Location: South Bend
Top Things to do in South Bend
What to do and see in South Bend, United States: The Best Places and Tips
The 150-year-old University of Notre Dame is South Bend's biggest tourist draw, and for good reason. Though it's not easy to land seats at the 80,000-plus-capacity Notre Dame Stadium for a "Fighting Irish" football game, you'll find plenty of attractions on the beautiful, expansive campus. Highlights include numerous works of art, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, a replica of the famous shrine. Football fans will also want to visit the College Football Hall of Fame, which features interesting perspectives on the game and inductee videos. Whether or not you remember the Studebaker automobile, which saw its demise in the early sixties, you're sure to enjoy the Studebaker National Museum, featuring more than 75 vehicles drawn from the history of the company, beginning with horse-drawn carriages. South Bend has several fine museums, including the South Bend Regional Museum of Art and the Northern Indiana Center for History, a complex of four museums. Don't leave without trying truffles or fudge from the South Bend Chocolate Company.
Restaurants in South Bend
1. Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Overall Ratings
5 based on 514 reviews
Reviewed By lsulliv4 - South Bend, Indiana
Beautiful Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of Notre Dame University. Itaianate (actually, Italian) frescoes, extraordinary stained glass windows created by an order of French nuns, ornate appointments but not overdone. Elegant. Interesting array of sculptures/paintings/relic. Lots of back stories. Home of our Lady's Chapel, where Notre Dame football players gather for prayer and blessing before every home game.
2. The Riverwalk
3. University of Notre Dame
Overall Ratings
5 based on 840 reviews
Renowned for its rich athletic tradition, the university is a beautiful place to visit, with such religious attractions as the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, the park-like setting of its huge stadium and the abundant artwork.
Reviewed By EricJohnson54_40 - 54-40
Wonderful campus, great staff to organize the tours (helen) and nice bookstore. A bit too much junk in the bookstore and a bit overpriced, but I guess that's the way it is.
4. Grotto of Our Lady Lourdes
Overall Ratings
5 based on 239 reviews
Reviewed By Davidamy617 - Novi, Michigan
This is a MUST do. It is lovely, peaceful, and serene. We lit a few candles for loved ones. Students stopped by while we were there. Families stopped by. Staff stopped by. This is a much loved, much visited location.
5. Notre Dame Stadium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 427 reviews
One of the top sporting venues in the U.S., this vast sports arena for the athletically celebrated University of Notre Dame was originally built in 1930 and remodeled in the late '90s, increasing seating capacity to over 80,000.
Reviewed By Chenza05 - Grand Rapids, Michigan
The University of Notre Dame is in my opinion, the most amazing campus in the United States. The architecture is so ornate and pristine, grounds are perfectly maintained. Football stadium experience was the best ever. The volunteers made us all feel so welcome and special. Fighting Irish are too shabby either!
6. Studebaker National Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 440 reviews
Travel through over a century of transportation history. See the rise of the Studebaker Corporation from its beginnings in small South Bend Blacksmith Shop. Admire over 50 vehicles which tell the Studebaker story and display iconic styling.
Reviewed By Frank D - Indiana
I made another trip to the Studebaker Museum to see what's new. They have added a few cars, shifted things around a bit, but the core group of vehicles are all out on display. They had a pickup truck display featured this time. It included...MoreThanks for visiting. Come back soon!
7. Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 171 reviews
Reviewed By Paul F - Michigan City, United States
4Winds stadium is the best stadium anywhere in the area. We enjoy a game every chance w get. Monday nights are great because for $8 a person gets all you can eat hot dogs, popcorn, and peanuts. The atmosphere is friendly and entertaining. Not a better way to spend a warm summer night.
8. The History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 109 reviews
A stately Victorian mansion with original furnishings and stunning woodwork is the highlight of this museum complex, which also includes a children's museum, a gallery of Notre Dame history and an exhibit that chronicles the history of the St. Joseph River Valley. Our museum is also physically connected to the Studebaker National Museum. You can now visit two museums in one place!
Reviewed By LifeisTooShort69 - Kalamazoo, Michigan
This was an interesting place with their 3 in 1 admission offering. The Studebanker Museum, History Museum, plus the Oliver House tour for $12.00/adult. The History Museum was well detailed and presented with a rich South Bend History of companies and products from the area....MoreThank you for the kind review of our museum campus. We hope you'll come back and visit us soon, or, better yet, tell your friends! Thank you, The History Museum
9. Potawatomi Zoo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 223 reviews
Reviewed By skywarn6118 - Michigan
What a great little zoo! The exhibits and grounds are well kept, and the staff is friendly. Took us about two and a half hours to get through the zoo, with the carousel and train ride included! Even on a busy Saturday, this small zoo did not seem crowded! Best part, they had a variety of animals that we usually do not see at the zoos we visit regularly. We will be back, that is for sure!
10. Morris Performing Arts Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 105 reviews
The HOTTEST tickets in town are at the MAGNIFICENT MORRIS! Originally opened in 1922, The MAGNIFICENT Morris is listed in the National Historic Register and completed a restoration and renovation process in 2000 of the stage house and interior restored to its original vaudeville splendor. The Morris is the HOTTEST TICKET in Northwest Indiana for live entertainment! The theater hosts a wide variety of concerts, national Broadway touring musicals, symphony..., Dance, comedians, children's/family shows, and is home to the South Bend Symphony Orchestra and Broadway Theatre League. The Morris has a seating capacity of 2,564 and is consistently ranked by Pollstar concert industry magazine among the top 100 theaters worldwide. The Morris has been awarded a "Prime Site Award" by Facilities Magazine for several years (voted on by over 10,000 people in the entertainment industry - booking agents, promoters, talent buyers and special event planners.)
Reviewed By Tracie D - South Bend, Indiana
Over the years, I've seen some amazing shows at the Morris. Best seats in the house are the first row of any balcony and well worth the money. Although, frankly, the third balcony frightens me a little. I don't see how anyone in that section...MoreThank you Tracie for your review. We appreciate our ushers also.
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