Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Hobart, Indiana

Bordered by agricultural land in Northwest Indiana, Hobart is a city characterized by its attractive location on the shores of Lake George.

The downtown area of Hobart is conducive to walking, bordered by Lakefront Park, providing a picturesque waterfront for leisurely strolls following shopping and dining experiences.

During the summer months, Hobart frequently hosts a variety of events, particularly at Festival Park, situated by the water. Events often include farmers’ markets, live music, and outdoor film screenings.

Just a short distance from downtown Hobart, the landscape transitions into a rural setting, offering a selection of U-Pick farms and a nearby bison farm within minutes.

1. Deep River County Park

Located to the southeast of Hobart, the expansive 1,362-acre Deep River County Park encompasses a variety of areas on either side of U.S. Highway 30.

Among the park’s notable features is Wood’s Historic Grist Mill, built between 1837 and 1838, representing the first industry established in Lake County. From May to October, visitors may observe cornmeal production using traditional grindstones.

Adjacent to the mill is the Deep River Visitor Center, situated in a church that dates back to 1904. In the summer, visitors can also enjoy watching the Deep River Grinders baseball team, which is discussed later.

Moreover, the Deep River Water Park is available from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, recognized as one of the largest public water parks in the United States.

2. Lakefront Park

Hobart has invested significantly in enhancing this waterfront park over the years, improving the walkway that meanders along the eastern shore of Lake George. This area is arguably the most picturesque location, particularly at sunset over the lake.

Lakefront Park is conveniently located next to the downtown public library, featuring a small pier complete with a gazebo and seating areas.

If you are planning to enjoy a meal in Hobart, Lakefront Park serves as an ideal location for a refreshing walk. A covered bridge at the north end connects to Festival Park, the venue for numerous outdoor events.

3. Downtown Hobart

At the intersection of Main Street and 3rd Street, downtown Hobart presents a vibrant atmosphere within a compact area. Featuring rows of historic brick storefronts, this locale is ideal for exploration on foot.

Everything is easily accessible within a block or two, with Main Street adorned with vintage streetlights, hanging flower baskets, and benches for observing the daily life of this charming town.

Main Street showcases an eclectic mix of small businesses, ranging from record shops and coin dealers to used bookstores and craft supply stores.

Additionally, you will find a noteworthy variety of dining options; from breakfast spots including Cafe 339, to various cuisines like Mexican (El Capitan), Caribbean (Montego Bay Grille), Gyros (Brickies), and contemporary American (Granger’s at the Tower). The Librarium Cafe offers a delightful board game experience.

4. Festival Park

Only a short distance across the dam from downtown Hobart, Festival Park serves as a picturesque venue for community gatherings. As its name suggests, this location hosts a continuous array of festivals and outdoor events throughout the summer.

A notable event is the Lakefront Festival occurring in August, while the Summer Market on the Lake every Thursday coincides with a concert series at the bandshell.

Furthermore, on Thursdays during June and July, the park presents Movies in the Park, screening both new and classic family-friendly films.

Among its other amenities, Festival Park features a boat dock, a canoe launch, a covered bridge at the dam, fishing spots along the lake, various picnic areas, a playground, and a community center.

5. Indiana Dunes National Park (Hobart Prairie Grove)

On the southwest shore of Lake George lies a segment of Indiana Dunes National Park, which encompasses 15,350 acres along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

The Hobart Prairie Grove, a unique 300-acre section of this park, features a rich diversity of forested ravines, offering stunning views overlooking the lake.

More than 340 native plant species have been documented at this preserve, attributable to its distinct soil composition containing approximately 70% silt and clay.

You can explore Hobart Prairie Grove via a 1.1-mile trail, accessible from downtown Hobart without the need for a vehicle via the Oak Savannah Trail. This path extends nine miles, passing just south of downtown, with two miles managed by the National Park Service.

6. County Line Orchard

A benefit of the expansive Midwestern landscape is the availability of attractions such as County Line Orchard. During the harvest season, this farm combines U-Pick opportunities with entertainment, quality food, and family-friendly activities.

Guests can choose from over 30 varieties of apples, as well as sunflowers and pumpkins. An intriguing feature includes the bee yurts, which allow visitors to observe the hive closely.

The orchard also offers a corn maze, a children’s farm, a stage for live performances, and the Moo Choo ride for a scenic exploration of the grounds.

You can find unique handcrafted items at the Gift Loft, alongside delicious seasonal culinary offerings, including the famous apple and pumpkin donuts available at the bakery.

7. Art Theatre

An eye-catching establishment on Main Street, the Art Theatre, constructed in 1941 in the Art Deco style, originally served as a cinema and has since evolved into a versatile performing arts venue, accommodating live music, comedy shows, film screenings, and various special events.

With a capacity of 400 seats, the auditorium is equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system and routinely features artists and bands from the hard rock and metal genres.

Notable performances at the Art Theatre include acts by Insane Clown Posse, Omar Apollo, and Riff Raff, as well as comedic performances from Chris Kattan, Tim Meadows, and Christopher Titus.

