After having lived here for most of my 51 years, I can say that I have not been everywhere there is to go in Elkhart county and especially not the newest attractions that opened this past year. This is just a tip of the ice berg. There is much more to see, if you stop at our local visitor’s center for suggestions. Below I have listed 20 things to do when living in or visiting in the Elkhart, Indiana area.
1. Elco Performing Arts Center is located at 410 South Main Street in downtown Elkhart. The Elco features drama, musical groups and comedy acts, as well as circuses and various other performances throughout the year. The cost of tickets vary with performances. You may call the office for ticket information at 574-293-4469 or 1-800-294-8223. The Elco Performing Arts center office is open Monday through Friday, from 10 am until 5 pm. The Elco is currently being renovated with expectations of being finished by 2011.
2. American Countryside Farmer’s Market is located on 15 acres on the south side of the U.S. 20 Bypass, at the corner of State Road 19 and County Road 26 in Elkhart County, Indiana. This farmer’s market is one of Elkhart’s newest additions having just opened in May 2007. This huge 2-story red barn has a total of 51,452 square feet. The farmer’s market features fruits, vegetables, potpourri, fragrant oils, a meat market, dining court, bakery items, demonstration kitchen and entertainment. Fall and Winter hours are Thursday 8am til 4 pm, Friday 8 am til 7 pm and Saturday 8 am til 4 pm. Countryside Farmer’s Market is open year-round.
3. Midwest Museum of Art is located downtown Elkhart, IN inside a beautifully renovated bank at 429 South Main Street. The art museum features a permanent collection of over 2,000 works with at least 300 on display at any given time during the year. Midwest Art Museum gives teaching tours, group tours, children and adult classes, bus trips, lectures and films. They have a free noon talk on Thursdays. Call 293-6660 for information on memberships
4. Ruthmere House Museum is a turn-of-the-century home that was built in 1908 and features an experience of Elkhart history, art and architecture. This was the home of Albert and Elizabeth Beardsley and built buy E. Hill Turnock, the Chicago-trained architect who designed it. Groups tours are available as well as luncheon packages and wedding settings. Guided tours are April 1 to December 31, Tuesdays through Saturdays at 10 & 11 am, 1,2 & 3 pm. Sundays 1,2 & 3 pm. Admission is Adults – $8., Seniors – $7., college Students – $5. And K-12 students – $3. Under 5 yrs. Is free.
5. RV/MH Hall of Fame is another one of Elkhart’s newest additions is the new facility that holds our RV/MH Hall of Fame located at 21565 Executive Parkway in Elkhart, IN. This 56,000 square foot building just opened in early 2007. The RV/MH Hall of Fame honors industry leaders and features vintage units form 1913 up to the 1970’s. Go RVing Hall showcases the latest current models, an Exhibitor’s Hall is where industry supply firms tell their company story, and the world’s largest library of RV and manufacturing housing related literature and photos. The RV/MH Hall of Fame is open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday 9 am to 3 pm and closed on Sunday. Regular admission is $8., seniors and groups of 14 or more is $6. And youth ages 6 to 16 cost $3.
6. Elkhart Historical Museumis located at 304 West Vistula in Bristol, Indiana is considered to be one the top ten local history museums in the state of Indiana. The Elkhart County Historical Society owns the collection which can be seen in the thirteen display area of the museum. The displays are arranged by both theme and period. The building in which it is housed originally served as the county’s first consolidated school. The museum is open February 1st through December 1st, Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 pm and Tuesdays – Friday 10:00 am – 4 :00 pm.
7. Elkhart Environmental Center is located at 1717 East Lusher Avenue in Elkhart. The land on which it is located operated as the city dump from 1959 – 1972. The land started rehabilitation in 1989 and in 1991, a log cabin was constructed. An environmental program was launched to teach “EnviroKids” the many aspects of environmental stewardship. Today, many well established programs are in operation. It is now a beautiful site to hike along the Elkhart River or through the woods and small prairie areas. The trail is open Dawn to Dusk daily. Business hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. The cabin is open Saturdays 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, March – September. Sundays by program. (Closed holidays & holiday weekends)
8. Woodlawn Nature Center started in 1965 and is located at 604 Woodlawn Avenue in Elkhart. The Woodlawn Nature Center is dedicated to the preservation of Indiana’s Natural Resources through hands-on education. Thousands of school children, scouts, and adult organizations receive custom programs. Guest speakers and workshop leaders provide an additional outlet for learning about the Earth we all share. Winter hours (Nov.1-Feb.28) of operation are Tuesday – Friday from 1:30 pm until 4:30 pm or by special arrangement. Saturdays 11:30 am – 4:30 pm. From March 1 until October 31 open hours are from 11:30 am until 4:30pm. Call 574-264-0525 for more information or to schedule a program or tour.
9. Ideal Beach Family Water Park is a fun-filled family water park is located at 55256 Ideal Beach Road in Elkhart. It features two corkscrew water slides, miniature golf, lake front beach, kiddie pool, concessions, volley ball, picnic areas, and much more. It’s perfect way to spend a summer day and a great place to hold family reunions or company picnics. For group ratings, call the beach office at 574-262-1769 after June 1. Prior to June 1, contact the Park office at 574-295-7275. Ideal Beach Water Park is open daily from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm. Daily admission is $3.00, water slide -$5.00, Miniature Golf – $2.00, Kayak rental – $3.00 per half hour, Pedal boat – $$5.00 per half hour. For season passes and group rates, call the beach office.
