9 Best Destinations for a Winter Vacation in Indiana

When going on a winter vacation, travelers want to find cozy destinations with beautiful holiday decorations, serene outdoor activities, and special destinations to explore. Indiana has all of this in spades in its many cute small towns. As the Crossroads of America, many of these towns are located right off major highways and contain many holiday secrets. Within these Hoosier small towns, visitors will discover a place named after St. Nick, one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, 19th-century state capitals that come alive during the winter, and much more. Discover nine of the best destinations for a winter vacation in Indiana.

Vincennes

Vincennes is the oldest founded town in Indiana, first established by the French in 1732 as a fort. It later served as the territorial capital of the Northwest Territory prior to the establishment of Indiana as a state. This historic town is filled with indoor museums and historic sites that come alive during the winter.

These include Grouseland, the home of President William Henry Harrison, which features original portraits, family heirlooms, and other artifacts from the early 1800s, and the original 1805 Territory Capitol building, a red brick structure that's one of the oldest buildings in Indiana. Also of note are the Indiana Military Museum and the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy, which celebrate the legacy of Red Skelton and the many characters he played while performing. For a winter getaway, consider staying at one of the cabins at Ouabache Trails Park.

Corydon

Another historic town, this one, served as the first state capital of Indiana from 1816 to 1825. Tour and shop downtown while you sip on wine during the annual Corydon Winter Wine Walk. Corydon is awash in charming historical sites to visit, such as the First State Capitol and the Harrison County Discovery Center, which has artifacts on history, science, caves in the area, and the Civil War.

After learning about these topics, visitors can experience them firsthand by going to the Battle of Corydon, where the only Civil War battle fought in Indiana took place, or exploring the Indiana Caverns. These caves offer a 25-minute boat ride deep below the surface within the Binkley Cave System, along with an opportunity to look for Ice Age fossils or gemstones. For accomodations, try out the historic Kinter House Inn, located right downtown.

Madison

Nestled on the Ohio River is one of the best-kept secrets in Indiana: the charming town of Madison. Within its borders is the scenic Clifty Falls State Park, which has several waterfalls that are especially pretty during the frozen winter months. Nearby is Hanover College, the oldest private college in Indiana, which has a T-rex fossil, and The Point, the spot where the three bends in the Ohio River converge.

Madison is also well known for its pristine historic homes, such as the Lanier Mansion State Historic Site, a Greek Revival Home featuring a 19th-century spiral staircase and a labyrinth maze. Many of the historic homes in Madison's National Historic Landmark District participate in the Annual Nights Before Christmas Candlelight Tours of Homes in December, which is ideal for a holiday activity. For spots to stay, consider the Italianate-style Iron Gate Inn, which offers bed and breakfast service.

Nashville

Nashville is a picturesque small town located in greater Brown County that is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and shoppers alike. It has a cutesy downtown area that is especially enchanting during the holidays with its many eclectic shops such as the Mulberry Cottage, Sora Binti Boutique and the Nashville General Store & Bakery.

One of the best attractions in Nashville is the Brown County State Park, a beautiful spot with rolling hills that are particularly breathtaking during the winter months as the first snows fall on them. The town holds a Christkindl Market in December, with many German Christmas ornaments, baked goods, and more. There are a few bed and breakfasts in town, such as the Lil Black Bear Inn. For travelers who want a more remote locale to stay, try out Story Inn, located in the middle of the forest and renowned as one of the world's most inconvenient inns due to its location by an old ghost town.

French Lick

French Lick is perfect for a weekend getaway for Indiana travelers during the winter for its extensive indoor activities, many of which are accessible without even leaving the hotels. French Lick is most well known for its historic hotels such as West Baden Springs, which has been declared a wonder of the world for its atrium, dome and medieval style towers.

Within the hotel, visitors can learn more about intriguing guests such as Larry Bird and gangers to West Baden at the French Lick West Baden Museum. There is also an indoor go-karting area for adventurous guests. The nearby community of Paoli has one of the best skiing resorts in the Midwest: Paoli Peaks, which has 15 trails with 700-foot-long slopes. For other hotels to stay at, consider the French Lick Springs Hotel or Best Western Plus French Lick.

Shipshewana

Shipshewana has a reputation of being a great winter and holiday destination. It prides itself on its Christmas light experience as the entire downtown area is lit up. There are many great stores to pick up gifts like the Shipshewana Trade Place Flea Market, the largest of its kind in the Midwest. Visitors can purchase locally made woodcrafts at B & L Woodcrafts or find antiques, dolls and locally made candles at A Thankful Heart.

The town is known for its large Amish population, which visitors can see firsthand at the Menno Hof Interpretive Center by taking a buggy tour with Buggy Lane Tours or by exploring the heart of Amish country on Pumpkinvine Nature Trail. This paved path goes across multiple communities for 25 miles. For places to stay, consider the Amish Log Cabin Lodging or the Farmyard Inn.

Jasper

This pretty Indiana small town has a long history of German heritage, as Jasper was a center for early German Catholic immigration to Indiana. It's also located near the stunning Monastery Immaculate Conception, founded in 1867 by four nuns.

It features a grotto, a gift shop, and St. Benedict's Brew Works. In town is the Parklands of Jasper, an urban renewal park featuring walking trails through the woods, and the Dubois County Museum, the largest county museum in Indiana that has murals, an 1885 log cabin, a model train display, and more. The area celebrates the holidays with multiple performances and events, including breakfasts with Santa and a Cookie Walk in December. There are a few historic bed and breakfast locations in Jasper, such as the River House Bed & Breakfast.

Wabash

Wabash was platted in 1834 and quickly saw success with a canal and railroad, bringing a lot of business to the town. It was most famous for being the first city to light up with the Brush Electric Light System in 1880. Today, Wabash keeps this electrifying reputation alive with rich artistic and natural attractions.

There are several serene parks, such as the wooded trail Asherwood, which features wetlands, ponds, deep forest ravines, and maple leaf trees from where maple syrup is made during the winter. Visitors can see the spot where the treaty was signed between local Native American tribes and the US government to acquire the land of Wabash at the Paradise Spring Historical Park, which features multiple log cabins. Wabash hosts a Lights at Paradise event during the holidays, which is a dazzling light display. There are several chain hotels to stay at, including a Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn.

Santa Claus

No list of winter destinations in Indiana would be complete without discussing Santa Claus. This Christmas town has a legend that children selected the name for the town during a meeting when they thought they heard Santa Claus entering the town church. It keeps the spirit of the holidays alive at the Santa Claus Museum & Village, which includes the 1880 Santa Claus Church, where the meeting was held to decide the town's name, a 22-foot tall statue of Saint Nicolas, and the town post office where children can send letters to Santa.

Other holiday attractions of note are the Christmas Store, which stocks lights and ornaments, and Santa's Candy Castle, a 1935 castle that has all the holiday treats one could want, from 35 flavors of cocoa to rare candy. By taking a short drive to Lincoln City, one can visit the boyhood home of American President Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is open year-round for history buffs. For a fun holiday spot to stay at, consider Santa's Lodge or a cottage at Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph.

These winter destinations in Indiana are perfect for any traveler. For those looking for a Christmas adventure, enjoy the lights in Shipshewana or the many Christmas stores and attractions in Santa Claus. For those who just want to take in the winter sites in the great outdoors, head to Clifty Falls State Park in Madison or Brown County State Park in Nashville. All of these towns also have friendly and cozy accommodations to ensure visitors have a great winter getaway.