Mishawaka

Mishawaka is in Northern Indiana. The town is named after Princess Mishawaka of the Potowatomi tribe. Its adjacent twin city is South Bend, Indiana, located West of the city. The St. Joseph River runs through downtown where a new riverwalk is still being constructed. Though South Bend has a great deal to offer in terms of tourist attractions, Mishawaka also has quite a few things to see and do. Plus, Notre Dame and South Bend are a short drive away if boredom begins to take over.

Between South Bend and Mishawaka, Mishawaka has more wealth and business despite a smaller population. AM General has a plant on the south side of town and there are many suburban-style strip malls and outlet malls located along north Grape Rd. and Main St.

Get in

By car

• I-80/90 (Toll Road) Connects to Toledo, Ohio in the east and Chicago, to the west.
• US 31/S.R. 933 Connects to Indianapolis in the south and runs through downtown South Bend and then 3 miles north to the Michigan line, where it becomes M-51 North.
• US 20 The bypass around the city which connects to SR 2 (West to Michigan City), US 12 in Michigan (to Sturgis and Detroit to the East and Michigan City and Chicago to the West), SR 23 (a main artery through the city as well as St. Joseph County), the I-80/90 toll road, as well as all other major roads from Elkhart to South Bend and into Michigan.
• S.R. 23 State Road 23 runs diagonally Northeast-Southwest through South Bend first, then through the North side of Mishawaka from the Kankakee area and turns into M-60 in Michigan (see above).

By plane

• South Bend Regional Airport Just northwest of the city center. (SBN ^IATA), South Bend Regional is Indiana's second busiest airport and features flights to and from Chicago Midway & O'Hare, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Orlando-Sanford, St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Atlanta, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis. The airport has an eatery (Cafe SBN), a coffee shop, business center, WI-FI access, a candy store (Sugar and Spice), free air museum, Military Honor Park, travel agency, valet parking, a chapel, limousine and car rental services, freight service, bus terminal (Greyhound and Coach USA, see below) and a commuter rail line to downtown Chicago (see below). Currently, there is a move being made to change the airport to an International Airport and reopen flights to Canada. This has been delayed due to lack of funding to build a new customs terminal.

For general aviation but no scheduled flights:

• Elkhart Municipal Airport (EKI ^IATA), 2246 Airport Dr., Elkhart, IN., [phone].
• Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport (NLE ^IATA), 508 E Main St., Niles, MI.

By train

Neighboring South Bend is served by both long distance and commuter trains. Amtrak via its Capitol Limited, running between Chicago and Washington, D.C., as well as the Lake Shore Limited, linking Chicago with New York City and Boston. Slower commuter trains from Chicago via the South Shore Line are available too.

By bus

• Coach USA Offers shuttle service between South Bend Regional Airport, Notre Dame and Chicago airports.
• Greyhound Offers service to and from destinations around the country via Indianapolis and Chicago.

Get around

Public transportation

• Transpo [phone]. The local bus system that serves South Bend and Mishawaka. A service called the "Transpo Trolley" makes stops at all of the tourist attractions. Rides are $.75 each way and $.25 for a transfer.

Taxis

• Shamrock Cab [phone].
• Yellow Cab [phone].

Driving Yourself

• St. Joseph County Road System Driving around yourself is the best way to navigate the city. Luckily, St. Joseph County makes it easy to find your way around. If you get lost or lose your bearings, remember that the main county roads running East-West are named after Presidents and other famous figures (but mostly Presidents) and begin, alphabetically, with Adams Rd. in the North near Michigan and end with Taylor in the South, near Marshall County. North-South roads are named for trees and plants, beginning with Ash (called West County Line Rd. on the Elkhart County side of the road) in Eastern St. Joseph County and ending with Redwood in the West. There are exceptions to this rule, however, such as Washington St. downtown, and Mishawaka has numbered streets. Also, Lincoln Way is renamed LaSalle Ave. in downtown South Bend between Ironwood Dr. and Laffeyette Blvd.

