What to Know About Visiting South Bend, Indiana

Few cities have had a much bigger turnaround up to now few years than South Bend, Indiana.

Beset by a shrinking inhabitants and chronic financial woes, in 2011 the group of 100,000 was named to Newsweek’s “Dying Cities” record — a public declaration of a decline that locals had lengthy witnessed. Within the years after, although, South Benders (together with their well-known “Mayor Pete” Buttigieg) labored laborious to reverse their fortunes. The downtown district was revitalized, new companies and residents moved in, and the place started to realize regional, then nationwide consideration as a metropolis on the rise.

That spotlight reached its apex in 2024 when U.S. Information and World Report ranked South Bend 25 on its annual Greatest Locations to Reside record and 15 amongst its Greatest Locations to Retire.

“South Bend is likely one of the greatest locations to dwell,” says Alayna Wort, a program supervisor on the South Bend-Elkhart Regional Partnership, “as a result of it is a large enough metropolis to really feel like you might have far too many issues to decide on between doing and a sufficiently small metropolis that you just actually really feel identified.”

I’ve skilled that steadiness myself in two stints residing within the metropolis. I attended school in South Bend and later returned to dwell and work there, and I can attest that whether or not you’re contemplating a transfer or simply on the lookout for an reasonably priced trip, there’s by no means been a greater time to go to. As a local Hoosier and a longtime resident of “the Bend,” right here’s my information to the perfect issues to do in certainly one of America’s best rising cities.

Greatest Issues to Do

Go to Notre Dame.

“South Bend’s primary attraction,” says Jeff Jarnecke, government director of Go to South Bend Mishawaka, “is the College of Notre Dame.” The soccer stadium and the golden-domed Foremost Constructing are the best-known websites on this famously stunning campus, however, as an alumna, I’ve two different suggestions: taking a stroll across the lakes (views are greatest from St. Joseph’s northern shore) and catching a present at Washington Corridor, which just lately completed a formidable historic restoration.

Discover downtown South Bend.

As soon as seen as a ghost city, downtown South Bend (DTSB) is now a full of life district full of bars and eating places. Households will love the automotive historical past at Studebaker Nationwide Museum, whereas grownup guests can curl up in a comfortable espresso store like Chicory Cafe.

Take within the native arts scene.

Because of its low rents and gritty, can-do spirit, South Bend is full of hardworking creatives. To discover their world, attend a present on the South Bend Civic Theatre or the offbeat arts incubator LangLab, or pop into Make South Bend to browse native artwork or take a workshop.

Get exterior.

A landlocked metropolis identified for its winter “permacloud” could not sound like an out of doors paradise. However, when the climate even barely permits, South Benders like to get exterior. Downtown, you’ll be able to bike on the brand new Hyperlink Path or go whitewater rafting on the St. Joseph River, whereas, simply south of town, Potato Creek State Park affords climbing, fishing, and cross-country snowboarding — plus an in-progress lodge that, when accomplished, will likely be Indiana’s first new state park lodge since 1939.

Greatest Locations to Keep

The Morris Inn

The four-star Morris Inn is the unmatched greatest resort on the town. Although situated on campus at Notre Dame, this isn’t a stodgy school constructing — it boasts plush rooms and suites, high quality eating, and attentive service that may enchantment even to guests and not using a campus connection.

Airbnbs and Leases

For choices past South Bend’s comparatively few lodges, select from its sturdy choice of trip leases. Airbnb has choices at each dimension and value level, whereas the native firm Hire Like a Champion makes a speciality of full (and infrequently luxurious) houses good for football-weekend group journey.

The Oliver Inn

Simply blocks from downtown, the 10-room Oliver Inn affords home made breakfasts and spacious lodgings in a stately Nineteenth-century Queen Anne house. You should definitely select a bundle that features dinner at Tippecanoe Place — it’s a historic tremendous eating mainstay situated proper subsequent door.

DoubleTree by Hilton Resort South Bend

For a strong keep within the coronary heart of downtown, strive the DoubleTree. Improbably for such a small metropolis, it was designed by Helmut Jahn, the famed German architect who created Chicago’s Thompson Middle two hours to the west.

