Anything worth seeing in or around the vicinity for a family with teen children during summer?

Have you done a search on Yahoo or Google under South Bend, In.? I'm sure they have a tourist website that'll give you info. I know there's a nice river that runs thru the city and they have some summertime activities on it. Also, Notre Dame is there..maybe take in a game?

Sandi -

An ND game in the summer? Which sport plays games during the summer?

....maybe some unique sights you'd recommend or good places to eat? We're from the West Coast. thanks

Having grown up there,,,,,It's easy to say: You should find somewhere else to vacation,,,,especially with teen children. My best recollection is that as a teenager I wanted nothing more than to be somewhere else....Certainly you can do better than the "Bend"! Good luck!!

You can visit Notre Dame University. It's beautiful and it's always good for teenagers to see colleges. There are beaches on the Great Lake that borders Indiana (sorry geography buffs, I cant remember which lake it is). Theres some neat sand dunes. Chicago is only 2-3 hours away (someone from near there can better tell). Sandusky, Ohio, home of Ceder Point ( a great amusmenet park- about 12 roller coasters) is probably only 1 1/2 - 2 hours away also. Also the Lake Erie Islands are by Sandusky so that's more to look into

Hey X, I was trying to be helpful...how the hell do I know when they play? If you can't lend something to the original question asked, then just go away. Which sport plays games in the summer? Baseball!

Sandi -

Um, X raised a very valid point. I played college baseball - regional finals are over by very early June. So, even if ND was hosting regional, the chances of that going on while they are in South Bend is unlikely. Other college sports don't start up again - in terms of actual games - until very late August.

I must say, unless you're going to be in/near South Bend to visit relatives or some other specific reason, the city isn't a hot spot of a travel destination nor one I ever went to (I grew up in northwest Indiana). Better to, as a few other posters have said, go to Chicago, or venture up to the northern part of Michigan (Traverse City, Mackinaw Island, etc.) or the amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio (or even Kings Island near Cincinati). What do your kids like to do? Teens are opinionated and what they like should determine where you go. South Bend may be nice, but it isn't a happenin' place for vacationers (sorry, natives!).

Depending on where you're from August is still very much summertime, but actually I have no idea when colleges play certain sports...I was just trying to give them something to look in to.

South Bend, hmmm. Teenagers.
There is the Football Hall of Fame.
Notre Dame.
Magnificent Lake Michigan and
the Dunes 1 hour away.
Chicago, 2 1/2 hours by train.
Various wonderful coffee shops downtown
with terrific food and entertainment.
Malls
Bookstores
Miniture golf
County and State Parks with
20 minute drive or less where
you can rent bikes or canoe down
the river.
The East Race(also downtown)where you can
rent a rubber raft and do a short
white water trip.

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. South Bend is where my grandparents were born and I was hoping to take the kids through the area. Maybe we can stay in Chicago and make a day trip out of South Bend, with some of your ideas!

You will be close to Michigan City In. and they have a beautiful Beach. The sand is clean and the waters clear. If you can find your way to Washington Park Marina in Michigan City, the beach and lighthouse (which you can walk out to) is basically around the corner from the marina. Ask anyone for directions. There are public restrooms for changing your clothes. There is Lighthouse Mall for shopping (Outlets)a few blocks from the beach. Matey's or Swingbellys for a good burger just a few blocks from the beach and the Blue Chip Casino a few miles away if you want to try your luck (although I doubt the teens could go) There are Dunes for hiking and it is a great place to spend some time. Cedar Point in Sandusky OH is a teenager's paradise but probably 2-3 hrs away. (I am not sure of the driving time.)

By car Chicago is only 1.5 hours away, exactly 80 miles I think so if I were you, I would stay in Chicago and make a long daytrip to South Bend. There is really nothing there other than the Football Hall of Fame. I know I have to go there for work every couple of months. Past South Bend toward Ohio there is Amish country which is kind of quaint but I doubt teenagers would be interested, much more to do in chicago.

South Bend is definitely not a happening place. Unless you are staying with friends or relatives I would not suggest South Bend as a travel destination. Yes there is the University of Notre Dame, the Studebaker Museum, the College Football Hall of Fame, and South Bend is near Lake Michigan but a day and a half at most would take care of touring sites in South Bend.

DO NOT STAY AT THE SUPER EIGHT IT IS THE WORST

ttt