Point, Munster, Highland, and Lake Central park districts.
Beyond the weekend itineraries, families who put down roots in Lake County consistently cite the same reasons they love it here:
Crown Point, Munster, and Lake Central (serving Dyer, Schererville, St. John) school corporations consistently rank among the top in Indiana. Compare every school district here.
A 4-bedroom family home in Lake County typically costs 30–50% less than a comparable home in the Chicago suburbs. That means more space, bigger yards, and better schools for your money.
Crown Point, Dyer, St. John, and Munster are among the safest communities in the region. Crown Point's downtown square is one of the most walkable areas in Northwest Indiana — a rarity in a suburban region.
From the Crown Point Christmas Walk to the Schererville Corn Festival to Highland's free summer concerts — this is a community that celebrates together. Families don't just live here; they belong here.
Common questions about family-friendly activities in Lake County, Indiana.
Absolutely. Lake County is one of the most family-friendly regions in Northwest Indiana, with top-rated school districts, safe neighborhoods, extensive park systems, splash pads, lake beaches, and a year-round calendar of family-oriented festivals and events. Towns like Crown Point, Munster, Dyer, and St. John consistently rank among the best family communities in Indiana.
Kids love the splash pad at Bulldog Park in Crown Point, swimming at Cedar Lake, hiking at the Indiana Dunes, the Crown Point Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, and the free outdoor concert series at Highland's Main Square Park. The Lake County Public Library system runs free programs for kids year-round, and park districts across the county offer youth sports, swim lessons, and nature programs.
Easily. A family could spend Saturday morning at the Crown Point Farmers Market, afternoon at Cedar Lake beach, and evening walking the downtown square for dinner. Sunday could be a trip to the Indiana Dunes for hiking and Lake Michigan beach time, or a visit to one of the many parks and playgrounds. Year-round, festivals and events keep the calendar full.
Yes — Bulldog Park in Crown Point has a popular splash pad, Wicker Memorial Park in Highland has a public swimming pool, and several park districts operate seasonal splash pads and aquatic centers. The Lake County Fairgrounds also host family events throughout the year.
The Crown Point Farmers Market runs every Saturday from May through October in downtown Crown Point. It's a family-friendly atmosphere with fresh local produce, baked goods, artisan crafts, live music, and a Saturday morning community vibe that kids and parents both enjoy. Arrive early for the best selection and grab breakfast from one of the nearby restaurants.
The Indiana Dunes National Park and State Park are about 20–30 minutes from most Lake County towns. From Crown Point it's approximately 30 minutes via I-65 and Route 20. West Beach in the national park is the most popular family beach with lifeguards, a dune staircase, and picnic facilities. It's a perfect Sunday day trip.
Lake County is where families put down roots and never look back. Let me help you find the right neighborhood for your crew.