Why South Bend Is Great For A Quick Getaway

Hotwire based list on value, drive-ability, things to do and population scores. It also surveyed to see how travelers are making decisions and found that they’re increasingly planning for quick, local trips to relax and recharge. What’s it all mean? If you’re looking for a quick getaway, South Bend is calling your name.

Hotwire knows quick trips are all about having a little fun. For this category, it looked at three primary factors — most number of bars and restaurants (based on Yelp!), most things to do (sites and attractions on TripAdvisor) and least number of rainy days per year. Pretty simple.

There’s plenty going on here any type of visitor. Splash down an urban whitewater rafting course. Eat and drink your way through our fabulous bars and restaurants. Hike, bike and paddle your way through our parks. Summer in The Bend has a little bit of everything.

Here’s a place where South Bend really shines — value. We scored big points in this category, which took hotel demand, daily rate and last-minute savings into mind. We know travelers don’t want to spend all their hard-earned money on a place to stay. You don’t have to during your visit.

Less driving, more fun. That’s a key ingredient to a great last-minute getaway. Hotwire looked at the shortest drive time based on the number of top 50 U.S. metro areas within 250 miles. If you’re in one of these cities, a visit to South Bend means a short drive before a long weekend: Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Cincinnati, Columbus, Milwaukee.

Sometimes the hustle and bustle of a big city is just the type of trip we’re seeking. Other times, not so much. Hotwire sees the traveler mindset right now as looking for less crowded destinations. South Bend’s population is just north of 100,000, making it the fourth-largest city in Indiana. It’s big enough to offer an urban setting but small enough to feel like an escape from the every day.