7 of the Friendliest Towns in Indiana
Friendliness in Indiana shows up in small, everyday ways. It is the waitress who already knows your order, the neighbor who stops to talk on the sidewalk, and the downtowns where people still greet strangers without thinking twice. That atmosphere is easiest to find in the state’s smaller towns, where local history, community events, and walkable main streets still shape daily life.
Places like Madison and Corydon balance deep historical roots with active civic pride, while towns such as Angola and Paoli feel closely tied to their lakes, forests, and surrounding countryside. Metamora and New Harmony draw people together through preserved architecture and shared traditions, and Shipshewana stands out for its strong sense of community built around local markets and faith. Together, these towns reflect the kind of friendliness Hoosiers recognize immediately
Angola
Named by early settlers from a town of the same name in New York, Angola is located in the northeastern corner of Indiana. Home to about 9,000 residents and the seat of county government, Angola has a downtown area focused around the 67-foot tall Steuben County Soldiers Monument, constructed in 1917 as a memorial to the area’s fallen Civil War soldiers. A range of historic buildings, home to small businesses run by friendly locals, dot the streets surrounding the monument. Angola’s downtown area is a particularly good spot for antique shoppers. Pokagon State Park, located along Lake James, includes numerous options for outdoor recreation and is a short trip from downtown Angola.
Corydon
Corydon, located near the Ohio River in southern Indiana, was Indiana’s first capital, serving from 1816 to 1825. It was also the site of the only Civil War battle on Indiana soil, in 1863. As a result, today’s small town of Corydon has a larger historical footprint than most communities of 3,000 residents. Corydon’s postcard-pretty downtown area houses the Old Capitol Building, numerous other historic sites, and a range of charming attractions for visitors. Explorers of all ages can also enjoy Indiana Caverns, located just outside of town, which features a boat tour through the state’s largest cave system and a neighboring adventure park.
Madison
Madison, a charming small town along a busy section of the Ohio River, proves that the friendliest towns aren’t always rural. Located between Cincinnati (70 miles away) and Louisville (50 miles away), it has only about 12,000 residents. Despite its urban surroundings, Madison maintains a warm, small-town charm. Locals proudly showcase the nation’s largest contiguous National Historic Landmark District in the downtown area, where visitors can explore well-preserved buildings showcasing architectural styles from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Just outside town, Clifty Falls State Park offers scenic views of Clifty Canyon and multiple waterfalls.
Metamora
Too small to be officially designated a town with only about 200 residents, the tiny village of Metamora manages to maintain a big reputation as a tourist destination. Established in the southeastern part of the state as a stop along the Whitewater Canal, built in the 1830s and 1840s to connect the Ohio and White Rivers, Metamora transports visitors back into the past to experience midwestern life in the mid 1800s. Along with a well-maintained section of the once 76 mile long canal, an operating gristmill, and train rides, Metamora is home to about 40 businesses in its quaint downtown area. Additionally, the Whitewater River Valley offers numerous biking and hiking trails.
New Harmony
A town with “harmony” in its name should be a friendly place, and New Harmony fits the bill! Located along the Wabash River in southwestern Indiana, New Harmony was founded in 1814 by a group of religious idealists from Pennsylvania, the Harmonists. The town then became home to the Owenists, a utopian society envisioned by George Owen, from 1825 to 1826. New Harmony is now home to about 750 residents who live among lovingly restored buildings from the town’s founding era in the beautiful Historic District. The New Harmony Visitor Center (or Atheneum) is a great starting point for walking tours of the town and for outdoor recreation along the Wabash River.
Paoli
Indiana has an abundance of great tourist draws (including friendly little towns), but, thanks to its mostly flat terrain, it lacks downhill skiing slopes. Paoli Peaks, in south central Indiana, is one of only two ski resorts in the state. Luckily, for skiers and non-skiers alike, the nearby town of Paoli (population 3,500) is an attraction all its own. Settled by anti-slavery Quakers in the early 1800s, Paoli was a part of the Underground Railroad that helped enslaved people escape to freedom in Canada. In addition to this historical connection, Paoli maintains a charming town square and county courthouse. One of the few preserved areas of virgin hardwood forest in the Midwest is just outside of town.
Shipshewana
LaGrange County in northern Indiana hosts approximately 15,000 Amish residents, with the small town of Shipshewana (population 650) serving as their center. Its closeness to the Indiana Toll Road and nearby cities like Fort Wayne and South Bend enhances its appeal as a tourist spot, but the main attraction remains the opportunity to experience the simple Amish way of life. The historic downtown features several local businesses that serve Amish food, sell crafts, and provide entertainment. Additionally, Shipshewana is home to one of the country's largest flea markets, with over 700 vendors operating on summer Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Indiana, like every other state in America, has its share of rough edges. That said, the Hoosier State is by and large a very welcoming place for tourists seeking all kinds of relaxation and entertainment. Many of the state’s small towns, like the seven listed here, are charming, safe, historic, and interesting places to visit. You can expect to receive a warm greeting and friendly interactions whenever you choose to check out Indiana’s lovely little towns.
