Best for smaller kids. Not really a children's museum of its own, but a children's section of the…read moreHistory museum. (Pairs well with the small kids "pit stop" exhibit inside the Studebaker museum.) Especially worth checking out for the 3-6 set. But I wouldn't expect to spend more than about 30 minutes unless you go during one of the programs. South Bend residents can borrow museum passes for free at the library with their library card.

This is a nice, small museum. A bit overpriced but worth doing once, and it is next to the…read morechocolate shop and factory. We did not do the outdoor parts. It was a nice stop.

We made an impromptu detour to the Indiana Dinosaur Museum during a weekend road trip, and it ended…read moreup being one of the highlights of our trip! X-Man absolutely loved it. From the moment we walked in, he was completely engaged -- asking questions, reading the displays, and carefully studying every fossil and replica. The exhibits were well laid out and easy for kids to navigate without feeling overwhelming. It struck a great balance between educational and genuinely fun. The staff was friendly and welcoming, and the space felt clean and thoughtfully curated. You can tell a lot of care went into creating an experience that sparks curiosity in young dinosaur lovers. If you're traveling through the area with kids (or have a budding paleontologist in your family), this is absolutely worth the stop. We didn't plan it -- and honestly, that made it even better. Sometimes the best adventures are the unexpected ones. Would definitely recommend!

Beautiful restoration with amazing original period furnishings. Lovely garden and extremely…read morewell-done railway car exhibit on lower level. Enthusiastic and friendly staff, plenty on street free parking.

We were visiting the Michigan City area for a family vacation. We love exploring historic homes,…read moreespecially of the Gilded Era. We decided to do the guided house and garden tour for $20 per person. It was well worth it. Our docent professor Craig was the absolute best! He knew every detail about the history of the Barker family, their beautiful home and lavishly furnished home, as well as the history of the family business. One thing that impressed me most was that the heirs of the original Barker family have made it their life's mission to spend an unlimited amount to restore the ancestral family home back to its former glory! This is a Michigan City treasure and I highly recommend visiting- especially in the summer when the garden is in full bloom!!

The Nest is an excellent addition to the Michigan City art scene. This space features work from…read moremany local artists but also pieces from talented artists from all over the country. It is hard to define what you can expect to find at The Nest because everything is completely unique and something you've likely never run across. This is a great spot for special gifts for weddings and birthdays as well as simply for those times that you're looking for something completely out of the ordinary. You can expect to find anything from awesome locally-made clothing, to framed pieces, to pottery, to local food and cookware, to jewelry, and even pieces like coins that have been turned into tiny puzzle pieces. Outside of unique gifts, The Nest also features live music as well as local art classes, and once the business grows, you can expect delicious local food and drinks. So support local business and support a place like The Nest. You will be amazed by what you find at the spot. A definite favorite, and a place I will also frequent. NOTE: Call ahead to ensure that The Nest is open. Particularly as it is just opening, hours can be somewhat inconsistent.

This was a beautiful house to tour. Our tour guide was wonderful and very knowledgeable. I learned…read moreso much about the history of this family between the house and the museum. I visited while the house was decorated for Christmas, which I highly recommend. The decorations were gorgeous.

My husband and I came here for "Christmas at Copshaholm" and it was truly magical. We are both born…read moreand raised in Elkhart but neither one of us had ever been here. I saw that it was decorated for Christmas (my favorite holiday) and decided it would be the perfect first visit for us. As soon as you walk in you're hit with the beauty of all the original woodwork in the home. It's absolutely stunning. We learned that all of the furniture is original to the house, which is such a rare and special touch when looking at a historical home. We take historical home tours all over the U.S. and it's very rare that all the furniture is original to the home. We will absolutely be back! I didn't take many pictures because I was taking in all the beauty!

Super fun holiday theme!!! Big fan is evil gingerbread people attacking the North Pole lol…read more Funny intro video. Adorable decor and sweet smell. A solid amount of puzzles. Traditional/First Gen style escape game. The owners are super nice! Played with my husband & parents while visiting for the holidays 2022.

If you're looking for the perfect way to spend some time out of the unpredictable weather of…read morenorthern Indiana, this place is it! The rooms are the perfect amount of fun and creative while still challenging your mind. The cherry on top is their fun and friendly staff. I highly recommend taking some time to go check it out.

Recently renovated, the Raclin Murphy museum was a first for me in that I've never visited a museum…read morewith a chapel inside. Sculpture is a large focus for the museum, but they do have works by more well known artists. I appreciated the descriptions next to many of the artworks as they provided additional context. Restrooms were available on all floors and they have space for rotating exhibits. There is a very, very small gift shop on the first floor next to the cafe.

For a small art museum they had an amazing collection! On the Notre Dame campus and always FREE!read more

These are some of trains they have at the Hesston Steam Museum and they also have things on displayread more

If you are looking for something to do in Northern Indiana, Heston Steam Museum is a great place to…read morego. They introduce you to various historical ways of working with steam machines. They have an assortment of old farm tractors and vehicles. And they have a working sawmill. On occasion, I've seen the blacksmith shop open and hammering away at keepsake souvenirs. The highlight of the trip will be a steam engine train ride through the grounds and woods. Along with a narration by the conductor. This is a fun place to go on the holidays as they theme the train to the holiday. There is a train themed gift shop perfect for souvenirs of your trip. And popcorn to purchase. Occasionally, the soda fountain is open. But, if they are not, Heston Supper club is down the road along with other options in nearby LaPorte, Indiana or New Buffalo, Michigan.