South Bend, Indiana
 Travelers through St. Joseph’s County, Indiana soon get the feeling that there’s something more to it than the fascinating view from the window of the RV. Comfortably nestled along the banks of the St. Joseph River, South Bend/Mishawaka is a community rich in history and alive with pride. Yes, there’s more than skiing, kayaking and golf, the top-flight entertainment or even the intriguing delights of the South Bend Chocolate Museum.
There’s an echo here. If you listen, if you look a little deeper, you can hear the famous words.
"Win one for the Gipper."
The words are part of our folklore. Football player George Gipp contracted strep throat during Notre Dame University's last game of the 1920 season against Northwestern.
The infection worsened and Gipp was confined to a hospital bed at St. Joseph's Hospital in South Bend.
He was visited by legendary coach Knute Rockne Dec. 13, 1920. He died a few hours later but not before extracting a famous promise from Rockne: "I've got to go, Rock. It's all right. I'm not afraid. Some time, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, Rock, but I'll know about it and I'll be happy."
Such folklore permeates South Bend, Indiana, the home of Notre Dame and its Fighting Irish.
The city is also the home of the National College Football Hall of Fame. Hours are extended on University of Notre Dame home football weekends Fridays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Football is just the beginning! Yet South Bend honors more than college football. The Studebaker National Museum also calls South Bend Home. The museum documents the rise and fall of the classic automobile manufacturer, thereby preserving Studebaker heritage. Studebaker was the only company to span the time from settlers' wagons to high performance automobiles. Visitors can view 114 years of automotive history, from the Studebaker family's Conestoga Wagon to the last car to roll off the assembly line. Special attractions include Abraham Lincoln's carriage and the Packard Predictor concept car.
It doesn't stop there.
South Bend and St. Joseph County offers a diverse mix of things to do and see. When not watching the legendary Fighting Irish, sports enthusiasts can enjoy watching the South Bend Silver Hawks baseball team.
Take a long drive by car or RV through Amish Country and experience first-hand the unique lifestyle and heritage of these fascinating people. The editors of LIFE® Magazine feature Amish Country's Heritage Trail as one of the Nation's top 40 in the new edition of America's Most Scenic Drives.
Kayak or intertube down the East Race Waterway for some whitewater fun. South Bend is home to the East Race Waterway - the first artificial whitewater course in North America and one of only six in the world. The Waterway routinely hosts national and word-class whitewater slalom races and brings Olympic winners and national champions to South Bend each season. The waterway and surrounding area are ideal settings for a variety of fun family activities. A seasoned, well-trained rescue team is on duty along the course during public operation hours.
Golfers can test their skills at one of the many challenging golf courses in the area. Or perhaps you’d rather cross-country ski at St. Patrick's Park or visit the animals at the Potawatomi Zoo.
History and the Arts When you’re ready to treat your ears and eyes to something special, experience the South Bend Symphony Orchestra or Broadway Theater League. The Morris Performing Arts Center attracts top-level entertainment to the historic music hall and the South Bend Regional Museum of Art.
And there’s still more for history buffs to discover. Everyone will enjoy the Northern Indiana Center of History – a magnificent historic site that showcases an elegant, 38-room Victorian mansion, a charming cottage reflecting the 1930s, a gallery that chronicles local history, a gallery of Notre Dame history, a children's museum plus many other compelling exhibitions. Be sure to plan to spend a few days when you’re rolling through South Bend. You won’t want to miss anything.
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