10 Stress-Free Indiana Towns For A Weekend Retreat
Imagine escaping the heat by feeling the mist off the waves of Lake Michigan. Picture a summertime meal under a vast atrium in a hotel that wouldn't be out of place in Europe. All of these places and more can be found in these stress-free Indiana towns. Those who want a lakeside vacation can pick a small lake town or the dune-filled shores of Lake Michigan. Fans of laid-back rural towns can eat Amish meals before hunting for great deals at a vast flea market. Out-of-state visitors and Hoosiers on a summer road trip can say goodbye to stress in any of these Indiana towns for a weekend retreat.
Nashville
Nashville is named after the city in Tennessee, but it more closely resembles the eastern Tennessee communities of Gatlinburg and Townsend with its misty hills. One of Indiana's tallest peaks, the 1,058-foot Weed Patch Hill, sits in the Brown County State Park. One can spend an entire weekend exploring the ridges, hills, lakes, and lesser-known landmarks in this park. During the summer months, the park maintains an Olympic-sized pool for visitors. Rustic travellers can book a stay in the Abe Martin Lodge within the park or travel to the quirkiest hotel in Indiana, Story Inn. This hotel has been labeled the World's Most Inconvenient Inn due to its location in a ghost town within the borders of the park. Other than nature adventures, downtown Nashville is a cute art town with the Brown County Art Gallery displaying works from local artists.
Shipshewana
Shipshewana is the best town on this list for rural weekend trips in Indiana. Located in northeastern Indiana in LaGrange County, Shipshewana has one of the largest Amish populations in the U.S., and the town leans into that culture through its restaurants, museums, and attractions. The Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery sells Amish-style meals and pastries from downtown Shipshewana, while the Menno Hof interpretative center teaches about Amish and Mennonite lifestyles, as well as cataloging their history in Germany and the U.S. Between May and September, shoppers can spend an entire day just walking through the Shipshewana Flea Market. At 40 acres, it's the largest outdoor flea market in the Midwest. Speaking of walking, hikers regularly go out on the paved Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, which runs for 17 miles to Middlebury and Goshen. Guests can stay right next to the Blue Gate Restaurant at the Blue Gate Garden Inn & Conference Center, which also has a pool.
New Harmony
New Harmony is a culturally distinct town rooted in utopian visions. The town was founded by the Harmonists, a German religious group that aimed to establish a perfect Christian utopia in 1814. By 1824, the society moved to Pennsylvania and sold the land to the Owenites, a group that supported egalitarian utopian communities throughout the nation. These two communities both left their mark on New Harmony through a dedication to spiritual outdoor spaces such as the Harmonist Labyrinth and communal living spaces, which are accessible via tours at the New Harmony State Historic Sites. Modern residents have also made serene spaces of their own, such as the open-air Roofless Church. One of the best sites to see during the summer is The Old Dam. These are natural rock formations that are visible during low tide on the Wabash River in summer. They create a series of mini waterfalls that make for great Instagram posts. Visitors can explore this utopian community from the comfort of the AC Thomas House Bed & Breakfast Inn.
Rockville
Rockville is one of the most welcoming communities in Indiana that celebrates and shares its architectural heritage with travellers through the larger Parke County's 31 covered bridges, the largest concentration of this architectural style in the world. One can easily spend an entire weekend just finding all of these bridges. One of the closest to the town is the Billie Creek Bridge, built in 1895, which sits in the Billie Creek Village, a reconstructed 19th-century pioneer village. Others can be found across Sugar Creek, such as the 1913 Cox Ford Covered Bridge. Outdoorsy folks can travel to the nearby community of Marshall to visit the Turkey Run State Park. This park is known for its deep sandstone ravines, some of which are only accessible by ladder. It also provides canoe access to Sugar Creek along with an outdoor swimming pool. Rockville has one of the quirkiest hotels on this list, the Old Jail Inn in Parke County. This used to be a jailhouse, but now it is a luxury hotel with a winery in the basement. Visitors can dress up in old inmates' clothing to play the part if they wish.
Madison
Madison is an architecture lover's dream, as it has more than 133 blocks in its historic district. Guests can get out of the sunlight by touring the many house museums in the district. The structures vary in style and function, as there are Greek Revival buildings like the Lanier Mansion State Historic Site and the Shrewsbury-Windle House, with its 3-story spiral staircase, and there's the Eleutherian College, built to support anti-slavery efforts in 1848. Visitors can book a stay in the historic district at the Iron Gate Inn Bed & Breakfast or The Chandler Hotel. These hotels provide comfortable accommodations after one has spent a day hiking at the Clifty Falls State Park. This rustic park has four waterfalls, which are accessible via a 4-mile hiking challenge known as the 4 Falls Challenge. For those with accessibility concerns, the park also added an ADA-Track Chair available by reservation.
