14 Adorable Small Towns In Indiana

Indiana, popularly known as the Hoosier State, with "Hoosier" being a word derived from the Indian word for corn, Hoosa, has all the ingredients to make for a great vacation destination. Road trippers, for instance, will enjoy the peaceful countryside scenes that define much of the state — in an adventure that will scarcely feature any stop sign. Then again, since Indiana is in the Midwest, also called “America’s Heartland,” expect to meet some of the friendliest, down-to-earth people in the whole country. Discover 14 adorable small towns in Indiana you will fall in love with as you explore the 19th state to join the Union.

Williamsport

Not to be confused with Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and about six other towns across the country with the same name, Williamsport, Indiana, is a sweet little gem nestled near the shores of the Wabash River just about three miles from Attica. While Williamsport is home to only about 1,900 residents and hence relatively small, it is one of the oldest still-operating towns in the state. It became a town way back in 1829 and would immediately serve as the Warren County administrative seat. According to certain accounts, Williamsport may be the birthplace of Indiana’s state song: "On the Banks of the Wabash." There are many things you will adore in this town, including the 90-foot-high Williamsport Falls, the highest free-falling waterfall in all of Indiana.

Pendleton

If you have not heard of Pendleton, Indiana, you are missing out on a little secret everyone else is raving about. This is especially true if you think you love American history. The reason is that Pendleton made history as the first place in the country where whites would receive capital punishment for the murder of Native Americans. As the story goes, a group of six white men, without any provocation whatsoever, slaughtered some Indian men, including their wives and children — who were camping at Fall Creek within Pendleton. Three white convicts would soon after being hanged in a landmark trial that set a precedent in cases of white aggression toward Native Indians. Today, styling itself as “More Than a Town,” Pendleton features an adorable historic district where Federal, Greek Revival, and American Craftsman architectural styles — are all on full display. For some quiet moments, however, Pendleton Falls Park, right where the innocent Natives were needlessly slaughtered, is among the town’s most popular attractions.

Madison

Considering the love it gets, Madison, Indiana, named for the president most associated with the making of the Constitution of the United States, may very well be the most underrated city in Indiana. Home to about 12,200 residents, Madison is nestled along the picturesque banks of the Ohio River, which once served as the southern border of what would be called the Northwest Territory. Madison is the county seat of Indiana’s Jefferson County. So what makes this Midwest jewel adorable? For starters, Madison today boasts the largest contiguous National Historic Landmark District in the country. For perspective, the whole of Madison’s downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Then again, Clifty Fall State Park is an outdoor lover’s playground — while Madison's Rockin' Thunder often provides the water thrill without which a summer vacation is considered incomplete.  Many will agree that this adorable, riverfront town does not receive the hype it should.

Brookville

Another Indiana town that will tickle your heart, and force you to continually turn your head, especially if you are a first-time visitor, is Brookville. Home to about 2,600 residents, Brookville is secreted in Indiana’s Franklin County, at the confluence of the east and west forks of the Whitewater River, about 70 miles south of Indianapolis. The historic district boasts an impressive number of well-preserved buildings, while the town is small but heart-ravishing. While you will enjoy strolling through Brookville’s downtown area, a visit to what might be the most beautiful lake in the Midwest should also be on the cards. Nestled in the breathtaking Whitewater River Valley, Brookville Lake - and the state park that encircles it — is among the most photogenic spots in the state.

Oldenburg

First settled in 1817, Oldenburg is one of the oldest towns in Indiana. However, like fine wine, Oldenburg just seems to get better with time. While the town’s first European settler was one William George, many German immigrants would later pour into the area, making it perhaps the capital of German culture — not only in the state — but in the Midwest. Today, Oldenburg’s townscape is mostly defined by German architecture, while its environment, including the rolling hills and verdant pastures, is among the most adorable in the state. Home to just about 600 residents, Oldenburg will blow you away, not only with its bewitching beauty but also for its culinary landscape. If in doubt, you may want to check out Wagner's Village Inn, which recently won a James Beard award, one of the most prestigious culinary prizes in the country: 

Cicero

History enthusiasts should know of Marcus Tullius Cicero, once a high-ranking Roman consul historians regard as the greatest Roman orator of all time. Well, Indiana plays host to another Cicero, a charmer many consider to be among the state’s most adorable towns. Home to about 5,600 residents, Cicero is curled up at the north end of Morse Lake, about 33 miles north of Indianapolis. The town has no relationship to the great Roman orator, however. Instead, it gets its name from Cicero Creek, a tributary to the White River. While there are many things that will make you fall in love with this adorable old-timer, few will come close to Boathouse Kitchen & Swan Dive, where you will enjoy a delectable meal while watching the reservoir — and as the breeze from the reservoir gently strokes your face.

Warsaw

Even if you do not feel pain in your knees or spine — or in any of the hundreds of joints in your body — you will not want to let pass an opportunity to visit Warsaw, an Indiana gem known as the Orthopedic Capital of the World. What earns Warsaw that medical accolade is its impressive number of orthopedic facilities — as well as the many developments in that branch of medicine that first saw the light of day in Warsaw. Yet the truth is that orthopedic facilities, however numerous, do not really make a town adorable. Fortunately, Warsaw plays host to several heart-ravishing attractions. These include Center Lake, an idyllic slice of paradise that is gorgeous — and provides tons of fun-filled adventures. Of course, you will also find eclectic art galleries, beautiful murals, and several inviting restaurants in Indiana’s 59th-largest city by population.

