12 Off-The-Beaten-Path Towns In Indiana
The beautiful state of Indiana, known best for Indianapolis and the Indianapolis 500, has numerous small towns as well, most of them off the beaten path. From Greencastle and Depauw Nature Park to Wabash and Charley Creek Gardens, each of these secluded small towns has a plethora of great attractions that encourage visitors to return over and over. Whether you are looking for a unique museum, a scenic state park, or an adventure park for the children, there is something for everyone within these twelve out-of-the-way small towns in the Hoosier State, otherwise known as the great state of Indiana.
Greencastle - Putnam County
Greencastle, situated just west of Indianapolis, is home to many natural, historic, and cultural attractions. Depauw Nature Park, offering guests the opportunity to explore a scenic, 10-mile loop trail, is the perfect spot for getting back to nature. An awesome historical facet to Greencastle is that Depauw Park was once the site of an active limestone quarry from 1917 to 1977.
The Putnam County Museum and the Periodic Museum of the Elements, two other great attractions within the town of Greencastle, both provide that informative sense of history for those who wish to learn. Plus, for those who love to feel the need for speed, Lincoln Park Speedway is six miles south of downtown and has been in existence since 1973.
Crawfordsville - Montgomery County
About 45 minutes south of Lafayette, Crawfordsville is home to several natural amenities, including Sugar Creek Nature Trail (which you can hike along) inside of Sugar Creek Nature Park. This nature reserve, situated along the banks of the tranquil Sugar Creek, offers chances for some photography as well, especially if a peaceful ambiance is what you are looking for.
Crawfordsville is also home to a plethora of historic attributes. The General Lew Wallace Study & Museum and the Rotary Jail Museum, which was built in 1881 and is the only rotary jail still in operation, both call Crawfordsville home. Wallace, author of the classic "Ben-Hur" novel, which was published in 1880, wrote it while residing in the town of Crawfordsville.
Warsaw - Kosciusko County
The town of Warsaw, situated less than an hour west of Fort Wayne, is known for being home to the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts. Wagon Wheel is in itself well known for almost 70 fabulous years of musical theater, including performances of "Sister Act," "Grease," and "Steel Magnolias" in recent years. Wagon Wheel also offers youth theater and several class options.
Also known for Central Park, the Warsaw Biblical Gardens, and Big Chapman Lake, Warsaw is perfect for those who love nature as well. While Chapman Lake and Center Lake provide awesome water-related activities, like fishing, boating, and swimming, the Warsaw Biblical Gardens, situated quite close to Center Lake Park, has over a hundred different plants that can be found within the Bible.
Corydon - Harrison County
Approximately 25 miles west of Louisville, Kentucky, the quaint town of Corydon is home to several great natural attractions, like O’Bannon Woods State Park and Hayswood Nature Reserve. Hayswood is just over 300 acres of scenic wilderness, running along parts of Indian Creek, while O’Bannon Woods consists of around 2,000 acres of landscape and is home to the Wyandotte Caves.
The William Henry Harrison Log Cabin, Battle of Corydon Memorial Park, and Corydon Capitol State Historic Site also call Corydon home. William Henry Harrison was the ninth president of the United States, while the state historic site honors Indiana's first state capital. The Battle of Corydon Memorial Park symbolizes the only official American Civil War battle to occur in the state.
Salem - Washington County
Not to be confused with Salem, Massachusetts, this small town is home to Salem Speedway, which has featured premier races for almost 70 years. Some of the many Salem Speedway race car drivers include Jeff Gordon, Joey Logano, Jimmie Johnson, and Kyle Busch. Plus, its track, with 33 degrees of banking in the corners, is considered to be one of the most renowned tracks in America.
The town of Salem is home to several museums as well, including the Depot Railroad Museum and Stevens Memorial Museum. Both the railroad and memorial museum are an integral part of the John Hay Center. While the railroad museum is a duplicate of the original Monon depot, the Stevens Memorial Museum showcases the community’s heritage with some very interesting exhibits.
Spencer - Owen County
The tiny town of Spencer is a favorite spot for those who know about McCormick’s Creek State Park. This state park offers a multitude of great amenities, such as hiking trails, an 86-foot fire tower, a swimming pool, and dynamic views of a magnificent canyon and wondrous waterfall. Visitors can also spend the night or weekend camping out within the boundaries of the park.
