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See the work of artists from around the Great Lakes and Midwest.
The South Bend Museum of Art is located in South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 1947, the museum features historical and contemporary art in five galleries, and offers instruction in its studios. Since 1987, the museum has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest level of professional standards. Located inside Century Center in downtown South Bend, the museum occupies three levels in the northern wing of the building, designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee.
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This convention center includes an art museum, several large banquet areas, an auditorium and theatre, an historic riverfront area and large patio over the former dam that ran South Bend's electrical supply, a skyway to the Doubletree Hotel over US 31, and a large lobby with high ceilings and windows that look out toward the river and the east side of town.
Though still somewhat 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. County parks along the river are popular destinations for fisherman, boaters, and nature-viewers.
This beautiful downtown concert venue is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
See the cars that used to power the South Bend economy. See the Studebaker lineup: wagons, military vehicles, and electric cars from the 1930s. A three-story museum, the lower level of which shows the cars on lifters and on the ground for perusal. Featured exhibits include Studebaker concept cars.
The Potawatomi 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, it 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 bonobos, and has added another animal habitat and a perimeter-hugging train (oriented toward children) and have been expanding other animal habitats.
The third-largest of the eight IU campuses, IU South Bend has grown substantially and is worth seeing.