The Best Things to Do in South Bend, Indiana with Kids
Our family is always looking for family-friendly Midwest travel destinations, and we recently added South Bend, Indiana to our list!
This college town in Northern Indiana is home to the University of Notre Dame, but there are so many things to do here with kids, making it a great place for a weekend getaway any time of year!
Visit South Bend hosted us on our most recent trip there, and they invited us out for a fun winter getaway! We got to check out both indoor and outdoor activities and discovered that there really is something for every type of traveler here.
Foodie families will appreciate the wide selection of locally owned restaurants in the downtown area, outdoor adventure-loving families can find a variety of parks to explore, and families like ours that like a little bit of everything will have no shortage of entertainment.
While we made the most of the chilly weather, I also think that this would be the perfect place to visit in summer, too! It has lots of outdoor patios and a serene riverwalk to enjoy on a balmy summer day.
No matter when you choose to visit the South Bend area, I’ve got some suggestions for the best things to do and the coolest tourist attractions in the area to enjoy with kids.
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The Best Things to Do in South Bend, Indiana with Kids
Potawatomi Zoo
One of our top experiences on our visit to South Bend was the Potawatomi Zoo.
The oldest zoo in Indiana (or at least one of the oldest zoos) has almost 400 animals, a play area for kids, a zoo farm, picnic areas, and a train - the Potawatomi Express!
Watching the zookeepers feed the giraffes at the Giraffe Visitor Center was a true highlight of our zoo visit, and watching the leopard stalk around its habitat was really fun to see, too.
While the zoo season runs from March 31-October 31, you can also attend the Winter Days which are weekends from 12-3. We were lucky with some unseasonably warm weather, and we really enjoyed being out in the fresh air.
River Walk along the St. Joseph River
I’m a huge fan of river walks, and one of the highlights of this particular river walk is the river lights that are displayed every night from dusk until dawn. Look for themed colors to reflect holidays or Notre Dame football games!
You can also stroll the river walk during the day for some exercise, or just to get a different perspective of the city.
South Bend Chocolate Company
If you have a sweet tooth like me, you’ll definitely want to book a tour at South Bend Chocolate Company.
The factory tour takes you behind the scenes and shows you how the chocolate is made, from the bean all the way to the factory processes. You’ll get lively stories from your tour guide, plenty of chocolate samples (come hungry), and lots of fun facts about chocolate.
Our kids really enjoyed this tour, especially the eating chocolate part.
At the end of the tour, you can check out the chocolate museum, or stop in the gift shop for some sweet treats to take home!
Ironworks Ice Rink
One of the awesome winter activities we didn’t end up having time for was Ironworks Ice Rink. We’ve never taken our kids ice skating, so when I first heard about this attraction I didn’t think much of it.
However, my contact at Visit South Bend informed me that they also have Ice Bumper Cars and Ice Bykes to ride! So even if your kids are still young or inexperienced at ice skating, you will certainly find something fun to do here.
Generations AdventurePlex
Get ready for one of the most exciting indoor attractions in South Bend! Generations AdventurePlex has everything you could imagine from great food and beverages to bowling, laser tag, axe throwing, and countless arcade games.
This was our first time bowling with all 4 kids, so seeing the light-up lanes overlooking the arcade below was a really fun experience. We ended up giggling almost the entire time at the kids’ form and at how bad Mom was at bowling. Yet, our 2-year-old got a higher score than me. I know my strengths, and bowling is not one of them.
We had axe throwing on the schedule for my husband and me, but we ended up running out of time after spending the whole evening playing arcade games! There are so many fun options that even little kids will love like a Monopoly Roll & Go game, racing games, basketball games, and more!
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Another thrilling indoor option for cold or rainy days would be Sky Zone Trampoline Park! What kid doesn’t love jumping, swinging, jousting, and bouncing in a trampoline paradise?
University of Notre Dame Campus
You can’t visit South Bend, Indiana without stopping by the Notre Dame campus. It’s absolutely iconic, and after watching the movie Rudy with our older kids this year, we were really excited to show them where the movie was set.
We started at the bookstore for some souvenir shopping (we probably should have ended with that), then made our way over to the Main Building with the Golden Dome.
We grabbed a few pictures of the iconic landmark, then went straight to the Hesburgh Library where we saw the famous “Word of Life” mural (otherwise known affectionately as “Touchdown Jesus”). As you can guess from the mural’s nickname, it’s within view of the Notre Dame stadium.
