What’s your favorite sugary treat? Haribo gummy bears are a staple in my family. These are the perfect stocking stuffer at Christmas time and make an excellent hiking snack when out on the trails. However, it wasn’t until I moved to Indiana that I began to broaden my horizons when it came to these gummy delights. A coworker once mentioned the gummy bear factory in Merrillville and I knew I had to go there. I felt like I’d won a golden ticket the first time my mom and I walked into Albanese. In addition to their famous gummy bears, they also make a huge variety of other sweets that are bound to make your mouth water.

A short self-guided tour walks visitors past a viewing window where they can see fresh gummy bears in the making. My mom and I were a little sad at not to be able to actually enter the factory to see the process up close but we still thoroughly enjoyed our Albanese adventure. It’s impossible not to have a fantastic time when sampling candy of every shape, size and flavor. We were just like two kids in a candy store (we fit right in with the sea of elementary schoolers with their parents). It’s also impossible to leave without buying anything. We couldn’t resist loading up on gummy bears, both regular and sour ones, as well as some chocolate truffles. I will always love finding our traditional German Haribo gummy bears in my Christmas stocking. However, Albanese is definitely worth a visit and my go to for a treat when touring the trails at the Indiana Dunes.