South Bend, Indiana, home to the University of Notre Dame, ranks as one of the nation's more famous college towns. However, the north-central Indiana community also features numerous other attractions, including museums, a zoo with more than 400 animals and city parks that provide an array of recreational activities. If you're visiting in the winter, one such option is ice skating on an outdoor rink at Howard Park.
About Howard Park
- Howard Park lies along the eastern shore of the St. Joseph River at the intersection of Jefferson Boulevard and St. Louis Boulevard in downtown South Bend. In addition to the winter-only ice rink, the 11.5-acre park offers other amenities and attractions available year-round, including fishing along the St. Joseph River, a three-quarter-mile river walk, playground, picnic area and restroom facilities. The park also includes a recreation center that provides classes, crafts, games and recreational activities for seniors ages 55 and older.
About the Rink
- The Howard Park Ice Rink typically is open from late November to mid-March and charges an admission fee for adults and a slightly discounted fee for students ages 6 and older. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. The rink has rental skates available and also provides skate sharpening for a fee. The rink features daily specials that might include free skate rental with paid admission, 2-for-1 admission or discounted family deals. Party packages for organized groups, birthdays or other special events also are available. The entire rink can be rented by the hour during times when public skate sessions are not scheduled.
Skating Schedule
- During its skating season, the Howard Park Ice Rink is open seven days per week, typically on weekday afternoons, Friday evenings, morning to evenings on Saturdays, and afternoons and evenings on Sundays. When area schools are on holiday break from mid-December to early January, the rink extends its hours and is open from mid-mornings to late evenings six days per week -- every day except Mondays, when it is open from morning to mid-afternoon. The rink typically closes at mid-afternoon Christmas Eve and remains closed Christmas Day. Weather conditions could keep the rink from opening for some sessions. To inquire about ice conditions, call 574-235-9451
Nearby Attractions and Accommodations
- If you're planning a trip to Howard Park, take time to visit several of South Bend's other nearby attractions. Notre Dame offers tours of its campus, approximately two miles north of Howard Park, that include the Grotto, the Main Building's Golden Dome and "Touchdown Jesus," an iconic mural on the side of the school library adjacent to Notre Dame Stadium, home of the Fighting Irish football program. Or spend a few hours at the Potawatomi Zoo, which is open daily and includes animals such anteaters, bison, kangaroos, monkeys, leopards, lions, tigers, red pandas and zebras just 1.5 miles southeast of Howard Park. Also within a five-minute drive are the South Bend Museum of Art, the HealthWorks! Kids Museum and the Studebaker National Museum. The city has a variety of accommodations, including hotels and bed-and-breakfast inns.
