7 Prettiest Main Streetscapes In Indiana
When you are looking for new destinations to add to your favorite Midwest travel spots, Indiana offers a lovely backdrop for a compelling list of adventures. The small towns of Indiana take you to the home of Indiana’s First State Capitol, vintage theaters to catch classic films, historic sites tied to quirky stories, and hiking experiences in the Midwest's Little Smokies. Foodie and cultural adventures are not limited to Indiana's urban centers, featuring an enticing mix of award-winning tasting rooms, menus prepared by emerging chefs, and eclectic cafes that offer standout experiences in rural communities, where art, food, and boutique shopping come together.
Whether you are a native Hoosier or from a neighboring state, these seven prettiest main streetscapes in Indiana offer endless experiences for history buffs, foodies, nature lovers, and appreciators of the arts.
Franklin
Franklin’s convenient location just south of Indianapolis was brought to light in a 1940 Life Magazine article, securing Franklin as a popular destination for travelers seeking last-minute escapes from the city. Ornate architectural elements on the main street and residential neighborhoods lined with impressive Victorian mansions are still major attractions for visitors.
Film buffs cannot ignore the marquee at the vintage 1920s Historic Artcraft Theatre, where classic movies like the Thin Man series starring William Powell and Myrna Loy are still shown on the big screen. Feel the anticipation rise as the lights dim and the stars come to life in 35mm film-format glory.
Artcraft's marquee is not the only thing to look for while strolling Main Street. It is hard to miss the charming red clapboard façade of Farm Girl Mercantile, where you can shop for a mix of merchandise ranging from tasty delights and seasonal produce to art and beauty supplies and home décor to fashion accessories.
If history is more your thing, the Johnson County Museum features over 200 years of regional artifacts, from pioneer home goods to the Civil War. Architecture nerds will love the fact that the museum is the former Masonic Temple, where the neoclassical columns and arched doorway lead to a character-filled interior complete with the original wood staircase.
Wind down your visit at The Willard, a downtown icon and local favorite for scrumptious meals, welcoming service, and a generous bar menu.
Wabash
Aptly named Wabash sits on the Wabash River, where heritage buildings create a picture-perfect streetscape spanning several architectural styles, from Italianate to Romanesque Revival and Second Empire to 1920s vintage.
Take advantage of the town’s walkability, exploring the Wabash Cultural District, where the cultural vibe is ideal for art lovers. Set aside time to visit the Honeywell Center's Clark Gallery to wander the galleries and browse the exhibits. Stay for lunch at Eugenia's, enjoying the views from soaring, light-filled windows while dining on a selection of beautifully prepared dishes.
An unassuming cluster of log cabins on a park lawn in Wabash looks a little out of place but is actually Paradise Spring Historical Park. The site played a significant role in history, marking the location of the 1826 treaty between the US Government and Indigenous tribe leaders.
Grab a coffee at Modoc’s Market, where a quirkier side of the town’s history unfolded in 1942, when three Great American Circus elephants were spooked by a barking dog. 1900-pound Modoc took off running towards downtown, following the scent of roasting peanuts at what was then Bradley Brothers drugstore. She charged in, knocked over the peanut roaster, helped herself, and then exited through the back door, carrying on her rampage for five days. Today, the coffee shop bears the elephant’s name and serves up delicious treats and snacks along with assorted warm and cold beverages.
Nashville
Nashville is a leaf peeper’s destination nestled in the hills of Brown County. The town’s welcome sign notes Nashville is a “pioneer arts colony,” where visitors will discover a thriving art scene along streets lined with shady mature trees, sweet gardens, and galleries, studios, and shops featuring the work of local creatives.
The Brown County Art Guild is home to galleries and exhibits displaying the work of Indiana’s most esteemed artists. The abundance of local artists’ work also dots the streets at outdoor art installations like the nine historic murals near the Historical Society and the student-built sculpture, All Together Now, by the Brown County Junior High School parking lot.
Nashville’s creativity spills over into the town’s tasting rooms, offering its unique brand of drinks. Hard Truth Distilling Co. is an award-winning distillery known for its bourbon and rye, along with spirits like cinnamon vodka and coconut rum. The lovely campus located just outside of downtown Nashville offers expansive terraces, decks, and landscaped outdoor space to sample carefully concocted cocktails or straight-up craft spirits along with classic, hearty, pub-inspired dishes.
A trip to the “Little Smokies” at Brown County State Park offers a glimpse into the surroundings that inspire local artists. Indiana’s largest park is all the more impressive when the hills are aflame with fall color.
