Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Mishawaka, IN

Named for a Native American princess, the daughter of Shawnee Chief Elkhart, Mishawaka sits along the St. Joseph River, just upstream from South Bend.

The river, which connects to Lake Michigan, played a significant role in establishing Mishawaka as an industrial center in the 19th century, noted for its wool, rubber, agricultural windmills, and peppermint, thriving in the fertile black loam surrounding the city.

The St. Joseph River remains central to Mishawaka’s charm, featuring a series of riverside parks linked by the meandering Riverwalk trail.

The regional University Park Mall is located here, ensuring that you are never far from the cultural attractions of South Bend and the esteemed Notre Dame University.

1. The Riverwalk

The St. Joseph River is a considerable asset for Mishawaka, flowing gently through the city, apart from its waterfalls at the Mishawaka and Twin Branch dams.

The river’s banks in the city center feature a looped pedestrian/bicycle trail stretching between the Mishawaka Dam in the east and the S Logan St. bridge in the west.

The Riverwalk is well-appointed with lighting, tasteful landscaping, signage, a footbridge linking Beutter and Battell Parks, offering continuous views of the river.

On Sundays during the summer months, it provides a convenient route to reach the Mishawaka Farmers’ Market, which operates from 11 am to 3 pm at Ironworks Plaza on the south bank.

2. Central Park

At the time of writing, this charming riverside park had recently reopened following extensive renovations.

Central Park is situated along the Mishawaka Riverwalk, featuring a footbridge that crosses the river near the dam, creating a stretch of whitewater.

Visitors can observe the Mishawaka Fish Ladder, which allows salmon and trout to access their hatchery upstream.

This park attracts families during summer for its splash pad and hosts outdoor concerts on Thursday evenings at the modern bandstand.

Additionally, Central Park offers lighted tennis courts, a playground for children, a lighted basketball court, five pavilions, picnic tables, and grills.

3. South Bend

Mishawaka is adjacent to the fourth-largest city in Indiana, allowing for easy access to significant sights, museums, entertainment venues, and a variety of attractions.

A special mention must be made of the University of Notre Dame.

Among the many sites to keep on your itinerary in South Bend are the National Studebaker Museum, the exquisite Morris Performing Arts Center (1922), the South Bend Museum of Art, the CircaArts Gallery, and the History Museum, which explores the history of Michiana while preserving the 38-room Oliver Mansion (1895).

Similar to Mishawaka, the St. Joseph River is integral to South Bend’s narrative, where you can enjoy the River Lights, an impressive art installation established in 2015. The East Race Waterway, located on the river, is a favorite among paddlesports enthusiasts.

4. University of Notre Dame

Equally noteworthy is one of the premier universities in the United States, located only a short distance from the northern part of Mishawaka.

Guided campus tours are available for everyone, not just future students, with departures from the Eck Visitors Center.

The primary tour offers insights into the university’s history and daily life, featuring key attractions such as the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes (1896), Basilica of the Sacred Heart (1888), Main Building (1879), and the Hesburgh Library (1963), known for its iconic mural, referred to as “Touchdown Jesus”.

Avid sports fans are familiar with the Fighting Irish, and separate tours of the Notre Dame Stadium, which opened in 1930 and has a capacity exceeding 77,600, are also available.

5. Battell Park

Located slightly downstream from Central Park is another beautiful waterfront park, also linked to The Riverwalk.

Founded in 1881, Battell Park is recognized as a Historic District and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1996.

The park features two significant monuments: the Soldiers’ War Memorial (1884) and a charming, copper-domed bandshell, designed in the Classical Revival style and completed in 1927.

Additionally, the park boasts a five-tier cascading garden, complete with several pools, an arched bridge, and a waterfall, created as part of the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression.

6. Potawatomi Zoo

While not strictly within Mishawaka’s limits, this renowned zoo is accessible in under five minutes from Battell Park. Potawatomi Zoo operates from April through October and celebrated its centennial in 2021, making it the oldest zoo in Indiana.

This attraction is focused on conservation, participating in over 50 Species Survival Plans globally.

A significant portion of the zoo showcases African species, including lions, okapis, warthogs, Diana monkeys, plains zebras, and more.

The zoo also features the Australian Outback, a walk-through exhibit with kangaroos, wallabies, emus, and kookaburras.

The Americas section showcases bison, North American river otters, capybaras, and American alligators, while The Learning Center has habitats for smaller primates, reptiles, and invertebrates.

Do not overlook the Cat House, built by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s, which is home to Amur leopards and snow leopards.

7. Robert C. Beutter Riverfront Park

Another picturesque site for relaxation or activity near the water is Beutter Park, where the St. Joseph River serves as the focal point.

As a key feature of the Riverwalk, Beutter Park serves as a venue for concerts and other summer outdoor events and covers seven acres of manicured landscaping.

