You don't have to be a fan of the football team to appreciate Notre Dame's campus! ;) Park at the Bookstore Visitor Lot and set out on a walk to the Basilica, The Grotto, the lakes, and more. Located about 15 minutes from each wedding hotel, Rohr's is a great place for lunch or dinner.
Downtown South Bend has lots of restaurants and you can read all about them on this website. Downtown is 15 minutes from the Heritage Square Hampton Inn and 18 minutes from the Niles Hampton. Here are some of our favorites: *The General Deli - Great coffee and Excellent selection of sandwiches/salads for lunch. *Hammer & Quill - Next door to The General, a great place for cocktails and small bites beginning at 4:30pm. *The Lauber - Lively with a popular patio. Burgers, pizza, salads, and appetizers. Gluten free crust available for pizza. *Cinco International - Some of you feeling like Mexican, others like Thai? You can get them both here and they are equally good. Tasty margaritas too. *Cafe Navarre or Cascade if you're feeling like some fine dining. *Rocco's Pizza - A South Bend Institution. It's our favorite pizza because it's closest to New York style. Not quite in downtown but near campus.
Looking for a place to hike or run? St. Patrick's County Park is 10 minutes from both hotels and features miles of trails. It's connected to Madeline Bertrand County Park in Michigan so you get two parks for the $5 entry fee. Often, there's no fee at all. Walk along the St. Joe River and keep an eye out for the bald eagles who nest on site.
About 30 minutes from the Hampton Inn in Niles and 45 minutes from the Hampton Inn at Heritage Square, New Buffalo is one of our favorite nearby towns. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, it feels a bit like a small East Coast beach town, with shops, restaurants, and a beautiful beach. September weather can still be lovely for a walk along the water. Favorite places to eat: The Stray Dog, Brewster's, and PostBoy.