As the days shorten and the football crowds head home, downtown South Bend settles into a slower, more intimate rhythm that invites couples to reconnect. Think long breakfasts, unhurried walks along West Washington Street, dinner a few blocks from your door, and quiet evenings by the fireplace. That’s what romantic getaways in South Bend, Indiana can feel like when you take the chance to stay at our newly remodeled Brickhaven Inn.
Our inn is a six-room bed and breakfast in an 1872 Second Empire mansion, right next door to Tippecanoe Place. Our location is so good that all you have to do is park the car and leave it there all weekend. There are more than 48 downtown bars and restaurants within walking distance, making this one of the easiest choices for your romantic getaways in South Bend. These moments are only made better when you can come back to a suite with a fireplace, a soaking tub, or, in the Cushing Suite, a private sauna built for two.
Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, a birthday, or simply a few days away from busy fall calendars, we have everything you need here. When you’re ready, book your South Bend romantic getaway with us.
Every guest room at Brickhaven has its own character, but three were made with a romantic couples’ getaway in mind. Each has a king bed and the soft glow of an electric fireplace, and each is packed with its own unique and welcoming character.
If you’re in town celebrating something like an anniversary or other milestone, the Cushing Suite is a fantastic option. Its 170-square-foot spa bathroom is reason to book alone, with an oversized soaking tub, a large walk-in shower, and a two-person infrared sauna. Plan on spending more of the evening in there than you expect.
Back in the bedroom, the original quartersawn oak floors and 11-foot ceilings speak to the home’s Gilded Age roots, and the bay window seating is made for slow mornings with coffee. The suite is named for the Cushing family, who built the mansion in 1872.
The Varsity Suite offers over 330 square feet to settle into, plus an oversized two-person tub and a walk-in shower. Four grand windows look out over West Washington Street and Tippecanoe Place. Its name honors Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s, and Holy Cross, but you don’t have to be here on a football weekend to enjoy it.
There’s something undeniably magical about entering your room through a hidden bookcase. It sets the tone for your entire stay. The Library Suite was once the mansion’s sunroom, so it’s wrapped in windows on three sides, with 12-foot ceilings, a king canopy bed, and a separate sitting area for reading and relaxing. It’s also our only first-floor guest room, which makes it the easiest to reach if stairs are a concern.
Our other three rooms are comfortable and thoughtfully finished, though they don’t include fireplaces or soaking tubs. If you want to enjoy sunset views, consider choosing Martha’s Room, which faces west and has the best view of Tippecanoe Place as the day winds down.
If your schedule allows, consider coming to South Bend midweek. With just six rooms, a Sunday-through-Thursday stay gives you a better chance of booking exactly the room you have in mind. You’ll also miss the crowds. On a Notre Dame home weekend, the whole town fills with fans. But on a Tuesday night, downtown South Bend feels like it’s yours for the evening.
Fewer guests also means a quieter house, and a good chance you’ll have the library to yourselves for a long, lazy game of chess.
For a romantic weekend, the best timing is any weekend without a home football game. Game days bring big, energetic crowds downtown and around campus, which is wonderful for fans but not ideal for a quiet escape. In 2026, Notre Dame plays at home on November 7, 14, and 21.
From December through February, South Bend slows down. The football crowds are gone, downtown glows with holiday lights, and a weekend of fireplace evenings, sauna sessions, and long breakfasts makes perfect sense when it’s cold outside.
Some of the most romantic evenings in South Bend begin right at our front door. Everything here is an easy walk from the inn, so you can linger over dessert or grab another late-night drink without worrying about the drive back.
Start with dinner at one of the restaurants a few blocks from the inn, then find a cozy spot downtown for a nightcap. If you have a sweet tooth, South Bend Chocolate Café is about a 7-minute walk away. For a night out, South Bend Civic Theatre is about an 8-minute walk.
For more ideas, browse our Dining in South Bend guide.
Late fall and winter bring out a cozier side of South Bend. The game-day energy fades, and downtown settles into the holiday season with lights, shows, and plenty of reasons to stay out a little later.
This year, the South Bend Cubs debut Holiday Lights on the Diamond at Four Winds Field, running November 13 through January 2. Because it’s downtown, it pairs easily with dinner nearby before you head back to the inn.
In early December, downtown South Bend welcomes the holidays with a tree lighting and events that continue throughout the season. Planning a visit once the snow arrives? Our guide to romantic winter getaways at Brickhaven Inn covers ice skating, holiday lights, and fireside evenings at the inn.
As much as we love downtown, some of the sweetest moments of a romantic bed and breakfast stay in Indiana happen without ever leaving the house. Mornings start with a three-course plated breakfast, served from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Our kitchen gladly works around dietary restrictions and allergies.
In the evenings, the library is a welcome spot to unwind. We’re avid board gamers ourselves, so you’ll find more than 20 games set out, along with cards, chess, backgammon, and puzzles. Guests can also borrow from our personal collection of over 200 modern board games. We’re always happy to teach you something new.
Whenever you want a little something, the Butler’s Pantry is open around the clock with complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, snacks, still and sparkling water, and fresh-baked goods every day. The living room and covered patio are yours to enjoy, too.
Part of what makes a stay here feel special is the house itself. The Cushing family built it in 1872 in the Second Empire style, crowned by the mansard roof you’ll notice as you pull up. It sits in the West Washington Historic District, beside Tippecanoe Place.
The house has welcomed travelers before, as The Book Inn, which opened in 1991, and later as the Cushing Manor Inn & Tea Room. When we bought it in late 2025, we set out to restore it with care, keeping the 12-foot ceilings and original hardwood floors while adding the comforts today’s travelers expect.
You can read more of the story on our About & History page.
Which rooms have a fireplace?
The Cushing Suite, Varsity Suite, and Library Suite each have an electric fireplace.
Which rooms have a soaking tub?
The Cushing Suite and the Varsity Suite. The Varsity’s is an oversized two-person tub.
Does any room have a sauna?
Yes. The Cushing Suite has a private two-person infrared sauna in its bathroom.
How far is Brickhaven Inn from Notre Dame?
About an 8–10 minute drive. Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross are similarly close.
Is parking free?
Yes. Free off-street parking is included, with a Level 2 EV charger for guests.
Is there a minimum age to check in?
Please see our lodging policies.
Whether it’s an anniversary, a birthday, or simply time for the two of you, we’d love to host your next romantic getaway in South Bend. Book your stay at Brickhaven Inn today, or compare all six rooms first.
