The Most Picturesque Small Towns in Indiana
The Midwest often doesn't make a big impression on people due to its central location between New England's famous east coast and the West. Furthermore, the Midwest is full of hidden treasures, and the state of Indiana is no exception. As the 19th state to join the Union in 1816, Indiana has a long history with many different people groups who have called this state home over time. When visiting this state, you will see that history firsthand in the many picturesque small towns, each filled with beautiful architecture, state parks, and more. Here are eight picturesque towns to visit in the Hoosier State.
Wabash
Named after the Wabash River in Northern Indiana, this charming small town has a rich history and beautiful landmarks to explore. The town is famous for being the first city lit up by electric lights on March 31, 1880, and today, it has many interesting spots, such as the Wabash County Courthouse and Abraham Lincoln Monument, the Honeywell House, and the Wabash County Museum. For a look at the town before electricity came to the area, visit the Paradise Springs Historic Park, which features many log cabins and historical markers. The small town of Wabash also has many serene parks including Charley Creek Falls, Charley Creek Gardens, and Asherwood, which features huge super maple trees known as a sugar bush. Before you leave town, try out some of the local orchards such as David Doud's Countyline Orchard.
Madison
The Ohio River town of Madison is a beautiful place to explore. For one, it has the nation's largest contiguous historic landmark district, featuring 133 blocks of historic buildings like the Lanier Mansion, Madison Railroad Station, Jeremiah Sullivan House and the Historic Eleutherian College, founded by Neil's Creek Anti-Slavery Society. Madison hosts one of the most picturesque parks in Indiana, Clifty Falls State Park, which has 70-foot gorges and seven waterfalls to explore. Also nearby is Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, which is a great spot for bird watching, fishing, hunting and more. For those with a passion for railroad history, the Railroad Museum and History Center is a must visit, especially with its authentic red caboose.
Porter
Porter's northern Indiana town history goes back to the 1820s when Joseph Bailly, a resident of Quebec, set up a fur trading post on the Little Calumet River. Today, the town's greatest attraction is the Indiana Dunes National Park on the shores of Lake Michigan. This park features 15,000 acres of beautiful sand dunes, woodlands, prairies, and wetlands that you can explore via Porter's many trails. Take the Brickyard trail across pedestrian bridges directly to the park or explore the dunes via the Dunes Kankakee Trail, which runs for 23 miles. If hiking isn't your cup of tea, relax at one of the serene beaches on Lake Michigan itself. There are also attractions within Porter County, including the Memorial Opera House and Porter County Museum.
Nashville
No list of picturesque small towns in Indiana would be complete without mentioning Nashville. Located in Brown County, this town may get overlooked due to the more famous city in Tennessee, but it is definitely worth the visit. Its best feature is its beautiful parks, including Brown County State Park, with great trails winding through the hills for hiking and biking. The park also conceals hidden treasures such as Story Inn, the world's most inconvenient inn, first constructed in 1851. Nashville has other outdoor spots as well, including the Yellowwood State Forest, Valley Branch Retreat, and more. The town has a cute downtown area with many boutiques and art galleries, including Anabel Hopkins Fine Art, Eli's Gallery and Framery, Waldron Gallery, The Emerald Pencil, and Spears Gallery.
New Albany
Located on the shores of the Ohio River, the charming town of New Albany is an ideal spot for a day trip. Located a few minutes away from Louisville, Kentucky, this town of just over 37,500 people was first incorporated in 1817, making it one of the oldest towns in Indiana. This history is reflected in its beautiful architecture, such as Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site and the Town Clock Church, a major spot on the Underground Railroad. The town also has a fantastic trail with the Ohio River Greenway, which runs for seven miles from New Albany to Jeffersonville, with a direct route to Louisville via a walking bridge. New Albany is a great spot for beer enthusiasts, as it hosts several breweries: Donum Dei, New Albanian, and the Floyd County Brewing Company.
New Harmony
New Harmony should certainly be on your list if you want to visit every picturesque Indiana town. This small town was founded by a utopian community called the Harmonists, led by George Rapp. They later sold New Harmony to Robert Owen in 1825, who also tried to create his own model utopian community. While these communities no longer exist, the town maintains its beautiful atmosphere with serene architecture, including the Roofless Church, the Cathedral Labyrinth and Sacred Garden, the Chapel of the Little Portion, and the Harmonist Cemetery. This charming town also has access to the Wabash River with a canoe launch and the Harmonie State Park. If you want to see the town in its entirety, consider taking the walking tour, which will take you by sites occupied by both utopian communities.
Jasper
Jasper is a fun town with many characters and just over 16,700 residents. There are many places you can explore here that you can't find anywhere else, like the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame, which honors 189 inductees, and the Geode Grotto of Father Sztuczko, with bird baths, benches, and structures made of spongy brown orbs. There are many cool places to walk, including the Jasper Riverwalk Labyrinth, the Birk and Berg Bike Park, and the Parklands of Jasper. Learn more about the area's history at the Dubois County Museum, the largest county museum in the state. Jasper is a great place to go shopping as well, with shops like the Traderbaker Vendor Mall and Next Chapter, which has used books, vinyls, and more.
Corydon
Before Indianapolis was founded, Corydon was the first state capital of Indiana, which is reflected in its many picturesque sites to visit. Take a tour of the Corydon Capitol State Historic Site or Governor Hendrick's Headquarters, first built in 1817. Other historic spots in town include the Constitutional Elm, where Indiana's first state constitution was signed, and the Battle of Corydon site, where the only Civil War battle on Hoosier soil took place. Corydon also has great natural beauty both above and below ground. Buffalo Trace Park features a 30-acre lake with a beach, while Indian Caverns provides a four-hour tour of the Binkley Cave system, the longest system in Indiana.
The Midwest sits at the crossroads of America, but that doesn't mean it is solely a transient place. Many communities have set deep roots in the state, offering diverse and rich stories to its residents and tourists. Whether that's beautifully maintained state forests, serene beaches, restored historic houses, or great local businesses, you can find them all in Indiana. The next time you visit the Hoosier state, stay a while and take in the sites of some of its picturesque small towns.