8. Johnson’s Farm Produce

Another excellent agritourism destination in Hobart, Johnson’s Farm Produce integrates a garden center, U-Pick opportunities, a farm market, and family-oriented activities all within one location.

Operational from spring through fall, this farm features extensive fields for picking strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and more, with information on what is currently in season communicated via their website.

The farm market highlights produce cultivated on-site, ensured to be free of genetically modified organisms, which should please food provenance enthusiasts.

To complement the picking season, Johnson’s Farm hosts Fun Farm Weekends, featuring a wide array of activities including hayrides, pedal carts, a petting zoo, and even duck races, among many others.

9. Summer Market on the Lake

A cherished tradition spanning over a decade, the Summer Market on the Lake takes place at Festival Park during the summer months. Held every Thursday from June to August between 4 PM and 9 PM, this lively farmers’ market attracts numerous vendors and cultivates a vibrant atmosphere.

Visitors can find fresh produce, plants, flowers, baked goods, specialty food items, ethnic ingredients, cosmetics, and an extensive selection of handmade crafts.

For those seeking prepared food options, choices abound, with offerings like nachos, pretzels, kettle corn, hot dogs, Italian ice cream, and more. There is also a craft beer garden and a children’s crafting area.

Moreover, live music is featured weekly at the bandshell, with a schedule available on the city’s website.

10. Albanese Candy Factory Outlet

A localized mini-empire, Albanese Candy operates from its headquarters in Merrillville but expanded significantly with a large factory and outlet store in Hobart in 2004.

Further expansion occurred in 2017 with an investment totaling $33 million. Renowned for its gummi bears, the company was established by Scott Albanese, commencing as a modest operation in 1983.

Today, Albanese Candy distributes products to 41 countries and processes over 300,000 pounds of gummi bears each day.

Visitors can embark on a brief self-guided tour for a behind-the-scenes glimpse. The outlet offers the complete range of Albanese Candy products, featuring unique shapes such as Army Guys and Gummi Rainforest Frogs, along with chocolate delicacies including Dark Chocolate Mint Meltaways and Milk Chocolate Pecan Patties.

Tourists may be fortunate enough to discover bags of Gummi Goof-Ups, which are irregular gummies available at a discount while maintaining their taste integrity.

11. Cressmoor Prairie Nature Preserve

In the northern section of Hobart lies a small yet exceptionally rare area of black-soil prairie, a landscape that is uncommon elsewhere in Indiana.

As you explore Cressmoor Prairie Nature Preserve, you will encounter remnants of the grasslands that greeted early settlers in the Midwest, often characterized by towering grasses reaching heights of up to eight feet.

The prairie’s beauty is particularly striking in late summer when wildflowers are in full bloom. The preserve is home to five insect species and ten threatened plant species within Indiana.

Moreover, Monarch butterflies frequently pass through this area on their long migration journey south to Mexico’s Central Highlands.

12. Broken Wagon Bison

This facility is home to North America’s largest native land mammal, which roams semi-freely at this farm in Hobart.

During a guided tour at Broken Wagon Bison, you can envision the historical landscape from approximately 200 years ago, as you find yourself surrounded by a herd of 100 bison.

The largest males weigh up to a ton, and witnessing the herd’s sudden movement provides a unique experience, as it will reverberate through the ground beneath you.

From June to September, public tours are available at Broken Wagon Bison, occurring at 11 AM and 2 PM. This site also operates as a commercial farm producing grass-fed bison meat, leather goods, and hides.

13. Lakefront Festival

If you must choose an ideal time to visit Hobart, consider the third weekend in August for this vibrant annual celebration.

From Thursday to Sunday, the Lakefront Festival offers an array of unique events, such as a cardboard and duct tape boat race on Friday and the dam duck race on Sunday.

This lively festival features several live music performances daily, alongside food vendors, an arts and crafts area, car shows, numerous activities for children, and a beer garden.

14. Deep River Grinders Baseball

The Deep River Grinders offer not just a sporting experience but also a glimpse into history, as the team operates under the original 37 rules from 1858.

From May to October, the Grinders host their home games on Sundays at Deep River County Park, competing against teams with evocative names such as the Elkhart Railroaders and the Dayton Clodbusters.

Grinder Field often attracts crowds exceeding 200, captivated by the sportsmanship and community spirit embodied in the game.

Distinctions from modern baseball include an absence of balls or strikes and a flexible shortstop position that allows them to play anywhere on the field.

15. Team Combat Hobart

The premier tactical laser tag facility in Northwest Indiana is situated here in Hobart. The term “laser tag” underrepresents the experience, as the system implemented is utilized by the Army National Guard, SWAT teams, the U.S. Navy, and the Drug Enforcement Agency.

While this isn’t an average laser tag experience, it remains accessible for all, requiring minimal skills and no prior athletic proficiency.

Equipped with military-grade apparatus, Team Combat provides six objective-based missions within a fully immersive environment enhanced by interactive elements, sound, and lighting.

Sessions last 40 minutes, consisting of four rounds of six-minute missions guided by battle-trained personnel for strategic support.