Best hotels in South Bend
Courtyard by Marriott South Bend Downtown
121 S Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, South Bend, IN, 46601
Close to St. Joseph River and convenient for most of the major transport routes, the Courtyard is the ideal business hotel. Rooms have city views, desks, mini-fridges and coffee makers, plus there’s a fitness center and indoor swimming pool.
Aloft South Bend
111 N Main Street, South Bend, IN, 46601
The Aloft is a short walk from the river and smack in the heart of South Bend’s liveliest area. From here you’re ideally located for restaurants, museums and galleries, with the Morris Performing Arts Center close by. Rooms are modern and clean, the funky lobby makes a great meeting spot.
Morris Inn
1399 N Notre Dame Avenue, South Bend, IN, 46617
Sat on the University of Notre Dame campus, the Morris Inn is famed for its service and hospitality, and is ideal for anyone visiting this seat of learning. It boasts excellent conference facilities, family and pet-friendly rooms and, in Rohr’s, a restaurant that ticks all the boxes from child-friendly brunch to filet mignon and heritage pork chop.
Best restaurants in South Bend
Rocco’s
537 N St Louis Blvd, South Bend, IN, 46617
A South Bend fixture since 1951, Rocco’s is a justifiably popular red sauce joint that is a huge hit with the locals. The interior is a welcome throwback, while pizza bases, pastas and sauces are all made fresh in the kitchen daily.
The Carriage House
24460 Adams Road, South Bend, IN, 46628
The Carriage House is big on atmosphere, situated in an old church amidst beautiful gardens. It’s a great place for al fresco dining, where you can enjoy market fish or the signature beef wellington under the sun. Artisan wood-fired pizzas are also exceptional, with toppings from the traditional through to contemporary takes such as prosciutto with fig marmalade and goat’s cheese cream.
LaSalle Grill
115 W Colfax Avenue, South Bend, IN, 46601
A downtown classic for a couple of decades, LaSalle’s is the place for a romantic meal, with soft lighting and a renowned wine list. New American classics grab influence from France, Italy and beyond for dishes such as beef carpaccio, baked brie en croute and poached, chilled black tiger shrimp.
What to do in South Bend
Studebaker National Museum
201 Chapin Street, South Bend, IN, 46601
It may be gone, but classic car marque Studebaker is not forgotten. The renowned manufacturer had its base in South Bend, and this fine museum celebrates some of their more celebrated cars, such as the 1950’s Packard. There’s more to it than that, however, with a rare collection of presidential carriages and visiting exhibitions.
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN, 46556
The famous university is one of South Bend’s biggest attractions, but it’s not just for students and their families. Their renowned athletic program means there’s superb sports on offer all year round, with football the most prominent – the team has provided numerous Heisman Trophy winners and NFL legends. Make time too for the neo-gothic Basilica of the Sacred Heart from 1870.
Morris Performing Arts Center
211 N Michigan Street, South Bend, IN, 46601
This storied building – it was a vaudeville house in 1922 and has a place on the National Register of Historic Places – is now home to a symphony orchestra and is the local stop-off point for touring Broadway shows.