Fun Father’s Day outings for families
June 13, 2012 4:32PM
Hang up the tie and zap the electronics gift ideas because the best Father’s Day gift is time spent together. Here are some suggestions of fun family activities for Father’s Day, including some that are free for dads.
Cedar Creek mini-golf
Free mini-golf for dads at the Cedar Creek Family Golf Center from 8 a.m. to close (about 8 p.m.) on Father’s Day.
This golf facility also has a driving range and a 9-hole par 31 course, but the kids will have to dip into their allowance to treat dad to those.
The Cedar Creek Family Golf Center is at 10483 W. 109th Ave. in Cedar Lake, just east of U.S. 41 on U.S. 231.
For more information, call the golf center at 365-2902.
Bellaboo’s Center
Free admission for dads at Bellaboo’s Play and Discovery Center, but you don’t have to wait for Father’s Day as this offer is good all week. From bubbles and ball pits, to a dinosaur dig and dress-up, Bellaboo’s is a fun facility for families with children up to about age 9.
Bellaboo’s Play and Discovery Center is at 2800 Colorado St. in Three Rivers County Park in Lake Station.
Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit www.mybellaboos.com or call 963-2070.
Washington Park Zoo
Free admission to the Washington Park Zoo for fathers and grandfathers with a paid children’s admission on Father’s Day. Highlights at this little zoo include the walk-in aviary, the touchable animals in the farm area, and the above-the-treetops lake views from the Observation Tower. Consider bringing along a picnic, or swimsuit, as Washington Park is also home to a long, sandy, guarded Lake Michigan beach.
Washington Park Zoo is at 115 Lakeshore Drive in Michigan City.
Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is $6 at Washington Park. For more information, call 873-1510, or go online to www.michigancityparks.com.
Hesston Steam Museum
Steam engine rides are $1 for dads at the Hesston Steam Museum this weekend. The big trains are impressive, the little trains are fun, and all take visitors for 2½-mile rides over bridges and trestles and through the wooded grounds. As a bonus, you can watch the historic steam machines in operation, plus Sunday will also include a free antique truck show.
The Hesston Steam Museum is at 1201 E. County Road 1000N in northern LaPorte County.
Hours are from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 778-2783 on weekends, or go online to www.hesston.org.
Candlelight history tour
A special candlelight history tour at the Indiana Dunes State Park is one unique way to end Father’s Day. The candlelight and wooded dunes setting will add a special ambience to the naturalist’s tales of nature and people of the area.
Meet at 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the Dunes State Park campground gate, located at the north end of Indiana 49, about 2 miles north of Interstate 94. The park has a $5 gate fee for Indiana plated cars.
