Things to Do in South Bend
South Bend Things To Do Guide
There are some people who believe that a list of things to do in South Bend can't be made without including some reference to Notre Dame. It's true that this major university and its sports team are extremely important to the local community, but there is other stuff to do in South Bend that has nothing to do with the Fighting Irish.
For the person passionate about classic cars, a visit to the Studebaker National Museum should be on the list of mandatory South Bend activities. The exhibit highlights every model of the Studebaker ever made during its 75-year history. The museum holds a raffle every year, and the grand prizewinner will be the owner of a brand-new car. Budding artists can even enter the "Design a New Studebaker" contest, where they can submit a drawing of what they think a Studebaker would look like today.
If hunger hits, there are tons of sports bars available, but if there's a desire for something a little less burger and a little more salmon, new arrival Cafe Navarre should fit the bill. This establishment is located on N. Michigan Street, and people have already been raving about the filet mignon and the duck. What makes it all the more special is that even though the atmosphere is upscale, the staff goes out of its way to make everyone feel at home. Reservations should be made, because this place is getting more popular by the day.
For the hottest pop, rock, Christian and country concerts, the Morris Performing Arts Center heads the list of South Bend attractions. In addition to great music and comedy, the center is also the place to see Broadway shows and local plays. The center welcomes active community involvement, so it's a great place to enjoy the scene as well as be a part of it.
Things to Do Deals
Canlan Ice Sports
- Fort Wayne
NHL-sized ice rinks host open-skate sessions, skating lessons, and hockey leagues
Paintball Plex
- Fort Wayne
An expansive paintball facility hosts colorful clashes on indoor and outdoor fields with air bunkers and WWII-inspired obstacles
The Plex South
- Multiple Locations
Indoor 18-hole mini golf course and batting cages are open year round; birthday party for up to 20 with pizza, drinks, and games
Putt-Putt Fun Center Fort Wayne
- Fort Wayne
Center boasts family-friendly go-karts, arcade & putt-putt courses including one with fire-breathing volcano
Action Park Paintball
- Penn
23 acres of outdoor playing fields and an 8,000-square-foot indoor facility feature battlefields with unique terrain and designs
Chicago Paragliding
- Multiple Locations
Learn the basics of paragliding before strapping into a glider with an instructor for an extended flight
Blastcamp Paintball
- Wheeler
Trained referees watch over games on former missile base’s fields, with arenas for close-quarters combat, woodsball, and speedball
Taltree Arboretum & Gardens
- Valparaiso
Vast arboretum and green-space initiative brings plants together from around the world to create varied gardens
Surfari Joe's
- Watervliet
Lifeguards oversee indoor, safari-themed water-park fun; two extreme slides and heated ponds entertain all ages
Mystic Hills Golf Club
18-hole course on the Pete Dye Golf Trail presents challenging elements of links-style and traditional golf course designs
Skydive Horizonz
Skydivers enjoy scenic vistas of downtown Chicago from dives conducted from above Lake Michigan
Recommended Things to Do by Groupon Customers
Kids can’t be expected to care about their health when video games, cartoons, and outdoor adventures are vying for their attention. That’s why the adult leaders of the Memorial Health Foundation devised a plan to get kids excited about health: HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum. Born of the founders’ desire to foster a healthier current and future community, the museum appeals to youngsters through educational forms of entertainment. Its exhibits incorporate amplified versions of many of kids’ favorite pastimes, including a life-sized rendition of Operation and numerous computer games. A rock-climbing wall and tree house with a slide encourage kids to learn through movement, which is exactly how adults learn how to escape charging bulls. Youngsters can explore the space with their families or partake in programs such as children's camps.
