A sampling of the things to do for graduate students in South Bend, first focusing on the campus community, then working to the greater Michiana area before examining what lay beyond.
11. What else is out there?
Five of Midwest’s largest cities within 4 hour drive
• Chicago 95 miles
• Inexpensive train and bus options from South Bend to Chicago
• Shows, concerts, shopping, sporting events, nightlife
• Access to anywhere in the world via O’Hare and Midway Airports
• Indianapolis 140 miles
• Milwaukee 180 miles
• Detroit 220 miles
• Cleveland 250 miles
Notas del editor
Notre Dame: located in an area of immense natural beauty in all seasons.
DPAC: state of the art performance venue that holds a variety of plays, concerts, movies, etc. Venue contains five different performance venues (concert hall, theater, studio theater, Browning Cinema, and recital hall). Often offers discounted admission for students. More than 100,000 visitors per year visit the facility.Summer Shakespeare Festival: a main summer play at DPAC coupled with outdoor summer productions throughout the region, including on the lawn of the Main Building. Last year, main play was The Merchant of Venice, with the Young Company (outdoor) performing As You Like It.Student Film Festival: Annual film showcase held in January featuring student-produced films (new Film Theatre and TV graduate minor).Crossroads Gallery: Downtown exhibition space for community organizations and public, operated by the Institute for Latino Studies.
Student tickets: free for most sports; only FB, MBB and MIH require the purchase of tickets.Gameday events: more than just a football game, contains lectures, book signings, band performances, tailgate parties, etc.RecSports: university division that runs programs in aquatics, club sports, family programs, fitness classes, personal training and special events. Facility usage often free of charge, minimal fee for classes.
Morris PAC: 2500 seat theater that hosts a variety of concerts, plays, dance recitals, Broadway tours, etc. Listed on National Register of Historic Places.Area is home to more than a dozen art galleries and a number of additional performing arts venues and museums, including the Center for History and the Studebaker Museum.Zoo/Gardens: Potawatomi Zoo, oldest zoo in Indiana (more than 100 years old) - 400 animals, 160 different species; at same location is Muessel-Ellison Conservatory, containing a number of indoor botanical gardens, featuring tropical and desert plantsShiojiri Garden: located in neighboring Mishawaka, is a Japanese strolling garden that symbolizes the Sister-City relationship between Mishawaka, Indiana and Shiojiri City, Japan.South Bend Symphony: in its 79th season this year, calls Morris PAC & DPAC home during the performance season.
SB Silver Hawks: Class A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, play at Covaleski Field downtownEast Race Waterway: first artificial whitewater waterway in North America, open to public. Made by turning an old shipping canal into a recreation spot.Riverwalks: paved hiking/biking/walking trails along the river, running the length of the river through South Bend and Mishawaka. Numerous gardens and sculptures line these paths.Skiing: 3 ski areas in Michigan all within 90 minutes of campusLake Michigan Dunes: 15,000 acres of parkland on southern shore of Lake Michigan, area for beach recreation, geologic and biological studyGolf courses: outstanding public courses in the area, including Notre Dame’s Warren Course (with discounted rates for ND students)Community Pools: Six pools/water play areas in South Bend, one in MishawakaIce Rinks: One outdoor rink in both SB and Mishawaka, plus newly opened Compton Ice Arena on campus for indoors (year-round)
Farmer’s Market: Open Tues/Thurs/Sat year-round, plus Friday during summer months. Visitors can get a variety of local products, including produce and meat products.Lake Michigan Wine Region: A number of wineries and microbreweries available. Wineries mostly in southwest Michigan, coupled with farm markets offering fresh produce. Microbreweries popping up in plenty of locations, including one in downtown South BendSouth Bend Chocolate Company: known around the region for their variety of sweet treats. Has locations as far away as Indianapolis and Lake Erie Islands regionAlso a number of local festivals and fairs, both in South Bend and St. Joseph, Mich. (about an hour away), and a flea market/auction in Shipshewana (Northern Indiana’s Amish and Mennonite Area).Also available are a number of food co-ops, including one that delivers weekly right to your door.
Eddy Street Commons is new development just south of campus, featuring bookstores, shops, restaurants, bars. Included in this district are Outpost Sports and Urban Outfitters.Downtown South Bend has countless shops, covering a wide range from antiques to electronics and jewelry to shoes.Nearby Mishawaka holds University Park Mall and surrounding strip malls. UP Mall holds more than 120 stores and shops, including Apple Store, Barnes & Noble, Banana Republic, Disney, and many more.Lighthouse Place Outlets in Michigan City, about 45 minutes west, contains more than 120 stores including Adidas, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Columbia Sportswear and more.
A generous selection of national chain restaurants, ranging from fast food to casual to high-end eateries.Even more options of local dining establishments, ranging in all manner of prices. Many of these local establishments participate in the Eat. Drink. Downtown South Bend. promotion twice a year, offering 3-4 course meals for often as little as $25 per couple (others are $25 per person).For the do-it-yourself foodie, a number of neighborhood markets offer authentic imported foods, including Asian, Indian, Hispanic and Italian.
Eddy Street Commons features several bars catering to a different clientele than undergraduate environment, including The Mark and Brothers Bar and Grille.Downtown features include Club LaSalle (jazz and cigar bar), Trio’s Restaurant and Jazz Club, The Vine wine bar and Club Fever, a Las Vegas-style nightclub.Two casinos within an hour’s drive away – Blue Chip in Michigan City and Four Winds in New Buffalo, Mich. Both feature concerts and restaurants in addition to the usual casino entertainment.
Plenty of recreational opportunities for kids, including sports teams, both indoor and outdoor, ranging from team sports like soccer and baseball to individual activities such as gymnastics and swimming.South Bend has Healthworks Museum full of children’s activities, while nearby Mishawaka has its own Children’s Museum.Extensive county library system and additional educational opportunities, such as the Riverbend Community Math Center.
Five of the largest cities in the midwest are located within a four-hour driveLargest is Chicago, which is also the closest. For those without a car, there are both train and bus options from South Bend into Chicago for shows, concerts, sporting events, shopping, restaurants, nightlife, etc.Other cities located within four hours of South Bend include Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Detroit and Cleveland.
