7 Coolest Towns In Indiana For A Summer Vacation In 2024
Indiana is a midwestern state and is also part of the Great Lakes region, giving it easy access to beautiful bodies of water as well as a captivating natural landscape that many tourists come to explore. Those who venture into the smaller towns in this state will discover the expansive nature and rich history, art, and culture that this region is packed with. Whether you are seeking outdoor escapades such as hiking through lush forests or indulging in leisurely strolls along antique-lined streets, Indiana's small towns provide a tranquil summer vacation destination in 2024.
French Lick
French Lick is a resort town located in Orange County, Indiana, which is a year-round tourist destination, but especially so in the summer months. Reserve a stay in either French Lick or the West Baden Hotel, two grand buildings that are over 100 years old but have all the modern amenities of a resort and offer a blend of history and modernity to visitors. Here, tourists can go on a horseback ride, spend away the night at the casino, take carriage rides, go bowling, or even take a guided tour to learn about the rivalry between the two locations.
Get in touch with nature by heading to the Wilstem Wildlife Park, which is home to grizzlies, kangaroos, elephants, giraffes, and other friendly creatures. Ride a horse, an ATV, or your own car through the safari or soar through the trees for some mesmerizing views on the park zipline. To get an insight into the town’s past while enjoying some beautiful sights of southern Indiana, take a trip on the French Lick Scenic Railway, which offers bourbon or chocolate-tasting excursions and even a dinner train.
Shipshewana
Shipshewana is considered to be the heart of Indiana’s Amish Country and invites tourists to explore its simple living, scenic landscapes, and Hoosier hospitality. At the top of the list, those visiting this town in the summer should be exploring Shipshewana’s Auction & Flea Market, the Midwest’s largest Flea Market, which hosts more than 700 vendors with local arts and crafts, artisan goods, home decor, fresh produce, and much more. Then, discover the simple lifestyle of the locals by heading to the Stutzman Dairy Farm and witnessing daily milking activities or visiting the Dutch Creek Animal Farm to interact with domestic and exotic animals.
Walk through the Art in the Heart trail to discover all the murals in the town, and then bike through the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail to witness the beautiful Northern Indiana countryside. To learn more about Amish living and history, the town also offers buggy rides and tours that take tourists through a guided tour of Amish Country and illustrate what life looks like in the countryside.
Monticello
Monticello is the county seat of White County, Indiana, and is in close proximity to Lake Shafer and Lake Freeman, making it the ideal summer vacation destination. The town is best known for the Indiana Beach amusement park that it is home to, which attracts hoards of tourists each year. At the park, visitors can enjoy multiple rollercoasters, boat rides, waterpark slides, escape rooms, beachfront views of Lake Shafer, and many more attractions. Once you’ve had your fill of adrenaline, spend the night aboard Madame Carroll to enjoy themed entertainment shows with dinner and other special events throughout the summer.
Learn about the region’s past at the White County Museum or discover some local spirits at the Whyte Horse Winery. Finally, relax and unwind at the two-level City Park, which has a natural area with walking trails, a meandering stream, picturesque bridges, and a gazebo on one level and a playful area with basketball courts, a baseball diamond, fenced-in play area, and swings for children on the other level, to ensure fun for the entire family.
Columbus
Columbus is Indiana’s 20th largest city, situated east of the White River, and is most famously known for its architectural significance. The town has commissioned numerous works of modern architecture and public art which are celebrated annually at the Exhibit Columbus program that takes place in the summer each year. Take a free self-guided tour to discover the 70 works of public art, such as s Henry Moore's Large Arch, Jean Tingluey’s Chaos I, and more, or take a guided bus or walking tours to dive deeper into the history and making of these beautiful pieces of architecture.
Then, head to the 1950s Miller House and Garden, which is a fusion of house and landscape and draws on historical precedents to create an alluring experience. To gain the full experience of this town, book a stay at The Inn at Irwin Gardens, which is an early-20th-century Italianate-style inn featuring Edwardian furnishings and sunken gardens that resemble the ruins of Pompeii.
Madison
Madison is located along the banks of the Ohio River, surrounded by the Clifty Falls State Park, and is the largest contiguous National Historic Landmark District in the country. Summer is the ideal time to explore 133 blocks of Madison’s historic district, where Federal, Italianate, and Greek Revival structures can be found in abundance. Take a guided walking tour to explore the architectural beauties, such as the Lanier Mansion State Historic Site, the Schroeder Saddletree Factory Museum, the Francis Costigan House, and many more.
Attend some of Madison’s popular events on the riverfront, such as car shows, art festivals, music events, boat races, and more. For a complete outdoor adventure, head to Clifty Falls State Park, home to seven majestic waterfalls, deep gorges, picnic areas, and numerous trails, where visitors can bike, hike, fish, boat, and even bird watch. Don't forget to visit the famous Broadway Fountain, a bronze copy of the original 19th-century iron fountain from Philadelphia’s 1876 Centennial Exposition.
Nashville
Nashville is a quaint town located in the Washington Township of Brown County, Indiana, and is known to many country music fans as "Little Nashville," as it used to be the home of The Little Nashville Opry before it was destroyed. Revel in the town’s artistic and musical heritage by taking a tour of the local art exhibited in the historic Brown County Art Gallery or catching a live dinner show at The Brown County Playhouse. Try something new by going line dancing at Mike's Music & Dance Barn on Mondays and Saturdays.
Nature lovers can take a trip to the nearby Brown County State Park, which is visited by millions of families each year and gives visitors the opportunity to hike, fish, swim, camp, zipline, take pony rides, and much more, making it an all-encompassing outdoor experience. The wedding chapels and outdoor gazebos in this region are also very popular wedding venues for anyone looking to celebrate their big day in a charming yet beautiful location.
New Harmony
New Harmony is a historic town located along the Wabash River in Indiana’s Poesy County and is the site of two early American utopian communities, making it a gold mine for history enthusiasts. Dive into this rich heritage of the region at the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, which creates experiences for visitors of all ages and interests with its multitude of exhibits. Housing historic mansions, wooded retreats, a working grist mill, Indiana’s first capitol, and architectural artifacts, the museum illustrates the story of multiple regions within Indiana. Take some time to reflect and meditate as you find your way through the two distinct labyrinths in downtown New Harmony: The Harmonist Labyrinth and The New Harmony Cathedral Labyrinth. Book lovers should make a trip to New Harmony’s Working Men’s Institute, Indiana’s oldest continuously operating library, which is also home to an art gallery now. To relax, take a canoe trip down the Wabash River or walk around Carol’s Garden to make a wish at the Fountain of Life.
Indiana offers a diverse array of summer destinations, each with its own charm and attractions. French Lick beckons with its historic grandeur yet modern amenities, while Shipshewana offers a serene escape into a simpler way of life. From Monticello's thrilling amusement park and Columbus’ architectural innovation to Madison’s natural splendor and New Harmony's storied past, there is a unique adventure awaiting at every turn in this region. Whether you seek excitement, tranquility, or cultural enrichment, Indiana's summer destinations offer an unforgettable experience for every explorer.