Don’t forget to stop at the beautiful Basilica of the Sacred Heart with its stunning stained glass windows. Or visit the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, a reproduction of the famous shrine in France.
Howard Park
If you can’t get enough of ice skating, you could also try the ice trail at Howard Park, which is a 16,000-square-foot loop.
You can also skate on the pond, which is a quieter area for beginner skaters, and skate rentals are available.
Visit Downtown South Bend
If you want to be where the action is, be sure to explore Downtown South Bend. There are so many incredible restaurants and special events in this area, along with museums, plazas, shops, and theaters like the Morris Performing Arts Center and the Snite Museum of Art.
I’ll share some of our favorite places to eat below!
You can also check out the South Bend Farmers Market in the warmer months to get a feel for local artisanal food and crafts.
History Museum
Our visit to South Bend was short, but if you’ve got some more time to fill and have a history buff in your family, you might enjoy the History Museum. There are plenty of interesting exhibits for adults, as well as the Kidsfirst Children’s Museum area where kids can see interactive exhibits about growing up in a log cabin or traveling in a Conestoga wagon.
The History Museum also owns several historic buildings, including Oliver Mansion, once owned by the J.D. Oliver family.
Studebaker National Museum
Transportation lovers will enjoy the Studebaker National Museum with U.S. Presidential Carriages as part of its permanent collection, including the carriage that President Abraham Lincoln used the night he was assassinated. (I wish we had known! We loved learning about Abraham Lincoln on our visit to Springfield, IL!)
They also have military vehicles and a collection of vehicles donated by the Studebaker Corporation on display, including a Conestoga wagon!
Children’s Museum of South Bend
If your kids have some energy to burn and the weather is cold or rainy, you might like the Children’s Museum of South Bend. Exhibits include a kid-size town, a LEGO table, a puzzle table, and a light table, a sound booth, a music area, a toddler area, and a play lab.
South Bend Cubs
South Bend has a minor league baseball team called the South Bend Cubs that play at Four Winds Field.
If your family likes sports and the weather is nice, you may want to check out their schedule and see if you can attend a game during your time in South Bend!
East Race Waterway
For families that love adventure, be sure to check out East Race Waterway, the first artificial whitewater rafting course in the United States! This would be a great warm-weather activity if your family wants to get the adrenaline pumping! This would also be a better activity for families with older kids than young families.
Hiking
There are many kid-friendly trails in and around South Bend, such as the Big Tree Trail in Bendix Woods County Park! This is a great area for birding or just getting out in nature to enjoy the beech and maple trees. You could also check out the River Ridge Trail at St. Patricks County Park near the St. Joseph River.
Where to Eat in South Bend with Kids
South Bend has a great culinary scene and some incredible locally-owned restaurants. Here are a few of our favorites!
Pegg’s South Bend
Peggs serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but I would highly recommend stopping here for breakfast! The kids LOVED the pancakes and French Toast, and I had an amazing salted caramel latte.
The Lauber
The Lauber is a trendy restaurant with the best sliders I’ve ever tasted. They had a great kids menu, lots of unique cocktail options, and a great collection of beers. I really liked the atmosphere in this restaurant, and they were very welcoming to the kids. And seriously, try the sliders.
Barnaby’s
Barnaby’s is a great pizza restaurant that feels very traditional and fun. You can order your pizza or take it home, but it’s a perfect option for families who want affordable, delicious pizza, breadsticks, and sandwiches.
American Pancake House
American Pancake House is a classic diner with all different types of pancakes, waffles, french toast, eggs, bacon, and sausage. You can’t go wrong with breakfast or brunch here!
Where to Stay in South Bend, Indiana with Kids
We stayed at Varsity Clubs of America in the 2-bedroom suites which had the perfect amount of space for our family of 6! Both bedrooms had a king-size bed, and there was also a pull-out couch available in the living room.
I was also pleasantly surprised that there was a full-size refrigerator, dishwasher, and a huge coat closet with a washer and dryer inside.
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Emily Krause is a Wisconsin-based travel blogger who writes about exploring the world with kids. On A Mom Explores you’ll find best family travel destinations, Disney World tips, and how to make travel with babies and toddlers a little easier.
Emily believes that exploring starts in our own backyards, and adventure can happen anywhere with the right mindset.
