Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Crown Point, Indiana

Should you have the opportunity to create an exemplary historic downtown area, it might resemble the heart of Lake County in Northwest Indiana.

The preserved core of this city revolves around an impressive courthouse constructed in 1880, with surrounding retro brick storefronts housing family-owned shops offering unique gifts and souvenirs.

Just a short block away is Crown Point’s hub for community activities, which accommodates a farmers’ market, weekly summer concerts, seasonal festivals, and an NHL-sized ice rink during the winter months.

Crown Point also holds its share of historical intrigue, including notable figure John Dillinger, who famously escaped from this supposedly “escape-proof” jail in 1934. Visitors can tour his original cell at the Lake County Sheriff’s House and Jail.

1. Downtown Crown Point

Compact and navigable by foot, Crown Point features an attractive downtown with notable architectural structures. Much of this area is centered around the Courthouse Square, preserved as a historic district.

The architecture found here, including the splendid Lake County Historic Courthouse (1880), reflects a period of expansion in Crown Point during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In addition to the charming storefronts lining the north, east, and south sides of the square, one should also take note of the Lake County Criminal Court (c. 1920), the Masonic Temple (c. 1920), the Carnegie Library (1908), and the Peoples Bank Building (1915).

This district is home to a remarkable number of quaint, independently-operated stores offering gifts, toys, collectibles, jewelry, home décor, and antiques.

2. Lake County Historic Courthouse

Endearingly called the Grand Old Lady, this exquisite courthouse forms the centerpiece of the downtown area and was inaugurated in 1880.

Architecturally eclectic, the building showcases Romanesque Revival features such as round arch windows, combined with Greek Revival elements in its pediments, cornices, and capitals.

The distinctive three towers were added later, in 1908, adorned with white finials and a flagpole. The courthouse now houses offices, diverse retail stores, a restaurant, the chamber of commerce, a city court, and a museum.

This landmark is cherished by the community and was, at one point, at risk of demolition until it was preserved by committed local advocates, earning its place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

3. Lake County Sheriff’s House and Jail

This impressive Second Empire-style structure was completed in 1882 and served as the sheriff’s residence until the 1950s, and as the jail until 1974.

Visually striking, the building features a mansard roof, a corbeled central tower, and a spacious porch supported by Tuscan columns.

The establishment garnered national attention in early 1934 when John Dillinger was incarcerated here, only to escape shortly thereafter on March 3. This property was subsequently added to the National Register of Historic Places and is open for guided tours on Thursdays and Saturdays, from May until late September.

During the tour, a historian will lead you through the sheriff’s house, restored to its early 20th-century grandeur, providing insights into the jail’s operations, and allowing you to view the cell that once confined John Dillinger.

4. Lake County Historical Museum

Visitors to Crown Point between May and October should allocate time for the museum located on the second floor of the Old Lake Courthouse. Established in 1982, the historical society overseeing the museum has roots dating back to 1875.

Within, guests can explore four rooms rich in 200 years of history. One notable preserved room is the Clerk’s Office.

For many years, Crown Point earned the nickname “Marriage Mill” due to the expedited processing of marriage licenses, attracting numerous famous individuals, including Cassius Clay, Rudolph Valentino, Colleen Moore, and Tom Mix, all of whom obtained their licenses in this very room.

Additively, one entire room is dedicated to the county’s agricultural history, complemented by an impressive collection of artifacts, ranging from militaria to clothing, household appliances, toys, musical instruments, tools, and much more.

5. Deep River Waterpark

Crown Point is home to one of the Midwest’s largest summer water parks. Managed by Lake County Parks and Recreation, Deep River Waterpark offers 14 distinct attractions, including a wave pool, lazy river, a play zone for younger children, a courthouse-themed water play structure, and a variety of rides catering to all preferences.

Attractions include the Kraken six-lane slide racer, the Storm ride complex, Cannon Bowl rides, and several speed slides. Unlike many water parks, this venue allows visitors to bring their own refreshments.

In winter, visitors can enjoy a 14,500-square-foot skating rink, with skate rentals and concessions available.

6. Bulldog Park

Bulldog Park serves as the primary public park for downtown Crown Point, located just a block away from Courthouse Square. It features a recreation center, spacious pavilion, and an amphitheater, making it a popular venue for community events.

The farmers’ market takes place here on Saturdays during the summer, accompanied by a range of other events, including a free Summer Concert Series, cruise nights, and the Taste of Crown Point held in July, where visitors can sample some of the finest food and beverages the city has to offer.

Bulldog Park is a year-round destination for families, featuring a splash pad for children during the summer and an NHL-sized hockey rink in winter.

7. Erie Lackawanna Trail

Crown Point is located at the southern end of the longest off-road trail in Northwest Indiana, which stretches as far as Hammond. The Erie Lackawanna Trail spans over 17 miles on the right-of-way of a once-important freight railroad that ceased operations in the 1980s.

This multi-use path traverses six communities within Lake County, including four downtown districts, and has been developed progressively since the mid-1990s, providing a pleasant and family-friendly journey with numerous points of interest along the way.

