Indiana Beach

My family used to go here all the time when I was a kid. It's not the biggest place or the greatest place in the world but we still had a lot of fun. It doesn't take much for kids to have fun though.

When I was a kid I used to go to Indiana Beach - this was 15 years ago. It was always a pit. Not such a great place. I don't know if it has been fixed up since then, but my plans include never to return to Indiana Beach.

My suggestion is there is a fantastic water park in Merrilville,Indiana right at the border of Illinois and Indy - just take 65 down. Very clean and nice. Good hotels there too. Closer than Indiana Beach.

Good luck!

S

The whole family LOVES Indiana Beach! The kids insist on going for a weekend each summer.
We love the retro feel of the boardwalk & we always eat corndogs & elephant ears~yum! I have found some of our favorite swimsuits at the beachwear shop.
We have been going there since before children~30 years!
We usually stay in our camper at Jellystone Park but have stayed at the Pinewiew Motel, too. There is also a brand new Best Western.
One drawback is I would avoid wearing white on the beach~the sand & water tends to leave a brown stain.
Your little guy will have a blast & so will you!

Hi There -

My family and I have been there several times because, as I always say, it's "cheap, cheesy & fun". It is not the cleanest spot on the planet but the kids sure enjoy it and don't care. There are hotels/motels on the street leading to the beach & boardwalk - again, none of them is anywhere close to the "4 Star" rating, but you're not there to spend time at the motel. Don't get me wrong, the rooms aren't disgusting or anything, just not something you'd want to spend an extended amount of time at. The beach & boardwalk are what I assume Coney Island would be like - rides, rides, rides (both little kid & big kid rides), arcade games, funnel cakes, a water show, tourist shops - actually, it's like going to a village carnival/festival, only on a larger scale. We've never actually gone to the beach end because the motels have pools, so I can't comment on the water-park end but I've seen it and it looks fun. Your best bet, if you can, is to go during the week. The weekends get really crowded with groups that are bused in - church groups, youth groups, etc. We always go on a Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday. In fact, we'll be there only Tuesday and Wednesday this year on August 5 & 6. So if you're not overly concerned about the place being "pristine", then I'm sure your kids would have a great time.

I would recommend Key Lime Cove Resort in Gurnee. It is indoor and you could keep track of the little ones. Go to the Lake County website to book your reservation. They have some really good deals. Better than the key lime website.

Have a fun birthday.

Grandma con here, our family went to indiana beach for about twenty years, three children, youngest was about three when we first went. Now they are all moved out and on their own. They have some wonderful memories of their vacations there and i am sure they will vacation with their kids, when they are old enough. The youngest one already took her husband there a couple of years ago (i dont think he was too impressed) but thats life. We always rented a cottage for a week or sometimes two. They have many things there to enjoy.look them up on the web. Its really better if kids are a little older, but so what. I myself used to love to play the games on the boardwalk. Ib is really a great place for a weekend or more of fun. Wish i was young enough to go back and enjoy it all over again. Grandma con

I haven't been to Indiana Beach, but another idea is Grizzly Jacks Resort in Utica, IL right by Starved Rock State Park about 1 and half hours from Chicago. They have a website grizzlyjacksresort.com. We went there for my son's 10th birthday and stayed in a log cabin big enough for everyone. They have an amusement park and tons of kids activities going on along with the water park of course. Also, Starved Rock is one of the prettiest state parks in IL and just 5 minutes away.

Hi J.,

We went for the first time last summer and had a ball. Our son was 3 last summer and really enjoyed the kiddie rides, train ride and the splash park. We also rented a boat one day and road around Lake Shaffer.
We stayed at Bay Pointe Resort which is small cabins. It was very nice. The manager, Mike is so nice. Check out their web site baypointemonticello.com. The place looks exactly like it does on the website.
We are going back again in August. We rented a house on the lake this time.
Hope this helped.

Hi!
I've never been to Indiana Beach, but was just giving a suggestion of Key Lime Cove. My husband and I brought our 3 1/2 year old there and she just loved it. They offer many activities for children. The lodging was very nice. The only thing is that everything is indoors. But i do highly recommend Key Lime Cove in Gurnee. Compared to Timber Ridge it's allot nicer and they have more to do, but like i said everything is indoors.

I have not been to Indiana beach in many years but the last time I was there it was not that great. The area is not that clean or kid friendly. Since your son is only three I would try and find a hotel with a nice pool and maybe some fun things close by. Holidome's have nice pool area's and game rooms. Woodridge has a nice waterperk called Cypress Cove. Very nice for the little ones. Maybe even look for a hotel by Brookfield zoo with a pool/ Then you would have the zoo and kiddieland to go to. Good Luck

I don't know about Indiana Beach, but I have a friend who has gone to Utica, Illinois to a waterpark near Starved Rock State Park and her family really liked it.
www.grizzlyjacksresort.com