South Bend/Elkhart, Indiana

The healthcare provider is an award-winning hospital system with locations throughout the state of Indiana and near Chicago. Both hospitals seeking staff are prominent healthcare centers in the state, and recently underwent an expansion to see even more patients. Since the 1900’s, the hospitals have provided care to the community with a full range of services including cancer care, cardiac care, pediatrics, urgent care and more.

As part of the center of activity of Indiana, the cities offer their residents an ideal place for everything: arts, culture, food, shopping and more. Chicago isn’t that far of a drive either, so you can have a fun day or weekend in the Windy City. Both cities are two of the biggest in Indiana with each city having a population of over 50,000 residents. Both cities have an abundance of activity, and they each have their own vibrant neighborhoods. The neighborhoods vary with what they offer, which makes exploring them an adventure all its own. As the cities are located near Chicago, they each offer good transportation options with train lines, bus routes, taxis, and ride-sharing. You may also want to take a walking tour to appreciate the variety of architecture present in the cities, and get a feel for the history of the area on foot. Learn more about South Bend at the official city website and explore the area at the county website.

Learn more about Elkhart at the official city website.

The cities each are located close to the University of Notre Dame, a highly-regarded private institution. Because of their proximity to the school, the cities have a solid academic environment where students are encouraged to succeed and thrive in life. The school systems have a series of programs and initiatives designed to cultivate a love of learning and a zest for knowledge that lasts after high school ends and college begins. Magnet schools and classes are available to inspire students with STEM and STEAM curriculum, letting children build the skills they need today for a great job tomorrow.

Click to read more about public schools in South Bend and Elkhart.
Click to read about private schools in South Bend and Elkhart.

Once you find the schools you are interested in, you will need to contact them directly with any questions you might have.

For times when you need a quick getaway or a long weekend, there's Chicago. Both South Bend and Elkhart are located less than 2 hours away from Chicago, Illinois. Chicago, IL offers a variety of cultural opportunities, shopping destinations, and plenty of ways to have fun.

Chicago is well known for its iconic museums. Containing more than 300,000 works of art from around the world, The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the largest and oldest art museums in the United States. The extensive exhibits encompass a variety of art, with photographs, paintings, folk art, sculptures, and other mediums.

The city also features a 57-acre museum campus with storied museums dedicated to the natural world and science.  First is the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI), the largest science center in the Western Hemisphere. One of the most popular exhibits at the MSI is the full-size replica coal mine, which visitors can actually tour by taking an elevator deep into the "ground" to see the sounds and sights of a real working coal mine. Other great exhibits at the MSI include a large fairy castle, a walk-through diesel stainless-steel train, and a 20th-century Main Street complete with a silent cinema and ice cream shop. Throughout the museum are hands-on exhibits letting children and adults interact with the MSI while learning new concepts.  MSI also includes a 5-story domed wraparound movie theater for larger-than-life imagery of nature and science films. Adler Planetarium is also located at Chicago's Museum Campus. When you visit the Adler, you learn all about the workings of space, space exploration, and astronomy. There are three full-size theaters and a large collection of space artifacts like the Gemini 12 capsule to view. Last but not least is the Field Museum of Natural History, which offers more than 10 permanent exhibits focused on animal habitats, Egyptian history, geology,, and cultures from around the world, among other topics. The Field's thorough exhibits let you travel through time and space without leaving Chicago, and are both educational and fun.

If you want to explore Chicago, hop aboard the "L" rapid transit service to travel through the city to all of the hot spots, including Magnificent Mile for shopping, Chinatown for Asian cuisine, and the Garfield Park Conservatory to see koi ponds and all kinds of exotic plants. Another unforgettable way to see the city is to take a boat ride tour or take a guided minibus tour. Your journey will be full of interesting sights, sounds, and trivia about beautiful Chicago. Chicago even features a kayak tour where you can paddle by some of the towering Chicago landmarks. No matter how you want to sightsee, there's a way to see Chicago the way you want.

Shopping is enjoyable in both areas, as they offer plenty of the usual retail destinations, as well as shopping options that draw bargain shoppers from other states. The downtown districts flourish with main street staples such as cozy restaurants, newsstands, specialty retailers, and more.  South Bend, Indiana is great for any budget or need thanks to the bustling University Park Mall. The mall has over 130 shops like Build-a-Bear, Barnes & Noble, and American Eagle. Discount shops T.J. Maxx, Ross, and Big Lots are also in the area. At the heart of Elkhart, Indiana is the Gateway Mile, a lively community at the center of the action. A popular spot for festivals and other popular events, the Gateway Mile has everything you need, from arts and culture to beautiful parks.

The museums are packed with interesting exhibits for all ages. The RV/MH Hall of Fame has a museum dedicated to RVs, with photos, trailers, and other memorabilia tracing the history of the motor home. Continuing the theme of transportation, Elkhart boasts the National New York Central Railroad Museum, a museum all about railroading through the years. Housed inside of an old train station, the museum features model trains, a steam locomotive, and displays that recreate the old railroad days. Another museum that will be popular with young and old is the Hall of Heroes of Super Hero Museum, the only museum in the world dedicated to preserving superhero history across comics, toys, movies, and animation. Located inside a replica of the Hall of Justice, the museum is full of exhibits that will make you feel like a kid again.  From a replica of the Batcave to real vehicles from Marvel movies, the museum will dazzle you with its great collection, and that doesn't even include its 60,000 comics and 10,000 toys. For art and culture of a different kind, there's the Midwest Museum of American Art. Located in downtown Elkhart, the Midwest Museum features 19th through 21st-century art including pieces by beloved American artist Norman Rockwell. The Gateway Mile is also home to the event venues as the area's performing arts scene is one of the most vibrant in the Midwest. Elkhart Civic Theatre and the Blue Gate Theatre both offer stage productions while The Lerner is the place for traveling performers in music, comedy, and variety shows.

When you think of the best outdoor recreation in the area, the Wellfield Botanic Gardens are at the top of the list. These beautifully sculptured gardens burst in a rainbow of color and span 36 acres to merge art and nature in a spellbinding landscape. Wellfield includes over 20 distinct gardens, including a children's garden, a Japanese garden, and a waterfall garden. Butterflies and bees dance across the flowers in the sensory garden, and guests are invited to touch and experience the garden with all of their senses. The best part of Wellfield is enjoying all of the seasons as the facility offers special exhibits year-round. The most popular exhibit is Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights, a twinkling display of lights that turn the gardens into a holiday paradise. For fun on the water or on land, there's also the River Preserve County Park, a lush green space nestled along the Elkhart River. Popular for hiking and watersports, it's a lovely place for a picnic and when snow falls, skiing. Island Park is also located on the riverfront and features a playground, trails, and a gazebo.

University of Notre Dame

South Bend, Indiana is the home of the prestigious Notre Dame University, one of the top universities in the United States. This private college has renowned arts programs and is home to several venues for both students and the public to enjoy. The Charles B. Hayes Family Sculpture Park lets you walk in nature while viewing captivating works of art, and for art indoors, the university features the Crossroads Gallery. One of the most popular parts of the Notre Dame campus, however, is the 150,000-square-foot DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. The Center is home to an organ and choral hall, a concert hall, a theatre, and a cinema, each offering a calendar of entertaining events.

Crime in both areas is comparable to the national average, and the cities remain a good destination for families and young professionals. The respective police forces are committed to providing a welcoming environment for all, and sustain community-police relationships to curb incidents.