17 Best Things to Do in Elkhart, Indiana

© RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum

RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum in Elkhart, Indiana is a 10,000 square-foot museum complex featuring an array of historic recreational vehicles from Winnebago, Airstream, and a number of other American makers of these popular vehicles. The unique museum shares the chronological history and technological advancements of the recreational vehicles and manufactured housing industry from before World War I up to present day. The RV Founders Hall is home to memorabilia, photos, and trailers dating back to the 1920’s and the 1930’s, while the Exhibitor Hall displays an illustration of products of the RV industry and their history.

21565 Executive Pkwy, Elkhart, IN 46514, Phone: 574-293-2344

© Wellfield Botanic Gardens

The Wellfield Botanic Gardens encompass approximately thirty-six acres of land on and around the historic wellfield of Elkhart. Once powering the town’s nineteenth-century milles, Christian Creek now meanders through the gardens, inspiring the native habitat. The specialty gardens feature a pond surrounded by a wide variety of flora and fauna, pagodas, benches, and sculptures. Guests at the Wellfield Botanic Gardens can take a self-guided tour of the Island Garden, consisting of three different islands to explore, including the highest walkable point in the gardens on the Main Island. There is also a Children’s Garden with plenty for kids to discover.

1011 N Main St, Elkhart, IN 46514, Phone: 574-266-2006

© Ruthmere

Built back in the year 1908 by Elizabeth and Albert Beardsley, Ruthmere was once considered to be the centerpiece of society in Elkhart, Indiana. It has since been carefully and lovingly restored to provide people with a look into the town’s “Gilded Age” past. Visitors can tour the lavishly appointed rooms with their historic furnishings and view world-class decorative and fine arts, such vintage autos, Rodin sculptures, and Tiffany lamps.

302 E Beardsley Ave, Elkhart, IN 46514, Phone: 574-264-0330

© National New York Central Railroad Museum

National New York Central Railroad Museum is designed to recapture “the glory days” of America’s railroads, the era during which they were goodwill ambassadors throughout the country and symbols of progress. Established in 1987, the museum is an ever-growing site of preservation for both national and local railroad heritage, particularly related to the New York Central System. When the railroad arrived in Elkhart, Indiana in 1851, the town served as a vital link connecting the Midwest and beyond to the Atlantic Seaboard. The Robert R. Young Yard of New York Central was the “second largest railroad freight classification yard” east of the Mississippi.

721 S Main St, Elkhart, IN 46516, Phone: 574-294-3001

© Southgate Crossing

Southgate Crossing in Elkhart, Indiana is one of the country’s largest Amish built peg-and-beam constructions. The mission of the retail center is to offer both the local community and visitors with a family-focused experience that supports local services and goods. Items available includes merchandise reflecting an Americana, do-it-yourself, homespun theme. The facility also offers sustainable agricultural development programs, daily food options, weekly entertainment, in-house catering, and a beautiful venue for special events.

27751 Co Rd 26, Elkhart, IN 46517, Phone: 574-294-2040

© Elkhart Environmental Center

Committed to providing a haven for wildlife, environmental professionals, and local residents, the Elkhart Environmental Center is a part of a larger 120-acre River Greenway system along the Elkhart River connecting to Studebaker Park. Founded in 1991 as an education facility, the environmental center consists of five wetlands that offer habitat for wildlife and help with reducing stormwater runoff. Additional habitat is provided with the prairie grass areas, native wildflower patches, and wooded buffers by the river. The Elkhart Environmental Center aims to blend natural and urban environments to demonstrate how the two can successfully co-exist.

1717 E Lusher Ave, Elkhart, IN 46516, Phone: 574-293-5070

© ETHOS Innovation Center

The ETHOS Innovation Center was established to help both adults and children alike engage with technology and science through a variety of hands-on and interactive events and programs. The center offers opportunities for connecting science with everyday life through critical thinking, discovery, and problem solving. The ETHOS Innovation Center also helps teachers and students not only meet, but also exceed benchmarks set by the national standardized tests. Programs offered by the center include science camps during spring break, summer, and fall break, the Science2Go Bus, a variety of community events, the ETHOS Academy, field trips, and after school programming.

1025 N Michigan St, Elkhart, IN 46514, Phone: 574-266-7149

© Iechyd Da Brewing Company

Iechyd Da Brewing Company is a brewpub in the northern Indiana town of Elkhart serving soda, handcrafted lagers, ales, soda, sandwiches, and pizza. All of the brews served are made by the brewery, as well as a good amount of the food, offering refreshing drinks and delicious food as local and fresh as it gets. The beer at Iechyd Da Brewing Company runs the gamut, ranging from hoppy American Pale Ale to English Session Beers.

317 N Main St, Elkhart, IN 46516, Phone: 574-293-0506

© Antonio's

Antonio’s strives to treat every guest “like family,” one big Italian family. Customers are treated to an authentic Southern Italian meal, made from scratch and to order, including the sauce. The bar offers a relaxing place to unwind with a good and there’s a banquet room as well for special events or private parties. Antonio’s is a family-owned and operated restaurant, run by the Cataldo family who came to America from Italy in 1966. The Italian eatery is open for dinner on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:00pm to 9:00pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 4:00pm to 10:00pm.

