Summertime might be The Bend's sweetest season. Whether you're looking for a splash of adventure or the perfect patio for dinner, there is no shortage of options in South Bend and Mishawaka for your itinerary. Here are some of the best things to do and places to stay during a summer getaway.
Things to Do
If you're the type to spend summer weekends outside, The Bend is your kind of place. Sign up for the #OnlyinTheBend Parks Pass to check-in at some of our favorite green spaces and win prizes along the way. Potato Creek State Park is an outdoor lover's paradise with miles of hiking and biking trails, plus Lake Worster at its center. You can fish and paddle on the lake all summer long. Rum Village Park is another favorite for hikers and disc golfers. It's also home to Edge Adventures Aerial Park, where visitors can tackle obstacles and zip lines from the treetops.
Adventure seekers also don't want to miss our biggest summer attraction: Whitewater rafting at the East Race Waterway. Located right in downtown South Bend, it's a mile-long thrill ride.
Sports fans might think things are quiet when Notre Dame football season is still months away. Not so much. America's pastime is alive and well at Four Winds Field as the South Bend Cubs, an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, play in one of the nation's top Minor League parks.
Potawatomi Zoo is open for extended hours in the summer and that means it’s time to go meet its newest additions: giraffes. You also don't want to miss the Southern White Rhino, red pandas and so many other animals.
Summer might be less about the food and more about where to sit, but why not have both? Patio season well underway come summertime, with options ranging from along the St. Joseph River to near the Golden Dome.
It can't be summer without finding some ice cream. La Rosita might be the most underrated ice cream spot among many great options.
Head to downtown South Bend for a variety of eaters — breweries, coffee shops, cocktail spots, brunch places, fine dining restaurants and more. Fiddler’s Hearth offers an authentic Celtic experience, Woochi Japanese Fusion specializes in sushi. PEGGS and The Early Bird Eatery serve up delicious breakfast. Café Navarre, LaSalle Grill and LaSalle Kitchen & Tavern serve up some of the area’s best menus.
Mishawaka is bustling with great places to eat. Jesús Latin Grill has one of the most unique menus in the area. Nearby, Chicory Café is more than just a coffeeshop. Evil Czech Brewery has craft beer and one of the best menus around.
Places to Stay
Looking for a place to crash before your next adventure? A place to really unwind? Either way, The Bend has great options for your summer trip.
