8 Perfect Destinations for a Long Weekend in Indiana

The Midwest has many popular destinations that get a lot of attention during long weekend trips, especially the bigger towns. Indiana, however, has a lot of charming small towns that also make for a perfect long weekend destination. Known as the Hoosier State and the Crossroads of America, there are many places to stop and take in the sites. These include an old utopian community, a Christmas village, one of the best lake towns in the United States, and so much more. Here are eight perfect destinations for a long weekend in Indiana.

Shipshewana

This quaint town is home to one of the largest Amish communities in the U.S. Shipshewana also happens to be a great destination to take in beautiful rural sites. One such site is the Menno-Hof Amish and Mennonite Information Center which offers visual displays and information on the history of Amish lifestyle. Another is the Pumpkinvine Trail, a 17-mile paved trail going through picturesque rural farming landscapes and businesses. The area also has several local bakeries and restaurants with delicious food, such as Rise 'N Roll Bakery & Deli and Das Dutchman Essenhaus. Shoppers will also appreciate the Shipshewana Auction & Flea Market, known as the largest flea market in the Midwest. The area has several bed and breakfast spots to stay, such as Morton House Inn, located inside a 19th-century Victorian home.

Franklin

Located about 25 miles south of Indianapolis, the small town of Franklin is known as Festival Country for its many fun festivals throughout the year. These include the Compass Park Winter Market and the Handmade + Heartfelt festivals in November, the Freedom Festival in late June, and many farmers markets all year long. In addition, Franklin has several intriguing museums, such as the Camp Atterbury Museum, which includes military artifacts along with a POW Chapel constructed by Italian prisoners of war held in Indiana during World War II. Visitors can also learn about how pioneers lived by visiting the Johnson County Museum of History and see a 1950s-era soda shop. There are multiple chain hotels in town, too, including the Hampton and Fairfield inns.

Madison

This charming Ohio River town just across the river from Kentucky is renowned in the Hoosier State for its natural landmarks, magnificent architecture and more. Of note is Clifty Falls State Park, known for its beautiful shale and limestone rocks and fossils, 15 miles of hiking trails and four waterfalls. Another scenic spot in the area is Hanover College. Founded in 1827, it's the oldest private college in the state, situated amid nature. Visitors can see all three bends of the Ohio River at The Point in campus. Madison is also a center for historic buildings, like Eleutherian College, founded by abolitionists in 1848, and Lanier Mansion State Historic Site, an 1844 Greek Revival Mansion featuring tours and gardens. Visitors can stay at Clifty Falls State Park itself at the nifty Clifty Inn.

Porter

Porter is a top site to visit in Indiana due to the Indiana Dunes national and state parks, which sit on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. The National Park has 50 miles of trails running along nearly 250-feet high dunes, along with wetlands and prairies, creating a truly picturesque environment. There is also 15 miles of beaches along Lake Michigan for swimming, fishing, and sailing. The state park has a "3 Dune Challenge" and Trail 9, which is considered one of the best hiking trails in Indiana. Visitors can spend a long weekend exploring all of the dunes and the lake, but Porter has other attractions as well, including the historic Joseph Bailly Homestead and the Chellberg Farm. Visitors may choose to stay at the Spring House Inn over the weekend.

Nashville

Nashville regularly appears as a top-rated Indiana town for its vast forests and cute and artsy downtown area. There are two main parks in Nashville: the Brown County State Park and Yellowwood State Forest. The Brown County State Park has more than 18 miles of hiking trails running along gentle picturesque hills, fire lookout towers, and stone bridges. Yellowwood State Forest, meanwhile, has a beautiful lake for a long weekend of water-related activities. The downtown area has the Artists Colony Inn & Restaurant and several locally owned boutiques and wine shops, such as Chateau Thomas Winery, Wishful Thinking scrapbooking store, and the Men's Toy Shop. Visitors can shop local art by Anabel Hopkins or see where painter T.C. Steele lived at the nearby T.C. Steele State Historic Site. There are 84 guest rooms at the Abe Martin Lodge at Brown County State Park, too.

Santa Claus

Christmas and the winter holidays in general are a time of great excitement and joy for many people. Santa Claus, Indiana, aims to keep that spirit alive all year long with its mixture of holiday attractions, historic sites and what many consider to be the best amusement park in Indiana, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, a family owned amusement park with multiple wooden roller coasters, water rides, and free soft drinks. Just outside of Holiday World is the Santa Claus Museum & Village, which has multiple historic buildings such as the 1856 post office where children can send a letter to Santa and the 22-foot tall 1935 Santa Claus statue. Visitors to Santa Claus can also go to the nearby community of Lincoln City, which contains the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, where Abraham Lincoln lived as a young boy for 14 years. The site features hiking trails, a museum and a living history farm. There are multiple Christmas themed hotels in town, including Santa's Lodge and Santa's Cottages, both of which are located on Christmas Boulevard, naturally.

New Harmony

New Harmony is one of the most unique towns in the state, as multiple utopian groups set up shop here, aiming to create the ideal society, ranging from the religious Rappites to the social reformer Owenites. While they may not have succeeded in their ultimate goals, they left behind a rich heritage that makes for a great weekend trip. Visitors can schedule a tour at the Atheneum Visitors Center of several historic places, such as the restored 1824 Thrall's Opera House. New Harmony encourages visitors to get lost in the beautiful Harmonist Labyrinth, a privet hedge maze set up by the Rappites to encourage meditation and self discovery. Residents keep alive this tradition of unique spaces with modern structures, such as the Roofless Church, along with courtyards and various sacred spaces to explore. Visitors can enjoy their stay here at the New Harmony Inn Resort.

French Lick

French Lick is world famous for its hotels that can stand toe-to-toe with some of the best in the world. The West Baden Springs Hotel is an architectural marvel, featuring a dome and 200-foot atrium. Guests and visitors alike can get a tour of its historic grounds at the visitors center. Guests can check out the French Lick West Baden Museum, which has artifacts from local basketball legend Larry Bird and the world's largest circus diorama. There are several activities around the hotels, too, such as the Ferguson Trail, which runs between the French Lick Springs Hotel and West Baden Springs Hotel, as well as the Hoosier National Forest, which has miles of trails. The French Lick Scenic Railway runs through the forest and regularly hosts events, like a Bourbon Tasting.

Conclusion

These small towns have plenty of activities to fill up an itinerary for a long weekend trip. Guests can spend multiple days exploring the various historical sites at New Harmony, enjoying the hotel accommodations at French Lick, or getting lost in the woods near Madison and Nashville. Shoppers will also find plenty of local shops here, such as Amish stores in Shipshewana or holiday stores in Santa Claus. These eight small towns are all perfect destinations for a long weekend in Indiana.