12 Indiana Towns With Unforgettable Main Streets
Main streets are some of the best places to explore in America's small towns. Indiana is no exception to this rule. This Midwestern state offers Southern hospitality with Northern ingenuity in its many small town squares and main streets. Here, you can discover Hoosier (a popular nickname for Indiana residents) attractions like an Amish interpretative center, a French Imperial style mansion, a tranquil maze, and even a few river walking trails. Check out these 12 Indiana towns with unforgettable main streets.
New Albany
Nestled on the Ohio River right across from Louisville, Kentucky, New Albany is a favorite spot to stay for people attending events or visiting Louisville. However, New Albany is certainly worth exploring as well, especially its deeply historic Main Street. By strolling down Main Street, one can see the magnificent Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site. This 1869 mansion is a prime example of Second Empire style, with hand-painted ceilings, rosewood-grained staircase, marble fireplaces, and more to see during tours.
There are many great food and drink options downtown as well, ranging from locally owned Coffee Crossing and Boomtown Kitchen, which serves great steaks. Just off Main Street, you can go for a walk on the riverfront on the Ohio River Greenway, which runs for 7 miles to the nearby communities of Clarksville and Jeffersonville.
Angola
Angola is located in one of Indiana's most beautiful counties: Steuben County, which is home to more than 101 lakes. It was founded as the seat of Steuben County in 1838 and was named after Angola, New York. The town's motto is "Proud of our past. Planning for our future." Visitors can see these words in action just by exploring the main street strip in Angola.
Just off of the main E Maumee Street, visitors can go for a walk through Commons Park, which has a classic wooden playground, and continue onward to the historic Circle Hill Cemetery, where there are many historic mausoleums of the original town pioneers. Continuing on Maumee Street, visitors can go ice skating at the Thunder Ice Arena, grab a sandwich at Sutton's Deli, or go shopping for unique antiques at A Wild Hare Antique Mall.
Aurora
Aurora is a Southeastern Indiana town on the shores of the Ohio River. Its name comes from a Latin word meaning dawn, which fits its bright spirit. There are beautiful sites to visit on both ends of Aurora's Main Street. On the northern end is the cute George Street Bridge, a red train trestle bridge across Hogan Creek. On the southern end is the Hillforest House Museum, an 1855 Italian Renaissance-style mansion that was owned by major industrialist Thomas Gaff. The museum maintains the colorful rooms, Victorian outfits, furniture, and pictures of the people who lived here.
In the middle of Main Street, you can enjoy authentic Mexican food at Alejandra's Authentic Mexican Restaurant or relax with a coffee and a good book at Spire Book & Coffee Co. just off Main on 3rd Street.
Wabash
When it comes to great Indiana towns, Wabash has a lot of reasons to be proud. In the late 1800s, it was the first city in the world to be lit up by electric lights. Despite this electrifying reputation, Wabash prefers a more laid-back atmosphere within its main street strip that keeps a deep connection to the past. For one, you can enjoy a relaxing trek through the Wabash City Park and see a classic log cabin right at the end of Main Street. Also on Main Street is the Wabash County Museum for both historical exhibits and fun, kid-friendly activities.
There are a few boutiques right off Main Street, such as Brimso's Antiques, for shoppers. Just a few blocks away from Main Street, one historic spot to explore is Paradise Spring Historical Park, where a major treaty was signed between Native American nations and the US government.
Franklin
Located just south of Indianapolis is the cute town of Franklin. Founded in 1823, Franklin has a reputation for festivals held throughout the year, which makes it a great town to visit no matter the season. These range from artistic events to beer festivals and live shows held on the first Friday of every month. In the downtown strip, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities and see historic places. These include the 1860s Italianate style Herriott House, a two-story structure known for its highly luxurious front porch.
Visitors can see a show at the 1920s Historic Artcraft Theatre, grab a pizza or drink from The Willard, or purchase a picture frame for your treasured memories at Generation Art & Frame.
Jasper
Jasper is a fun, active community that has a proud heritage. It was a major center for German immigration into the United States, especially German Catholics. Today, this legacy is reflected in the grand Monastery of the Immaculate Conception, founded by the Sisters of St. Benedict in nearby Ferdinand.
For Jasper itself, its Main Street is a treasure trove in no small part due to its marvelous town square. Centered around the Dubois County Courthouse, there are all manner of shops to try out, from The Next Chapter bookstore, Just Whimsy women's clothing store, and the Choco Brst chocolate shop. For those willing to explore a bit in town, near the end of Main Street, you will find the peaceful Jasper Riverwalk that goes along the Patoka River.
