13 Prettiest Small Towns In Indiana
People don't typically think of the Midwest as a particularly scenic region. However, that perception changes quickly once you explore Indiana. This often-overlooked state is filled with charming small towns and striking natural beauty that can enchant even the most skeptical visitor. Here, you’ll find everything from 19th-century architecture and rolling limestone hills to peaceful riverside trails and festive, storybook villages.
Whether you're hiking to waterfalls in Madison or strolling past German-style architecture in Ferdinand, Indiana’s prettiest towns offer something special for every kind of traveler. Read on to discover ten of the most beautiful small towns in the Hoosier State.
Wabash
The prettiest towns look best in the light. This is certainly the case for Wabash, which was the first town in the world to be lit up by electric lights in 1880 at the town's courthouse. Wabash today combines a love for modern with a respect for the traditional. One such example is the Honeywell Center, a fun performing arts facility which regularly hosts musical performances, movies, dining events, and much more. Visitors can hop on Trolley No. 85 in the cute downtown area for a tour of wildflowers, historic homes, and seasonal events.
If history is more your angle, check out the Wabash County Museum, which provides exhibits on the Wabash Erie Canal and railroad, or the Paradise Spring Historic Park. This peaceful spot in early Indiana history is where the U.S. government signed a treaty with local Native American tribes. Today, it is a gentle park complete with historic cabins, trails, and outdoor performances.
New Albany
New Albany is a scenic destination just north of Louisville, Kentucky. Whether driving or walking, you'll see a mix of the most beautiful mansions in Indiana, cute restaurants, and wonderful river walks. Going for a long walk by the river at the well-paved Ohio River Greenway is sure to delight, especially as it leads by the nearby communities of Clarksville and Jeffersonville and branches off into trails through the woods. For hidden wooded treasures, consider the Silver Hills Historical Nature Trail, which used to be a trolley car line and will transport you back in time with stories of those who used to ride the trolley.
In New Albany's Mansion Row, you can spend the entire day taking in these breathtaking monuments like the 1869 Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site, which is open for tours or spooky experiences during the Halloween months. Lastly, don't forget to try out a really fun restaurant at Lady Tron’s, a classic diner spot with a fun retro-futuristic twist!
Madison
Madison is the crown jewel of the Ohio River. During the 1800s, it was a prime destination for steamboats headed up and down the river. With all this trade coming in, Madison developed a rich collection of 19th-century architecture, much of which still stands today. Madison's downtown district is known as an outdoor museum for its many historic buildings. These include the Greek Revival style Lanier Mansion from 1844, and the 1848 Eleutherian College, which was founded by an anti-slavery group. There's even a one-of-a-kind Schroeder Saddletree Factory Museum used to manufacture parts of horse saddles.
Beyond history, present-day Madison has plenty of natural sights beckoning adventurous souls. One of the prettiest parts of Madison is its limestone cliffs and gentle waterfalls, which visitors can see at the Clifty Falls State Park. Take the Four Falls hike challenge to see all of them in the park!
Ferdinand
This small community is a prime example of German American heritage. In the 1800s, it attracted many German American immigrants, especially of the Catholic faith. A small group of Sisters of St. Benedict established the magnificent Monastery of the Immaculate Conception. Due to its medieval style, this monastery is called the "Castle on the Hill." Visitors can tour this religious masterpiece and even grab a beer from the St. Benedict’s Brew Works, a brewery located within the monastery.
This pretty town also happens to have lovely parks to explore, ranging from Ferdinand State Forest, a forested area with a historic fire tower, to Old Town Lake. While you're in Ferdinand, you can take home a cute keepsake from the Ferdinand Antique Emporium or Tin Lizzie's Home Décor & Gifts.
Shipshewana
Shipshewana is a lovely little rural town home to one of the largest Amish communities in the Midwest. Its simple yet interesting attractions give this town a charm you won't find in many other places.
For example, you can learn about the lifestyles of Amish and Mennonite people at the Menno-Hof Visitor Center, which includes a 17th-century ship that early Mennonites would have used, a 19th-century print shop, and an Amish Room. Of course, if you'd like to see Amish living up close, you can rent a buggy or go for a walk on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, which goes for 17 miles of rural roads past Amish farms, houses, and businesses. If home-cooked meals are what you're here for, then make sure to visit the Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery for Amish-style food and treats.
Aurora
A number of pretty Indiana towns rest on the Ohio River in the southern part of the state. One such place is Aurora, which means dawn in Latin. The best aspect of this tiny town of just over 3,500 people is its downtown area.
In this walkable downtown, you can visit the Victorian mansion Hillforest House Museum. This 1855 Italian Renaissance mansion offers tours of its preserved grounds, which feature the luxurious outfits, furniture, and living spaces once occupied by Isaiah Rogers and his family. A short hike away, you can enjoy a gentle walk by the Ohio at Lesko Park or Gabbard Riverfront Park. Also downtown, you can see locally made pottery, woodwork, paintings, and other pieces of art at the Southeastern Indiana Art Guild, or enjoy a home-cooked meal at the Aurora Diner.
Goshen
If you're near the Chicago area, then Goshen is definitely a place to explore. It was platted in 1831 as the seat of Elkhart County, and today it is a wonderful place to relax, discover unique crafts, and take unique walks. One such walking trail is the Mill Race Trail, a former hydraulic canal, which offers a peaceful respite through downtown to the Rieth Interpretive Center and onward to the Goshen Dam Pond. It is connected to the communities of Middlebury and Shipshewana through the lovely Pumpkinvine Nature Trail(which you can read more about in another entry!)
