Visit Hammond Lake Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Hammond, Indiana: Discover the "Midtown at the Center for Performing Arts" and experience classical concerts, ballet and theatre. Near Chicago, but cheaper!
What makes Hammond sights so special is the unique mix of industrial history and sublime charm that you can hardly find in a guide that does not take yourself too seriously. I remember driving over the old steel factory of 1905 for the first time – a gray monstrum that today wears more graffiti than rust and still preserves a piece of the heart of the city. North Township, located in the heart of Lake County, was once the backbone of American steel production; Today it is a patch carpet made of residential blocks, small diocese and a few faded advertising boards that whisper from better times.
When you arrive by car, follow I‐90 until exit 2 and surprise you from the endless rows of warehouses – this is Hammond in its purest form. I like to take the South Shore Line from Chicago; The train ride is short, the view of the industrial silhouettes is unpaid, and you immediately feel that you don't just walk past a place but past a story.
A walk through the streets of North Township feels like walking through a lively museum curated by the residents themselves. I don't quite understand the hype around the big museums, but the small local cafés and the occasional pop-up art installations here are really great. And yes, if you ask yourself where to take your next breakfast, just ask a passerby – the answers are as diverse as the city itself.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through the rather inconspicuous but surprisingly charming North Township of Hammond – yes, exactly where most guides simply write “Hammond” and then scroll on. I have to admit, I was never the guy looking for a place because he's on a list; I follow the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of a squeaking railway, and this leads me directly to the first highlight: the historic Hammond Train Station. The old-worthy building from the 1920s seems to have just decided to hit the modern train. I once missed a train because I was too busy admiring the artistically carved wood details – a real pastime if you don't need the train.
A short walk further (and yes, parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem) To Horseshoe Casino. I don't quite understand the hype about gambling, but the huge aquarium in the entrance area is really great and lets you forget for a moment that you could just lose your money here. My friend tried to crack a slot there, and instead I tried the free buffet – no joke, the crabs were better than in some expensive restaurant by the lake.
If you have enough of the glamour of the casino, turn on the more vivid Hammond Civic Center. This place is the secret heart of the municipality, where local theatre performances, art exhibitions and occasionally a bit too loud karaoke nights take place. I was there at an improvisation show that was so bad that it became good again – a parade example that in Hammond people simply have fun, no matter what it looks like.
A little bit of nature? The Calumet Trail swells through the whole township and offers a perfect mix of flat cycle path and occasional views of old industrial plants that tell more history than any museum. I once watched a sunset there, while a tractor casually passed – that was almost poetic when one counts the sounds of squeaking brakes and the whipping of the birds.
Another piece “green” Oasis is Miller Park. Here, families, dog owners and one or other joggers meet, trying to escape everyday life. I made a picnic there with a friend who claimed he could find the best hot dogs in the city – then I just left him to grill because I rather enjoyed the view of the small lake.
For those who want to make a little culture, there is Hammond Museum of Art. It is not huge, but the changing exhibitions often show local artists that you never get to face. I remember an installation of recycled metal parts that told more about the industrial past of the city than any history book page. And yes, the museum is a real one Hammond Attractions-Spot if you are looking for something that is not just made of neon lights and slot machines.
At the end of my little tour, the path leads me back to the water – more precisely to the Hammond Lake, also lovingly called “Lake George”. The lake is not just a tropical paradise, but it has a quiet charm that invites you to stay. I rented a small rowing boat there that made more noise than an old diesel tractor, and yet it was a nice moment to just swing on the water and look at the skyline of North Township.
So, next time you drive over Indiana and think that Hammond is just another suburb, then think about these little, odd corners I have just shown you. Maybe you'll find something that makes you smile, or at least a good photo for Instagram that lets your friends believe you've traveled the whole world.
Find more vacation destinations near Hammond Lake Indiana using our map.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
