Merrillville

Merrillville can be explored from a variety of perspectives.

Trails and Parks in Merrillville

Merrillville’s parks and open-space system includes trails for hiking and biking. More than 20 parks are spread throughout the town. This provides a green, active focus for planning, without suggesting that all the parks or trails form one continuous area. If exercise is an important part of your trip, this trail network is one of Merrillville’s specific features you can consider.

The C&O Trail is undergoing a separate development: the Town of Merrillville’s trail project extends the existing trail 1.35 miles north. The Merrillville section runs north from the current trail terminus near Taft Street to just beyond Hendricks Street. These streets provide a reference for the route’s location. The extension is part of a project; once the C&O Trail projects are complete, the trail’s total length will be 5.5 miles. This projected total length should be distinguished from the section described in Merrillville.

History at the Museum and along the Sauk Trail

The Merrillville History Museum opened in 1996. It houses artifacts, historical photographs, and other treasures that tell the story of the region. Travelers who enjoy looking beyond a town’s present-day appearance can find their own connection to the area’s past here. The museum offers group or class tours, which must be arranged in advance. Groups planning a tour should therefore make arrangements as part of their preparation.

Another perspective on history can be found along the Sauk Trail. It was an important historic route in Merrillville; surviving sections include present-day 73rd Avenue. The museum and the historic trail trace represent different ways to engage with history: through artifacts and photographs at the museum, and through the connection to a historic route and a section that still bears its name along the Sauk Trail. This makes history a distinct theme alongside trails for recreational activities.

Shopping and Sweets

Southlake Mall is a shopping, dining, and entertainment center in Merrillville with more than 160 specialty stores. It offers a clear contrast with the parks and historic attractions: the focus here is on shopping, dining, and entertainment rather than hiking, biking, or local history. If you’d like to include these kinds of offerings in your trip, you can treat them as a separate focus alongside outdoor activities.

Another place to satisfy your sweet tooth is the Albanese Confectionery Factory Store. Its selection includes bulk candy, nostalgic sweets, nuts and mixes, gift items, gummy candy, and chocolate. The range includes everything from loose candy and mixes to chocolate and gifts. If your travel companions have different interests, you can include these treats and shopping among Merrillville’s historical and active attractions.

Which Vacation Rental Fits Your Travel Plans?

When choosing a vacation rental in Merrillville, you can first consider which of these aspects will shape your trip: the trails for hiking and biking, the history surrounding the museum and Sauk Trail, or the shopping and dining options. These themes can help you organize your ideas for your stay without limiting you to just one type of outing. If you’d like to combine several of them, you can plan to make room for outdoor activities, history, and treats during your trip.

For more destinations, you can also explore these places: Gary, Saint John, Griffith, Hobart, Cedar Lake, Munster, Hammond and Crown Point.

For the broader travel overview: Lake.