Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Elkhart, Indiana

A dynamic manufacturing hub located in Northern Indiana, Elkhart is recognized as the capital of two distinctly different industries.

Primarily, it holds the title of the RV Capital of the World, with 80% of all American recreational vehicles produced in this city. This rich history can be explored at the RV/MH Hall of Fame, which features an excellent museum dedicated to the subject.

Moreover, since the late 19th century, Elkhart has also gained recognition as the Band Instrument Capital of the World.

Over the decades, various instrument manufacturers that migrated to this city over a century ago have since become part of the Conn-Selmer brand, which is headquartered here.

Elkhart is home to several intriguing museums and delightful horticultural sites, including a botanic garden located at the city’s primary water source and Indiana’s largest garden center.

1. RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum

Recreational vehicles have been manufactured in Elkhart since the 1930s, and presently, over three quarters of all RVs produced in America originate from this city.

Therefore, it is understandable that your initial visit should be to the hall of fame and museum that honors this exceptional mode of transportation.

Located at a large complex off Interstate 80, visitors can view RVs and motorhomes dating back to a 1913 Earl Travel Trailer and trace their development to the modern, high-technology residences on wheels available today.

Different sections highlight significant milestones in RV history, such as the introduction of the indoor toilet and the first microwave oven.

Key exhibits include a 1931 Chevrolet Housecar, initially gifted to Mae West by Paramount in a bid to lure her from Broadway to Hollywood, as well as the oldest Winnebago and the smallest Airstream models.

2. Ruthmere

The most notable historic home in Elkhart is the Beaux-Arts mansion constructed for Albert and Elizabeth Beardsley, descendants of the city’s founder.

Finalized in 1908, Ruthmere was named in honor of their only child, Ruth, who passed away at the tender age of seven months.

Not merely a residence, the Beardsleys utilized Ruthmere for both business and social occasions, making it richly adorned with Cuban mahogany, silk wall hangings, hand-painted ceiling stencils, and an extensive art collection.

Visitors can appreciate this splendor during a guided tour, featuring sculptures by Auguste Rodin, Louis Comfort Tiffany lamps and windows, along with a small collection of vintage automobiles.

Also on the property is the Dr. Havilah Beardsley House (1848), the former home of Elkhart’s founder, restored to its 1870s appearance.

3. Midwest Museum of American Art

A magnificent Neoclassical former bank building from 1922 now serves as an exciting venue featuring a diverse collection of midwestern American art spanning from the 19th century to the present.

The Midwest Museum of American Art includes an array of styles and movements, from Primitives and American Impressionism to Pop Art, boasting original works by Grandma Moses and Norman Rockwell.

Rockwell’s contribution is represented by a significant collection of hand-signed lithographs, alongside the world’s largest assortment of Overbeck pottery, produced in Indiana during the first half of the 20th century.

Approximately 1,200 works are on display at any given time, ensuring there is always something new and captivating to observe. The Elkhart Juried Regional, which showcases the contemporary art scene in the area, occurs every fall featuring the largest cash award for any art prize in Michiana.

4. Wellfield Botanic Gardens

The Main Street Well Field has served as Elkhart’s primary drinking water source for over a century.

In the 2000s, the Rotary Club of Elkhart selected this site for a community service initiative, resulting in the establishment of a picturesque botanic garden spanning more than 30 acres, enriched with water features and sculptures.

Featuring a variety of sub-gardens, including a Waterfall Garden and English Garden, this attraction opened in 2005 and has continually evolved, introducing new spaces every few years.

A recent addition includes a Japanese-style Island Garden, designed by a landscape architect from Japan, adorned with boulders weighing up to 16,000 pounds.

Wellfield Botanic Gardens provides a stunning backdrop for seasonal events, including a multi-sensory holiday light show, during which the half-mile Promenade Pathway is illuminated. Visitors can enjoy complimentary hot cocoa, along with musicians performing Christmas carols on those evenings.

5. National New York Central Railroad Museum

Elkhart plays a crucial role in the nation’s railroad infrastructure, linking the Eastern Seaboard with the Midwest and beyond.

Historically, the city was connected to the extensive New York Central Railroad (1853-1968), which traversed 11 US states, two Canadian provinces, and covered over 11,500 miles.

This legacy is preserved at the National New York Central Railroad Museum, which showcases the largest collection of NYC artifacts globally.

The museum is situated on a sprawling lot adjacent to the operational Norfolk Southern Railway, with freight trains passing approximately every 15 minutes.

Inside, interesting relics are on display, including lamps, signage, photographs, bells, tickets, uniforms, and maps, alongside an expansive section dedicated to model railroading. Outside, visitors can explore an impressive exhibition of historic rolling stock, maintained in various conditions.

6. The Lerner Theatre

One of the prominent landmarks in downtown Elkhart, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is this elegant Beaux-Arts theater established as a venue for vaudeville in 1924.

The Lerner Theatre features a striking terra cotta façade, characterized by four fluted columns capped with Ionic capitals. Within, a 1,700-seat auditorium resides beneath a magnificent dome measuring approximately 40 feet in diameter.

Over time, this venue transitioned to a movie palace throughout the 1920s and operated as a cinema from the 1930s until its closure in 1987.

Following a couple of restorations, the Lerner Theatre has evolved into a cherished performing arts venue, hosting musicals, concerts, film screenings, plays, discussions, and workshops throughout the entire year.

7. Island Park

One of Elkhart’s scenic features is a wooded island situated at the confluence of the Elkhart and St. Joseph Rivers.

Island Park is accessible via three footbridges, offering a serene stroll along the water in the shade of towering trees.

