Things to Do in Elkhart

The Gateway Mile is a highlight—featuring museums, gardens, galleries, theaters, a historic mansion and Elkhart’s RiverWalk—you'll find plenty of fun and interesting things to do during your time here.

Stop and Smell the Flowers

Stroll through more than a dozen different gardens nestled along ponds, waterfalls and creeks at the Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Graceful sculptures and arched bridges provide a focal point for photos, or may inspire you to get out a sketch pad! Linton’s Enchanted Gardens—the state's largest home and garden center—is an attraction in and of itself and is the perfect place to discover and purchase new plants for your home. You can take a ride on the Enchanted Garden Express to get an overview of the 9-acre property, which is filled with fountains, ponds, artwork and wind chimes. Children can get up-close and personal with animals at the petting zoo, can feed colorful fish at the koi pond, and can marvel at the bright colors and melodic chirps at the exotic bird aviary.

Immerse Yourself in History

Step through the gates of the city's most notable historic residence at the Ruthmere Mansion. Take a self-guided tour of the grounds or schedule a guided tour with a docent. Your group of 25 people or more can schedule a Downton Abbey-type experience, where you'll end your tour with either tea on the piazza or a cocktail party in the game room. When booking your tour, let the operator know that you'd like to combine it with a tour of the Havilah Beardsley House. This two-story brick home belonged to Elkhart's founder, a physician who also built a handful of mills in the area and brought the railroad to town.

View Dazzling Displays

View an original piece of artwork by Grandma Moses and hundreds of Norman Rockwell lithographs at the Midwest Museum of American Art, which has more than 6,000 works in all. Railroad buffs will want to head on over to the National New York Central Railroad Museum to explore a 1930s observation car and other train cars commemorating the city's history as a railroad town. If one of your childhood dreams was to be a railroad engineer, well—here’s your chance to make it come true! You can step into the cab of an L-3a 3001 Mohawk steam locomotive, ring the bell, toot the whistle and pull the throttle! Appropriately enough, the museum is located directly across the tracks from the Amtrak station.

Savor Every Bite

Savor shakes, malts, floats and sodas at South Side Soda Shop and Diner, home of an original Bastian Blessings soda fountain. Enjoy a 1950s diner atmosphere and delicious fare ranging from a seafood feast to liverwurst and bacon sandwiches served up on homemade Swedish limpa bread. If it's Irish food you're yearning for, head to McCarthy's, which is located on the RiverWalk. The patio overlooking the river allows you to dine alfresco, and you can enjoy live music on Saturday evenings in the summertime.

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