See

Outdoors & Landmarks

• 100 Center, 100 Center St. A former brewery located on the St. Joseph River off of Lincoln Way East. It used to have a lot of shops.not so much anymore. 
• Kamm's Island An island park on the St. Joseph River near the 100 Center.
• Lake Michigan Just under 40 miles from Mishawaka lie the cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, MI, popular locales for beachgoers. New Buffalo, MI is the closest waterfront (at under 30 miles away) and is home to Redemack's famous burgers. Michigan City is due west about 30 miles or so and features shopping, dining, and, of course, more beaches. The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is also near Michigan City. New Buffalo and St. Joe/Benton Harbor are the best sunset viewing locations.
• North/South Continental Divide Sure, it's not that exciting, but just driving down the US 20 bypass you can see a sign that alerts you to this fact. And it's true, South Bend lies on the North/South Continental Divide, which is why the St. Joseph River flows north into Lake Michigan while the White River in Indianapolis flows south.
• Saint Joseph River Though still fairly polluted, the riverfront along South Bend is an interesting walk through the former dam system that used to power the city's electrical supply. This walk leads (or starts from) the Century Center, which is South Bend's convention center. The Mishawaka riverfront has also come a long way near its downtown.
• Saint Mary's College. Located across from the University of Notre Dame. 
• Shiojiri Niwa. A Japanese strolling garden that symbolizes the Sister-City relationship between Mishawaka, Indiana and Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. It contains more than twenty different varieties of large plant material, over two hundred large boulders, donated statue and a teahouse pavilion. This is also a very popular summer wedding area. 
• University of Notre Dame, ☎ [phone]. See the legendary campus for yourself. Guided tours are available through the Alumni Association. Notable attractions include the grotto, the Golden Dome, Notre Dame Stadium, the Wall of Life Mural (Touchdown Jesus) and the Hesburgh Library, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, St. Joseph and St. Mary's Lakes, the stations of the cross, and the Notre Dame Bookstore, which is the largest in the country. 

Arts

• Broadway Theatre League. BTL is proud to present Broadway hits on national tour from New York City to you! 
• Morris Performing Arts Center, 211 N Michigan St, ☎ [phone]. See your favorite concert at this historic venue in the heart of downtown. 
• South Bend Symphony Orchestra. The South Bend Symphony is a professional orchestra featuring 15 concerts each year. The SBSO features world famous soloists as well as many members of the orchestra. You can regularly see them perform at the Morris Performing Arts Center, the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center on the Campus of Notre Dame, and the Moreau Center at Saint Mary's College. 

Sports

• Indiana University South Bend Titans, ☎ [phone]. See this growing team play other schools from the Chicagoland and Calumet Region. 
• Notre Dame Athletics, ☎ [phone]. Don't go to South Bend without seeing the Fighting Irish take on any number of conference teams from around the country. 
• South Bend Silver Hawks, ☎ [phone]. Plan a trip for when your team is playing the South Bend Silver Hawks. Home of the Silver Hawks (named for the legendary Studebaker Silver Hawk), Stanley Coveleski Stadium (locally referred to as "The Cove") is a great time with $1 Mondays, Twofer Tuesdays and summer fireworks. Tickets are $5 for reserve seating (bleachers) and $7 for box seating, but coupons abound throughout the city. Suites are also available 