New Harmony
New Harmony is a different kind of town with contemplative public spaces, sculptures, and gardens creating a tranquil, enchanting streetscape. Simple wooden structures built by the town’s founding Harmonists and examples of impressive modern architecture somehow work well together in a distinctly rural town set in a bend of the Wabash River.
Guided tours offer the perfect way to discover the town’s most notable historic sites, beginning at the Atheneum Visitors Center. The award-winning building, designed by internationally acclaimed architect Richard Meier, is a modern, thoughtfully designed space inspired by the river’s movement.
The JBO Sanctuary grounds combine all that is good and beautiful in New Harmony. Unique open-air galleries and beautifully designed gardens blend with water features, and purpose-built structures feature masterful architecture alongside sculptural works of art. The stunning Roofless Church is a must-visit space at the sanctuary, where a combination of manmade structures, gardens, and sculptures inspires mindfulness.
New Harmony’s unusual attractions include two labyrinths. The replicated Gothic labyrinth floor of France’s 12th-century Chartres Cathedral is an interesting contrast to the shrub-lined maze paths at the Harmonist Labyrinth. Designed in the early 19th century by the town's religious society, the Rappites, the correct path leads to a small stone temple in the labyrinth's center.
Madison
With views of the Ohio River and surrounding Clifty Falls State Park, this picturesque town has bragging rights as the largest contiguous National Historic Landmark District in the US. Travel America describes the town's 133-plus blocks of preserved heritage buildings as “an outdoor museum of architecture.”
Madison's corniced rooftops and multi-colored façades create a whimsical feel to the quaint streetscape. Several buildings are open to the public, including the town’s most prominent home, Lanier Mansion. The impressive Greek Revival porch and two-story Corinthian columns capture the stately home as it was in the 1840s.
Travel Madison’s best-of-the-best streets and discover its prominent landmarks aboard the Madison Trolley Line. Informative guides share stories about the town while you relax, taking in the scenery. History meets the contemporary in the Madison Arts and Cultural District, where you can experience a more urban-like setting. Explore the imagery of artists' work through public art, parks, museums, and galleries, or uncover hidden works at businesses like Analog Coffee & Records. Settle in with a mug of coffee or look around, browsing the collection of artwork, books, and records at this cozy, off-the-wall café.
Aurora
As you drive into town, you will soon discover what earned Aurora its Main Street America™ Accreditation. The Victorian-era architecture in yet another picturesque riverside town on the Ohio is a major attraction for both history buffs and admirers of heritage buildings.
Fawn over the Italian Renaissance Hillforest Victorian House Museum, an 1855 mansion designed by renowned architect Isaiah Rogers. Tour the former home and grounds of prominent financier and industrialist Thomas Gaff with its stunning two-tiered semicircular porch, impressive cupola, and enviable views overlooking the Ohio River.
Stroll the recreation trail along the Ohio River running between Aurora and Lawrenceburg to take in the scenery and access historic sections of the two towns. Pop into eclectic boutiques like Second Time Around and Krypto's Comix, where a weird mix of antiques, vintage finds, and vinyl share space with comics and toys.
If you are feeling peckish, treat yourself to authentic down-south cooking at Hankering Southern Kitchen for classic comfort food like Fried Green Tomatoes, Fried Catfish, and Bourbon Bread Pudding.
Corydon
Corydon’s charming downtown has exactly what you need for a day trip filled with history, art, and food. With a history dating back almost two centuries, Corydon is home to Indiana’s First State Capitol, the Blaine H. Wiseman Visitor Center to learn about points of interest around town, and eateries like 1816 Modern Kitchen & Drinks that are worth the drive alone.
A federal-style limestone building built between 1814 and 1816 is an unassuming little building you might walk right past. However, the Corydon Capitol State Historic Site served as the state capitol until 1825. The site also includes a tour of the 1817 Governor’s Headquarters and home built for Indiana’s second elected governor, William Hendricks.
Just down the street from Corydon’s charming little parkette-cum-square is Harrison County Arts, where local artists' work dabbles with various mediums. As your final stop, soak up the atmosphere, sipping craft cocktails at a popular local spot in a historic 1892 building. 1816 Modern Kitchen & Drinks’ contemporary Southern menu ranges from classics like shrimp and grits to modern favorites like poutine, offering a little taste of Corydon’s emerging food and drink scene.
From the banks of the Ohio and Wabash rivers to the borders of Ohio, Illinois, and Kentucky, Indiana’s small towns offer hours of discovery away from the noise and congestion of the city. Whether you are planning an extensive Indiana road trip, are up for shopping and lunch with friends, or are longing for a peaceful weekend getaway, the seven prettiest main streetscapes in Indiana offer idyllic destinations for a satisfying escape.
