7 Best Indiana Towns For A Weekend Trip

Looking for a weekend retreat? Why not give Indiana a try? This Midwestern state is called the crossroads of the America due to the sheer number of interstates passing through it. It's by no means a transient state however, as many fascinating small towns are available to explore right off the interstates. By taking a retreat to these towns, one can find historic utopian communities, the most beautiful dunes in the world, serene Amish landscapes, the biggest historical downtown and one of the most magnificent hotels. Here are the seven best Indiana towns for a weekend retreat.

New Harmony

This small town on the Wabash River has the most intriguing history of any spot in Indiana. It was founded in the early 1800s by a group of dedicated utopians called the Harmonists who aimed to create the perfect Christian society. When that experiment ended, they sold it off to a different utopian group: the Owenites who aimed to create an ideal society based on equality and education. Visitors to New Harmony today can get a taste of what these communities were trying to accomplish at several landmarks, such as the Harmonist Labyrinth, a pristine privet hedge maze meant to encourage contemplation and meditation. By taking a historic tour, one can visit such as the Thrall's Opera House and the Rapp-Owen Granary along with multiple communal living spaces. Lastly, visitors can get out into nature at the Harmonie State Park or at the peaceful Jane Blaffer Owen Sanctuary, an open-air gallery. For places to stay, consider one of the bed and breakfast inns such as AC Thomas House or Leather Leaf Inn.

Porter

This small town in Northern Indiana is home to a truly stunning park: the Indiana Dunes National Park. Sitting on the southern shores of Lake Michigan, the dunes have all manner of landscapes to explore, from the Calumet Dunes Trail which was the former shoreline of Lake Michigan to the marshes of the Cowles Bog Trail. There are 16 trail systems in total to explore in the park. Of course, one can also spend a day on the beach itself, which include 15 miles of beaches on Porter Beach, West Beach, and others. The park also has more than 60 historic buildings such as the Century of Progress houses, which were originally displayed at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair as the buildings of the future. There are several hotels close to the park, such as the Spring House Inn.

Shipshewana

Shipshewana is a favorite among Hoosiers looking to get away from loud cities and to experience gentle rural living. It has one of the largest Amish communities in the U.S., which it proudly reflects in several Amish restaurants and businesses such as The Carriage House restaurant. Additionally, one can learn all about Amish lifestyles at the Menno-Hof Interpretative Center. The best way to experience this small rural community is to walk the roads yourself at the Pumpkinvine Trail, which connects Shipshewana with the nearby communities of Elkhart, Goshen and Middlebury. The trail has multiple points where one can pull off and stop for ice cream or a freshly cooked Amish meal. Speaking of meals, visitors can enjoy a fine breakfast at the Farmhouse on Farver bed and breakfast house.

Madison

Madison is a one of the most renowned historic towns in Indiana. It has 133 blocks in its downtown district, making it one of the biggest National Historic Landmark Districts in the U.S. History buffs and architecture enthusiasts will have a wonderful time exploring Madison and its eight house museums. Some of the very best include the Historic Eleutherian College, founded in the 1850s by the Neil's Creek Anti-Slavery Society, the 1844 Greek Revival Lanier Mansion State Historic Site featuring beautiful Corinthian columns and gardens, and the Schroeder Saddletree Factory Museum, one of the last surviving 19th-century producer of wooden saddle frames. For those looking for an outdoors adventure, Madison has the awe-inspiring Clifty Falls State Park, where one can take the four falls challenge hike to see all of the limestone waterfalls within its borders. Then there's the fun and historic Madison Heritage Trail with pathways made up of decommissioned railroad tracks. For spots to stay, consider The Chandler Hotel or the Clifty Inn.

French Lick

For most weekend destinations, the hotel simply acts as a place to sleep after a fun day. French Lick's hotels are an entire destination themselves. The magnificent West Baden Springs Hotel, completed in 1902 has the world's largest free-span dome, and was once dubbed the "Eighth Wonder of the World." The other hotel in town the French Lick Springs Hotel has even longer history, established in 1845 to enable visitors to try out sulfur spring water baths. This luxurious area saw many famous and infamous visitors from basketball player Larry Bird to, according to local lore, mobsters, and even a traveling circus, which visitors can learn about at the French Lick West Baden Museum. For those wishing to get out of the hotel, there are multiple activities around town such as the 26,000-acre Patoka Lake, featuring 17 miles of bike trails, hiking trails, boat ramps and campgrounds. Visitors can also take the French Lick Scenic Railway which goes through the Hoosier National Forest and offers special events.

Jasper

Jasper was one of the largest centers for German Catholic immigration into Indiana, and that heritage can be seen throughout the entire small town. In fact, it is so proud of its history that Jasper shows up all of Indiana with its Dubois County Museum. This museum is the largest county museum in the entire state with more than 50,000 square feet of exhibits, including a 1890s main street reconstruction, an 1885 log house, model train display and community murals telling the history of the town. When it comes to historic sites, the two best ones are the 1894 Huntingburg Park baseball stadium and the Monastery Immaculate Conception, an 1867 Benedictine Sister convent that's also home to its own brewery: St Benedicts Brew Works. For a spot to stay, there's the River House Bed and Breakfast and the Winfield West Bed & Breakfast.

Santa Claus

This festive town is perfect for every sort of holiday getaway. In fact, Santa Claus' biggest attraction is called Holiday World & Splashin' Safari. This family-owned amusement park is a favorite among thrill seekers for its multiple wooden roller coasters, water park, and free soft drinks. Visitors to Santa Claus, Indiana can also get a bit of Christmas spirit at the Santa Claus Historic Village, a beautifully preserved area with a statue of St. Nick and multiple 19th-century buildings such as a post office where children can send letters to Santa Claus. The town also is a favorite place for presidential history buffs, as it’s just a short, 10-minute drive away from the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, where the President Abraham Lincoln spent his years as a child after moving from Kentucky to Indiana. Visitors can enjoy all these attractions while staying at the Christmas themed Santa's Cottages or Santa's Lodge.

Conclusion

To have a great weekend retreat, you need plenty of fun attractions to visit, museums to explore, and beautiful landscapes. The seven best Indiana towns for a weekend retreat have all of that in spades. For example, thrill seekers will love Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, while those who just want to walk on a historic district can explore Madison's downtown. And with so many bed and breakfast inns and luxurious hotels to stay at, visitors will have a great time during their weekend getaway in Indiana.