Bass Pro GTG Portage, IN (Pics pg 13)

[LakeFX]

Bass Pro / Quaker Steak & Lube GTG
October 25, 2008 12pm
Portage, IN

     I spoke with Sirshopolot and Z66 Butch for their input on a Fall GTG.  There will be a Bass Pro Shops GTG at 6425 Daniel Burnham Dr. Portage, IN 46368 on Saturday October 25, 2008 at 12pm.  www.basspro.com
    Afterwards we can head to Quaker Steak & Lube 6245 Ameriplex Dr Portage, IN 46368 for a late lunch/early dinner (located in the same complex as Bass Pro.)  www.quakersteakandlube.com (menu can be viewed here.)
     LadyFX is handling the planning for this GTG.  She spoke with Bass Pro, they are expecting us & will have reserved parking for all of the AV's.  She also spoke with Quaker Steak & Lube, they are expecting us & will accommodate our group. 
     I will also post some information on points of interest in the area, in case anyone wants something to do after the GTG.
   
     *Portage 16 IMAX Theater is located at 6550 US Highway 6 Portage, IN 46368 (about 5-10 minute drive from Bass Pro.)  They usually show the current popular movie on the IMAX all day/evening on Saturdays. I'll post the current schedule closer to the date.  We saw the new Batman movie there a couple of weeks ago.  Tickets were $12.50 for adults and $9.00 for kids.  There are also other regular screens in the theater complex $8.00 adults, $5.75 kids.  A large bucket of popcorn with 2 large sodas was about $11.00, free soda refills & .25 cent popcorn refills.
   
     *Zao Island is located at 1050 Horse Prairie Ave Valparaiso, IN 46385.  They have an arcade, bumper cars, batting cages, minigolf, gokarts(outdoor activities weather permitting), & a bar.   www.zaoisland.net

     *Shopping is available in Michigan City (Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets-120 stores Open until 9pm-601 Wabash St Michigan City, IN 46360)
    and Merrillville/ Hobart (Westfield Southlake-Open until 9pm-2109 Southlake Mall Merrillville, IN 46410).

     *Casino boats are in Michigan City, Buffington Harbor (Gary), East Chicago, and Hammond.

     *Four Winds Casino-New Buffalo, MI.

Hotel Information 

   
    There are about 8 hotels in that area.  LadyFX & I drove around & took a look at them.  There were a couple that we scratched off the list just from the outside appearance.  We use Tripadvisor for our hotel choices & have always had good luck.  The following are the top 4 recommended by Tripadvisor (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g37452-Portage_Indiana-Hotels.html).

     1.  Country Inn & Suites
     2.  Hampton Inn
     3.  Holiday Inn Express
     4.  Super 8

    The top 3 are in the $100 a night range.  Country Inn & Suites is the most expensive because it's brand new & in the same complex as Bass Pro.  Super 8 is $62 a night & has an OK rating.  LadyFX made the inquiries and came up with the following information:

America's Best Value Inn
1 King bed $75 a night (Senior $68)
2 double beds $51 a night (Senior $46)
*Senior=60 or older
No Pets
219-736-5100
I65 & US 30
Merrillville, IN
*5 room minimum group rate.

Super 8
2 full beds
$62 a night
$10 for pets
219-762-8857
6118 Melton Rd
Portage, IN 46368

Hampton Inn
2 queen beds
$99 a night
No Pets
219-764-1919
6353 Melton Rd
Portage, IN 46368
*15 room minimum group rate.

Holiday Inn Express
2 queen beds or 1 king bed
$119 a night
No Pets
219-762-7777
2323 Willowcreek
Portage, IN 46368
*10 room minimum group rate.

Country Inn & Suites
2 queen beds or 1 king bed
$129 a night
$149 (suites)
No Pets
219-764-0021
1630 Olmsted Dr
Portage, IN 46368
*10 room minimum group rate.

*There will be a sporting event at Valparaiso University so hotel rates will increase closer to the date.