Do

Museums, Art Galleries, and Indoor Activities

• College Football Hall of Fame, 111 S Saint Joseph St, ☎ [phone]. South Bend. Thanksgiving through Memorial Day: M-Su 10AM-5PM; Memorial Day through Thanksgiving: M-Th 10AM-5PM, F-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 9AM-5PM. Extended hours on football weekends. Adults $12 (county residents $9), students/seniors $8, ages 5-12 $5, under 5 free. 
• Hannah Lindahl Children's Museum, 1402 S Main St, ☎ [phone]. Step back in time to a world your grandparents - even your great-grandparents - knew. You'll also get a close look at the wonderful world of nature, a taste of life in Japan, and the excitement in our Survive Alive fire safety training house. 
• Healthworks Kids Museum, 111 W. Jefferson St, ☎ [phone]. M-F 9AM-4PM, Sa noon-4PM. 2nd floor. Admission is $4 and children under 2 are free. 
• Northern Indiana Center for History and Oliver Mansion. Located next to the Studebaker National Museum, the Center for History features interesting facts about not just the cities of South Bend and Mishawaka, but also the natural history of the entire Michiana area. Artifacts (including prehistoric finds) are on display and there are changing exhibits as well. The Oliver Mansion is included with admission and there is a separate research room for those interested in searching through historical documents and newspapers. Combine admission with the Studebaker Museum and save money. 
• Studebaker National Museum, 201 Chapin St, ☎ [phone]. South Bend, IN. See the cars that used to power the South Bend economy. The Studebaker Museum, now in its new location on Chapin Ave. downtown, is a great place to see the Studebaker lineup. Wagons, military vehicles, and electric cars from the 1930s are present in this three-story museum, the lower level of which is simply cars, in no particular formation, on lifters and on the ground for perusal. Featured exhibits currently running include Studebaker concept cars. 

Outdoor Activities

• East Bank Trail/Riverwalk, along the St. Joseph River. The banks of the East Race offer more than five miles of paved and lighted walking/running paths along the scenic St. Joseph River.
• East Race Waterway. The East Race is an artificial channel that diverts water from the St. Joe River into a controlled environment with moveable barriers that simulate whitewater conditions. The East Race cuts through downtown and kayaking or rafting down the race is popular in the summer. The Summer Olympic Time Trials (including the 2008 time trials) are generally held at the East Race. A lifegaurd is on duty. 
• Ferettie Baugo Creek, 57057 Ash Rd. Osceola, IN. Located midway between Mishawaka and Elkhart - Baugo Creek has a picnic area and disc golf course as well as canoe rentals down Baugo Creek. 
• Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Near Michigan City, IN. See millions of years of natural history at Indiana Dunes. The South Shore Line takes you right to the park for less than $7 each way where lakefront, marshes, huge sand dunes, and tours await. 
• O'Brien Skate Park at O'Brien Park, 321 E Walter St. One of the best facilities in the region to board or roller blade. The concrete, permanent obstacle, 13,000 square foot park includes challenges such as quarter-pipes, half-pipes, bowls, steps, ramps and rails. There is an area with less challenging obstacles for the beginners. A concession area and rental equipment are also available. 
• Potato Creek State Park, 25601 State Road, ☎ [phone]. 4, North Liberty, IN. Located in the southern half of St. Joseph County, Potato Creek is a large park that features camping, hiking trails, a stocked lake, affordable overnight cabin rentals, a lodge, a beach, a public pool, and picnic areas. Deer and other wildlife abound, including wild turkey. Boats and canoes are also available for rental in the summer. 
• Potawatomi Zoo. South Bend, Indiana. The zoo is one part of Potawatomi Park, which includes a softball diamond, tennis courts, a public pool, picnic area, band shell, and Kid's Kingdom Playground. Founded in 1902, Potawatomi is Indiana's oldest zoo. It features over 400 animals on 23 acres of land, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Admission is between $5 and $7. The zoo also has a collection of small primates not found in many zoos, such as Bononbos, and recently added another animal habitat and a perimeter-hugging train (oriented toward children) and have been expanding other animal habitats. 
• Sunburst 5K and 10K Races. Featuring the 5K and 10K course which are fast, challenging, and fun. Both events start at the College Football Hall of Fame and run on traffic-free city streets through South Bend's parks and neighborhoods. For many years, Sunburst has finished on the 50-yard line of the Notre Dame Stadium. 
• St. Patrick's County Park, 50651 Laurel Rd, ☎ [phone]. This park sits on 398 acres with wooded trails, ponds and St. Joseph River frontage. The Red Barn is considered one of the largest wooden barns in the county. Other features include the Robert J. Fischgrund Center for the Performing Arts, the Adair Orchard, the Manion Cabin, the Freedom Memorial: "Standing Tall", playground and outdoor stretching equipment on two sites, picnic sites, hiking trails, canoe rentals, winter innertubing, and cross country ski trails and rentals. 

