Allan M.
Yelp
On my very final trip I did to anywhere outside of Chicago in 2016, I was in South Bend(yea not the most exciting, but that's where I was). There was no doubt in my mind from reading reviews, that I knew I wanted to come here. So glad I did, since this was a fantastic museum!
Only $8 for adults if you're only visiting this museum, and skip going to the other ones they also operate(i.e. Oliver Mansion house, and a 3rd one I'm forgetting). There's a combination admission price at some price above $8 if you go to their other museums this organization also operates, but I opted to skip those 2 other museums this day. Oliver Mansion tours sold out before I arrived here on an early weekday afternoon just after Christmas anyway, so no biggie to me I only opted for here of their 3 museums.
There's NO SHORTAGE of cars from Studebaker's history displayed here, including horse carriages before they got into building cars. And to me, this museum is an absolute must visit for a museum of cars from a car company, that sadly ceased to exist in the mid-1960s. There is some historical info about the company in displays on the 2nd floor and in a side room, that mentions what happened with this company just before its demise(sad to read, but glad I did look over that). While you're here you will see the carriages that carried Lincoln and McKinley just before their unfortunate assassinations(1st floor), and also you'll see the car that was used in the filming of The Muppets Movie(2nd floor). There are some cars on display from car companies Studebaker acquired over the years, plus a few random cars on display from European carmakers that collaborated with Studebaker on car projects. And there's a place to do a quick selfie right when you enter the 1st floor, sitting inside a early 50s Studebaker convertible! There's also a cafe on site, but I didn't try any food there and have no idea what that was like. Also they have a coat check room that didn't cost any money to use, which was a nice perk vs. museums elsewhere that charge for use of such a room. Yes, free even if you're a non-member(gasp!).
If you've ever visited other auto museums or have visited places like the Indy Motor Speedway, you have no excuse not to also visit here! The South Bend neighborhood(Historic Dunbar Corner) in the blocks surrounding here oozes with history and has lots of beautiful homes, and is worth a quick walk or drive through it for a look before or after you come here. Both Colfax and Washington Street have a lot of beautiful homes, and if you go on Washington Street at the intersection with Garfield Court, you'll even spot a Frank Lloyd Wright home on the north side of the street! Which per this website, is the K.C. DeRhodes House from 1906: http://allwrightsite.net/flw_in.html Finally, don't forget to do a quick look inside nearby City Cemetery, if you have a little extra time!