Looking for a Midwest getaway with college town spirit and riverside charm? Head to South Bend! This Northern Indiana city is best known as the home of Notre Dame, but it also boasts vibrant museums, outdoor adventures, and revitalized downtown energy. Whether you're a sports fan, foodie, or nature lover, South Bend has something for everyone.
South Bend, IN Highlights:
- For Adventurous Travelers: Raft the East Race Waterway – Try whitewater rafting in the heart of downtown on this man-made urban course.
- For History Buffs: Explore the Studebaker National Museum – Learn about America’s iconic car company and view classic vehicles and presidential carriages.
- For Shoppers: Browse local finds at South Bend Farmers Market – One of Indiana’s oldest markets, with fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade items.
- For Couples: Stroll along the St. Joseph Riverwalk – Scenic riverside paths, footbridges, and public art create a romantic backdrop.
- For Families: Play and discover at the Potawatomi Zoo – Indiana’s oldest zoo with more than 400 animals and fun family programming.
Best Time to Visit South Bend, IN
The best time to visit South Bend is from late spring through fall (May to October). These months offer pleasant weather for campus strolls, outdoor events, and football season excitement. Fall is especially popular with colorful foliage and Notre Dame game day festivities.
How to Get to South Bend, IN
- If you are traveling by car: Located near the Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90), South Bend is about 1.5 hours from Chicago and 3 hours from Indianapolis.
- By Train: The South Shore Line connects South Bend International Airport to downtown Chicago via commuter rail.
- By Air: Fly into South Bend International Airport (SBN), just minutes from downtown and the Notre Dame campus.
Where to Stay in South Bend, IN
- Aloft South Bend – Stylish hotel in the heart of downtown with a rooftop bar and modern amenities.
- Morris Inn at Notre Dame – Elegant boutique hotel right on campus, perfect for visitors and Fighting Irish fans.
- Ivy Court Inn & Suites – Locally owned and conveniently located near campus with a cozy, welcoming feel.
Best Things to Do in South Bend, IN
1. South Bend Museum of Art
Rating: ★★★★★
Founded in 1947, the South Bend Museum of Art is a fine arts museum located on South St. Joseph Street in Downtown South Bend.
- Housed in the Century Center designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee, the museum features pieces of local and regional artwork.
- The contemporary and historical art is exhibited in five galleries.
- The permanent collection is displayed in the Carmichael Gallery while the Warner Gallery showcases national traveling exhibits.
- The Jerome J. Crowley Community Gallery features works by local artists, and the Art League Gallery exhibits works by artists from the Midwest.
Century Center, 120 S St. Joseph Street, South Bend, IN, Phone: 574-235-9102
South Bend is 2.5 hours from Indianapolis.
2. River Lights
River Lights is a light display on the St. Joseph River near Century Center Island and Seitz Park in the heart of downtown South Bend. Several interactive light sculptures create colorful light displays that are thematically based and add to the festive atmosphere of holidays and special events. From sunset until midnight, motion sensors prompt the light display; when people walk by the interactive sensors, the colors and patterns of the lights change.
After midnight, the interactive feature stops and the lights remain a natural color. Designed by Rob Shakespeare, River Lights celebrates its 150th anniversary of its induction into the city of South Bend.
217 South Michigan Street, South Bend, Indiana, Phone: 574-282-1110
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
3. Potawatomi Zoo
The Potawatomi Zoo is a 23-acre zoo located on South Greenlawn Avenue in South Bend. It is the oldest zoo in Indiana, and it originally opened as a duck pond called the “outh Bend Zoo in 1902. The farm-style barn that was added in 1949 still stands today, and it serves as part of the petting zoo. Although owned by the city, the zoo is maintained and operated by the Potawatomi Zoological Society.
If you are wondering what to do in South Bend with kids, this is a great place to visit. The zoo contains more than 400 animals and features animals from Australia as well as several primates and large cats. In addition to the petting zoo, children can learn about the animals through classes and programs like ZooCamps.
500 South Greenlawn Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, Phone: 574-235-9800
4. South Bend Chocolate Factory and Museum Tours
Located on West Sample Street, the South Bend Chocolate Factory and Museum Tours offers tours of its facilities from Monday to Saturday. The company offers two tours: the 45-minute tour Inside Scoop Tour and the 20-minute Basic Tour. Private guided tours for groups of ten or more people are available.
