Last Updated:
1/19/24
South Bend, IN
Below is a list of the best places I would visit on a trip to this location. My picks fit my personality and interest. Everyone has a different interest so you may not like everything I listed which is fine. If you like a place, I recommend saving it to Google Maps for a future trip down the road. I made sure to include the address or GPS to make it easier to find. You can find out more about me in the "About Me" section to see if we share common interests.
Breakfast
The Early Bird Eatery
117 E Wayne St, South Bend, IN 46601
Sample Menu of What I Would Order
Breakfast Hash - Corned Beef: Home Fries, Roasted Poblano Peppers, Caramelized Onion, Pickled Mustard Seed, Two Farm Fresh Eggs $16.00
Ham & Mushroom Omelette: Jake's Ham, Broccoli, Mushroom, and Gruyere $15.00
Breakfast Poutine: Andouille Sausage Etouffee, Crawfish, Home Fries, Cheese Curds, and Two Farm Fresh Eggs $17.00
Blueberry Lemon Pancakes: Lemon Danish Cream Cheese, Blueberry Compote, Almond Oat Streusel, and Vanilla Icing $15.00
Peaches & Cream French Toast: Pullman Cinnamon Bread, Praline Anglaise, Macerated Peaches, Toffee Sauce, and Candied Pecans $16.00
Hours
Mon to Fri 8 am - 2 pm
Sat & Sun 9 am - 2 pm
Order Online: Yes
Top Notch Restaurant
22858 Lincoln Way W, South Bend, IN 46628
Sample Menu of What I Would Order
Country Fresh Eggs with Ham: Carved Off the Bone. Served with Fresh Hash Browns or a Side of Fruit and a Choice of Buttermilk Pancake, Country Biscuit, Toast, or Piece of French Toast
Country Fried Steak & 3 Eggs: With Sausage Gravy. Served with Fresh Hash Browns or a Side of Fruit and a Choice of Buttermilk Pancake, Country Biscuit, Toast, or Piece of French Toast
Southern Skillet: Country Fried Steak and Sauteed Onions Covered with Sausage Gravy and Swiss Cheese. Our Skillets are Topped with Two Eggs (any style), Layered with Fresh Hash Browns or a Side of Fresh Fruit, and a Choice of Buttermilk Pancakes, Country Biscuit, Toast, or One Piece of French Toast.
Sausage & Cheese Omelette: Fresh Country Sausage. Fresh Hash Browns or a Side of Fresh Fruit, and a Choice of Buttermilk Pancakes, Country Biscuit, Toast, or One Piece of French Toast.
French Toast Sandwich: Two French Toast with Country Fresh Ham in Between, Topped with Two Eggs Any Style.
Hours
Daily 6 am - 3 pm
Order Online: Yes
Activities
Studebaker National Museum
The Studebaker National Museum is a museum dedicated to the history of the Studebaker Corporation, a manufacturer of automobiles and other vehicles that were based in South Bend. The museum is located in a former Studebaker factory building and features a collection of over 120 vehicles, including cars, trucks, wagons, and military vehicles.
The museum also houses exhibits on the history of the Studebaker company, including its role in the development of the American transportation industry and its impact on the local community. Visitors can see examples of Studebaker vehicles from various eras, including classic cars from the 1920s and 1930s, post-war models from the 1950s and 1960s, and experimental vehicles from the 1970s.
Current Exhibition
Top of the Line - Studebaker's President
Built to Last: Studebaker Buildings Past & Present
The 1st Source Bank Presidential Carriage Collection: The World’s Largest Collection of U.S. Presidential Carriages
The Original Collection (33 vehicles)
The Military Collection
Studebaker Service Center (kid interactive)
A Touchy Subject (interactive): Effects of Human Touch on a Variety of Car Materials.
