Everyone likes to have fun! Unwinding, cutting loose, kicking back, and letting the cares of the day slide away is the best medicine for relieving stress. Where can one go to always have a fun time? Come out to the Island!
Known throughout the region for its colorful mini-golf course, Zao Island offers many additional attractions for an entire day full of fun. The 18-hole course with its fierce dragon and brightly hued castle, mountain, and houses, and many water features, catches the eye as you drive by on Highway 30. Upon pulling into the parking lot, you are greeted with a structure reminiscent of a tropical cabin, trimmed in vibrant colors, with a generous porch for lounging.
The “cabin” is home to Colada’s, one of the best pizza restaurants in Porter County. Offering traditional crust, Chicago deep dish, grinders, appetizers, salads, wings, and this writer’s favorite, bread bites, the menu is delicious and perfect for a lively time at the Island! For extra relaxation, Zao Island features an indoor and outdoor bar, with a selection of beer, wine, daiquiris, pina coladas, and flavored margaritas!
Conveniently next door to Colada’s is the Gameroom. Arcade games abound, with many popular titles such as Fruit Ninja, Harpoon Lagoon, Treasure Quest, and UFO Catcher, rivaling games at Dave and Buster’s in Chicago. Earn tickets to win a variety of prizes, including iPads and Beats by Dre headphones!
For the extreme gamer, check out the Laser Tag arena for pulse-racing fun! Teams of 10 battle against each other in a room lit by blacklight. When “shot” by an opposing team member, your vest vibrates, rending you “dead” for 4 seconds before your gun is reactivated. Each round is quick, so the fast-mover takes home the winning title! Best part about laser tag is that it’s open year round, providing fun throughout the cold winter months!
Rev your engines at the Go Kart Course! This 1,100 foot long track offers four-wheeled excitement- and now the whole family can participate! New this year to the course are double wide cars, perfect for parents to drive around their underage drivers.
Heading back around to the mini golf course, entertainment-seekers might notice an odd sight to Northwest Indiana- alligators! These mini-gators make their annual appearance during the warm months, to the thrill of Island visitors. The attraction also offers the opportunity to feed the gators, from a safe pole distance.
The pop of a ball hitting a bat rings throughout the Island. Batting cages offer visitors the opportunity to test their swinging skills at various degrees of difficulty. The cages provide slow and fast pitch softball, and slow, medium, and fast hardball. Bonus part- use of batting helmets and bats is complimentary for those who do not want to bring their own equipment!
Little ones can have fun on the Island too, with the Slide and Bounce House! These inflatables offer hours of fun, with the unlimited wristband that provides access all day long. Bounce away!
You shouldn’t just take my word for it. Head out to the Island today and experience the fun for yourself!