The Best Family-Friendly Things to Do Near Long Lake Memories

One of the best parts of a family stay at Long Lake Memories is that you don’t have to travel far to find something everyone will enjoy. Within about 20 minutes of the house, you’ll find playgrounds and parks, mini golf and bowling, downtown activities and plenty of places to grab a meal with the whole crew.

And, of course, some of the best family days happen without leaving Long Lake at all.

Whether you’re looking for a way to spend a few hours away from the house, need a rainy-day backup plan or are trying to figure out where to take a big group for dinner, here are some of our favorite family-friendly things to do around Valparaiso.

Get Outside

Rogers-Lakewood Park

Just a short drive from Long Lake Memories, Rogers-Lakewood Park is an easy choice when the kids need somewhere to run around. The park has a large playground, walking trails, picnic areas, fishing and plenty of open space to explore.

It’s especially nice when you don’t want to commit to an entire day away from the lake. Pack a picnic, spend a couple of hours outside and head back to Long Lake for the rest of the afternoon.

Sunset Hill Farm County Park

With more than 200 acres to explore, Sunset Hill Farm County Park is one of our favorite nearby spots for getting everyone outside. Walking trails wind through fields and wooded areas, while the playground and open spaces give younger visitors plenty to do.

The park also hosts family-friendly programs and seasonal events throughout the year, so it’s worth checking the calendar before your stay.

ValPlayso

For families traveling with younger children, ValPlayso is an easy addition to the itinerary. This large inclusive playground was designed for children of different ages and abilities, with plenty of room for climbing, sliding and exploring.

Best of all, you can let the kids burn off some energy without turning it into an all-day outing.

Foundation Meadows Park

Another great option for younger families, Foundation Meadows offers a large playground along with walking trails, green space, a StoryWalk and an arboretum.

It’s a good choice for a relaxed morning or afternoon, especially if you’re looking for something simple that works for several ages.

Spend Some Time at Central Park Plaza

Head into downtown Valparaiso and let the kids enjoy Central Park Plaza before exploring the rest of downtown. During the warmer months, the splash pad is especially popular with younger children, while the lawn and surrounding downtown make it easy to turn a quick stop into an afternoon.

Grab lunch, browse the shops or pick up coffee before heading back to the lake. Depending on the time of year, you’ll also find farmers markets, festivals, concerts and other community events happening nearby.

Save These for a Rainy Day

Even lake vacations occasionally come with rainy weather. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend the entire day inside the house.

Zao Island

Zao Island is one of the easiest recommendations for families because there’s something for a wide range of ages. Depending on the season and weather, you can choose from mini golf, go-karts, laser tag, batting cages and arcade games.

It’s particularly useful for families traveling with older kids and teenagers who may be ready for a change of pace after a few days at the lake.

Go Bowling at Inman’s

A bowling afternoon is hard to beat when the weather isn’t cooperating. Inman’s Bowling & Recreation Center offers bowling and arcade games, making it an easy activity for kids, parents and grandparents to enjoy together.

For a large group, we’d recommend calling ahead before you go so you can plan for enough lanes.

Or Don’t Leave the Lake at All

You certainly don’t have to leave Long Lake Memories to keep everyone entertained.

Spend the morning at the private beach, take the kayaks, canoe or paddleboards onto the lake or head out for a little fishing. Guests can also rent the pontoon boat for a day of cruising Long Lake and accessing deeper areas that are great for swimming.

Back on shore, there’s plenty of room to spread out, relax and enjoy an afternoon together before ending the day with dinner outside, a soak in the hot tub or s’mores around the fire.

For families traveling with multiple generations, we think this is one of the biggest advantages of staying here: not everyone has to want to do the same thing at the same time.

Some of the group can head onto the water while others relax at the house, and everyone can come back together later in the day.

Where to Eat With the Whole Family

Finding a restaurant everyone likes can be challenging enough. Finding one that can accommodate a large family group is another story.

If you’re planning to take the whole crew out, these are a few nearby places we’d consider first. For larger parties, always call ahead before making plans, as seating and group policies can vary.

Union Hall at Journeyman Distillery

Union Hall at Journeyman’s American Factory is one of our first recommendations for larger families. The restaurant is family-friendly, offers plenty of approachable options and can accommodate large-party dining with advance planning.

The American Factory itself also makes dinner feel like more of an outing, especially when the weather is nice and you can spend some time enjoying the courtyard.

Tomato Bar Pizza Bakery

Pizza is often the easiest answer when you’re feeding a crowd, and Tomato Bar is a local favorite. The casual atmosphere and menu make it approachable for both kids and adults, with plenty of pizza options for a group to share.

For a particularly large party, we’d still recommend calling ahead rather than arriving with the entire group unexpectedly.

Pesto’s Italian Restaurant

Pesto’s is another good option when you need a menu that works for several generations. Pasta, pizza, salads and Italian favorites give everyone plenty to choose from, and the relaxed atmosphere makes it an easy family dinner.

Radius

Located in downtown Valparaiso, Radius is a great choice if you want to combine dinner with a little time exploring downtown. The menu offers plenty of casual American favorites, and there are options for younger diners as well.

If you’re bringing a large portion of your Long Lake group, contact the restaurant ahead of time about seating or private-party options.

Make an Afternoon of It at Zao Island

If you’re already taking the kids to Zao Island, you can keep things simple and eat there, too. Zao Pizza Bar makes it possible to turn mini golf, arcade games or go-karts and dinner into one easy family outing without having to load everyone back into the cars and head somewhere else.

Look for Seasonal Family Fun

Depending on when you visit, there may be even more happening around Valparaiso.

Fall brings apple picking, cider donuts and family activities at County Line Orchard, along with the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival, Fall Harvest Festival and downtown trick-or-treating. Winter brings ice skating and holiday events downtown, while warmer months are filled with farmers markets, outdoor concerts and community festivals.

Before your stay, check what’s happening around town. Some of our favorite family outings are the ones that only happen for a few weekends each year.

A Family Getaway Doesn’t Need a Packed Itinerary

When you’re traveling with a big family, sometimes the best plan is having plenty of options without feeling like you have to do everything.

Spend a morning at the playground and the afternoon back at the lake. Take the kids mini golfing while someone else enjoys a quiet few hours at the house. Head downtown for dinner one evening, then grill and gather around the fire the next.

Long Lake Memories gives families a home base where you can explore when you want to and slow down when you don’t. And with so many family-friendly things to do within a short drive, it’s easy to build a stay that works for everyone.

Looking for even more ideas? Explore our complete guide to things to do around Long Lake Memories, including the Indiana Dunes, Southwest Michigan, Chicago and some of our favorite day trips.