Road Surfaces - Past and Present (interactive)
Admission Cost
Adult $11.00
Seniors (60+) $9.50
Students (6-17) $7.00
201 Chapin St, South Bend, IN 46601
Hours
Mon to Sat 10 am - 5 pm
Sun Noon - 5 pm
Raclin Murphy Museum of Art
Update: Snite Museum of Art is now closed... It has been replaced with a new museum, Raclin Murphy Museum of Art
The Snite Museum of Art is an art museum located on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana. It was founded in 1948 and houses a collection of over 29,000 works of art from around the world, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, and decorative arts.
The museum's collection includes works from a variety of periods and cultures, ranging from ancient Greek and Roman art to contemporary works by living artists. The museum is particularly known for its collection of European art, including works by Rembrandt, Monet, and Picasso.
100 St. André Way Notre Dame, IN 46556
Hours (1.19.24)
Mon Closed
Tue to Fri 10 am - 5 pm
Sat Noon - 5 pm
Sun Noon - 5 pm
Admission is FREE FREE FREE
University of Notre Dame
The Eck Visitors Center’s free public tour offers a historical and social overview of life at Notre Dame. Most tours will include visits to the Grotto, Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Main Building (the Golden Dome), and the Hesburgh Library (“Touchdown Jesus”). Tours of Notre Dame Stadium are scheduled separately.
Guided public tours are available at various times throughout the year. Groups of 10 or more must arrange for a private tour. Tours are limited to the first 25 people who register within 30 minutes of the tour in person at the Eck Visitors Center. Advance reservations and telephone reservations are not accepted.
100, Eck Visitors Center, Notre Dame, IN 46556
Four Winds Field
Watch South Bend Cubs Game during the summer, a Class High A affiliate team of the Chicago Cubs. They won the Midwest League championship back in 2022. If you are 21 over, the best night to go would be Thirsty Thursday when the beer & soda is at a bargain.
Four Winds Field has won numerous awards including Ballpark Digest's Best Ballpark in 2017 and Ballpark Renovation of the Year in 2012.
SINGLE-GAME TICKET PRICES
Field Box: $13
Dugout Box: $15
Dairy Queen Home Run Porch: $17
River Valley Party Deck $17
501 W South St, South Bend, IN 46601
Most Games Start at 2:05 pm or 7:05 pm
2023 Season: April 11th - Sept 10th
Food
Fatbird
103 W Colfax Ave, South Bend, IN 46601
Hours (1.19.24)
Mon 11:30 am - 9 pm
Tue Closed
Wed & Thu 11:30 am - 9 pm
Fri & Sat 11:30 am - 10 pm
Sun 11:30 am - 9 pm
Order Online: Yes
Sample Menu of What I Would Order
Deviled Eggs (starter): Duke's Mayo, Creole Mustard, Dill Pickle, Smoked Paprika, Chives $7.99
Chicken & Waffle & Watermelon: Fried Drumsticks, House Made Waffle, Champagne, and Sweet Tea Infused Watermelon, Spicy Sorghum Maple Syrup $22.99
Nashville Sandwich (very spicy): Tallow, Cayenne, Brown Sugar, Creamy Slaw, Pickles $14.99
Bacon Cheeseburger: Double Patty, American Cheese, Pimento Cheese, Special Sauce, Dill Pickles, Shaved Onion, Nueske's Bacon, Salt, and Dill Pickle Vinegar Lettuce $17.49
Rocco's Restaurant
537 N St Louis Blvd, South Bend, IN 46617
Sample Menu of What I Would Order
Meatballs (starter): Served with Homemade Meat Sauce $4.50
Hawaiian Pizza: Ham & Pineapple Med - $17.90 Lrg - $20.95 XLrg - $24.99
Rocco's Homemade Sausage Sub: Grilled Homemade Sausage with the Recipe Rocco Created in 1951, Topped with Homemade Meat Sauce $11.75
Homemade Baked Lasagna (Fri & Sat Only): A Generous Serving of Five Alternating Layers of Pasta Sheets, Homemade Meat Sauce, Sausage, Melted Mozzarella, and Savory Ricotta Stuffing $15.99
Hours (1.19.24)
Sun & Mon Closed
Tue to Thu 4:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Fri & Sat 4:30 pm - 11:30 pm
Order Online: No
Vanilla Bean Creamery
7424 Gumwood Rd K1, Mishawaka, IN 46530
Sample of the Ice Cream Flavors
Strawberry Brownie Cheesecake
Peanut Butter Oreo
Oatmeal Cream Pie
Banana Foster
Blueberry Cheesecake
Black Cherry
Hours
Sun 2 pm - 8 pm
Mon to Fri 2 pm - 9 pm
Sat Noon - 9 pm
Order Online: No
Feb. Highlight: National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day Event - Feb 3rd, 6 am - Special Menu to Celebrate the Day, for example, Blueberry Waffle Sundae, Peanut Butter Banana Waffle Sundae, and Cinnamon Roll Waffle Sundae
Places to Stay
FYI: The hotel prices are estimated and will most likely fluctuate since I looked them up on their website. I will keep them updated the best I can every three months. I look for the cheapest available room, usually a queen bed. I typically look at book rates two months in advance and in the middle of the month to get average rates. Reminder: It is an ESTIMATE
Aloft South Bend
Located within Walking Distance of the Four Winds Field, St Joseph River, and Century Center
From their Website: "Unwind in style in our chic hotel rooms featuring our luxury signature beds, walk-in showers and plug & play connectivity stations."