Attending List:  ***FINAL HEADCOUNT DUE TUESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2008***

1.  LakeFX, LadyFX, & Lil’FX
2.  Z66 Butch & Jo
3.  Didit & Lu
4.  Sirshopolot & Mrs. Shopolot
5.  irontrain (+1)
6.  Avialanche
7.  BigC Mich (+1)
8.  The Mongo's
9.  funkypunnk (+1 & 2 kids)
10.  xtremesport
11.  RonJ
12.  MichiganSilver03
13.  batman
14.  desirehrdwd (+1)
15.  deutschfarms (+1 & 1 child)
16.  DZ (+ wife & 2 kids)
17.  Mark S (+1)

[MS03 2500]

This sounds interesting keep us posted.

[Z66 BUTCH]

I don't fish anymore so the Bass Pro Shop may not interest us but we do love Quaker Steak & Lube so put us on the list.


Butch

[LakeFX]

I don't fish anymore so the Bass Pro Shop may not interest us but we do love Quaker Steak & Lube so put us on the list.


Butch

You are on the List.  There's more there than fishing stuff.  It's an all around outdoor store...much like Cabela's.

[MS03 2500]

And golf stuff too

[Didit]

If southsiders are welcome put us down!        hehe      Might just make it a camping weekend at the Dunes


Didit

[Sirshopolot]

Count us in 

[irontrain]

I'm in.

[midwest kid]

I may attend. Im originally from Gary\Merrillville, also lived in Hobart. Im going to try and make this one. Ill keep ya posted.

[johnv656]

Any good hotels in the area for those of us that might not want to drive back on Saturday night 

[Avialanche]

I'm in for this gtg

[MS03 2500]

Boy is LakeFX going to be surprised when he logs back on.

[irontrain]

Boy is LakeFX going to be surprised when he logs back on.

C'mon MS03 join us. Chance to sing a belated happy birthday to Butch.

[Didit]

Boy is LakeFX going to be surprised when he logs back on.

yeah he'll have a lot of catchin up to do on the lap top in his squad car, hahahaha


Didit

[MS03 2500]

OK for now I'm a maybe, I'll let ya know more later as the time get's closer


Didit what ya tryin to tell me, I no break no laws

[Didit]

Any good hotels in the area for those of us that might not want to drive back on Saturday night 

I can't vouch for it personally, but I googled, "Portage, In Motels" and came up witha decent looking Days Inn for like 50 bucks and change for the night.

Didit want ya tryin to tell me, I no break no laws

Sure OK Byron, I'll believe that!  hehe


Didit

[MS03 2500]

I thinking a stayover myself JohnV656

That a little over 500 miles round trip, my butt can't take that in 1 day.

[dtu]

I'm im

[BigC Mich]

You can count us in!!!
Only 130 miles (260 round trip) for us!!      

[LakeFX]

    Thanks for the replies.  The List is updated.  LadyFX is handling the planning for this GTG.  She spoke with Bass Pro today, they are expecting us & will have reserved parking for all of the AV's.  She also spoke with Quaker Steak & Lube, they are expecting us & will accommodate our group.  As we get closer to the date, I'll need a headcount, so let me now how many in your group when you finalize your plans.
     LadyFX used to be a travel agent.  She is going to look into area hotels for those interested.  I'll post hotel info as soon as I get it.
     I also added info on a family fun center called Zao Island, www.zaoisland.net
     

[MS03 2500]

Great LadyFX,

[Z66 BUTCH]

I can't vouch for it personally, but I googled, "Portage, In Motels" and came up witha decent looking Days Inn for like 50 bucks and change for the night.


..........................


Didit

OK Didit, if you can save me $100 on that deal we will stay two nights please..........






You had to be there! 

[LakeFX]

Any good hotels in the area for those of us that might not want to drive back on Saturday night 

I thinking a stayover myself JohnV656

That a little over 500 miles round trip, my butt can't take that in 1 day.

Final Hotel info is updated in the first post.

[LakeFX]

     Also, if there will be anyone staying overnight, we can probably arrange a breakfast in the area the next morning.

[LakeFX]

If anyone wants information on area attractions, let me know what you are looking for & we'll try to find something.