Notably, this trail offers an excellent opportunity to explore six local brewpubs and craft breweries without the need for a car, and there is a plentiful supply of parks and nature preserves along the route for shaded breaks during the summer months.

8. Crown Point Farmers’ Market

The spacious pavilion at Bulldog Park, situated a short distance from Courthouse Square, hosts Crown Point’s farmers’ market. This lively community gathering occurs every Saturday morning from June through September.

On a typical market day, more than 40 vendors participate, offering freshly harvested fruits and vegetables, herbs, plants, flowers, artisanal pickles, cheeses, crafts, and a rotating selection of prepared foods.

Live music often accompanies the market atmosphere, making it a great family outing where visitors can enjoy the splash pad provided at Bulldog Park.

9. Crown Brewing

Located just southeast of Courthouse Square, this craft brewery revives a historic brewing tradition in Crown Point. Crown Brewing opened its doors in 2008, adopting the name of an older brewery operating in the city long ago.

The original Crown Brewing was the largest brewery in the Chicago area at the dawn of the 20th century, producing 30,000 barrels annually before ceasing operations in 1916.

Easily identifiable by its tall chimney adjacent to the Lake County Sheriff’s House & Jail, the new Crown Brewing specializes in English-style beers, including Porters and Brown Ales.

The signature offerings include Industrial Porter, Dude Java Porter, Mayzie Cream Ale, Beauregard Blue, and Special Forces IPA, complemented by a variety of seasonal brews, guest beers, and wines. The menu includes an extensive selection of food, with a highlight being fresh-baked pizza from Carriage Court Pizza located next door.

10. Antique Shopping

Recently, Crown Point has developed into a paradise for bargain hunters, where one can spend hours exploring treasures ranging from historical furniture to collectibles and retro home goods. Many of these shops are conveniently located on or near Courthouse Square.

While compiling this article, notable establishments included On the Square Antique Emporium (116 S. Main St), Blue Ribbon Vintage (111 W Joliet St), Orangehaus Company (112 ½ S Main St), and Antique Vault & Records (14 Courthouse Square).

There are also two significant antique malls located just a short distance from the square: Antiques on Main (142 N Main St) and Crown Antiques (545 E 110th Ave), a mere five-minute drive east of downtown.

11. Lemon Lake County Park

Covering more than 400 acres, Lemon Lake County Park, located ten minutes southwest of downtown Crown Point, was the first park established in Lake County when it opened in 1972.

For enthusiasts of disc golf, this park is especially appealing, featuring five well-maintained courses. If you are new to the sport, there is a pro shop available to assist you.

Additional amenities include a beautifully designed playground, a sledding hill for winter, two sand volleyball courts, picnic areas, fishing ponds, and an open field for recreational activities.

12. Crown Point Sportsplex

Located just east of downtown, the Crown Point Sportsplex stands as a massive complex managed by the city’s parks and recreation department and serves as a hub for sports and events in the area.

Predominantly focused on baseball and softball, the Crown Point Sportsplex features three 300-foot fields, one of which is designed as a championship facility outfitted with a public address system, stadium seating for 750 spectators, and an observation deck.

Additionally, the complex has six lighted diamonds with skinned infields and two lighted turf fields suitable for soccer, football, and lacrosse, all complete with bleacher seating and scoreboards. There is also a concessions stand, batting cages, and a playground, while the Crown Point Skate Park is conveniently nearby.

13. Oak Knoll Golf Club

Established in 1925, this esteemed public golf course is situated less than a mile west of downtown Crown Point.

Oak Knoll is particularly noted for its accessibility; with wide fairways, even terrain, and a straightforward layout, the course accommodates players of all ages and abilities.

The course includes two drivable par 4s, while the most challenging holes require precision on the approach to smaller greens.

Moreover, Oak Knoll is highly affordable; as of this writing, one could play 18 holes with a cart for as low as $25.

14. Lake County Fair

Situated in southern Crown Point, the expansive Lake County Fairgrounds provide a scenic venue featuring beautiful brick exhibition buildings, a historic grandstand, a fishing lake, a covered bridge, wooded hills, and winding pathways.

The fairgrounds are open year-round and host a diverse array of events and trade shows. However, the annual highlight remains the Lake County Fair itself, an event with origins dating back to 1852 and typically held over ten days in early August.

This fair is the second-largest in the state and offers an action-packed schedule that includes a carnival area with over 30 rides, a complimentary petting zoo, a wide selection of food and beverage vendors, agricultural displays, equestrian events, and monster truck shows.

15. Crown Point Bridge

This historic covered bridge located at the fairgrounds merits closer inspection. Originally built in 1878 over the Flatrock River approximately 200 miles away at Milroy in Rush County, the bridge became obsolete due to highway improvements conducted in the 1930s.

A preservation effort subsequently led to the dismantling of the bridge, which was then relocated to a gully at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

Featuring a single-span burr arch truss, the bridge measures 105 feet in length with an impressive ten-foot portal at each end.