Indiana's 9 Most Underrated Towns to Visit in 2024

Nicknamed the Crossroads of America, Indiana has a significant number of interstates running through it. Its residents are known by the nickname Hoosier, a title that has multiple conflicting origin stories. This Midwest state has more than just roads. It also has many intriguing and charming towns and cities to visit, with a wide mixture of cultures due to the state being influenced by the South, Midwest, and North, depending on the region one visits.

Discover nine of the most underrated towns in the Hoosier state to visit in 2024.

Madison

Located on the shores of the Ohio River, Madison is a charming town with beautiful historic buildings, forests, and delicious food. The Clifty Falls State Park is the area's pride, with ten hiking trails, scenic views, and more. Visitors can also take the Rockin Thunder River Tours New Zealand-style jet boat, for a tour of the Ohio River. The town features historic buildings, such as the Lanier Mansion State Historic Site, with tours and beautiful gardens.

For those who enjoy historic cemeteries, Springdale Cemetery is a beautiful location, complete with marble sculptures and the burial ground of one of the first soldiers to die at the Battle of Antietam in the Civil War. For dinner, there are multiple local options, including Red on Main, Harry's Stone Grill, and Rivertown Grill.

Nashville

There is more than one Nashville in America and Nashville, Indiana. is certainly one to add to your travel list. This quaint town has a reputation as the artist colony of the Midwest for its antique shops, craft stores, theater, and music venues. Its downtown area features a great variety of shops, restaurants, and breweries, including Quaff! On Brewing Company.

For outdoor activities, there is a wide variety of options, such as the Brown County State Park, Yellowwood State Forest, Rawhide Ranch, and Lake Monroe. If you are up for an adventure, also visit the Story Inn. Sitting off the beaten path south of town, this quaint 19th-century locale features a restaurant, general store, and a local ghost (if you believe the stories).

French Lick

French Lick is a major center for beautiful hotels, especially the West Baden Springs Hotel. It is immediately noticeable for its domed atrium and features historic tours and shopping. For gamblers, travelers can ride a trolley over to the casino at the French Lick Springs Hotel. There is more to experience than just gambling, as the area features 75-acre sporting ranges with archery and the Stables at French Lick Resort, where you can ride horses through eight miles of trails.

Lincoln City

This small town's biggest feature is its connection to America's tallest president: Abraham Lincoln. It is the place of the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, the site where Abraham Lincoln grew up for 14 years. The memorial features a recreation of the family cabin, Nancy Hanks Lincoln's gravesite, a museum, and the Lincoln State Park for hiking. The area also has a Living Historic Farm staffed by living reenactors who teach visitors what it was like to grow up as a pioneer. For thrill-seekers, the amusement park Holiday World is a short drive away in Santa Claus, Indiana. The park offers multiple wooden roller coasters and free unlimited soft drinks.

Paoli

For skiing enthusiasts, there is no better place to visit in Indiana than Paoli. Its major attraction, Paoli Peaks, offers skiing, riding, and tubing. Since opening in 1978, the resort offers 15 trails for beginners and experts alike with the highest elevation of 900 feet. The area has plenty of other attractions as well, such as the Green Acres Golf Course, the Orange County Historic Museum, and antique shops like the Paddie Wackz. For family activities, check out skating, bowling, laser tag, bumper cars, arcade, and ax throwing at the Paoli Rock-N-Bowl Family Fun Center & Skating Rink.

Michigan City

Sitting in Northern Indiana to the east of Chicago, Michigan City is perfect for a day at the beach at Lake Michigan. The biggest attractions in the area are the Indiana Dunes State Park and the Washington Park Beach, with beautiful views of the Lake and a lighthouse. Visitors can also check out the Washington Park Zoo or the Old Lighthouse Museum. Finish the day with a fine wine at the Shady Creek Winery or a walk through the Friendship Botanic Gardens.

New Albany

Located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky this charming river town has a long history as one of the earliest settlements in Indiana, founded in 1813 and incorporated in 1817. Spend a day exploring the downtown area with many boutique shops and restaurants, or go for a walk at the Ohio River Greenway, a seven-mile trail that stretches from New Albany to nearby Clarksville and a walking bridge that goes across the Ohio River to Louisville. Historic sites include the beautiful Mansion Row Historic District, which features buildings in the style of the Second French Empire. During the fall, the town hosts the Harvest Homecoming Festival with local restaurants and boutique shops. At the end of the day, have a brew and slice of pizza at the New Albanian Brewing Company, a staple of the community.

Mitchell

Mitchell is the site of the Spring Mill State Park, a 1,358-acre area that provides a number of places to explore. In the Pioneer Village, visitors can see a 19th-century mill in action, while reenactors explain details about life on the frontier. There is more than just historic buildings in Mitchell, visitors can also experience the wonders of space travel at the Grissom Memorial, which was built to honor Virgil "Gus" Grissom, a famous American astronaut. Learn about space travel and how Grissom and other astronaut pioneers risked their lives to explore outer space. Afterward, spend some time underground at the Twin Caves Boat Tour or go for a hike at Bluespring Caverns Park.

Corydon

Corydon was the first state capital of Indiana in 1816 when the state was admitted to the Union by President James Madison, before it was moved to Indianapolis in 1825. Visitors can learn more about the town's history by visiting the First State Capitol building and the Harrison County Discovery Center. Families can experience a day of adventure at the Indiana Caverns, with escape rooms, gemstone mining, and the Bat Chaser zipline coaster. Take a hike at Rice Island Park by walking the iron trestle bridge or go to one of the many weekend concerts and events at Bicentennial Park.

For a road trip to the Hoosier state of Indiana, there are a large number of small towns with caves, parks, festivals and historic sites to visit. And with Indiana's central location as the crossroads of America, you are never far from major cities like Louisville, Cincinnati, and Chicago. Consider adding these towns to your summer road trip in 2024.