Buy

Small Business

• Midwest Blind and Shade, 4115 N. Grape Rd, ☎ [phone]. Find a friendly and helpful staff ready to build your order in-house. 
• Ten Thousand Villages, 919 W. McKinley Ave, ☎ [phone]. 

Outlets and Malls

• Mishawaka Grape Rd. and Main St. are the main drags for shopping in the area. Several outlet plazas exist up and down both roads and most major retailers are represented, as are many national and regional restaurant chains (some from California).
• Michigan City Many South Bend residents travel by train to Michigan City to visit their large array of outlet stores and malls. The South Shore Line has a designated station adjacent to this shopping area, and the fare is less than $6 each way.
• South Bend Erskine Plaza on the South side is a hub for shopping in South Bend, and you can drive past the mansions of Twyckenham Hills on your way back through the city.
• University Park Mall. Grape Road and SR 23. University Park Mall is in the process of remodeling and currently boasts a multitude of national stores - both high and low end - including the three anchors: J.C. Penny, Macy's, and Sears. 
• University of Notre Dame Shop the Notre Dame bookstore - the largest in the country - or shop the ND Varsity shop located in the Joyce Athletic Convention Center (JACC).

Eat

Budget

• Bonnie Doon Restaurant, 109 E 4th St, ☎ [phone]. Locally created and owned ice cream company and restaurant. 
• Cedar House Restaurant, 808 E Colfax Ave, ☎ [phone]. Large diner across the river from downtown with awesome food at great prices. 
• Papa Joe's Casa De Pasta, 1209 Union St, ☎ [phone]. Fri/Sat evenings from 4:30PM-10PM.. Italian food in a family friendly atmosphere. Reservations are recommended especially during football season (Sep-Nov) 

Mid-range

• Giannetto's Pizza & Pasta, 100 N Center St, ☎ [phone]. Papa Vic makes a great deep dish pie.it is not for anyone from the east coast. Their place has great food at decent prices and is a family run business. Beats the chains anytime! 
• Honker's Family Restaurant, Edison Lakes. American breakfast and lunch choices featuring a Saturday Polish buffet.
• Khun-Daeng Thai Kitchen, 302 E. Russ Ave, ☎ [phone]. 
• Luigi's Pizza, 3624 Mishawaka Ave, ☎ [phone]. Local pizzeria, take-out only. 
• Shalimar, 508 West McKinley Ave, ☎ [phone]. Indian dining. 
• Sunny's Korean Garden, 512 S Spring St, ☎ [phone]. Great Korean food. 
• Toyo Japanese Restaurant, 620 W. Edison Rd, ☎ [phone]. 
• Vietnam Restaurant, 2370 Miracle Ln, ☎ [phone]. Authentic Vietnamese cuisine in the Town & Country Shopping Center. 

Splurge

• Hana Yori, 3601 Grape Rd, ☎ [phone]. Authentic Japanese cuisine prepared right at your table. 
• Matuba Japanese Restaurant Sushi & Sashimi, 2930 Mckinley Ave, ☎ [phone]. Authentic Japanese cuisine with great drink specials. 
• The Vine, 103 W Colfax Ave, ☎ [phone]. Local high-end American restaurant featuring an extensive wine list. 

Drink

Coffee

• Quincy's Cafe, 1631 Edison Rd, ☎ [phone]. Enjoy a fresh cup of regaular or specialty coffee at this small cafe near the campus of Notre Dame. 
• South Bend Chocolate Cafe, 122 S Michigan St, ☎ [phone]. Have a wrap, slice of chocolate cake, or a cup of gourmet coffee at South Bend's famous chocalte cafe, located next to the College Football Hall of Fame. 
• Starbucks Multiple locations throughout the area.
• Sufficient Grounds, 719 W McKinley Ave. Enjoy a fresh cup of regaular or specialty coffee at this small cafe near the Town and Country Shopping Center. 

