Here are some day trips you can do if you live in South Bend, Indiana.
If you want to escape to nature, you can check out Indiana Dunes. Indiana Dunes became one of the newest National Parks in America in 2019, and although it doesn’t have big mountains or waterfalls, the dunes are pretty impressive. There are also many trails around, and there is beach access with a nice view of Lake Michigan. Sometimes, at sunset, you can even see the Chicago skyline in the distance just over the horizon. Indiana Dunes is around an hour from South Bend, so it is a great spot for a day trip, hike, or picnic.
If you want to go to a big city, you can go to Chicago. Chicago is the third biggest city in the US. Home to the world famous Deep Dish Pizza and Chicago hotdogs, Chicago has a lot of diverse culture. It also has a great skyline, and you can visit the top of one of the highest American skyscrapers, the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower). There is much more to explore. You can explore the riverfront, downtown, and even take a boat down the Chicago river. Or, you can visit millennium park, and the famous Bean sculpture. Chicago also has the amazing Navy Pier. You can get great food and ice cream on Navy Pier, and there is even a ferris wheel at the end. Chicago is less than 2 hours away, making it a perfect destination for a day trip.
Another urban option is Indianapolis. It is the largest city in Indiana, with almost 900,000 people. For its size, the downtown is very tidy and clean and the cityscape is impressive. At just under 2.5 hours from South Bend, that is great. You can check out the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home to the world famous race — the Indy 500. There are also plenty of museums in Indianapolis, so take your pick. Indianapolis even has its own state park, the White River State Park. This state park is a beautiful green space that sits in the middle of Indianapolis by the White River.
South Bend may not have much interesting stuff around, but these 3 destinations are some great day trip ideas if you are bored.
