Once the last Notre Dame home game wraps up for the season, the atmosphere in South Bend changes. The tailgates disappear, the downtown sidewalks quiet down, and the city settles into a more traditional winter pattern; one that makes you want to stay in. For couples looking for romantic winter getaways in the Midwest, that’s exactly the appeal: fewer crowds, lower rates, and a historic mansion with a fire going at the end of every evening.
Brickhaven Inn is a six-room bed and breakfast in an 1872 Second Empire mansion on West Washington Street, about two hours from Chicago. Winter is our off-season, and we think it’s the most underrated time of year to visit. If you’re looking for a new place to get away and have some time this winter, we’d love to share a little time and space with you.
Most people picture South Bend on a football Saturday or a dynamic and busy summer afternoon. While those seasons offer plenty of fun things to do and a jubilant atmosphere that’s impossible not to enjoy, winter offers us something a little different. In winter, South Bend becomes a different town, and for a couple’s getaway, a better one.
Lower rates. Our rates adjust daily with demand, and there’s no doubt that winter is our quietest season. That means nightly rates typically run lower than they do during fall football weekends.
A quieter house. With only six guest rooms, a winter weekend here feels more like borrowing a friend’s mansion than checking into a hotel. In our guide to romantic getaways in South Bend, we made the case for midweek stays. If you steal away for a midweek stay in the middle of winter, you can expect the tranquility of this area to be even better.
A calmer campus. Once football season ends, the crowds go with it, which means you can enjoy the majestic beauty of the Notre Dame campus in a different way. January through March are the quietest months at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. If you’ve only seen Notre Dame packed with fans, a snowy walk across a nearly empty campus is a whole new experience.
South Bend is about 95 miles east of downtown Chicago, which takes roughly two hours by car depending, of course, on traffic. And though it may be close, you will cross into the Eastern Standard Time zone as you leave Chicago, which means you’ll lose an hour on the way here. You’ll get it back once you head home, though!
Check-in at our South Bed Bed and Breakfast starts at 3:00 P.M., and generally ends at 8: P.M. However, if you get a late start or hit bad traffic leaving the city, just call or text us, and we’ll set up a contactless check-in as needed. A stay with us always includes free off-street parking, and we even have a Level 2 EV charger for guests if you need a charge.
Would you rather leave the driving to someone else? The South Shore Line runs from Chicago’s Millennium Station to the South Bend International Airport station in about two hours. From there, the inn is a 15- to 20-minute drive. Once you’re here, you can mostly forget about the car. The ice trail, the Morris, the ballpark lights, and more than 48 bars and restaurants are all within walking distance of our Bed and Breakfast.
If you’re coming from Chicago, you already know a thing or two about winter and lake-effect snow. However, if you’re coming from somewhere else, definitely pack for winter. It can get extremely cold here. According to the National Weather Service, South Bend averages 64.5 inches of snow a year, and heavy snowfalls often come from cold winds crossing Lake Michigan, about 20 miles to the northwest.
Bring boots with good traction, a warm hat, and gloves you can skate in. The colder it gets outside, the more appealing and delightful the fireplaces inside become!
This is the part of a winter stay we look forward to most. When the temperature drops, the fireplaces light up. The library and the living room both have fireplaces, and on a cold night they’re the best seats in the house. Pull a game off the shelf (there are more than 20 in the library, plus our personal collection of over 200 modern board games), grab a coffee or tea from the Butler’s Pantry, and settle in. We’re always happy to teach you something new, or to stay out of the way entirely and let you enjoy an intimate evening for two.
If you’d rather keep the evening entirely to yourselves, the Cushing Suite, Varsity Suite, and Library Suite each has an electric fireplace. We walked through all three suites in our romantic getaways guide, so we’ll keep it short here: pick the Library Suite for the hidden bookcase entrance, the Varsity Suite for the oversized two-person tub, or the Cushing Suite for the sauna.
If any amenity was made for this season, it’s the private two-person infrared sauna in the Cushing Suite. Spend an afternoon on the ice, walk back through the cold, and warm up in your own sauna before a long soak in the tub. It’s the best possible way to end a snowy day, and it’s only a few steps from your cozy and inviting bed.
Downtown South Bend doesn’t hibernate during the winter, as you might expect. There are plenty of reasons to put on your coats this season, and most of it is just a short walk away from Inn (so you don’t have to get too cold!).
Howard Park’s ice trail is a 16,000-square-foot trail with rolling hills and soft curves, plus an attached ice pond. It’s about a 19-minute walk from the inn. The 2026 to 2027 season runs from November 27 through March. Sessions last 80 minutes, and adult admission is $11, which includes your skate rental. On Tuesdays, admission drops to $5 (except December 19 through January 2). All the more reason to plan that midweek getaway!
Between laps, there are fire pits and heaters on the grounds and a South Bend Chocolate Café stand for hot chocolate. You can also rent a heated private igloo with food and drinks from Howard Park Public House, which may be the most romantic table in town. Reserve your session online, since they can sell out. There’s no open skate on Christmas Day.
The South Bend Cubs are debuting Holiday Lights on the Diamond this year, with one million lights spread out around the ballpark and out on the field. It runs on select nights from November 13 through January 2, and is about a 10-minute walk from the inn. Expect s’mores stations, holiday train rides, and a stroll along the warning track. Gates open at 6 p.m., and tickets are $12 per person. Check the Cubs’ schedule for open nights before you go.
Head into Downtown South Bend this December, and you’ll find it filled with free events and plenty of holiday joy.
The Morris Performing Arts Center is about a 9-minute walk from the inn. This season’s highlights for couples include Holiday Pops with the South Bend Symphony (December 19 and 20), Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 (January 30), and A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical (February 5 and 6).
Once football season wraps up, Notre Dame hockey takes over. Home series this winter include Minnesota (December 4 and 5), Michigan (January 15 and 16), Penn State (January 29 and 30), and Ohio State (February 5 and 6). It’s a short trip over to campus, and it makes for a really fun date night.
When the wind picks up, head inside. A few of our favorite local spots to visit include:
Winter mornings were made for lingering, and there are few places quite as nice and worth the linger as ours. Breakfast is a three-course plated meal served from 8 to 9:30 a.m., and our kitchen gladly works around dietary restrictions and allergies. With checkout at 11 a.m., there’s time for one more cup of coffee by the fire before you head home.
A few things to know before you book:
Are winter rates lower at Brickhaven Inn?
Yes. Our rates adjust daily with demand, and winter is our off-season, so nightly rates typically run lower than during fall football weekends.
How far is South Bend from Chicago?
About 95 miles, or roughly two hours by car. South Bend is on Eastern Time, one hour ahead of Chicago.
Can we take the train from Chicago?
Yes. The South Shore Line runs from Millennium Station to the South Bend International Airport station in about two hours. The inn is a 15- to 20-minute drive from the station.
Which rooms and common areas have fireplaces?
The library and the living room both have fireplaces. The Cushing Suite, Varsity Suite, and Library Suite each have an electric fireplace in the room.
When is the Howard Park ice trail open?
The 2026 to 2027 season runs from November 27 through March. Adult admission is $11, and skate rental is included.
What if snow delays our arrival?
Standard check-in runs from 3 to 8 p.m. If you arrive after 8 p.m., call or text us and we’ll arrange a late or contactless check-in.
Winter in South Bend rewards the people who show up for it: quieter streets, lower rates, and a mansion full of fireplaces. Whether you’re driving in from Chicago or looking for Midwest winter getaways a little farther from home, we’d love to host you this season. Browse our guest rooms, or book your winter stay at Brickhaven Inn today.
