8 Most Neighborly Towns In Indiana
Placed precisely just as its motto claims at “The Crossroads of America,” Indiana - a name which means ‘Land of the Indians’ is a photographic Midwestern state and one of the US states constituting the Great Lakes Region. From Northern Indiana’s billowing Indiana Dunes along Lake Michigan to the deep limestone caves of Southern Indiana, the many natural and artificial marvels of America’s 19th State are something to set eyes on. Although the overflowing urban centers, including Fort Wayne, Fishers, South Bend, Evansville, and capital city Indianapolis receive the bulk of tourist attention, some unparalleled attractions await exploratory vacationers in each of the Hoosier State’s innumerable neighborly towns.
Shipshewana
Shipshewana, titled after the native Potawatomi chieftain, is a bewitching Amish settlement in LaGrange County’s Newbury Township, just a few hours away from Chicago. Excursionists sojourning in this archetypal Midwestern town must either find joy in horse-drawn carriage rides or take a casual stroll through the downtown and take note of the Victorian structures aside from the abundant gift shops like Lasting Impressions Gift Shoppe, antique shops like The Town Shop Antique Mall, coffee shops like Kitchen Cupboard Coffee House, clothing stores like Southern Charm Ladies Boutique, and family-owned restaurants like Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery. Do not miss Shipshewana’s supplemental interesting sites like the Menno-Hof Amish & Mennonite Museum, Blue Gate Theatre, Shipshewana Flea Market, and Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park. Tourists can occupy themselves with various aquatic pursuits at the adjacently located lakes and behold extraordinary handiworks at the four-day Shipshewana Quilt Festival in June every year.
Goshen
The administrative capital of Elkhart County, Goshen, is set in the Michiana region of Northern Indiana along the Elkhart River shores, around 150 miles north of the state capital. In addition to housing the panoramic campus of Goshen College, the economic cornerstone of this “Maple City” is its widely known accessories and RV manufacturing industry. Glance over the business district’s innumerous gift shops like Soapy Gnome, women’s clothing stores like I M SHE, and upscale family-friendly restaurant The Table at 108 serving cocktails and Italian-inspired cuisines. Furthermore, wander the untold greenways and winding nature trails besides showing up at the Elkhart County Fairgrounds’ Elkhart County 4-H Fair and the Downtown First Fridays program held on the first Friday of every month.
New Harmony
A medieval town established by Harmony Society, New Harmony is situated by the Wabash River in Harmony Township of Posey County, some 15 miles north of Mount Vernon - the county capital. This 690-inhabitant town, currently part of the Evansville Metropolitan Area, has, over the last few years, systematically developed into a nationally significant learning, scholarly research, and social equality epicenter. Start your sightseeing tour from the Atheneum Visitors Center in the New Harmony Historic District and then move on to the district’s properly maintained Owenite and Harmonist edifices such as the Mattias Scholle House, George Bentel House, Ludwig Epple House, and Amon Clarence Thomas House. Plus check out the Harmonist Labyrinth, Workingmen’s Institute & Library, Paul Tillich Park, Roofless Church, and the adjoining Harmonie State Park.
Williamsport
Platted by William Harrison, Williamsport, the Warren County seat is located along State Road 28 in Washington Township along the Wabash River shores, a few miles northwest of Attica. Formerly labeled as ‘Bingy’ and ‘Side-cut City,’ this quaint town is one of Indiana’s oldest active settlements. Located near the town center is the town’s most noticeable environmental feature and the tallest free-falling waterfall in the state - the Williamsport Falls. The Tower House, Warren County Courthouse, and Williamsport Presbyterian Church are not to be missed by local history buffs, while outdoorsy types get to participate in leisure activities down the Wabash River.
French Lick
An appealing resort destination in French Lick Township of southern Indiana’s Orange County, French Lick, baptized after an 18th-century French trading post built close to a salt lick, is located nearly 57.6 miles northwest of Louisville, Kentucky. Travelers visiting French Lick must embark on a journey aboard the French Lick Scenic Railway, which provides awe-inspiring panoramas of the ambient landscapes as it passes past an 1850s log cabin, spellbinding natural formations, and the Burton Railroad Tunnel via the Hoosier National Forest. Additionally, acquire knowledge about the region’s past at the French Lick West Baden Museum, golf at the award-winning Pete Dye Course, have a comfortable stay at the classic French Lick Springs Hotel, and take part in fun-filled activities at the adjacent Patoka Lake reservoir.
Franklin
Franklin, called in honor of Benjamin Franklin - the American polymath, is the administrative center of Johnson County, located around 90 miles north of Louisville and 20 miles south of Indianapolis. Aside from housing the scenic wooded campus of Franklin College, the town is best known for its painstakingly maintained Victorian-era properties, including Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Johnson County Museum of History, Johnson County Courthouse, and Artcraft Theatre. Franklin’s Downtown is jam-packed with antique stores like FrenChic, gift shops like Possibilities: Home Re-Imagined, boutiques like Electric Jade, and top-notch restaurants like The Willard. The Franklin Parks & Recreation Department maintains untold miles of walking trails that connect different public libraries, parks, pools, and community centers.
Angola
Steuben County’s seat of government, Angola, founded by Thomas Gale and Cornelius Gilmore in 1838, is situated in the county’s Pleasant Township in the extreme northeastern corner of Indiana. This 9,340-inhabitant town’s most noticeable landmark is its Downtown Traffic Circle (“The Mound”) at the nucleus of which stands a 67-foot-tall monument dedicated to the county folks who fought in the American Civil War. Several notable contributing properties, such as the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Steuben County Courthouse, Angola City Hall, Steuben County Jail, etc., fill the 17.56-acre Angola Commercial Historic District along with numerous locally-owned businesses like Angola Quilt Shop, Fourever Young Boutique LLC, and Golden Green Soap Company lining the Downtown streets. Outdoor lovers must head straight to the nearby 1,260-acre Pokagon State Park by the spotless Lake James to partake in recreational activities.
Stinesville
This 203-inhabitant teeny town forms a portion of the Bloomington Metropolitan Statistical Area in Bean Blossom Township of Monroe County, on Jacks Defeat Creek’s eastern side, roughly 14 miles northwest of the county seat Bloomington. Named for the original town site owner Eusebius Stine, heritage enthusiasts are especially attracted to the town’s National Register-listed Stinesville Commercial Historic District featuring five contiguous limestone-faced commercial buildings constructed in Romanesque Revival and Renaissance Revival architectural styles between 1886 and 1894 in the central business district of the town. In recent times, the town authorities have offered a cluster of four such commercial buildings for $1 to anybody who can restore and preserve the buildings. However, with only 203 residents, it is tough for prospective developers to carry out the work.
From the historic settlements of New Harmony and French Lick to Goshen - ‘The Maple City,’ the nation’s 17th-most populous and 38th-most extensive state is teeming with cutesy closely tied communities that reward every vacationer with unerasable Indy experiences. Each of these accommodating Indiana towns flaunting natural spectacles, old-world structures, cultural lures, and family-centric attractions are prized locales worth venturing to on your quick day trips or extended time offs with close family members.
