Located in Northern Indiana, Elkhart is a cultural oasis, celebrating the arts paired with the outdoors. From the museum dedicated to American Art to a restored theater to the public art up and down the streets of Elkhart, the arts are alive. If the outdoors are your jam, then the RV Hall of Fame is a must, paired with the nearby a nearby hike and bike trail and an environment center. Here are the most delightful things to do in Elkhart, IN>
11 Delightful Things to Do in Elkhart IN
RV/MH Hall of Fame
Wellfield Botanic Garden
Quilt Gardens Along Heritage Trail
Midwest Museum of American Art
Elkhart’s Public Art
The Lerner Theater
PumpkinVine Trail
Elkhart Riverwalk
Ruthmere Campus
Elkhart Environment Center
National New York Central Railroad Museum
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RV/MH Hall of Fame
Elkhart County builds 80% of the recreation vehicles manufactured in the U.S. The RV/MH Hall of Fame is a 100,000 square foot museum dedicated to that legacy.
Inside, I found the first RVs ever manufactured in the 1920s. Some of the classics I could enter, and others visitors can peek into. Highlights include Mae West’s 1931 House Car to the 1974 GMC Motorhome.
Located at 21565 Executive Parkway, Elkhart. Open daily during the summer from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with shorter seasonal hours for the rest of the year. Adult admission is $20, kids (6 – 16) are $12, seniors (60+) are $15 and those 5 and younger enter for free.
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Wellfield Botanic Garden
Blending art and landscape garden rooms, the Wellfield Botanic Garden is a 36-acre escape. The outdoor spaces blend art with function as visitors draw inspiration from both.
As the site of the North Main Street Well Field, the space provides drinking water and hydraulic energy for Elkhart. Half of the garden’s area is covered by water.
Now divided into garden rooms, visitors can meander its paths and discover themed areas. From the Children’s Garden to the English Cottage Garden to the Waterfall Garden, the Wellfield Botanic Garden offers both refuge and inspiration.
Located at 1011 N Main St, Elkhart. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult admission (13+) is $10, kids (3 to 12) are $5, and those 2 and younger enter for free.
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Quilt Gardens Along the Heritage Trail
Drawing on its Amish culture, Elkhart features quilt gardens, fashioned with annual flowers to depict traditional quilt squares. Along the Heritage Trail, there are 16 garden displays, each with a unique design.
Several locations across Elkhart County, including Wellfield Botanic Garden, TK. The quilt gardens are best viewed from May 30 to September 15, and free to visit.
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Midwest Museum of American Art
As a jewel on Main Street, the Midwest Museum of American Art opened in 1979. It anchored downtown Elkhart as an arts district with an impressive gallery of framed art and pottery, plus illustrations and coins.
Its exhibition space is a 25,000-square-foot former St. Joseph Valley Bank building, a Neo-Classical building from 1922. The Midwest Museum of American Art focuses on 19th and 20th-century art, much created by Midwesterners.
Highlights include Norman Rockwell signed lithographs. As the cover illustrator for the Saturday Evening Post, Rockwell captures mid-century Americana. Visitors can find Freedom from Want by Rockwell (1972) and Wet Paint (1973) with its running redhead artist.
The collection at the MMAA includes standouts like Andy Warhol’s Flowers (1970) and Robert Indiana’s The Golden Future of America (1976). Enthusiasts of American Western Art will find Thomas Moran’s Majestic Forest (1919) and Mountain Landscape by Albert Bierstadt (1870). The museum also displays an extensive collection of Overbeck Pottery
Located at 429 S Main St, Elkhart. Open Wednesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. (closed Monday and Tuesday). Adult admission (13+) is $15 and kids (4 to 12) are $10 with those 3 and younger entering for free.
Elkhart’s Public Art
Scattered downtown, Elkhart is home to dozens of sculptures and seven murals. In the downtown cultural district, there are several installations within walking distance.
The Attractions in Elkhart & Banner of Elkhart duo murals are located at 418 S Main Street. Another standout is the Splash of Color mural at 523 S. Main St.
In front of the Midwest Museum of American Art, visitors will find Thunder Dance by John Mishler. Another spot to explore is the Elkhart Art Alley, at 215 S Main St.
The Lerner Theater
Celebrating its 100th year, the Lerner Theater boasts many period details like Doric columns, gilded mouldings and ceiling medallions. Its 1924 Kimball pipe organ is still in use, restored It underwent a complete renovation in recent years and is a centerpiece of Elkhart’s cultural district.
The Lerner Theater hosts events from symphony performances to ballet productions to a vibrant speaker series. Tours are available Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tour tickets are $10 per person and by reservation only.
Located at 410 South Main Street.
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Pumpkinvine Trail
Utilizing part of a former railroad line, the Pumpkinvine Trail is a 17-mile multi-use trail that connects Middlebury, Shipshewana and Goshen. Perfect for families, this trail is paved for the majority of its length and about the width of a single-lane road.