The South Bend Chocolate Company was founded in 1991, and the facility is 60,000 square feet in size. In addition to producing a large variety of chocolates, the company also sells other products such as coffee, fruits, nuts, and gift bags.
3300 West Sample Street #110, South Bend, Indiana, Phone: 574-233-2577
5. Howard Park
Families of every age can find loads to do at Howard Park.
- Children can splash around the park’s interactive water fountains or play in the 13,000-square-foot playground featuring state-of-the-art playground equipment.
- Skate rentals are also available for those wanting to ice skate during the winter months.
- And for those who would simply like to walk around and take in the fresh air, Howard Park is home to a vast lawn along with several trails, ponds, memorials, and fire pits to enjoy.
- For food, park-goers can find the Chocolate Café To-Go stand as well as Howard Park Public House, which serves year-round breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Be sure to check out the park’s event calendar before your visit to see their monthly offerings of free and paid events like children’s dance classes and outdoor yoga.
219 S. St. Louis Boulevard, South Bend, Indiana 46617, Phone: 574-299-4765
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
6. The Snite Museum of Art
Located on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, The Snite Museum of Art is an art museum that contains more than 23,000 works of art. Although the collection represents art from all over the world and from many periods, its primary focus is on Western art. Its examples of Italian Renaissance paintings and its Mesoamerican art objects are especially popular features.
Opened in 1980, the museum contains works by notable artists such as Boucher, Corot, Courbet, and O’Keeffe. The museum offers an extensive education outreach programs for children, including after-school programs, summer camps, and camps for at-risk children.
University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, Phone: 574-631-5466
7. Studebaker National Museum
Located on Chapin Street, the Studebaker National Museum features a collection of Studebaker cars, carriages, wagons, and military vehicles as well as other objects related to U.S. history. The three-story museum is connected to and shares an entrance with the History Museum.
The main floor displays Studebaker cars from the 1800s up until 1934, and it showcases the history of the Studebaker and the Oliver families. Cars from after that year are exhibited on the upper floor, while the lower level is devoted to military equipment and vehicles. Group tours are available.
201 Chapin Street, South Bend, Indiana, Phone: 574-235-9714
8. Notre Dame Stadium
The Notre Dame Stadium is an outdoor football stadium located on Moose Krause Circle in Notre Dame just north of South Bend. Modeled after Michigan Stadium, Notre Dame Stadium is the home playing field of the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
When the stadium opened in 1930, the playing surface was natural grass and the stadium had 60,000 seats. After renovations carried out in 1997 and 2014, there are now more than 80,000 seats, and the playing surface is made of FieldTurf, an artificial surface. Guided public tours as well as private tours are available, and they allow visitors to learn about the history of the stadium and visit the locker room and the field.
Moose Krause Circle, South Bend, Indiana, Phone: 574-631-7356
9. Morris Performing Arts Center
The Morris Performing Arts Center is a concert hall located on North Michigan Street in South Bend. Built in 1921 as a vaudeville house, the building later became a movie house. It was slated for demolition in 1959, but it was saved and remodeled and restored between 1998 and 2000.
Originally called the Palace Theater and then the Morris Civic Auditorium, the center contains 2,564 seats and retains its original European architectural style and color scheme of blue, cream, and rose. In addition to hosting concerts, Broadway shows, and other special events, the center is the home of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra. The center is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
211 North Michigan Street, South Bend, Indiana, Phone: 574-235-9190
10. South Bend Brew Werks
Located on South Michigan Street, the South Bend Brew Werks is the only brewpub in the downtown area of South Bend. The pub features five house brews: Amber, Black IPA, Oatmeal Stout, Smoked Porter, and Wheat. They also offer five rotating brews.
The decor of the pub consists of of reclaimed items such as chairs, stools, and tabletops, all of which were found locally. The pub’s delicious food also uses locally sourced produce and ingredients. Local artists created the eye-catching artwork displayed on the walls of the pub. The displays change monthly and the art is for sale.
321 S Main St Suite 105B, South Bend, IN 46601, Phone: 574-334-0356
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