French Lick
French Lick is one of Indiana's best-kept secrets. It became a resort town in the late 1800s due to the discovery of mineral-rich spring water, which was believed to hold curative properties. As a resort town, French Lick went above and beyond with its accommodations by creating a wonder of the world at the West Baden Springs Hotel. This hotel has more in common with a palace or cathedral than with a hotel, with its four towers and 200-foot dome, which used to hold the title for the largest freestanding dome in the world. Within the hotel, guests can learn about the history of the mineral Pluto Water or the famous residents who lived in French Lick, such as NBA star Larry Bird, at the French Lick West Baden Museum. Visitors can spend time going on a scenic journey through the Hoosier National Forest on the French Lick Scenic Railway, spending a day fishing at Patoka Lake State Park, or sunbathing at the Patoka Lake Swimming Beach.
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is one of the most visited small towns in Indiana due to its love for the holidays. In fact, its biggest attraction is a holiday-themed amusement park called Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, beloved by thrill seekers for its wooden roller coasters and water rides. It helps keep guests comfortable in the summer with free sunscreen and unlimited soft drinks. The town also has plenty of laid-back attractions, such as the Santa Claus Museum & Village, featuring a concrete statue of St. Nick, the original town church, and an 1856 Post Office where children can send letters to Santa Claus. Just outside of town is the lesser-known Indiana boyhood home of Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial has artifacts from his time in Indiana, along with trails and a pioneer village at Lincoln State Park. Between Holiday World and Lincoln State Park, visitors can rent a cottage by a series of lakes via Santa's Cottages.
Winona Lake
Winona Lake has a lively lakeside culture that invites visitors to take in all sides of its 571-acre body of water. For one, shoppers gather at the historic neighborhood turned shopping outlet called the Village at Winona. This boardwalk outlet provides ice cream and snacks at the Social Ice and Sandwich Shop as well as kayaks at The Lakehouse. Kayakers love spending time here exploring the streams or the lake itself. Families can reach the beach and kid-friendly splash pad at the Limitless Park & Splash Pad, while hikers and bikers can go off into the wooded trails around the lake via the Heritage Trail. For lakeside views during one's weekend stay, Winona Lake offers The Blue Heron Guest House.
Beverly Shores
While the name sounds Californian, Beverly Shores is a distinctly Indiana town that sits on the state's small shoreline on Lake Michigan. From this town, one can see Lake Michigan's best feature: its dunes. These dunes sit just off the shores of the lake at the Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park. The tallest dune in the national park is the 120-foot Mount Baldy, which has been slowly shifting across the earth. In the state park, hikers can tackle the 3 Dunes Challenge, ascending the three biggest dunes in the park in a strenuous 1.5-mile hike. Visitors can access Lake Michigan itself at Dunbar Beach or see the intriguing 1933 Chicago World Fair Century of Progress Homes, which were originally built as examples of futuristic architecture in the 1930s. For places to stay, there are several hotels in the communities surrounding Beverly Shores, such as the Spring House Inn in Porter, which sits next to the national park.
Angola
Angola is a four-season town that provides outdoor experiences in any weather. It sits in Steuben County, which is home to more than 100 lakes. The most visited lake is Lake James within Pokagon State Park. During the warm months, the hiking trails take one around the lake and up through marshes, hardwood forests, and hills, while during the winter, the park opens up its refrigerated toboggan, offering thrilling rides at top speeds of 40 miles per hour. Those with a need for speed can check out thrilling races at the ⅜ mile asphalt track at the Angola Motor Speedway, while history buffs can take photos of the Steuben County Soldiers' Monument, built in 1917 to honor the Civil War veterans of Steuben County with five bronze statues, an obelisk, and the names of all 1,278 men who served. Visitors can stay at Lake James at the Potawatomi Inn.
These Towns Are Great For A Summer Trip
When planning a trip to these towns, each season offers a great experience, especially in the summer. In the summer, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari help guests cool off with water rides, while the cold waters of Lake Michigan or Winona Lake offer relief whether one is swimming or just dipping their toes in the water. One can find cultural enrichment during a summer trip here by seeing the grand architecture of Madison and French Lick. No matter what season one comes to these Indiana towns, they'll find top-class accommodations, whether that's a lakeside B&B or under a 200-foot dome.
