Location: South Bend
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10 Things to do Good for Big Groups in South Bend That You Shouldn't Miss
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. University of Notre Dame
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,045 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 408tracyp - Charlotte, United States
What a beautiful campus to explore - all ages If in the area please go and visit , so much to see and do From basketball , ???? trophy display, court, football arena, the Golden dome ...and of Course Touch Down Jesus !
2. Edge Adventures South Bend - Rum Village Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 112 reviews
Edge Adventures are treetop trails ranging from 16-60 feet in the air. Participants choose their own self guided course and engage in a combination of obstacles and zip lines as they maneuver their way through different trails with a progressive degree of challenges. There are thrills to satisfy all adventure types! *Last climb STARTS at 4 pm*
3. Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 675 reviews
Reviewed By A6261TZrobertm - Darby, United States
I have visited this Basilica many times and it is a beautiful place of worship. Always go there after a Notre Dame Home football game on an annual trip for Catholic Mass Beautiful interior and Statuary.
4. Grotto of Our Lady Lourdes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 330 reviews
Reviewed By 196donaldz - South Bend, United States
Lit a candle here yesterday while my dad was undergoing surgery. Have loved this place more than any other since I was a student there many years ago. Will always hold a special place in my heart, weather in the peaceful calm of summer, or the quiet of a snowy winter evening.
5. Purcell Pavilion
6. Studebaker National Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 581 reviews
Experience over a century on wheels at the Studebaker National Museum, from the Studebaker family’s c. 1835 Conestoga Wagon to the last car to roll off the Studebaker assembly line in 1966. Learn how the world-famous Studebaker Corporation made the transition from being one of the foremost wagon makers to crafting the automobiles of the modern era — the only company to do so successfully. While you are here, be sure to also check out the world’s largest collection of Presidential Carriages. We hope to see you soon!
Reviewed By calm_weather - Woodstown, United States
I'm not a big carhead. I enjoy history. This museum is mazing in the offerings it has to chronicle the history of manufactured transportation from 1840 to 1960. The number of cars it has, apparently provided by many antique car enthusiasts is, literally, unbelievable. With three floors, the museum appears to cover every aspect of the history of Studebaker and a few other automakers. The first floor goes from 1840 to the mid-1930s or so. This is clearly the heart of their focus. The wall readings explain the progress of the Studebaker family and the automakers. Some reading, not a lot. But you can't take your eyes off the immaculately maintained cars in the room. The sequence walks you through the years with a couple songs that become earworms after a while. The second floor expands the history to additional automakers with a spectacular Delage at the outset, a wonderful Pierce Silver Arrow, and a Scarab that once belonged to the Wrigleys as the first three highlights in the room that continue through other cars you just have to see. The basement floor, the 3rd in the sequence, offers some military production from Studebaker and a coupe other makers, and some additional Studebakers on and below lifts. They appear to be there in storage, but available for view. One 1920s car is still in its original worn condition which gives you a comparison for the work that had to go into reclaiming the cars on the first two floors you saw. If it was the old days, I would have gone through 11 rolls of film and nearly 200 light bulbs. In the digital age, it amounted to a little under a gb of photographs that will keep these beauties available to me forever. I can't encourage you enough to take about 2 hours to take in this museum.
7. Notre Dame Stadium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 541 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 ksmithKsmith - Moncton, Canada
My husband who's been a fan for over 40 years got to go to his first ever Notre Dame game !! We took in all the Football Friday festivities as well !! Very well organized with much to see and do . Trumpets under the Dome , The Marching Band , the players walk out, Stadium Tours , great reasonable food all over the campus grounds , and even shuttle golf carts that help to get you around if needed. Just flag them down ....and they are more than happy to help. Friendly volunteers everywhere !! Game day we parked at the Saint Mary's College which was close by , $25 and helps the students , we walked from there to the game and took a free shuttle back because it was getting dark by then. Oh I almost forgot , the band Chicago played at halftime and there were also Fighter jets that flew overhead . On this particular day , the Irish won , 52-0 against Bowling Green .Tons of photo ops all over .... just make sure to read what you can bring and what you cannot and you'll be all set . Enjoy and Go Irish !!
8. Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 191 reviews
Reviewed By 8kimms
Our family thoroughly enjoys our trips to this amazing minor league ballpark! When it was acquired by the Chicago Cubs in 2014, they did an extensive renovation and rebranding that has made this ballpark a great spot for people of all ages! It's quaint enough that we're comfortable with our tweets/teens wandering around to check things out on their own. They have a splash pad, playground, and fun zone with giant inflatables. Their store is top notch and has the old South Bend feel to it! With regularly themed nights, there is always something new and interesting to take part in and they are GREAT at hosting their littlest fans!
9. South Bend Civic Theater
10. The Indiana Whiskey Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
The Indiana Whiskey Company is a veteran owned small-batch distillery located in South Bend, Indiana. Each drop of whiskey is brewed and distilled on site using locally fabricated fermentation equipment and a traditional alembic-style copper pot still. We welcome you to tour the production floor and experience the process from the brewing the grain to distilling the spirit to barreling and bottling the whiskey. Enjoy a pour of whiskey at the bar of our tasting room or sip a signature cocktail while relaxing in the Whiskituity lounge.
Reviewed By mattgO2604SO
Indiana Joe was so welcoming and friendly and made our visit amazing. Between tasting their whiskeys, trying cocktails, and a tour of the distillery, it was a major highlight of our visit in South Bend. Not to mention the whiskeys are exceptionally good.
