Some folks may be seeking for a weekend escape close to home when people start traveling again. South Bend, Indiana is a fantastic little getaway town because it located in northern Indiana and borders nearby Michigan and Illinois. I traveled to The Bend for a nice weekend escape with my buddy Bree. For those residing in central Indiana, it is the ideal distance since it is less than three hours from Indianapolis.
Dining
We ate a lot of fantastic dinners in South Bend! When we arrived, it was soon after lunch, so we had our first meal at Caracas Bistro in Mishawaka. There are several different foods available at this Venezuelan restaurant, including arepas and their renowned milkshakes.
The brownie was hot, covered with ice cream and chocolate sauce, and was quite indulgent, so I highly recommend going just for that.
On Saturday morning, we made the decision to try Chicory Cafe for brunch. Want some beignets now? The location is yours! There are many additional choices, and the majority of the menu has Cajun influences.
We had a fantastic lunch or dinner at Howard Park Public House before going home. There is something for everyone, and their ingredients are frequently seasonal and locally sourced.
The burger and drinks were excellent, but the Asian tots were the highlight of the dinner.
Attractions and activities
The Bend offers different different type of attractions and activities to suit every taste. Visit the National Studebaker Museum, take a tour of the South Bend Chocolate Factory, go rafting down the East Race Waterway, look at all the murals, or take a self-guided walking tour of Notre Dame.
Although we only had time for a handful of these, we were able to do some of them! We took a short stroll around the Notre Dame campus even though it was sweltering hot and muggy in the summer. The private Catholic university, which is the home of the Fighting Irish, was established in 1842. The campus has a number of recognized landmarks, including the
golden dome and a mural known as “Touchdown Jesus.”
Another fantastic tour was at the South Bend Chocolate Company, especially if you enjoy sweets. In addition to tasting some candy, popcorn, and our very own chocolate-dipped spoons, we learned everything there is to know about the manufacture of chocolate, from harvest to packaging. This trip departs at the top of the hour from Monday through Saturday and lasts about an hour. A tiny chocolate museum is also located after the plant tour.
And if you enjoy exploring new places, you’ll adore the East Race Waterway! I had never been rafting before, and I had no idea how difficult it would be. The course is the region’s first artificially created course. You can use smaller, multi-person rafts or two-person kayaks to navigate the river, which takes around 10 minutes. Season passes may be obtained, and
the cost is also extremely affordable. You will get wet, and all the necessary equipment is given. There are no restrooms, so if you don’t want to wear wet clothes home, pack a towel and be ready to change in your car. There is a ton of available parking, including free street parking.
Finally, take a stroll through the city center to view the various stores, works of art, and happenings. South Bend is the ideal weekend retreat if you’re seeking a small town getaway.
I appreciate Visit South Bend funding my vacation, and I look forward to returning to see all I missed out on this time.
Places to Stay
The Morris Inn was our accommodation for the evening in the city. This is a fantastic location with quick access to dining options, shopping, and Notre Dame University. Additionally, there are excellent downtown views, work areas, free wifi, and a pet-friendly policy at the hotel.
I believed the accommodation was suitable for the purpose of our trip despite the fact that our neighbors were quite noisy.
The garage was at one point completely full, but after just a few minutes of waiting, we were able to find a spot. Parking is somewhat scarce.