Indiana Welcome Center

Stop by the Indiana Welcome Center if you are visiting the South Shore area or just passing through. While you stretch your legs, you can view the unique building structure, enjoy the different exhibits in the W.F. Wellman Exhibit Hall, learn about the Gangster Era in the John Dillinger Museum and browse the gift shop. You can also pick up a lot of information about all there is to see and do, not only in the South Shore area, but brochures from all over Indiana.

Welcome Center Building

The building design encompasses some of the main, most memorable images of Northwest Indiana and uses them in the building language. The solution is as diverse as the community itself; its people, the natural environment, and man made developments.

The structure starts with the most dominant natural feature in our area, Lake Michigan. The large exhibition space is created with the form of stainless steel "waves" glistening in the sun. These waves crash into the undulating "sand dunes" which are juxtaposed to the industry; Steel denoted in the gray office form (second story) and the smoke stacks of the entry canopy. The natural terrain then rolls into the plains and farms, which is bordered to the south by the free flowing Kankakee river depicted in the south facade of the building.

From this, the composition has sculpted a structure that symbolically tells the story of the area, houses the necessary functions for the Welcome Center, and leaves one with an image unseen elsewhere.

Amenities

Exhibit Hall
Free Travel Brochures & Maps
Gift Shop
John Dillinger Museum
Pet Exercise Area
Picnic area
Restrooms with Baby Changing Tables
Vending Machines

Location

7770 Corinne Drive
Hammond, IN 46323

Hours

Winter, Spring & Fall Hours

Everyday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, Labor Day up to Memorial Day

Summer Hours

Everyday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m, Memorial Day up to Labor Day

Building closes at 5 p.m. on July 4th

Holiday Hours

Extended hours between Thanksgiving and Christmas - Call 800-ALL-LAKE or 219-989-7979 for exact times

Days Closed

New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

Contact Us

Call 219-989-7979 or 800-ALL-LAKE (800-255-5253) for more information.