Greatest Nightlife

Corby’s

Like all school cities, South Bend is chock-full of dive bars. Most school dives, although, haven’t appeared in Hollywood movies. Corby’s is the uncommon dive that has, having performed host to a number of scenes in 1993’s “Rudy” — and it’s price a cease for soccer and film followers alike.

Fiddler’s Fireside

For a Notre Dame Combating Irish bar with an emphasis on the “Irish,” look no additional than Fiddler’s Fireside. This downtown establishment affords dwell music, a comfortable pub environment, and greater than two dozen Irish whiskeys.

The Linebacker Lounge

Crowded as it could be with college students and nostalgic alums, “the Backer” is a should for any customer in search of the complete Notre Dame expertise. It’s my private favourite bar in South Bend, so belief me: What it lacks in ceiling peak and seating, it greater than makes up for in low-cost drinks and eclectic tunes.

The Trade

Situated in an outdated financial institution constructing in DTSB, The Trade is certainly one of South Bend’s solely late-night bars catering squarely to the non-student crowd. Come right here for wonderful cocktails at delectably low, small-city costs.

Greatest Eating places

The Lauber

A full of life bar and grill situated in an outdated sheet metallic manufacturing unit, The Lauber is emblematic of South Bend’s rebirth. A various pub-grub menu, a beer record with heavy Midwestern illustration, and a preferred seasonal patio are among the many many highlights.

Barnaby’s

The unique location of what’s now a regional chain, this South Bend establishment has been cranking out scrumptious tavern-style pizza since 1969. Their rival a couple of blocks north, Rocco’s, additionally makes nice pies — however, in my six-generation Hoosier household, Barnaby’s is king.

Dainty Maid Meals Corridor

South Bend has developed a sturdy pop-up scene lately, and in 2022, Dainty Maid opened to provide longer-term houses to among the metropolis’s greatest non permanent eateries. Present favorites embody Revenant Espresso Bar and Piñata, a Tex-Mex joint serving dishes like burnt finish burrito bowls and Nashville scorching nachos.

Roselily

Situated on the southern fringe of downtown, this former pop-up is now certainly one of simply two AAA 4-Diamond eating places in South Bend. Roselily affords a tasting menu, a la carte choices, and, Wort notes, occasional themed dinners. “Their Italian nights in January 2024 had been unimaginable!” she says.

Evil Czech Brewery

In a metropolis with a lot of nice brunch spots, suburban Mishawaka’s Evil Czech grew to become my favourite by providing a setup I’ve hardly ever seen elsewhere: buffet desk after buffet desk of breakfast and lunch small plates.

Greatest Time to Go to

One of the best time to go to South Bend could be decided by answering one query: Are you right here for Notre Dame soccer, or for actually anything? As a result of fall in South Bend is soccer season.

Sport days in South Bend are an expertise all sports activities followers ought to have as soon as — the campus environment is electrical, actions (each on- and off-campus) abound, and relying on the 12 months, they could additionally contain among the nation’s greatest soccer. If that sounds good to you, seek the advice of the Combating Irish schedule and select a fall weekend accordingly.

Vacationers not in search of soccer frenzy, although, ought to keep away from the autumn, when resort and airfare costs skyrocket and crowds are massive.

“Whereas South Bend will greet you any time of 12 months,” says Jarnecke, “the summer time months supply probably the most facilities, occasions, [and] experiences.”

Summer season definitely is the perfect season for a few of my favourite actions in South Bend. Temperatures are usually within the 70s or 80s, making it a good time to go to the South Bend Farmers Market (one of many Midwest’s oldest and largest); catch a baseball sport by the native Minor League group, the South Bend Cubs; or take one of many outside health lessons held every summer time at Gridiron Plaza, a pretend, mini soccer area situated smack in the midst of downtown.

The way to Get There

South Bend Worldwide Airport affords probably the most direct route into city, with flights from greater than a dozen cities nationwide. Town can be simple to succeed in from Chicago, because of trains on the South Shore Line and bus connections from each Chicago airports.

By automotive, Interstate 90 connects South Bend to all corners of the nation, and Indiana’s north-south artery, Freeway 31, has its terminus right here. Indianapolis, Chicago, and Detroit all lie inside a three-hour drive.

When you’ve arrived, renting a automotive is advisable, because the metropolis is simply too unfold out to see every thing on foot (and transit is proscribed). For those who’d fairly not drive your self, the world has loads of Ubers and Lyfts.