Nashville

Forget about Nashville, Tennessee, the celebrated birthplace of country music. Nashville, Indiana, named after its more famous namesake, is another stunner that will completely blow away a first-time visitor. Nashville, Tennesse is nestled in south-central Indiana’s Brown County about 40 miles south of Indianapolis. Founded in 1836 and once called Jacksonburg, Nashville is the headquarters for one of the Midwest’s most noted art colonies — the Brown County Art Colony. Here is the thing. These artists did not just stumble on Nashville. They were attracted by the area’s spectacular scenery, rustic beauty, and inspiring simplicity. To make the most of your Nashville visit, plan a detour to Brown County State Park — as well as Yellowwood State Forest. The best time for this should be fall, when both the handiwork of nature and that of man, because of Halloween, put on their best and brightest colors.

Franklin

Named for one of the most adorable of America’s founders, Franklin, Indiana, displays the adorable side of its founder — in both its charming grace and style. Platted as a town in 1823, Franklin sits along I-65, about 20 miles south of Indianapolis. The town plays host to about 26,000 residents and is often vibrant and sprightly. Part of what makes Franklin adorable is its picturesque blend of traditional main street shops, classy coffeehouses, and stylish restaurants. One of the town’s landmark buildings is the Johnson County Courthouse. Constructed between 1879 and 1881, this is among  Indiana's most beautiful courthouses. But if you want to watch The Wizard of Oz on screen, or perhaps another movie, you will get a blast at the Historic Artcraft Theatre, located in the heart of downtown Franklin.

Jasper

If you have not set foot in a city that prides itself as the "Wood Capital of the World" and which plays host to such big furniture companies as Kimball International and Masterbrand Cabinets, you should make urgent plans to travel to Jasper. Nestled in the center of Indiana’s Dubois County along the Patoka River, the 167-mile-long tributary of the Wabash River, Jasper is another adorable town that will put a smile on the face of a first-time visitor. The town is named after the mineral called “Jasper,” an opaque form of Chalcedony the town's founders picked from the Christian Bible. Today, the town is home to about 16,600 residents. A first-time visitor will fall in love with Jasper’s downtown area, anchored by the Classical Revival Style Dubois County Courthouse. Other pleasure spots include the eye-candy Jasper Riverwalk as well as the Dubois County Museum.

Corydon

One of Corydon’s claims to fame is the fact it was the first capital of Indiana. That means it is rich in history and is the kind of town that is full of adventure, especially if you love history. Corydon would later surrender its title to Indianapolis for reasons many have argued are related to the latter’s more central location. But despite the transfer, however, Corydon did not lose its shine or sparkle. Today, a first-time visitor to Corydon will find a quaint, adorable town and walk back into history as he explores such historical gems as Indiana’s First State Capital — as well as the Battle of Corydon Historic Site that memorializes the only Civil War battle ever fought on Indiana soil. Today, Corydon is the seat of southern Indiana’s Harrison County and is nestled about 25 miles west of Louisville, Kentucky. If you relish nature’s heart-ravishing serenity, ensure you check out Haywood Nature Reserve.

New Albany

This Indiana gem sits along the Ohio River, opposite Louisville, Kentucky. The town plays host to 36,900 residents and is often vibrant and full of life. New Albany was founded in 1813, a few months after James Madison declared war on Britain, then the greatest naval power in the world. Called after its New York namesake, New Albany witnessed rapid growth and would soon become the largest city in Indiana. Today, New Albany is the seat of Floyd County, boasts a cute, walkable downtown area, and features an architectural landscape that is impressive and diverse. Besides, the town’s shopping and culinary scene is top-notch and offers a variety of options that will suit differing tastes and styles. If you are looking for an attraction that is slightly off the beaten path, your best bet would be the appropriately-named J & B Magic Shop and Theater, one of the few brick-and-mortar magic shops remaining in the country.

Whiting

Whiting is a small town; only about 4,500 people call it home. While it is small in size, Whiting is big on charm and character. Part of what makes Whiting adorable, in both look and feel, is its location. This Indiana stunner is nestled on the southern shores of Lake Michigan, the world's largest lake by area, located fully in one country. This idyllic setting imbues the town with such natural beauty and sylvan splendor that will leave a first-time visitor completely enchanted. But Whiting is also charming and walkable and boasts a downtown area filled with an impressive array of quaint shops, classy eateries, and a historic movie theater, the almost 100-year-old Hoosier Theatre.

Goshen

Last but not least, Goshen, known as Maple City because of the abundance of peaceful shady trees that dot the town, is another adorable Indiana gem that will warm the heart of a first-time adventurer. Incredibly beautiful, Goshen’s economic mainstay is the vehicle manufacturing industry. The town is also home to a sizeable population of the Amish, who are always admired for their simple, rural-based lifestyles.  Nestled on the Elkhart River, about 23 miles from South Bend, and home to about 34,600 residents, this adorable charmer boasts one of the most vibrant downtowns in Indiana. Goshen’s historic downtown features beautifully restored historic architecture, an amazing art scene, a milieu of quaint shops and classy restaurants, and of course, First Fridays festivals, a monthly, party-like carnival that showcases local businesses, artists, and entertainers right in the heart of downtown Goshen.

The Takeaway 

Here is the truth. It is always difficult to pick the most adorable towns in Indiana. This is because almost the whole of Indiana is adorable. And the towns that dot the state are among the most underrated. However, such gems as Williamsport, arguably the birthplace of Indiana’s state song, Madison,  which today boasts the largest contiguous National Historic Landmark District in the country, and Goshen, which is beautifully adorned with shady maple trees, are hands-down some of the state’s finest.