8 Most Charming Town Squares In Indiana
Indiana is best known for its racing tradition and farm country, but some of the state's loveliest treasures are found in its smallest towns. Beyond Indianapolis, there are picturesque town squares in places like Bloomington, Madison, and Angola. These towns that have downtowns where history is infused into every block. If you’re exploring Indiana, these eight most charming town squares reveal what makes its smaller communities unforgettable — beautifully preserved spaces filled with personality and local pride.
Madison
Madison’s Main Street Historic District has over 130 blocks of preserved architecture, making its downtown feel like a living museum. The Jefferson County Courthouse anchors the square. For a cup of hot coffee, customers will often pop into The Attic Coffee Mill Café on the way to Village Lights Bookstore, three stories of bookshelves in an old brick building. Featuring films since 1938, the Ohio Theatre is still in its art deco setting. Together, these sites give Madison a square full of small-town charm and history.
Angola
Central to its town square in Angola stands its Civil War Monument, dedicated in 1917, towering above brick-paved streets. Surrounding it are vintage shops that are used as business ventures like Cahoots Coffee Café, renowned for homemade pastries. Just a few paces away from it is Brokaw Movie House, a 1930s movie theater still operating with a mix of new releases and nostalgic showtimes. Tourists also flock into Sutton's Deli, a family business outlet for great sandwiches. With its mix of heritage and community gathering places, Angola's square is the central part of the town.
Franklin
Franklin's courthouse square is all the more about the stunning Johnson County Courthouse, a Romanesque Revival gem constructed in 1881. Downtown Franklin also boasts the Artcraft Theatre, a refurbished 1920s movie palace playing classic films and concerts. Coffeehouse Five is a social hot spot where town residents gather to meet over coffee, and The Willard offers hand-tossed pies in a 19th-century tavern that is listed as historic. Antique shops like Salvage Sisters Antique Market, line the roads, and it's easy to lose track of hours here. Franklin's square contrasts its architectural beauty with buildings that have been hosting Hoosiers for many years.
Bloomington
While Bloomington may be best known as a college town and its youthful vibrancy, its courthouse square is one of Indiana's loveliest. The limestone-column Monroe County Courthouse and clock tower are the focal points of the region. The Tap, a brewery that offers dozens of craft beers, surrounds it, as does Buskirk-Chumley Theater, which offers live performances from jazz to community theater. Nick's English Hut, a 1927 institution, gives visitors a taste of IU tradition. Bloomington is more populated than other cities on this list, but its square retains its small-town feel as a place where student life and historic Indiana merge.
Noblesville
Also a bit more populated than other cities in this article, Noblesville's downtown business district revolves around Hamilton County Courthouse, a limestone structure completed in 1879. It is now ringed by an active square that has restaurants and shops filling up old buildings. Rosie's Place is also a spot for a new cinnamon roll, and Matteo's Ristorante Italiano is a spot for fine dining. At Noblesville Creates, there is a display of local artists with rotating exhibits. During the summer, live music fills the Ruoff Music Center (about 7 miles outside of town), while Noblesville itself remains a dynamic fusion of history and art.
Columbus
Modernist architecture makes Columbus famous among locals and visitors alike, but its town square brings together history and design. The 1874 Bartholomew County Courthouse dominates downtown with its brick-red tower and stands as a reminder of the town's past. Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum, founded in 1900, serves up old-fashioned sodas in a stained-glass atmosphere. The Commons, the city urban space featuring the giant Chaos I kinetic sculpture, adds a touch of modernity to the area. From courthouse steps to modern art, Columbus really does have everything a person needs.
Goshen
Downtown Goshen is anchored by the 1870s Elkhart County Courthouse and encircled by a bustling square. Goshen Theater, refurbished to its original 1907 beauty, offers concerts and plays throughout the year. A diner on Food Network — and a hometown favorite — is South Side Soda Shop, a retro diner. Art lovers visit Ignition Music Garage, a performance space and storefront that brings in touring bands. The town's artistic nature is captured in Goshen's square, where history and art meet block after block.
Greencastle
Greencastle's downtown square is home to the Putnam County Courthouse, a Second Empire-style courthouse with a large clock tower. Directly across the square, Myers' Market brings the locals in with sandwiches made with freshly cut meats. Almost Home Restaurant has been in existence since 1990, serving comfort food with a homemade twist. Music on the Square, started by DePauw University, brings live performances to the downtown area on a regular basis. Greencastle's square is one where culture, history, and cuisine blend perfectly.
Indiana's town squares show that history and community remain central to small-town life. From Madison's expansive Main Street business district to Columbus's architectural mix of new and old, each square is a story to tell. Taking in a movie at Franklin's Artcraft Theatre, indulging in ice cream at Zaharakos in Columbus, or enjoying music in Greencastle, these downtowns are the essence of Indiana's personality. Driving through them is not sightseeing — it's immersion in the traditions that have developed the Hoosier State's most charming villages.