Goshen will transport you back to the past at the classic South Side Soda Shop, which brings to mind the 1950s, or within a peddler's village at Ten Thousand Villages, which sells intriguing crafts like African artifacts and handmade goods.
Corydon
Some towns are pretty inside and out, and that is certainly the case with Corydon. This adorable town served as the original state capital of Indiana from 1816 to 1825 and is sure to enthrall anyone interested in American history. The original buildings from its day as the capital have been lovingly preserved, including the Original State Capitol Historic Site, the Federal-style red brick Governor Hendrick's Headquarters, and even the Constitutional Tree, where the first Indiana constitution was signed.
But for some of Corydon's treasures, you have to dig deep under the surface. Within the Indiana Caverns of Corydon, you can see part of the magnificent Binkley Cave system and even take a boat ride through an underground river. Be sure to keep an eye out for stalactites and stalagmites along the walls and ceiling.
Vincennes
When visiting historic Indiana towns, Vincennes should be on everyone's radar. For one, this is the oldest city in the state, as it was founded in 1732 by French settlers. When it passed into British hands following the French and Indian War, it would serve as the territorial capital of the Indiana Territory. As a result of all this history, there is a vast array of beautiful historic places and monuments to see here.
For example, there's one of the largest national monuments west of Washington D.C.: The George Rogers Clark National Park and William Henry Harrison's Grouseland, the home of the American president with the shortest tenure, as he passed away a mere month in office. There's also the beautiful red brick Indiana Territorial Capitol, constructed in 1805, making it one of the oldest buildings in Indiana. It's not all serious business in Vincennes. Visitors can also enjoy a laugh at the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy, which honors the famed comic and his characters.
Porter
Porter's name doesn't come up often on lists of best Indiana towns, but there's one very big reason to visit this hidden gem. It's the center of the Indiana Dunes State Park. These magnificent dunes were the shoreline of Lake Michigan tens of thousands of years ago. As the lake subsided, it left behind a rich ecosystem that has to be seen to be believed. As to what you can do there, there's plenty! You can hike up dunes with the 3 Dune Challenge, or go biking with the Porter Brickyard Bike Trails. And of course, there are pristine beaches along Lake Michigan for you to enjoy boating, swimming, or just dipping your toes in the water.
The park also contains more than 60 historic structures, including the intriguing Century of Progress homes, which were transported there from the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. These homes were regarded as the homes of the future back then and represent a beautiful look into the past today.
French Lick
French Lick is a hidden gem among Hoosiers for a variety of reasons. Although you wouldn't guess it from its location in rural Indiana, French Lick has one of the most magnificent hotels in the world: the West Baden Springs Hotel. This palace of a hotel has medieval-style towers and an enormous dome above a 200-foot atrium, which was once the largest in the world, making it a wonder of the world. French Lick first became a major tourist attraction due to the discovery of mineral waters there, which were highly valued for their curative properties.
While you're in the area, there are all manner of fun and interesting attractions to explore, from the French Lick-West Baden Indoor Karting to the French Lick Winery to the French Lick Scenic Railway, which runs through the Hoosier National Forest. Another great place to see is the French Lick West Baden Museum, which catalogs the lives of people ranging from basketball legend and French Lick native Larry Bird to gangsters who played cards here during Prohibition.
Santa Claus
Some towns always keep a festive spirit. That is certainly the case in Santa Claus, a fun-loving town with a good deal of respect for ole St. Nick. In fact, they have a huge statue of him located within the Santa Claus Museum & Village. Within this cute environment, children of all ages can send a letter to Santa Claus at the original town post office, no matter what the season.
History is everywhere in Santa Claus, as is evident by the Abraham Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in nearby Lincoln City. It was here that the famous president grew up. Learn about his early life at the memorial or see how he would have lived at the Lincoln Pioneer Village & Museum. Lastly, you can get an aerial view of the entire area by going on one of the thrilling roller coasters of the locally owned Holiday World & Splashin' Safari Amusement Park.
New Harmony
This Hoosier town has a rich historic legacy that few towns in the U.S. can boast. New Harmony gets its name from the religious community that founded it, called the Harmonists. They were dedicated in the early 1800s to creating the ideal Christian society ahead of Armageddon. They later sold the town to a different sort of group, the Owenites, who also aimed at a utopian community based on science, equality, and education.
Today, New Harmony keeps some of that spirit alive with serene destinations. These include the peaceful Harmonist Labyrinth, designed with a privet hedge for visitors to get lost in, the Roofless Church, a literal open-air cathedral, and the Atheneum. This uniquely designed building won multiple architectural awards. This building also serves as the center for historic tours of the buildings left behind by the utopian communities, such as group meeting houses and Thrall's Opera House. There's a lot to take in and explore here in New Harmony.
Final Thoughts
There's so much to see in these small towns. By going on a road trip through Indiana, you can see everything from a Hoosier utopia to a world-famous hotel to the sandy dunes of Lake Michigan. These towns will enrapture you with beautiful forests and 19th-century mansions alike, such as the limestone waterfalls of Madison or the castle on a hill of Ferdinand. You'll leave feeling refreshed and maybe even enlightened after visiting these pretty towns of Indiana.