Food/Drinks Options: Early Bird Eatery (nearby ), Fatbird (nearby), and South Bend Chocolate Cafe (nearby)
Who is this for: Baseball Fans, Convention Goers, College Explorers, & River Watchers
111 N Main St, South Bend, IN 46601
Estimated Cost for Weekend Night (without tax/fee)
King in May 23' - $233.00
King in May 24' - $182.00
Morris Inn
Located within Walking Distance of the Notre Dame Stadium, Snite Museum of Art, and Golden Dome
From their Website: "A premier boutique hotel located at the heart of Notre Dame’s legendary campus, Morris Inn welcomes guests with AAA Four Diamond accommodations, perfectly appointed guestrooms, an excellent restaurant, and a unique warmth that you can’t find anywhere else"
Food/Drinks Options: Rohr's (modern tavern), BRU Burger Bar (nearby), and South Bend Original Pancake House (nearby)
Who is this for: College Football Fans, Padded Wallets, College Explorers, & Stay In The Heart of Tradition
1399 N Notre Dame Ave, South Bend, IN 46617
Estimated Cost for Weekend Night (without tax/fee)
King in Sept 23' - $466.00
King in May 24' - $597.00
21 and up fun
Bare Hands Brewery
12804 Sandy Ct, Granger, IN 46530
SAMPLE OF BEER MENU
Little Westy: Award-Winning IPA | 5.0% ABV
Westy IPA: Award-Winning West Coast IPA | 7.0% ABV
German Chocolate Cake: Imperial Chocolate/Coconut Stout | 10.0% ABV
Spirit Breaker: Hazy Triple IPA | 10.5% ABV
Hours
Mon 4 pm - 10 pm
Tue to Thu 4 pm - 11 pm
Fri & Sat Noon-Midnight
Sun Noon - 7 pm
Food Menu: Pretzels
Studebaker Brewing Co.
620 W Washington St, South Bend, IN 46601
SAMPLE OF BEER MENU
Khan Man's Cure All: Lager - American Light | 4.5% ABV | IBU 8
Champion IPA: IPA - American | 6.8% ABV | IBU 57
Hippie Hopped: IPA - Imperial | 9.5% ABV | IBU 94
Cherrydactyl: Sour - Fruited | 9.5% ABV | IBU 29
Batman Dreams In Darkness: Stout - Imperial | 10.0% ABV | IBU 43
Hours
Mon & Tue Closed
Wed & Thu 4 pm - 9 pm
Fri & Sat Noon - 10 pm
Sun 11 am - 8 pm
Food Menu: Yes
Again these are just few of my picks that fit my personality and interest. If you feel that I left one-off that may interest me or other people, message me on Facebook about the location. I value a person's opinion and never just discard the information. Always looking forward to learning about new places to add to my Google Map. ~ Shawn
The Summary in Activities Uses OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (3.5) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com