The University of Notre Dame is consistently recognized as one of the top universities in the world. The main campus covers 1,250 acres and contains a number of notable landmarks, including the Golden Dome, the "Word Of Life" mural (commonly referred to as TouchDown Jesus), the Notre Dame Stadium, and the Basilica.

The South Bend Chocolate Company's 58,000 sq ft Factory and Museum treats visitors to a history lesson of chocolate and its origins, as a guide leads guests through all the factory processes, including panning, enrobing, and more. The museum is home to one of the largest collections of chocolate memorabilia in the world, including a 1,300-year old Mayan chocolate pot, among the hundreds of tins, containers, and chocolate boxes of varying shapes and sizes. Test samples are, of course, provided at the end. If you don't have the time to actually attend the tour, their Chocolate Cafe is conveniently located on Michigan St. in downtown South Bend and provides all varieties of South Bend Chocolates, drinks, and lunch items.

The Studebaker National Museum displays a variety of automobiles, wagons, carriages, and military vehicles related to Studebaker and other aspects of American history. Most of the museum's collection was part of the historic company's collection, although vehicles continue to be added from time to time.

The Potawatomi Zoo is a 23-acre zoo located in South Bend Indiana. Founded in 1902, it is the oldest zoo in Indiana and recieves over 200,000 visitors each year. It features over 400 animals, though it specializes in large cats, primates and Australian specimens.

The South Bend Cubs are a U.S. Class A minor league baseball team, based in South Bend, Indiana, that plays in the Midwest League. After setting attendance records during the 2015 season, the South Bend Cubs won the 42nd John H. Johnson President's Award as the minor league's "most complete franchise".

The Crook Ewe Brewery and Ale House is a family-friendly, gastro-brewery located on the scenic St Joseph River, and offers hand-crafted pints and gourmet pub-fare.

Located just 15 min from the Aloft South Bend Hotel, the locally owned and operated Evil Czech Brewery is a farm to fork destination restaurant and craft brewery in Mishawaka, Indiana.

The Indiana Whiskey Company is a veteran owned and operated distillery that produces truly excellent, small-batch whiskeys, all of which are made in Indiana, from the stills to the grains.

Slated to open in early 2018, the Four Winds Casino in South Bend is arriving just in time for our Wedding guests. Boasting five restaurants, three bars, a boutique, and a player's lounge, the Class II Gaming Facility is capable of meeting anyone's entertainment needs with over 1,800 slot machines.

Home of the Broadway Theater League and the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, the 2,564-seat concert hall hosts National Broadway tours and professional touring productions. Built in 1922, the five story, rectangular, Spanish Renaissance Revival Style brick building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, both because of its place in the area's history and because of its historically-significant architecture.

Located an hours drive from the Aloft Hotel in South Bend, the Silver Beach County Park features a clean, wide beach on Lake Michigan. Of the Parks's 2,450 feet of Lake Michigan frontage, 1,600 feet are dedicated for a public swimming area in the summer months. Additional park activities and amenities include beach volleyball, fishing access, picnicking, concessions, playgrounds for children, and the Silver Beach Carousel accompanied by exhibits from the storied, Silver Beach Amusement Park, a Kid's Discrovery Zone, the Whirlpool Compass Fountain and the Shadowland Ballroom.