10. McNaughton Spray Park is located between Elkhart General Hospital and the St. Joseph River. The spray portion of the park was just opened in the Summer of 2007. It features water cannons, power volcanos, spray huddles, dumping buckets and many more water activities. The spray park can cater to about 250 children up to age 14. McNaughton Park also has a boat launch, basketball courts, horseshoe pits and a playground. McNaughton Water Park is open 7 days a week from noon until 8:00 pm from Memorial Day until Labor Day. You can call 295-7275 for more information about cost.
11. Pierre Moran Swimming Pool is located at 200 West Lusher Avenue in Elkhart is being renovated and was closed for the 2007 season but will be reopened for the 2008 season with many more features and a whole new look! Call 574-293-7946 for up-to-date information about it’s opening and prices of admission.
12. NIBCO Water Park is located on the east bank of the River Walk, the park will be an ice skating rink during the winter and a water park in the summer. This is another one of the many new attractions in Elkhart this past year! Opening in December 2007, this is truly a unique design. Admission is only $1.50 per session. Skate rental is $3.00 a pair. NIBCO Water Park is open 7 days a week from 6 to 9pm with extended hours on weekends.
13. Elkhart Civic Plaza is located in the heart of downtown Elkhart. The Elkhart Jazz Festival, in it’s 21st year, is one of the premiere jazz festivals will feature three days of phenomenal jazz at the Elkhart Civic Center. More than 100 world-class jazz artists. Six unique stages within walking distance of each other. The 2008 line-up will show the talents of the U.S. Army Blues Jazz Ensemble, Bobbie Lewis’ Cats’ n Jammers, Rob Parton Quintet, Mighty Aphrodite Jazz Band, and many more! The festival will be June 20 – 22 and the cost of admission depends on when you plan to attend. Call 1-800-597-7627, for more information.
14. NYC Railroad Museum is located at 721 South Main Street in Elkhart, this museum was founded in 1987 and is ever growing as preserving both local and national railroad heritage. Visitors enter the museum through a 1915 passenger coach and a path which ends at the Central System Gift Shop. The NYC Railroad Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm, Sundays noon – 4pm and closed on Mondays and major holidays. Call 574-294-3001 for more information.
15. Bonneville Mill County Park is located at 53373 County Road 131 in Bristol, Indiana. Bonneville Mill is in the heart of this Elkhart county park. The mill is open to the public every day from May through October. Mill hours are 10 am – 5 pm daily. Guided tours may be scheduled Monday through Friday. The mill grinds corn, wheat, rye and buckwheat the old-fashioned way.
16. Ox Bow County Park is located at 23033 County Road, Goshen – midway between Elkhart and Goshen. This Elkhart County park established in 1969 has a diversity of natural environment. It offers hundreds of acres for your enjoyment of hiking, picnicking, canoeing, horseshoes, volleyball, disc golf, archery and more. Many shelters are available for rent or on first come basis. Admission is $2.00 per vehicle from April 1 until October 31. Call 574-535-6458 for more information or for shelter reservations.
17. Shipshewana Flea Market is located at 345 S. Van Buren Street in Shipshewana, IN. This is not in Elkhart County but is a popular destination for those tourist who visit our area. Shipshewana is approximately 23 miles southeast of Elkhart and worth spending a day there. The flea market is open May 6 – October 29, Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 8am – 5 pm. There are many other attractions in the area as well. For more information, call 260-768-4129.
18. Golf Clubs and Courses – Elkhart County has several golf courses at the following locations; Old Orchard Golf Course, 24682 County Road 16, Elkhart. Call 574-293-1121 for more info. Christiana Creek Country Club, 116 W. Bristol Street, Elkhart. Call 574-265-3060 for more info. Bent Oak Golf Club, 3610 Bent Oak Trail, Elkhart. Call 574-295-1602. Nick’s Golf Center – driving range & miniature golf, features 8 heated winter tees, 5 grass tees, 13 mat tees, 7 target greens, and a lighted range. Nick’s Golf Center is located at 30013 Old US 20 West, Elkhart. Call 574-296-2881
19. Elkhart Civic Theater is located at 210 East Vistula in Bristol, IN, the new 2008 season will feature Singin’ in the Rain – April 25, 26, May 2, 3, 4, 9, and 10. Arsenic and Old Lace will be June 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15. Seussical the Musical, a high energy musical, will take the stage on August 1, 2, and 3. To obtain tickets, call 574-848-4116 from 1 – 5:30 pm weekdays. Season tickets are available.
20. McNaughton Park Band Shell is located between the Elkhart General Hospital and the St. Joseph River, the park band shell features free concerts each Tuesday evening in the summer. Elkhart’s Municipal Band will provide the entertainment! So bring your blankets, lawn chairs or sit on provided benches. Refreshments are available from the concession stand. Music begins at 8:00 pm.
Have fun while visiting in Elkhart County or if you are a resident, see how many new places you can visit and keep busy with this summer! There is plenty to do outside and ways to stay cool too!