During my ride, the scenery changed frequently, from woodland areas to cornfields to animal paddocks. I also found interest stops, like Mooey’s Ice Cream Shop at TK>
Also along the route, I found places to stop and rest. Some stops offered picnic tables, others just benches. Another interesting area is the Drider “World’s Fair” Garden Park in Middlebury. Originally a 1934 World’s Fair exhibit, visitors can enjoy a landscaped garden with water features and a quilt garden.
During my visit, I used the Pumpkinvine Cyclery for a rental bike. Located at 413 N Main St, Middlebury, it is a full-service bike shop. For my ride, I started on the Ridge Run Trail at theDas Dutchman Essenhaus.
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Elkhart Riverwalk
A 1.7-mile route along the Elkhart River in the center of downtown Elkhart. Along the route, visitors pass public art, like murals and sculptures.
The Elkhart Riverwalk passes several parks, like City Center Park, Kardzhali Park, Lundquist Bicentennial Park and Island Park, an island in the middle of the Elkhart River. There are several points of access on the Elkhart Riverwalk, including places to park.
It is free to use and best enjoyed from dawn to dusk.
Ruthmere Campus
The 1910 three-story Beaux-Arts mansion was built by Elizabeth and Albert Beardleslyt. As a successful business owner in the area, the Beardleys needed a home to host events.
Named after their child who died in infancy, the stone home features elements of both the Beaux-Arts and Prairie School styles, like a marble balustrade and stained glass windows. Inside, there are period antiques.
Elizabeth used the conservatory greenhouse to raise rare plants. The gardens at the Ruthmere Mansion are classically landscaped.
The campus includes Haviland Beardlesly House, built by a founding family of Elkhart. It offers a separate tour.
Located at 302 E Beardsley Ave. Open Tuesday to Saturday with guided tours at 10, 11 a.m., noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m., Sunday for tours at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. For the Ruthmere Mansion, adult admission is $15, students are $10 and those 5 and younger enter for free.
Elkhart Environment Center
This 80-acre site features hiking trails through its wetlands, woodland and riverfront property. It offers events and educational programming throughout the season.
Located at 1717 E Lusher Ave. Visitor’s Cabin open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Trails open from dawn to dusk. Free to enter.
National New York Central Railroad Museum
Founded in 1987, this museum is dedicated to preserving the New York Central System’s history. As the second-largest railroad in the U.S., it served 11 U.S. States and two Canadian Provinces.
The railroad arrived in Elkhart in 1851, reshaping how the area traveled and shipped goods. It is home to the second-largest railroad freight classification yard east of the Mississippi River.
Elkhart is still a vital artery, with trains passing every few minutes. Served by Amtrak, passengers can travel to Chicago, New York or Boston. Built in 1900 by the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad, the Amtrak station sits across from the museum.
From the outdoor equipment displays to the model railroads inside, there is something for every train enthusiast. The museum offers engines, cabooses, and passenger cars, including Pullman cars.
Located at 721 Main St., Elkhart. Open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $6, seniors and kids (4 to 12) are $5, with those 4 and younger entering for free.
Where to Eat in Elkhart
Steps from the Midwest Museum of American Art, The Vine is the place for a wine-centric meal paired with a chef-driven, locally sourced menu.
During my visit, I started with a Baked Brie appetizer, a delightful mix of puff pastry and melted cheese accented with fresh fruit. Other options include Bruschetta and a Smoked Whitefish Pâté. Several salads with locally grown greens and pizzas are also available.
For my entrée, I ordered the Lake Superior Walleye, a regional favorite. Another option is the Black and Bleu Filet, a 6-ounce filet finished with bleu cheese crumbles. Pasta and a Build Your Burger option is available.
Located at 214 S Main St, Elkhart. Open Tuesday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.
For other standouts for dinner, consider Bird In The Hand, a restaurant dedicated to chicken dishes, at 240 E. Jackson Blvd. Brass Elk Brewing is a craft brewery along the Elkhart River Walk at 333 Nibco Parkway, Ste. A.
For a fine dining experience, Artisan serves a French-inspired menu located at 505 S. Main St. It received a AAA Four Diamond Award and accepts reservations.
Where to Stay
Perched along Main Street in historic downtown, the Hotel Elkhart Tapestry Collection by Hilton is a 1923 landmark property, revitalized in 2021 with many original details. From its marquee to marble staircase, guests can enjoy Jazz Age Elegance, steps from dining, shopping and the Midwest Museum of American Art.
During its heyday, it hosted Bob Hope; now the Hotel Elkhart anchors the cultural district. With 93 rooms and suites, guests can enjoy modern amenities and three dining venues.
From the Corner Bar, where locals and travelers mingle for a craft burger and a bespoke cocktail. It offers live music on some days, and there are even indulgent ice cream desserts.
In the morning, the Relish Cafe & Confections brews up barista-made coffee drinks and offers a hearty breakfast. To end the day, the High Note Bar overlooks Main Street with outdoor seating from the highest building in town.
For your stay, consider its corner rooms, like Room 401. It features two queen beds with Kingsdown Capeplush Mattresses, plus a padded headboard and luxurious white linens, accented with a monogrammed accent pillow.
Located at 500 Main Street.
Discover Elkhart hosted the writer for a media trip. This article contains affiliate links.
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