1105 Goshen Ave, Elkhart, IN 46516, Phone: 574-295-8424

© Midwest Museum of American Art

Open from Tuesday to Sunday, the Midwest Museum of Americant Art is a non-profit museum that operates entirely on the generous donations of supporters, members, and grants. The museum is nestled in the heart of downtown Elkhart and is easily recognizable by the neo-classical bank building that it calls its home. With over 6,000 pieces of art in the museum's permanent collection, the Midwest Museum of American Art proudly exhibits American Art from the 19th through the 21st century. Browse the works of historic Indiana artists as well as prolific artists throughout the country's history, and explore a range of artistic styles such as pop art, regionalism, American impressionism, abstract work, and more.

429 S. Main Street, Elkhart, Indiana 46516, Phone: 574-293-6660

© Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum

Come and visit the only superhero and comic museum in the entire world at the Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum. Home to a massive collection of comics, art, and superhero memorabilia, the Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum features 70,000 comic books, 10,000 kinds of figures, props, and toys, as well as over 100 priceless pages of original comic art. The museum is dedicated to the preservation of the 80-year history of superheroes of the Marvel and DC brands through exhibits and standout collection items like a Bat Cave replica from the 1960s television show, the original shield used in the Captain America movie, the personal Batman costume of Adam West, and many more.

1915 Cassopolis Street, Elkhart, IN 46514, Phone: 574-333-3406

© raya abbas EyeEm/stock.adobe.com

The Cobus Creek County Park is a priceless gem in Elkhart. A dream to visit for outdoor lovers, the park features 84 stunning acres of what used to be farmland. Visitors to the park today will find a beautifully diverse landscape with wetlands, a prairie, woodlands, and even a cold-water trout stream. Interestingly, the park's cold water trout stream is one of just a handful in Indiana, making it a popular stop for fishing enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the park is also home to a sensory garden, natural hiking trails, and hard-packed trails perfect for mountain biking. Birding is also a popular pastime at the Cobus Creek County Park, which is home to state-endangered species like the Lark Sparrow and Sedge Wren.

30680 County Road 8, Elkhart, IN 46514, Phone: 574-535-6458

© Linton’s Enchanted Gardens

Ranked the number one attraction in Elkhart by none other than Trip Advisor, Linton’s Enchanted Gardens is a must-visit when in town. This award-winning and iconic destination is the largest home and garden center in all of Indiana, and has several sectors for guests to enjoy. Visitors can pay a visit to one of the display gardens which typically feature unusual and rare plants, or stop by the Garden Café to dine on healthy and fresh meals for breakfast or lunch. Meanwhile, Linton’s Enchanted Gardens also has a Quilt Garden to explore from May through October, a Shooting Gallery, a Gem Stone Mining attraction, and even an express train to help guests better tour the 9-acre estate.

315 County Road 17, Elkhart, IN 46516, Phone: 574-293-9699

© The Lerner Theater

The Lerner Theater, built in 1924, isn’t just an Elkhart landmark; it’s also a symbol of the city’s commercial and community revival, and a mark of the city’s new artistic era. Owned and operated by the city, the Lerner Theater underwent a whopping $18 Million renovation in 2011. What emerged was a state-of-the-art performance facility with top-of-the-line audio and visual equipment perfect for staging popular musicals, plays, ballets, and other performances. The crown jewel of the theater is undoubtedly its Crystal Ballroom, which is elegantly decorated with crystal chandeliers and luxurious draperies. When there aren’t any shows happening, guests can take a 45-minute tour of the theater led by knowledgeable theater staff.

410 South Main Street, Elkhart, IN 46516; Phone: 574-293-4469

© Westwind Brewery Co.

Toast to delicious and quality small batch brews at Westwind Brewery Company. Westwind had initially started as a garage operation when its owners would meet up and brew batches of beer in their garages as a hobby. Their brews eventually won them several awards in an amateur brewing and winemaking competition, and later led to the establishment of the brewery. Westwind is open from Thursday to Monday and offers several of its original brews to sample. Try the rich and full-bodied Genesis, the floral and hazy Primis, or the fresh and citrusy Sacrifice for starters. For fans of dry hopped brews, the Impossible Days is great, too. But the true king of their flagship line is the award-winning DIPA called Faithfully.

911 Plum Street, Elkhart, Indiana 46515, Phone: 574-237-6767

© Five Star Dive Bar

Stop by Elkhart’s top burger joint and enjoy great live music while you’re at it when you visit the Five Star Dive Bar. The bar has been serving patrons since 2012 and is located inside the gorgeous and historic 1895 State Theater building. Five Star Dive Bar is known for its mouthwatering and premium pub-style dishes like their ribeye blend burgers, Bavarian pretzel sticks, house-smoked whole chicken wings, and deep-fried pickles. Guests can also sink their teeth into classic and decadent ham and cheese sandwiches or dine on ½ pound boneless pork chops. Patrons who want to enjoy live music ought to stop by on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Meanwhile, lower levels of Five Star Dive Bar feature comedy shows and other musical shows.

526 Main Street, Elkhart, IN 46516, Phone: 574-294-7500

© suriyapong/stock.adobe.com

Signature Lanes is a leader in Elkhart’s family entertainment scene and readily lives up to its motto, “Great fun, great food, great friends.” Open seven days a week, this family-owned establishment is home to a top-notch bowling alley that can accommodate up to six players per lane and a great arcade armed with all of the newest games. There is even a sports bar lounge for the adults to enjoy a cold beer and their favorite sporting events. When it comes to dining, Signature Lanes features Sig’s Family Restaurant, which offers ultra-cheesy pizzas, packed sandwiches, thick hamburgers, and perfectly cooked fries.

1180 Fremont Court, Elkhart, Indiana 46516, Phone: 574-296-1111