Top 9 Indiana Towns To Visit In 2025
When people think of the Midwest, they typically envision Michigan, Wisconsin, and perhaps Illinois. Indiana, however, is definitely worth a second look. It is nicknamed the Hoosier State, although no one knows the exact origin of this quirky title. There are also many quirky towns that have unique attractions for anyone looking for a fun trip in 2025. These range from an Amish lifestyle center to a historical holiday town to the biggest national monument west of Washington D.C. Here are 9 of the best Indiana towns to visit in 2025.
Madison
Madison is renowned for having one of the largest historical districts in the United States, with 133 blocks of beautiful architecture from the 1800s and beyond. Many of these structures are also open for tours, which makes it an ideal place for history buffs to spend a day or weekend. These include the Historic Eleutherian College, founded by an anti-slavery society in the 1850s, or the serene Lainer Mansion, a Greek Revival mansion surrounded by a rich garden. Nature lovers will also have a lot to enjoy in Madison. The Clifty Falls State Park is a natural wonder, featuring four waterfalls over limestone cliffs and plenty of hiking trails to explore. At the nearby Hanover College, explorers can see the Point of the three bends in the Ohio River. For those looking to try out local produce, Madison has one of the oldest farmers markets in the state.
Angola
Located in Steuben County, Angola is very proud of its history of military service. During the American Civil War, Steuben County sent more men per capita to serve in the Union Army than any other county in Indiana. Today, Angola has a variety of attractions that will fit any traveler's preferences. Historic building buffs will appreciate the Old Steuben County Jail, built in 1877 with a unique mixture of architectural styles and looks more like a mansion than a jail. Winter sports enthusiasts will love Pokagon State Park, which has a refrigerated toboggan run that operates from Thanksgiving to February. The park also features a nature center, horse rides, hiking trails, and beaches along Lake James. Racing fans will want to visit the 3/8 mile Angola Motorsport Speedway, while art lovers can check out more than 20 regional and local artists at The Gallery in downtown Angola.
Shipshewana
Shipshewana is a tiny town with just over 850 residents, but it has plenty of spirit. For one, it has one of the largest Amish communities in the United States, making it a perfect spot for someone looking for a relaxing rural vacation. Travelers can experience a wide variety of Amish attractions, such as going on a buggy ride, trying out home-cooked Amish meals at the Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery, or learning about Amish lifestyles at the Menno-Hof interpretative center. Beyond these attractions, Shipshewana has the biggest flea market in Indiana at the Shipshewana Trading Place Flea Market. Hikers can explore this rural landscape on foot with the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, which connects the community with the nearby towns of Goshen and Middlebury.
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is a must-visit town in Indiana for several reasons. Firstly, it is home to the best local amusement park in the state: Holiday World & Splashin Safari. Thrill seekers from all over the world come to Holiday World for its jaw-dropping wooden roller coasters and free unlimited soft drinks and sunscreen. Secondly, Santa Claus maintains a fun holiday spirit with its Christmas-themed stores and attractions ranging from the Santa Claus Christmas Store, which stocks holiday favorites year-round, to the historical Santa Claus Museum & Village. Lastly, the town is close to the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, where Abraham Lincoln grew up as a young boy. The memorial also has a Pioneer Village & Museum that has live reenactors showing how people in the early 1800s made a living in the Hoosier wilderness.
New Albany
New Albany is one of the oldest founded cities in the state, and it rose to become the most highly populated spot in Indiana in the mid-1800s. Since then, New Albany has maintained a rich river town culture, complete with a magnificent mansion row, local festivals, river walks, and more. The best mansion in town is the Culbertson Mansion, a late 1800s Second French Imperial-style structure, which regularly offers tours and a haunted house during the Halloween season. Visitors can learn more about New Albany's rich cultural heritage, including its role in the Underground Railroad, at the Floyd County Carnegie Library Cultural Arts Center. New Albany has one of the best river walks in the state, the Greenway Trail, which runs for seven miles from New Albany to Jeffersonville and across the river to Louisville. Lastly, visitors will definitely want to come back in October for New Albany's annual Harvest Homecoming festival.
Vincennes
Vincennes is the oldest founded town in Indiana by a long shot, as it served as a fort for French explorers in 1732. It would later pass under British control and become the capital of the Northwest Territory. As a result, one can expect to find some of the best historical attractions in the Hoosier state in Vincennes. This includes the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, which has the largest national monument west of Washington D.C. Visitors can also explore Grouseland, the 1803 home of Indiana Territorial Governor and 9th U.S. President William Henry Harrison, who unfortunately passed away very early in his presidency due to catching an illness. There are two great museums in town as well: the Indiana Military Museum, featuring artifacts from the Civil War to modern times, and the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy, celebrating the life and humor of Red Skelton himself.
Porter
Porter regularly makes the lists of best places in Indiana to visit for one compelling reason: it is the home of the Indiana Dunes National Park. The dunes are the former coastline of Lake Michigan, which receded tens of thousands of years ago. Hikers can explore the rich area around these dunes via the Calumet Dunes Trail, Glenwood Dunes Trail, or the Cowles Bog Trail, which goes through marches, swamps, and savannas. By exploring the park, one can also see intriguing architecture. Several houses called the Century of Progress from the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago were moved here, including the Cypress House modern log cabin, Florida Tropical, and others. Last but certainly not least, visitors can enjoy the crystal blue waters of Lake Michigan at the Indiana Dunes West Beach.
French Lick
In most vacations, a hotel is just a place to stay at the end of the day. In French Lick, the hotels are destinations in themselves. The West Baden Springs Hotel was constructed in 1901 and was widely regarded as a wonder of the world. This is due to this 200-foot dome, which was the largest dome in the world until 1913 and the largest in the United States until 1955. This museum and the French Lick Springs Hotel were major centers for those looking to enjoy natural spring water or engage in nefarious activities for the Mafia. Today, visitors can learn all about this history at the French Lick West Baden Museum, which has information on Pluto Water, the largest circus diorama in the world, and much more. French Lick is known for fun family activities ranging from the French Lick-West Baden Indoor Karting to the French Lick Scenic Railway through the Hoosier National Forest to the French Lick Winery. There's a little something for everyone in this resort town.
Nashville
Don't let the name fool you. This small town isn't the big city in Tennessee; it's a Hoosier classic. Nashville, Indiana, is a cutesy art town located in the backdrop of picturesque rolling hills. The town's crown jewel is the Brown County State Park, which has been nicknamed the Little Smokies due to its resemblance to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in Tennessee. There are more than 18 miles of hiking trails and 30 miles of mountain biking trails to explore, along with Ogle Lake and Strahl Lake for water activities. In the downtown area, Nashville has an entire artists colony where several local artists display and sell their wares, such as at Spears Gallery and Eli's Gallery and Framery.
Indiana is filled with opportunities for travel and exploration. With its rich history, one can find internationally acclaimed mansions and the humble abodes of Presidents. Midwestern travelers can explore the rich landscapes of the waterfalls of Madison or the hills of Nashville or the Amish countryside of Shipshewana. Artists and art lovers will find all manner of inspiration both in the natural wonders and art shops of these small towns. By visiting these 9 small towns, visitors will understand why Hoosiers are so proud of their state.