New Harmony
New Harmony is a small, walkable town with one of the most interesting histories in Indiana. It was founded in 1814 by a group called the Harmonists, a Christian community aiming to create the perfect society. This community later sold off the land to Robert Owen, who also aimed to create a utopian society, based on proto socialist principles.
On Main Street, travelers can see the legacy of these communities, like at the Harmonist Labyrinth, a private hedge maze meant to evoke feelings of tranquility. There are many tranquil places here, including the Roofless Church, an open-air cathedral that lets in the full light of the sky. After exploring these beautiful places, enjoy a meal at The Main Café or the Red Geranium Restaurant.
Albion
The name Albion itself invokes a feeling of history and heritage, as it was a very old name for Great Britain. On its Main Street, visitors will enjoy the best of modern food and drink while also seeing history firsthand. One such historic spot is the Old Jail Museum, which was constructed in 1875 and has since been converted into a museum filled with local artifacts of Albion sports teams, Civil War memorabilia, town photos and buggies, and much more.
There is also a peaceful historic cemetery called Rose Hill Cemetery, founded in 1871, for those who want to get a walk in. If you are looking for a bite to eat or drink, you can get a taste of Great Britain at the Albion Alehouse, a British-style pub, or enjoy a coffee at The Fox Den Coffee Shop.
Shipshewana
Shipshewana is a tiny Indiana community with an unconventional reputation. Here, people keep the old traditions alive, especially the community's large Amish population. Shipshewana is one of the largest Amish communities in the United States, and the town is proud of that heritage. Just off the main road, S Van Buren Street, visitors can learn about Amish and Mennonite lifestyles at the Menno-Hof interpretative center.
After learning about them, they can try out home-cooked Amish meals at the Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery. Those who come to Shipshewana from May to September can experience one of the Midwest's biggest flea markets: the Shipshewana Flea Market. Just outside of the main strip, walkers can enjoy gentle rural hikes with the 17-mile-long Pumpkinvine Nature Trail.
Corydon
Corydon is the perfect place for Indiana history buffs to visit. Located in southern Indiana, Corydon served as the original state capital from 1816 to 1825. As a result, this town is a treasure trove of historic places to see right in its downtown area. For example, at the Corydon Capitol State Historic Site, visitors can explore the original state capital building along with the red brick Governor Hendrick's headquarters, and the site of the only Civil War battle fought in Indiana when Confederate forces raided the area.
After a day of learning about Indiana history, you can pick up a good read at the Bookworm bookstore next door to Hendrick's Headquarters or get old-school Americana gifts at the Olde Country Cupboard Primitives.
Madison
Madison is another historic Indiana town nestled on the Ohio River. It became a major riverboat center in the 1800s, which led to an architectural boom. Although eventually its status declined, the buildings remained. To this day, Madison has one of the largest historic districts in the United States, with multiple house museums all within walking distance of Main Street. One such spot is the 1844 Greek Revival Lanier Mansion State Historic Site, located on First Street. This mansion resembles a Greek temple with its Corinthian columns and majestic garden.
Another historic structure is the Broadway Fountain, which was made by a French sculptor in 1884 at the height of Madison's riverboat era. For other Main Street experiences, try local coffee and find vinyl at Analog Coffee & Records or purchase fine art at the Heirloom Art Studio.
Nashville
Nashville is one of Indiana's best-kept secrets. It is surrounded by the beautiful hills of Brown County, and is a popular destination for hikers or bikers going to the Brown County State Park. It also happens to have one of the cutest Main Streets in all of Indiana. It's a major artist colony, which means you can find a variety of boutique shops on and around Main Street.
These include everything from women's clothing at the Foxfire Boutique to Indiana collectibles at the Brown County Old Country Store. Just off Main Street is Little Nashville, an adorable area with all manner of artsy shops such as the Brown County Art Guild, an art gallery featuring local Brown County artists, and workshops.
Downtown can be a very stressful word for some people, as it conjures up images of heavy traffic, bright lights, and rude people. However, in these small Indiana towns, one can enjoy a slower pace of life without sacrificing any of the great shops and restaurants one would find in a big city main strip. Within these small town Main Streets, there are infinite possibilities, from seeing local art in Nashville to exploring house museums in Madison to enjoying a delicious Amish meal in Shipshewana. Who needs the big city when you have these unforgettable Indiana Main Streets?
