7 Most Beautiful College Towns In Indiana
The famous saying, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," is often true; what one person finds beautiful may be very different from another person's perspective. Certain universal traits seem to be beautiful to many, however, and chief among them is nature. Rolling hills, mountains, meadows, green spaces, and water help to make a college town stand out, and Indiana has them all. In addition, each of the college towns showcased has something special or even unique to offer, from Columbus's unusual display of architecture to the refrigerated track of Angola's Toboggan Run.
Angola - Trine University
Angola is a nature lover's paradise. Trine University students, their families, and residents of Angola frequent Pokagon State Park because of its scenic beauty and the many activities it offers for all seasons. It is ideal for cross-country skiing, and equipment can be rented at the park. Ice fishing is popular, as is sledding, and the park's thrilling quarter-mile-long, twin-track, refrigerated Toboggan Run. The park is also known for the water activities on Lake James and Snow Lake, which border the park, such as swimming, boating, fishing, and its scenic sunsets over the water. The park also has nine marked hiking trails that are easy or moderate in skill level.
Downtown Angola is surprisingly picturesque, as if you have stepped into a postcard. A roundabout circles the majestic Steuben County Soldiers Monument, with a backdrop of the County Courthouse and other stately business buildings. Angola is a Main Street USA community, and its leaders focus on keeping the town beautiful and bustling with activity. Their annual Art Festival will take place on August 1, 2026. Birdsong Park is a "pocket park" that was created downtown to beautify and bring nature to the business district.
Terre Haute - Indiana State University
Numerous lists of "best college towns" have included Terre Haute, and one of the reasons for that is the town's natural beauty. Terre Haute has more parks per capita than any other town in Indiana. Each park has specific amenities that draw people in for a variety of reasons. Collett Park, for example, was dedicated in 1883 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Its gorgeous brick pavilions are architectural delights, combining history and culture with modernized spaces ideal for parties and celebrations.
With 177 acres, Deming Park, the largest park in the system, has two lakes, an arboretum, a playground, an 18-hole disc golf course, and open areas where events are often held. Fairbanks Park is the city's only park along the Wabash River. It features an amphitheater, a large plaza, pavilions, open space, and lots of trees. Since the university is located in downtown Terre Haute, it's convenient for students to walk, jog, or bike to many of the parks and along the 18 miles of trails that surround campus.
Richmond - 6 Colleges and Universities
This small city boasts six institutions of higher education: Earlham College, Indiana University East, Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, Purdue Polytechnic Institute-Richmond, as well as Quaker Earlham School of Religion and Church of the Brethren Theological Seminary. Students who flock to the town have a rich variety of interests, resulting in a wide selection of indoor and outdoor activities that provide beauty in numerous ways.
Thistlethwaite Falls is a favorite of students and their families. A man-made marvel, the falls were created by Timothy Thistlethwaite in the early 1800s by redirecting the Whitewater River's West Fork to provide more power for his sawmill. Today, the falls are a great spot to find marine fossils. Hayes Arboretum was created by Stanley W. Hayes in 1963 to preserve the native forests that he feared would otherwise be lost. Thanks to the continued oversight by the Hayes family members, visitors can see 500-year-old forests,100+ tagged tree specimens, and acres of pollinator plants. Some educational events and programs are self-led, while others are led by naturalists, clubs, and subject matter experts (sometimes professors from one of the colleges). Both are typically free to the public.
Some beauty is best experienced indoors, such as in the Richmond Art Museum (RAM). This is the place to see the work of local and regional artists. From November 6, 2025, to January 10, 2026, visitors can see the exhibit, "127th Annual Exhibition of Indiana and Ohio Artists." RAM's permanent collection contains amazing diversity, from floral still lifes, Maine houses, and landscape paintings in all seasons to ceramics and decorative art pieces.
Kokomo - Indiana University Kokomo
The city of Kokomo has put concentrated effort into enhancing its park system so that residents and students now have 450 acres of activities and open spaces to explore. Highland Park has a large playground with accessible equipment for all abilities to use. Open fields invite impromptu games of catch. Many parks have paved, scenic trails for walking and biking. Wildcat Creek runs through Foster Park, which also has a skate park.
