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South Bend is a city of about 100,000 people in northern Indiana, named for its location at the southernmost bend of the St. Joseph River. Fur traders built a post here in the 1820s, and the city grew into an industrial center, home to the Studebaker company, which built wagons and later cars here for more than a century.
South Bend is best known as the home of the University of Notre Dame, just north of the city. Its campus is one of the most famous in America, with the Golden Dome of the Main Building, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the Grotto and the Word of Life mural, known as Touchdown Jesus, overlooking Notre Dame Stadium.
The city's industrial history is preserved at the Studebaker National Museum, with its collection of historic vehicles, and at the Center for History. Downtown has been revitalized along the river, with the East Race Waterway, the first artificial whitewater course in North America, the Morris Performing Arts Center and Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs.
One of America's best-known universities, with a beautiful campus featuring the Golden Dome atop the Main Building, two lakes, the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Word of Life mural known as Touchdown Jesus. The campus is open to visitors; start at the Eck Visitors Center.
A Gothic Revival church at the heart of the Notre Dame campus, known for its tall spire, vivid French stained glass windows, painted ceilings and murals by Luigi Gregori. It is an active church, so visitors should come outside Mass times. Combine it with a visit to the nearby Grotto.
The home of Fighting Irish football since 1930, with seating for about 77,000 fans and a famous game day atmosphere around campus. Stadium tours are offered on many non-game days. Tickets for home games can be costly; arrive early on game day to see the band and pregame traditions.
A downtown ballpark home to the South Bend Cubs, a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, with a family-friendly atmosphere, a splash pad and a converted historic synagogue used as a team store. Tickets are affordable. Evening games with fireworks are a highlight.
A restored 1921 theater in downtown South Bend with an ornate interior, hosting touring Broadway shows, concerts, comedy and the South Bend Symphony Orchestra. It is the region's main performing arts venue. Check the schedule online, and park in the nearby downtown garages.
A museum dedicated to the Studebaker company, which built wagons and cars in South Bend for over a century, with presidential carriages, classic cars and military vehicles across three floors. It shares a campus with the History Museum. Allow two hours; combo tickets save money.
Notre Dame's new art museum, opened in 2024 at the campus arts district, with a broad collection ranging from ancient and medieval works to European old masters, Mesoamerican art, photography and contemporary art. Admission is free. Allow at least two hours to see the main galleries.
A regional history museum with exhibits on South Bend and the St. Joseph River valley, paired with Copshaholm, the 38-room 1890s mansion of the Oliver plow family preserved with original furnishings and gardens. Guided mansion tours are offered daily. Combine it with the Studebaker museum next door.
A man-made whitewater course through downtown South Bend, one of the first in North America, used for summer public rafting, kayaking and races. A riverwalk runs alongside it. Public raft rides run on summer weekends; check the schedule and age limits before you go.
A renovated riverside park in downtown South Bend with an ice skating ribbon in winter that becomes a splash pad in summer, playgrounds, an event lawn and a cafe. It sits along the St. Joseph River riverwalk. It is fun for families in any season; skate rentals are available.
Indiana's oldest zoo, founded in 1902 on the east side of South Bend, with animals such as red pandas, big cats and primates, plus a farm and petting area. It is compact enough to see in two to three hours. Visit in the morning when animals are most active, and check winter hours.
The headquarters of the South Bend Chocolate Company, with a chocolate museum, factory tours showing chocolate being made and a store with candy, fudge and treats. It is a fun family stop. Tours fill up on weekends, so check times online and book ahead if you can.
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