Bars and Clubs

• NOTE Indiana State Law prohibits alcohol sales after 3AM Monday - Friday and after midnight on Saturday (though bars may stay open until 3AM on Saturday night into Sunday morning). No alcohol sales are permitted on Sunday (beginning at midnight until 7AM Monday morning) or on Christmas, Easter, or New Year's Day. Luckily, you opted to go to South Bend instead of Indianapolis, so you can easily cross the state line into Michigan in mere minutes and purchase alcohol 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Bleacher's Pub and Grub, 4609 Grape Rd, ☎ [phone]. Three-room bar featuring karaoke, free billiards, great food, and drink specials. Cash only. 

Wineries

• Domaine Berrien Cellars, 398 East Lemon Creek Rd, ☎ [phone]. Hours: Noon-5PM Wednesday through Monday; Closed Tuesdays. Berrien Springs, MI. Established in 2001, this winery is nestled among the grapevines on our family's 80-acre farm. All of our wines are made from grapes grown and hand-picked in our vineyards. Our estate bottled, handcrafted wines are available for tasting and sales Wednesday through Monday from noon to 5PM; closed Tuesdays. Enjoy a picnic on our beautiful deck! 
• Free Run Cellars Vineyard and Wine Tasting, 9185 Union Pier Rd, ☎ [phone]. Hours: Th, Fr & M 11AM-6PM; Su noon-6PM. Union Pier, MI. Free Run Cellars is a new venture of Round Barn Winery winemaker, Matthew Moersch, and brother Christian. Free run - juice that flows from crushed grapes without pressing. It is superior to pressed juice as there are no seeds or stems. Continuing the Moersch tradition. Evolving Michigan wine. 
• Hickory Creek Winery, 750 Browntown Rd, ☎ [phone]. Hours: Friday-Sunday 11AM-6PM or by appointment. Baroda, MI. Creating world-class wines from grapes grown exclusively on Lake Michigan's eastern shore, Hickory Creek's owners bring to bear the distinct perspectives of three premier wine-growing nations: America, Australia and Germany. Sharing a lifelong passion for their craft, Hickory Creek utilizes only the highest quality estate grown and select local vineyard fruits. 
• Karma Vista Vineyards, 6991 Ryno Rd, ☎ [phone]. Hours: 11AM-5PM; Su 12PM-5PM; closed Tuesdays. Coloma, MI. A winery and tasting room in the middle of the vineyard on top of one of the highest hills in Berrien County. Featuring such hits as Starry Starry White, Pink Side of the Moon, Moondance Merlot and Cha Cha Chardonnay. Wine with a unique point of view. 
• Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, 398 East Lemon Creek Rd, ☎ [phone]. Berrien Springs, MI. Hours: Hours vary at each winery. See web site. Visit 12 wineries and tasting rooms along beautiful Lake Michigan as you tour the Southwest Michigan Wine Trail. Taste, tour and enjoy the vast selection of wine from Michigan's Great Southwest. Our beautiful, relaxing and unique tasting rooms offer you the opportunity to sample and learn about the products Michigan has to offer. 
• Lemon Creek Fruit Farm & Winery, 533 East Lemon Creek Rd, ☎ [phone]. Hours: Summer hours 10AM-6PM. Winter hours noon-5PM. Berrien Springs, MI. Lemon Creek is a name with over 150 years of grape and fruit growing experience. Exclusively family owned and operated this quaint 300-acre farm is in the countryside of Berrien County. Found just 6 miles off the lake, this winery, vineyard and fruit farm is a perfect family destination. 
• Round Barn Winery and Union Pier Tasting Room, 10983 Hills Rd, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. Hours: M-Sa 11AM-6PM, Su 12PM-6PM. Baroda, MI. We are a winery, distillary and brewery that offers complimentary wine, brandy and beer tasting. We host a variety of events throughout the year such as wine dinners, festivals, open houses and parties. The Round Barn is available for weddings, receptions and parties. Products include: Dry reds, semi dry & sweet reds, dry whites, semi dry whites, sweet whites, sparkling wines, fruit brandies, dessert wines & cordials, Divine Vodka, and microbrews. BBQs, Harvest Parties, Wine Dinners, and venues for wedding and parties available. Call or visit online to schedule a tour. 
• St. Julian Winery, 716 South Kalamazoo Rd, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. Hours: M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Summer hours Mon-Sat 9AM-6PM, Sun 12-6PM. Paw Paw, MI. Founded in 1921, St. Julian is the oldest and largest operating winery in Michigan. Its founder, Mariano Meconi, named the winery for the patron saint of his birthplace, Faleria, Italy. The winery was moved from Detroit to Paw Paw in 1936 to be closer to the vineyards. Come see why we were named Taster's Guild 1998 Winery of Year! 
• Tabor Hill Champagne Cellar, 10243 Red Arrow Hwy, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. Bridgman, MI. Complimentary wine and juice tasting of all products. Easy off/on from I-94. 
• Tabor Hill Wine & Art Gallery, 80 West Main St, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. Hours: Th-Su noon-5PM. Benton Harbor, MI. Complimentary tasting of all Tabor Hill's wine and juice products. Beautiful retro furniture and jewelry! Shop while you taste! Paintings and art work from around the country. 25-30 wines & juices, paintings, artist's works, beautiful retro furniture & jewelry. 
• Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant, 185 Mount Tabor Rd, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. Hours: 10AM-9PM. Buchanan, MI. For a unique and relaxing experience while visiting southwest Michigan, Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant is the place to be. Seasonal tours of the facility are offered daily from 12:00-4:30PM Eastern Time. Complimentary wine tasting of our award-winning wines seven days a week will entice even the most discriminating palate. Surrounded by a breathtaking view of vineyard and countryside, our restaurant offers a tantalizing menu Wednesday-Sunday year-round (closed during the Christmas/New Year season). 

