7 Towns in Indiana With Vibrant Downtown Areas
Nicknamed the "Hoosier State" for its tight sense of community, the Midwestern state of Indiana is yet another overlooked region with much for adventurers. The birthplace of small towns, both unique and memorable, hosts several destinations with lovely downtown areas that add to the state's vibrancy and beauty. On your next weekend away from the big city, uncover seven of the best small towns with unforgettable downtown areas in the Hoosier State.
Aurora
With a population of just under 4,000, Aurora is as magnificent as its name. It is a small community that grabs the interest of every kind of person, one way or the other.
Near its heart, one can expect to find novelty shops that are to be found nowhere else, such as the Kryptos Comix (a haven of rare knick-knacks, comics, collectibles, and much more). A bit further from its colonial-style downtown sits the Hillforest House Museum, the old home of one of Aurora's industrialists, now a shop and museum. Designed by the "Father of the Modern Hotel" (Isaiah Rogers), Hillforest today finds itself as a National Historic Landmark.
In any case, whether it is to explore its history or walk alongside it on Aurora's busy streets, it is a quaint rarity that belongs on every traveler's list.
Whiting
On the shores of Lake Michigan, nestled between larger cities, like Chicago, and wilderness, Whiting sits humbly. But humble towns often produce odd yet wonderful spectacles, and Whiting is no exception.
Near the edge of downtown and right next to the beach is the famous Mascot Hall of Fame, a museum dedicated to inducting, educating, and putting on a show for kids and adults alike. The museum-like facility showcases a particular kind of pride, one that reflects the spirit of sports and is not bound by nationality. Mascots, being the face of a team or place, are celebrated for who and what they are. Any visitor will find themselves lucky to secure tickets to this surprising adventure, one that is pivotal in giving Whiting an identity.
And who could forget Whihala Beach? With 20 acres of warm sands and the powerful waves of Lake Michigan, Whihala produces a beauty that rivals that of the beaches of the Pacific or Atlantic. Complete with a waterpark to boot, the beach is only a few streets away from the small but cozy center of Whiting, ensuring that the shore and the community center are irrevocably tied.
French Lick
Surrounded on all sides by a dense canopy of verdant trees, French Lick, an old resort town, has yet to lose its identity.
Resting aside the titan that is the French Lick Springs Resort (which resides in the northern part of its downtown and is also home to a spa, an eatery, an atrium, and a casino), the story of French Lick can be found in its center, at the French Lick West Baden Museum. It is a small but worthwhile museum that hosts the history of the entire French Lick-Baden area as well as a myriad of other rotating exhibits while also playing keeper to the world's largest circus diorama. For a complete journey, it is integral to learn about the beginnings of French Lick and its "miracle waters." While today its waters belong to a bygone era, French Lick is still as attractive as the history at the museum says.
But the community has one more ace up its sleeve, one that is for the niche but artistic appreciator; that ace is Bear Hollow Wood Carvers. It is a local specialty of all things art, wood, and chainsaws. But Bear Woods is not just a gallery or a mere shop, for there are live performances of these artists carving up logs and chunks of wood right there in front of a live audience.
Marengo
If there was a town that rode on its single most striking and defining feature or attraction, it would be Marengo. Marengo is a community of quiet streets, lonesome roads, and cozy cafes. Its downtown is home to many family-owned businesses (such as Papeno's Pizza), a staple of an older and more aesthetic America. One can expect to find grasslands and old-timey gas stations on its surface, and while its town center is as charming as it is small and can be quite vibrant, the real buzz is underneath it all.
Discovered by accident, Marengo's claim to fame is its very subterranean wonder: Marengo Cave US National Landmark. A cave of waterfalls, stalagmites, and stalactites, and most important of all, miles of underground exploration as another world sits beneath the quiet town above. Open to tours and historical walks, the cave has been mapped but is nowhere near complete. Included within are multiple lakes, natural antechambers, and marvelous earthly creations untouched by man. The Marengo Cave takes care of all those beneath the surface, while Hoosier Hospitality serves those atop.
Greenfield
A vibrant, bustling town of 23,000, Greenfield is a melting pot of people, architecture, and attractions. Among its Georgian-style buildings and fast-paced atmosphere is a fairly large downtown with much to do, see, and hear. In the center of this town, for example, is the Hancock County Fairgrounds, a flat land near a park that sees the seasonal county fair—that acts as a community event and a reminder that one is at the heart of a lively area with many dedicated people.
The town center also hosts many must-see attractions. The nearby Tuttle Orchards is a family-operated farm that allows the public to come on a genuine farm tour where, at the end, they are allowed to pick the freshest fruits and vegetables at an excellent price while the farm owners press and serve juice on the side. Operating a small eatery as well, Tuttle Orchards is really the epitome of the atmosphere of all of Greenfield: a breath of fresh air.
Meanwhile, the tiny shops keep it very much alive. Places like JW Riley's Emporium display the town's authentic feel, while Riley Park ensures there is plenty of greenery around.
Nashville
While it shares its name with a popular city elsewhere, Nashville is wholly deserving of a place at the table. And though its cutesy downtown is exactly what one would expect—that is, a community that celebrates its local gems, such as its old-fashioned Artists Colony Inn & Restaurant—the town center is really a transition for the true beauty of the town: its nature.
For one, it is home to the incredibly dense but magnificent Brown County State Park. Consisting of a massive 15,000-acre park, this state park is the largest in the state and is the lifeblood of the area's spruces and black walnuts. For a meager $9 for those out of state, Brown County is a park one will never forget.
Nashville is also known for one of its local legends, Theodore Clement "TC" Steele, the great impressionist artist who once lived in Nashville as he painted his monumental and iconic paintings of Indiana's landscape. Building his house on the land, the T.C. Steele State Historic Site still stands as a monument and museum to this monumental figure. But it is more than just a house, given that it is on nearly 200 acres of woodland, hiking trails, and restored gardens.
New Albany
With a downtown as large as New Albany's, one may wonder why it is not classified as a city. Regardless, this robust town relies not on nature but on modern inventions and nifty locations created by a strong community. Adding a healthy look to the town, the Albany Farmers Market sees fresh produce and products every Saturday morning, making a great start to the day.
From here, one can go two ways. One is to explore the many amazing specialty shops that wait at Albany's heart, such as the J&B Magic Shop and Theatre, or they can opt for a more thrill-seeking place like River Run Family Water Park (complete with slides, rides, and many pools). There is so much going on in New Albany, and all of its gems are connected to each other by its clean and familial downtown area.
Why These Towns?
While it is true there are many places in the US with beautiful parks, greenery, steep hills, or flatwoods, not many can boast of having quaint, charming, or even downright gorgeous downtowns—but Indiana can, and these towns are proof of that. Whether they are pleasant and charming like that of Marengo or large and filled like New Albany, these lovely small towns do much of the lifting for not only their state but for themselves. It is for this reason that these communities were chosen: they are pristine representatives of the beautiful and vibrant.
