8 Most Charming Small Towns In Indiana
Indiana, or "The Hoosier State," is an underrated powerhouse nationally when it comes to transportation, live music, and some of the biggest sporting events in the country. Indianapolis welcomes fans year-round to major events and hosts one of the most famous races in the world, the Indianapolis 500. While Indianapolis is well worth a visit, Indiana has no shortage of charming small towns that help define this Midwestern state, which should be on your list. From the shores of Lake Michigan up north to the retro activities like a drive-in theater in the southeastern part of the state, these small towns are filled with charm and are always welcoming to new visitors.
Angola
Tucked in the northeast corner of Indiana is Angola, a quiet town of around 9,300 residents. One of the charming features of Angola is the dedication to the community's passions, like the Angola Motorsport Speedway in neighboring Fremont. A 3/8 mile asphalt track that allows you to take in motorsport races during the summer and appreciate motor racing at a high level.
Perhaps you want to enjoy the local arts while taking in the scenery. Head over to the "Nashville of the North" at Buck Lake Ranch, where you can camp, enjoy water activities, and attend concerts. If you want to learn more about the area, stop by the Steuben County Courthouse, a National Register of Historic Places, and admire this historical building that dates back to 1868. Another feature of this small Indiana town is the picturesque streets that catch your eye for the fascinating architecture, unique shops like The Angola Quilt Shop, or mouth-watering restaurants like Casa Azteca, a delicious Mexican restaurant serving memorable fajitas, enchiladas, and more.
Greencastle
Greencastle is a charming town of around 10,000 people that is known for its unique architecture, arts, and unmatched friendliness. Along its charming roads, you'll find the Historic Dunbar Covered Bridge, a famous landmark that will leave you basking in the quiet, small-town country roads and landscape around it. Dunbar is one of nine covered bridges in the county. Checking out a show at Putnam County Playhouse is a fantastic way to check out the local actors through live theatre.
When spending time in Greencastle, Bridges Craft Pizza & Wine Bar is an excellent spot to enjoy great-tasting food, a relaxing environment, and local wine. There is a scenic rooftop on the third floor that overlooks the vineyards and country backdrop, or head to the basement and the cellar to get an up-close view of the wine displays and small, intimate seating. Finally, if you want to get closer to nature, take a walk through the Deer Creek Fish & Wildlife Area, where you'll find over 2,000 acres of wild turkeys, deer, hawks, and more.
Versailles
You'll find Versailles, a quiet town in southeastern Indiana, is home to a little over 2,000 residents, making it an underrated Midwestern town with plenty to offer. The Versailles downtown area is a point of pride as it hosts many events throughout the year, like Markets on the Square during the summer to check out local products, or Holiday Affair on the Square to help you ring in the winter holidays.
Just like our previous town, Versailles showcases its own covered bridge east of town, as the Historic Busching Covered Bridge spans Laughery Creek. During the summer and fall months, try a tradition from a time gone by when you enjoy the big screen at the Bel-Air Drive-In Movie Theatre. Take a trip back to the late 1950s and 60s, when enjoying that film you looked forward to meant parking amongst a sea of cars, rolling the windows down, and experiencing cinema under the stars.
Michigan City
Throughout the upper Midwest, lake life is a rite of passage during the summer months, making towns that have access to those lakes a must-visit. Michigan City is one of those lake towns, sitting on the shores of the photogenic Lake Michigan and home to around 32,000 residents. The warmer months just feel different in Michigan City.
One of the most impressive architectural marvels in the state is Barker Mansion, home of former philanthropist John H. Barker. If you're a fan of the arts, head over to the Lubeznik Center For The Arts, which is on the shores of Lake Michigan and hosts different exhibits, galleries, and a public beach just outside. Finally, take advantage of the famous Great Lake by getting a great view of it when visiting the Michigan City Lighthouse & Pier, where you might see fishermen or people admiring a sunset over one of the largest lakes in the world.
Crown Point
Near the northwest border, facing Illinois, is where you'll find Crown Point, a bustling and growing town with around 34,000 residents that still keeps its small-town charm. Sitting at the center of Crown Point is the downtown square, where you can view historical buildings like the Old Lake County Courthouse or "The Grand Old Lady", which was uniquely known as the Marriage Mill because of no wait marriage licenses, even attracting celebrities like Muhammad Ali and Rudolph Valentino. Around the calendar, you'll be able to wander around Bulldog Park, which fills with festive activities throughout the year.
There are many amazing trails to enjoy around the area, including the Erie Lackawanna Trail, perfect for a jog, walk, or bike ride to stay fit or just wind down after a long day. Lastly, if you wanna get a taste of Crown Point, stop over to Off Square Brewing to sample craft beer from the area.
Westville
Located in northern Indiana, just south of Lake Michigan, is Westville, a small Indiana town of less than 6,000 people. One of the most unique attractions of the area is a short drive north of town, Indiana Dunes National Park. The Indiana Dunes National Park's towering sand ridges are a result of the power of Lake Michigan and have created over 50 miles of trails and majestic dunes and prairie to explore.
If you want to continue enjoying the natural beauty of the area, stop at the Zona Wildlife Sanctuary with looping trails, relaxing views for you to take in during an at times rugged and solitary hike. Just west of town is the Anderson's Winery and Vineyard, a place to relax and enjoy delicious food, take a seat next to a fireplace, or sit out in the garden during a warm and calm summer night with plenty of local wine to sample.
Huntingburg
Although Huntingburg is a small town of only around 6,500 in southwest Indiana, it has no shortage of activities and interesting places to visit around the area. Huntingburg is known for its appealing downtown, specifically Fourth Street, with plenty of antique shops and restaurants lining the brick streets. Spend an afternoon among Victorian architectural buildings and venture through local stores like Bean to Sprout, a children's store, or the Huntingburg Grind Coffee & Tea Co for specialty coffees and great company.
You may not know that Huntingburg, just like six other Indiana towns, is where a famous movie was filmed, but the famous film A League of Their Own used League Stadium to film scenes. You can get a up close look at Hollywood history by heading over to the stadium and taking in a Dubois County Bombers game during a muggy summer evening. Feel free to head over to Huntingburg Lake on the west side of town and take a walk around the lake, go fishing, or paddle to get a unique look at the town over calm waters.
Goshen
Goshen is a town of around 34,000 people in northern Indiana and offers a nice blend of small-town charm with city activities, so there's something for everybody. Goshen embodies small-town America, and nothing showcases that more than Main Street, where you'll find locally owned stores lining each side, like a retro diner named the South Side Soda Shop, catch a show at the Goshen Theater, or learn about local history at the Goshen Historical Museum.
If shopping isn't your thing, you can get to know the area through a hike or bike ride on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, one of several trails connecting several towns in the area, including Goshen.
As you can see, Indiana is a state that offers something for everyone. From each corner of the state, Indiana showcases small-town charm that will keep you coming back for more. Whether it's the Hollywood history of A League of Their Own's League Stadium in Huntingburg or the mesmerizing sand dunes just outside of Westville, the Hoosier state is a memorable Midwest state that'll keep you coming back for more.