Sleep

Budget

• Econo Lodge South Bend, 3233 Lincoln Way W, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 
• Quality Inn South Bend, 4124 Lincolnway West, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Near South Bend Regional Airport. University of Notre Dame 4 miles. Free Continental Breakfast. Suites and whirlpool available. Exercise Room. Indoor Pool. Business Suites. Free airport shuttle to South Bend Regional Airport. 

Mid-range

• Holiday Inn City Center, 213 W. Washington St, toll-free: [phone]. Great views abound in South Bend's tallest building, the 25-story Chase tower city center with a Holiday Inn, two restaurants, and a bank all located right downtown and a short walk to the Studebaker Museum or riverwalk. 
• Inn at Saint Mary's, 53993 SR 933 (US 31), toll-free: [phone]. Located on the corner of U.S. 31 and Douglas Rd. (on the border of the Saint Mary's and Notre Dame campuses), the Inn features a lounge, 24 hour coffee and juice bar, complimentary breakfast, free high-speed Internet, 24 hour business center, free airport shuttle, gift shop, guest laundry, vlet, conceirge, state-of-the-art fitness center and sauna, wireless Internet in public areas, and a complimentary USA Today. Suites are also available. 
• Oliver Inn Bed and Breakfast, 630 W. Washington St, toll-free: [phone]. For an enriching glimpse of Indiana life at the turn of the century, this B&B and a good choice. The Victorian style of the Oliver Inn Bed and Breakfast reflects the lives and times of South Bend's most famous families, the Studebakers (automobiles) and the Olivers (the world famous Oliver Chilled Plow). Prices range from $100 - $289 a night, with last minute specials available. 

Splurge

• 🌍 Beiger Mansion Inn, 317 Lincoln Way E, Mishawaka, ☎ [phone]. Enjoy the comforts of an historic mansion in downtown Mishawaka. (updated Dec 2018)
• Comfort Suites South Bend, 52939 US 933 North, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Approximately 1 1/2 miles north of Notre Dame and 4 miles from University Park Mall. All Suites feature microwave, refrigerator, iron, ironing board and cable TV with HBO. Meeting space and Banquet space is available. 
• South Bend Marriott, 123 N St Joseph St, ☎ [phone]. The South Bend Marriot also features an Irish Pub, 1st Source Bank, and a skyway to the Century Center and South Bend Regional Museum of Art. 
• Varsity Club, 3800 N Main St, ☎ [phone]. 

Go next

South Bend is not too far away.

Routes through Mishawaka

Gary ← South Bend ←	W  E	→ Elkhart → Toledo
Michigan City ← South Bend ←	W  E	→ Elkhart → Toledo