Road Trip Guide: Let’s Visit South Bend, Indiana!

Aug 17, 2022

South Bend Indiana is the hometown of politician Pete Butigieg and location of Notre Dame University, and known for education, healthcare, and manufacturing with companies like Honeywell Aerospace and AM. But there’s so, so much more to this city along the St Joseph River, and best of all it’s just a short drive away from our dealerships here at Classic in Waukegan. It’s the perfect place to spend a weekend away with the family, and a fantastic budget-friendly travel option. Today we’ve rounded up some of the most interesting places to see in the area for visitors of all ages. Let’s learn more about all the fun and excitement to be had in South Bend.

Things to Enjoy In and Around South Bend

National Studebaker Museum is an incredible place and time capsule for classic automobile fans! This state-of-the-art 55,000 square foot facility opened in 2005, and is home to the world’s largest collection of U.S. presidential carriages! The museum was also designed by local firm James Childs Architectus, and was inspired by design aesthetics from Studebaker’s original factory buildings. It’s a great chance for automotive enthusiasts of all ages to connect with history, and a wonderful way to spend a few hours together as a family!

South Bend Museum of Art is located in the heart of downtown South Bend, and has a beautiful 5-gallery permanent collection of artwork and a rotation of American Contemporary Art. The museum also hosts a wide array of workshops, classes, and special events. You can visit the museum and enjoy the current exhibits and interactive displays such as Visualizing Innovation, 2022 Festival of Banners: Collaborate, St Joe Valley Watercolor Society Inspirations, and more! Or you can access the virtual components of their online exhibitions.

Morris Performing Arts Center is nestled in the heart of downtown South Bend and is a cultural center for the area with its host of live performances, concerts, musical theatre, drama and much more!

The History Museum of South Bend is a magnificent Victorian Mansion and historic home available to the public which aims to preserve the history and culture of South Bend Indiana, and educate the general public through curated collections, historic furniture, interior design and architecture, and educational programming.

Snite Museum of Art is open to the general public, and located on Notre Dame’s campus. The facility houses nearly 30,000 works of art spanning Olmec and Pre-Classic Mesoamerican art, Modern and Contemporary Art, a selection of religious artwork, and Northern Native American Art. It also encompasses the Charles B. ayes Family Sculpture Park.

East Race Waterway is a must-see for families who love adventure, excitement, and the thrill of the great outdoors! This recreational facility is the first artificial white water course in North America, and has activities for all experience levels and ages including beginners to experienced rapids rafters. The course is 2,000 feet long and can generate waves up to and over 6 feet! You can enjoy rafting, tubing, and kayaking activities.

RV/MH Hall of Fame is a unique stop during your visit, and perfect for both automotive fans and travel aficionados. Its collection boasts a variety of recreational vehicles, vintage tent trailers, and historic vehicles. You’ll travel along the museum’s roadway as you journey through time and enjoy the history of American Travel.

Strikes & Spares Entertainment Center is a bowling center and family-fun and community center with go-karts, bumper cars, mini-golf, and an arcade! It’s top tier rainy-day entertainment for all ages, and great for families.

Hall of Heroes Super Hero Museum is located just outside of the South Bend area, and is a haven for all things nerdy when it comes to superheroes in print on the page, film, animation, and its 80+ year History! It’s also the only Comic Book and Superhero Museum in the world. Visiting this museum will delight kids and the kid-at-heart, It’s small, but charming and another budget friendly option for your vacation.

Shiojiri Niwa Garden is an absolutely stunning Japanese strolling garden that symbolizes the connection between Mishawaka in Indiana and Shiojiri City in Japan. The 1.3 acre garden has three bridges, a teahouse pavilion, more than 20 varieties of plants and flowers, 200+ boulders, and gorgeous waterscaping.

Civil Rights Heritage Center is located at Indiana University South Bend. It serves as a community resource for local grassroots activism efforts, a meeting space for local coalitions, and a space for African American, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ groups to organize. It’s an inclusive living museum that aims to preserve and honor the past and commit to seeing progress in social justice, equity and equality, and contemporary social issues.

Thistleberry Farm is the perfect place to snap some family photos, and make memories to last a lifetime! Tour the lavender fields or sunflower fields depending on the season, or enjoy the autumnal activities of corn mazes, hayrides, pony rides, and more.

Children’s Museum of South Bend is an exciting, interesting destination for families to enjoy STEAM activities together and engage in a multi-sensory experience! The facilities include wonderful exhibits dedicated to environmental sciences, career exploration, a miniature city, toddler sensory activities, and more.

The Indiana Whiskey Company is a veteran owned local distillery dedicated to small-batch craft whiskey that’s brewed and distilled on site. Everything is locally sourced, including materials and machinery used tin the process! It’s also a bar and tasting room. Great fun for adults looking for a night out and a little low key social time.

South Bend Chocolate Company offers tours of the facilities where visitors can enjoy learning about the process of making chocolate and other confections created on site. It’s also got a Chocolate Museum, a Chocolate Cafe, and a Chocolate Outlet where you can take home some of the delicious snacks for your friends and family! Looking to celebrate school spirit? You can even snag some Notre Dame and Indiana University branded sweets.

Here’s some recommendations for delicious restaurants in the area.