The Seiberling Mansion is an impressive Victorian home built for industrialist and CEO of the Diamond Plate Glass Company, Monroe Seiberling, from 1889 to 1891. The home changed ownership numerous times and today houses the Howard County Historical Society. The mansion is open for tours seasonally and holds an annual Christmas program. If you have the opportunity, it is well worth viewing the architectural styles of Romanesque Revival and Queen Anne, as well as the many native woods used on the walls, floors, and decorative elements.
Columbus - Indiana University Columbus
Having just over 50,000 residents, Columbus surprises visitors with the stunning architecture of many of its buildings, from homes to schools, churches, and community buildings. Architects often collaborated on a design or expanded upon an earlier architect's work. Start at the Visitor's Center on the Avenue of the Architects. Originally a home designed in 1864, it was redesigned by Xenia Miller in 1973 to become the Visitor's Center. In 1995, architect Kevin Roche designed the building's expansion, with elements by other architects like the Yellow Neon Chandelier by Dale Chihuly and an outside sign by Paul Rand, dubbed "the godfather of graphic design."
The Cleo Rogers library was designed in 1967 by the world-renowned I. M. Pei, and its expansion in 1987 by local architect Jim Paris was approved by Pei. Central Middle School, which was designed in 2007 by Ralph Johnson, was awarded the title of Firm of the Year by the American Institute of Architecture.
Marion, Indiana - Wesleyan University
Marion truly delivers with its parks and its beauty, as exemplified in Matter Park, the oldest and largest of the town's parks with sports fields, playgrounds, pavilions, and grills for picnics, volleyball and tennis courts, a disc golf course, a fishing pond, and a walking trail. Many events are held in the park, including Earth Day in April, Fall Fest, and a Christmas display -- rated among the best in the country -- of 2.5 million lights, winding around and through the city and circling Gardens of Matter Park. This lush garden within Matter Park, with over 7,000 plants plus statues and benches, provides a glorious backdrop for graduation ceremonies and weddings.
For whimsical fun and outdoor exercise, students and visitors to Indiana Wesleyan University take The Garfield Trail, which begins in Marion, to see 11 statues of the cartoon cat in Marion alone; the trail continues in Fairmont, where the famous cat's cartoonist, Jim Davis, was born. Marion's riverside location makes the 2.25-mile Mississinewa Riverwalk another popular, scenic outdoor destination.
Valparaiso - Valparaiso University
Lush landscapes, a vibrant and artistic downtown, and its proximity to Chicago (about an hour's drive) make Valparaiso one of the most ideal -- and beautiful -- small college towns. Sunset Hill Farm County Park was once a working farm that sold milk, chickens, and eggs to the community. Today, the park has animals to visit, including sheep, goats, rabbits, and chickens. The 235-acre property also offers scenic hiking and running trails, birdwatching, antique farm equipment to see, and hosts numerous festivals and other events. Primitive tent camping for individuals and groups is also available. Winter Lights, a drive-through holiday light display, runs from November 22, 2025, through January 1, 2026.
Fondly known by locals as Valpo, the town is known for its annual Popcorn Festival in September. Going strong for over 40 years, this event honors native sons Orville Redenbacher and his popcorn partner, Charlie Bowman. See the detailed sculpture of Orville sitting on a bench in Central Park Plaza. Valpo offers an abundance of theater productions at various venues. Chicago Street Theater will present "A Charlie Brown Christmas" from November 28 through December 21, alternating adult and teen casts. Meanwhile, the Memorial Opera House will put on "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" from November 28 through December 14. Valpo has a lot to offer, and the private Valparaiso University is beautiful as well.
A College Town for Everyone
Whether you are looking for a college to attend or a place to live, you are wise to consider college towns. They have a certain buzz about them because they are full of the enthusiasm unique to young people embarking on this new, exciting phase of life. The best college towns have a special connection to the colleges, as each benefits from and enhances the other. Typically, small college towns are especially connected to the colleges and universities near them. However, just like small towns all across the US, college towns are not all the same, even within the Midwest or in the state of Indiana. Choose a few to visit, and go with an open mind. You never know what surprises you will find.
