2024's 8 Most Adorable Small Towns in Indiana

Sitting at the crossroads of the Midwest, Indiana, also known as the Hoosier State, borders Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio. Indiana was one of the earlier states to join the Union, becoming the 19^th state on December 11, 1816. With this long, rich history, Indiana has many charming and adorable small towns with historic downtown areas, forests, and more. These small towns have a great charm to them as well, and that's reflected in their communities and small businesses. Here are 8 of the most adorable Indiana small towns in 2024.

Vincennes

Vincennes is the oldest town in Indiana, predating its founding in 1816 by 11 years, with the Territory Capital building being set up in 1800. Visitors can tour this building, known as the "Red House." There are plenty of historical sites in this charming town, such as the French House built in the French Creole style, the Jefferson Academy, the first state of higher learning named after Thomas Jefferson, Greenland, and the President William Henry Harrison Mansion. This town also has many local attractions, including a prominent national monument at the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, the Indiana Military Museum, and the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy, which honors the comedian himself. This town is a treasure trove for travelers.

New Albany

On the shores of the Ohio River, this small town is a great destination to sit back and relax. With its location across the river from Louisville, it's earned a reputation as the Brooklyn of Louisville for its outstanding downtown area with a lot of places to explore. Some of these include the Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site, built in the late 1800s, and the Town Clock Church with a crawl space set up for escaped slaves on the Underground Railroad. Go for a walk on the river at the Ohio River Greenway, which runs for 7 miles up to the nearby town of Jeffersonville, Indiana. New Albany has a rich brewery scene with multiple breweries in town, including Donum Dei, Floyd County Brewery, and the New Albanian Brewing Company, which also makes excellent pizzas.

Shipshewana

In the heart of Amish country, Shipshewana is renowned for having one of the largest Amish communities in the U.S. As a result, it has a charm not seen in many parts of the U.S. with its quaint rural attractions and picturesque landscapes. Despite this, Shipshewana has plenty of places to see, such as the Shipshewana Auction & Flea Market, the largest in the Midwest, and the Menno-Hof Interpretative Center, which provides information on Amish and Mennonite communities. Go for a walk at the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, which winds through forests and farms, with many places to stop and grab a bite to eat. Speaking of food, make sure to try some of the Amish treats at Yoder's Popcorn and Vanilla Bean Creamery.

New Harmony

New Harmony is such a charming Indiana town that it was the site of not one but two utopian communities in the early 1800s. George Rapp led the Harmony Society in 1804 and set up shop in New Harmony in 1814 to pursue an ideal Christian community. In 1825, he sold the community to Robert Owen, who also aimed to set up a utopian community based on learning and equality. Today, there are many charming places to explore New Harmony, such as the New Harmony Cathedral Labyrinth and the Harmonist Labyrinth. By visiting the Atheneum Visitors Center, you can take a walking tour of many historic buildings in town. If art is more up your alley, check out the New Harmony Artists Guild, which offers classes and workshops. Lastly, the Harmonie State Park on the banks of Wabash offers plenty of trails and picnicking spots.

Wabash

Wabash's biggest claim to fame was when it became the first electrically lighted city in the world in 1880. Today, the town offers a mixture of natural and modern amenities. At the Wabash County Historical Museum, you can learn the area's history, which includes the history of early pioneers throughout the Civil War and beyond. Enjoy a concert at the Honeywell Center or enjoy a relaxing hike at Paradise Spring Historical Park, which also features historical cabins. The Asherwood Nature Preserve is perfect for bird watchers as its home to more than 140 bird species. For ice cream lovers, consider trying out the Wabash County Ice Cream Trail, which will take you by multiple locally owned ice cream shops in the community. You can also take a Garden Trolly Tour to see three private gardens in the larger county.

Santa Claus

Named after St. Nicholas himself, Santa Claus is one of the most exciting and charming towns in Indiana. Santa Claus keeps the Christmas spirit alive all year long with the Santa Claus Museum and Village, where visitors can write a letter to Santa while they learn about the community. The Santa Claus Christmas Store offers holiday ornaments, treats, and lights. The area is also renowned for the Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, an amusement park with multiple wooden roller coasters with free drinks and sunscreen. Before you leave the area, make sure to visit nearby Lincoln City, the site of the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, where Abraham Lincoln spent his formative years. The memorial offers a living historical farm and trails at the Lincoln State Park.

Nashville

No list of adorable Indiana towns in 2024 would be complete without discussing Nashville. Although it shares the same name as Nashville, Tennessee, this town has more in common with the Smoky Mountains through its beautiful rolling hills, which are on full display at the Brown County State Park. Go for a hike there or at the nearby Yellowwood State Forest for a relaxing day in nature. When you aren't walking trails at the park, you can also explore the quaint downtown area with boutique shops ranging from Carmel Corn Cottage to Moonshine Leather Co. and more. For a unique spot to explore, go check out Story Inn.

Corydon

When looking at historic Indiana small towns, Corydon should certainly make the list. This town served as the first state capital of Indiana from 1816 to 1825 before it was moved to Indianapolis. Today, there are many historic spots to visit in town, like the Corydon Capitol State Historic Site, Governor Hendricks' Headquarters, and the Battle of Corydon Historic Site, where the only Civil War battle in Indiana was fought. In addition to these sites, there are many spots to explore outdoors and underground, ranging from Buffalo Trace Park, Culver's of Corydon Bike Routes, and Indiana Caverns, a section of the Binkley Cave system, which you can tour and even see a subterranean river. There are also escape rooms in the caverns as well for the particularly adventurous.

Charming Indiana Towns Await Your Visit

These charming towns are some of the best places in the Midwest to chill out. With their lively downtown areas, cute attractions, and forests, you'll always find something to do. You can do everything from exploring the historic mansions of New Albany and Vincennes to visiting St. Nick in Santa Claus, Indiana, or exploring the beautiful landscape of Shipshewana. If you want to find a great place to visit, you can't go wrong with these charming small towns in Indiana.