The park’s prominent feature is a long river race, frequented by waterfowl including ducks and geese, bordered by a neatly maintained perennial garden. At the head of the race stands the contemporary River Shards sculpture by Indianapolis artist Jan R. Martin, which was installed in 2004.

8. University Park Mall

Located not far from the Notre Dame campus in the northern part of Mishawaka is a super-regional upscale mall, owned by Simon Property Group.

University Park Mall serves Mishawaka, Elkhart, South Bend, and Southern Michigan, hosting over 120 stores and anchored by JCPenney, Macy’s, and Barnes & Noble.

Some of the notable brands present include Apple, Foot Locker, Sephora, Michael Kors, Kay Jewelers, J. Crew, Forever 21, American Eagle, Vans, and Loft.

For dining options, a variety of chain restaurants such as LongHorn Steakhouse and Wendy’s can be found along Grape Rd, while the mall itself houses Five Guys, Chick-fil-A, and food court staples like Charley’s Cheesesteaks and YiHi Japan.

9. Evil Czech Brewery and Public House

Mishawaka is home to a thriving brewpub, offering creative American comfort food paired with a diverse selection of craft beers to accommodate various preferences.

The signature beers at Evil Czech include General George Patton (Lager), Evil Czechmunk (IPA), Bigsby White Stout, Stalin’s Dark Side (Russian Imperial IPA), Jesús Mexican Lager, Static Chipmunk (Hazy IPA), Nefarious Harbor (New England IPA), Three Six Hoppia (IPA), and Voodoo (Porter).

The expansive pub features a brewhouse window where patrons can enjoy unique interpretations of tacos, poutine, mac & cheese, sandwiches, woodstone pizza, and burgers. The Sunday brunch menu offers small plates, providing an excellent opportunity to sample various items.

10. Merrifield Park

One of the most picturesque sections of the St. Joseph River is located at Merrifield Park, nestled along a bend on the southern bank.

The waterfront here is lined by Prospect Drive, offering scenic views of the grand homes on the opposite bank.

This park houses Mishawaka’s outdoor Olympic-size pool, which will be discussed later, as well as a variety of other amenities, including an updated children’s playground, baseball/softball diamonds, a football/soccer field, and a boat launch.

From early December until early February, Merrifield Park features an outdoor ice rink, open with extended hours on weekends and during winter break.

11. Strikes and Spares Entertainment Center

As its name indicates, Strikes and Spares Entertainment Center features numerous attractions under one roof, making it perfect for a date night, family outing, or a gathering with friends.

To summarize, visitors can enjoy a bowling alley with blacklight cosmic bowling, an indoor go-kart track, junior karts, nine holes of mini golf, bumper cars, a Ninja Warrior-style agility course, bounce houses, and a bounce pad.

This is complemented by arcade games, a snack bar, and a lane-side bar & grill offering handmade pizzas, burgers, wings, and more.

12. Putt-Putt Fun Center

Mishawaka hosts a location for this expansive mini-golf chain. Typically open from spring through fall, Putt-Putt Fun Center offers three 18-hole courses.

These courses provide enough variety to allow for repeated play without monotony and are designed to reward skill and accuracy, devoid of excessive quirky obstacles.

For those seeking more or visiting in large groups, specials are available for multiple games. The courses are complemented by an arcade filled with ticket redemption games.

13. Shiojiri Niwa

Adjacent to Merrifield Park and situated near the riverbank is one of Indiana’s rare Japanese-style gardens.

Shiojiri Niwa was inaugurated in 1987 to honor the relationship between Mishawaka and its sister city, Shiojiri, located in Nagano Prefecture. This authentic strolling garden, designed by Shoji Kanaoka, the landscape architect for Disney World’s Epcot Center, features a traditional teahouse pavilion.

Shiojiri Niwa is rich in symbolism: The Garden Bridge symbolizes the connection between this world and paradise, while the zig-zag bridge is said to help individuals crossing it evade malevolent spirits.

The garden comprises over 200 boulders, some partially buried to cultivate a sense of age and permanence.

In accordance with tradition, these rocks are grouped in odd numbers, signifying a contrast between the garden’s constructed features and the natural irregularities.

14. Merrifield Pool

Within the park of the same name, you will find Mishawaka’s Olympic-size outdoor pool, open from early June until mid-August, featuring designated hours for both lap swimming and open swim, primarily for children.

Among Merrifield Pool’s numerous amenities are a hoop for water basketball, two diving boards, a 180-foot water slide, and a concession stand. Both residents and non-residents can obtain season passes, and a program is available to teach children how to swim.

15. Blueberry Ranch

Commonly regarded as a superfood, blueberries are not only nutritious but also delicious, and Mishawaka features an organic farm offering U-Pick during the summer season.

This typically begins around early July and lasts until mid-August.

Further information can be sourced from Blueberry Ranch’s website or their Facebook pages. The farm store offers pre-picked blueberries, jams, pies, and blueberry bushes for planting in your own garden.

Additionally, frozen blueberries are available, along with regular pop-up sales throughout the year for this product.