Along the banks, visitors may encounter various waterfowl to feed (with oats or birdseed), as well as individuals fishing for bass, pike, and walleye.

Every early August, this picturesque setting transforms into the backdrop for the environment-focused Meet Me on Island Park festival, featuring live music, a beer garden, food vendors, a silent auction, a children’s area, and numerous eco-oriented exhibitors.

8. Linton’s Enchanted Gardens

This expansive garden center, located on the eastern outskirts of Elkhart, resembles a family theme park more than a conventional plant nursery.

Spanning nine acres and featuring a series of show gardens, Linton’s Enchanted Gardens offers the most extensive selection of rare and exotic plants in the Midwest.

From May to October, the six outdoor garden plots become a vibrant attraction, showcasing a Quilt Garden, a local horticultural specialty found in Elkhart County.

Among the many attractions are a tourist train, a lake with swan boats, an aviary, a children’s play area, a petting zoo, bumper boats, pedal go-karts, a parakeet encounter, and much more. The Garden Café at Linton’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring Indiana wine.

9. Ox Bow Park

This picturesque park is located along the Elkhart River, slightly upstream from downtown Elkhart. The setting is breathtaking, allowing visitors to gain a panoramic view from the park’s lookout tower.

Encompassing over 110 acres, the park offers various amenities for fishing, archery, disc golf (24 holes), and field sports, as well as winter sports during the colder season.

Ox Bow Park features an extensive trail network, a canoe/kayak launch, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, and a selection of playgrounds for children.

The park also includes eight shelters available for rental, with seven open-air options suitable for summer gatherings, and one cozy space ideal for winter events.

10. Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum

Elkhart boasts the distinction of housing the only superhero and comic museum, not only in the United States but globally.

Whether fans prefer Marvel or DC, the Hall of Heroes chronicles over 80 years of beloved superheroes across diverse media.

The collection at this private museum is extensive, containing over 70,000 comic books and more than 10,000 toys.

Notable exhibits of memorabilia include Adam West’s Batman costume and the original shield used by Captain America.

A specialty of the museum focuses on comics and memorabilia from both the Golden Age (1938-1956) and Silver Age (1959-1969) of comic books, featuring a Captain Marvel #1 from 1941, among many rare items.

11. Heritage Trail

Commencing from the Visitor Center in downtown Elkhart, visitors can embark on an award-winning 90-mile driving tour along a scenic route leading to the most picturesque, historically, and culturally significant locations throughout Elkhart County.

An audio tour can be downloaded to provide turn-by-turn directions while navigating through the picturesque communities of Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury, Nappanee, Bristol, Wakarusa, and Shipshewana.

It is advisable to allocate ample time for numerous worthwhile stops at orchards, unique furniture shops, restaurants, charming downtown areas, galleries, and much more.

Connecting the communities along the Heritage Trail are approximately 16 Quilt Gardens, which are intricate flower gardens inspired by patchwork designs and bloom throughout the summer.

12. NIBCO Water and Ice Park

Winters in Elkhart are typically quite frosty, making it the perfect opportunity to utilize these chillier temperatures at a charming outdoor rink situated along the Elkhart River.

Open from early December through February, weather permitting, NIBCO Water and Ice Park includes skate rentals within the entry fee and provides a lovely ambiance for a leisurely skate.

Occasional special events take place, including skating sessions featuring characters from Frozen. Outside of the skating season, this park serves as a venue for outdoor concerts, yoga sessions, and much more.

On Saturday mornings until the end of September, the Elkhart Farmers’ Market is conveniently located just next door in Kardzhali Park.

13. Ideal Beach

Heaton Lake, located in northeast Elkhart, provides a picturesque setting for a seasonal beach attraction.

Available during the summer school vacation months, Ideal Beach features a spacious area of golden sand, complete with volleyball courts, picnic spots, a concession area, and a small water park equipped with two corkscrew water slides.

The beach is maintained impeccably, and the water quality at Heaton Lake/Puterbaugh Creek is rigorously monitored. On warm summer days, this locale presents an excellent opportunity for a family outing without departing from the city.

14. Amish Country

Elkhart County boasts the third-largest Amish population in the United States, a history rooted in a wave of immigration from what is now southwest Germany in the mid-18th century, with arrivals in this region dating back to around the 1840s.

Traveling along the local country roads, particularly in the eastern part (around Middlebury) and southwest towards Nappanee, one may frequently encounter horses and buggies traversing the roadways.

Amish woodworkers are exceptionally talented, and there is an abundance of Amish furniture-making enterprises producing high-quality tables, cabinets, bed frames, and other furniture.

Additionally, the Amish community is well-regarded for leather goods, horse accessories, and traditional cuisine, providing insight into what an Amish dining experience entails.

During the summer, visitors can explore the expansive flea market in Shipshewana (held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays) for handmade bargains, while the Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival in Nappanee, occurring every August for the past 60 years, is also a notable event.

15. Elkhart Jazz Festival

Every mid-June, downtown Elkhart hosts one of the premier jazz festivals in the country. The distinctive aspect of the Elkhart Jazz Festival is its operation by a committed team of 200 volunteers, responsible for stage setups, transporting performers, ticketing, and various other tasks.

This festival, now in its fourth decade, has garnered an international reputation, aptly suiting a city recognized as the Band Instrument Capital of the World.

During this four-day event, more than 100 performers take the stage, attracting around 20,000 attendees to the city annually. Recent editions have showcased talented artists such as Ramsey Lewis, Gregory Porter, Ben Folds, and Ben Davis.