Other phenomenal attributes of the town of Spencer include the Cataract General Store, which opened in 1860 and is now considered to be one of Indiana’s oldest general stores, and Tivoli Theatre, which opened in 1928 with the film "Shopworn Angel," was restored in 2013, and is now one of the most prominent buildings in town.
Nashville - Brown County
Situated over a hundred miles west of Cincinnati, 50 miles south of Indianapolis, and 87 miles north of Louisville, the town of Nashville is a perfect getaway from the hustle of big-city living. Home to Brown County State Park, which offers everything from hiking, biking, and horseback riding to camping within the great outdoors, this phenomenal state park is the place to check out.
Some other amenities of the town of Nashville include many art attractions, like Brown County Art Gallery and Brown County Art Guild. Both offer an intrinsic look into the minds of local artists. Plus, for those who prefer the historic side of art, the T.C. Steele State Historic Site, built in 1907, honors T.C. Steele, who was a famous painter of Indiana scenery.
Angola - Steuben County
Picturesque Angola, in the northeastern corner of the state, is best known for Pokagon State Park. From swimming, boating, and fishing in Snow Lake and Lake James to hiking along the many gorgeous nature trails, this state park is a hidden gem worth discovering.
Angola is also home to two of the best golf courses in the state. Glendarin Hills Golf Club, located to the north of town, offers dynamic views, electric golf carts, a great bar and grill, and an awesome clubhouse. Zollner Golf Course, situated just west of town, has a phenomenal membership program with club-fitting attributes for each visitor.
Madison - Jefferson County
Just above the Ohio River, Madison is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream come true. From Clifty Falls State Park, which includes a visitor center, numerous hiking trails that are numbered for convenience, and four phenomenal waterfalls, to Heritage Trail, which runs along the northern banks of the Ohio River, comfort is easily attainable in this quaint town.
Some other great spots in Madison include the Lanier Mansion State Historic Site and Madison Railroad Station Museum. While Lanier Mansion is considered a “crown jewel" of Greek Revival architecture, the railroad station museum, situated close to both Lanier Mansion and Heritage Trail, has several exhibits honoring how important the railroad is to the people of the area.
French Lick - Orange County
Located approximately 85 miles northeast of Evansville, French Lick was named after some French settlers who settled down near a salt lick, which provided animals with minerals they needed to survive. It is no wonder, then, that this quaint town is now home to several spas, including Aesthetics Salon & Spa and Serenity Day Spa.
Another great attraction, Big Splash Adventure, an indoor waterpark and resort, calls French Lick home. This waterpark offers numerous attractions, from tube and body slides to the Buccaneer Bay play structure. The resort, attached to the waterpark, features comfortable rooms, great service, and two different dining options, Boatyard Restaurant and Galley Grill.
Winamac - Pulaski County
Home of Tippecanoe River State Park and part of the Panhandle Pathway, Winamac is the ideal small town for those who wish to get away from the big city for a while. Panhandle Pathway, beginning in downtown Winamac, is 22 miles of railroad tracks that were converted to hiking trails. Tippecanoe River State Park, situated just north of town, offers guests the chance to fish, hike, canoe, kayak, and even camp overnight.
Kersting’s Cycle Center & Museum is also located in Winamac. Situated northwest of town, this fun spot gives visitors the option to buy new or used motorcycles, as well as an opportunity to learn more about the history of motorcycles. They even have a 1931 Indian motorcycle on display, which was purchased in 1967 at an auction.
Wabash - Wabash County
From the Honeywell Center and Eagles Theatre to the Dr. James Ford Historic Home, the town of Wabash is an ideal place to get away and find some peace. Located 90 miles south of Notre Dame, this town of around 10,000 permanent residents is worth the drive.
Wabash is also home to Charley Creek Gardens, which is situated downtown and features six acres of gorgeous gardens, with paved paths and even a waterfall. Plus, in conjunction with its own horticultural center, which provides conservation for the plants it protects, Charley Creek Gardens offers a phenomenal site for special events, such as weddings and graduations.
Whether it is to get away from problems at work, from an insane schedule, or even from family, the twelve small towns above that are off-the-beaten-path may be ideal for you. From marvelous views within locations like Brown County State Park in Nashville to historic significance at venues like Lanier Mansion in Madison, the magnificent state of Indiana is filled with numerous small towns that allow a break from the craziness of city living and let you relax.
