8 Most Eccentric Towns in Indiana

When travelling to the Midwest, a small town in Indiana might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But once you leave the big cities scattered throughout the state, like Indianapolis, you'll find a great deal of towns with soul, quaintness, and some rather weird vibes. The weird vibes aren't a knock on Indiana at all. Rather, it's a point of pride and one of the appeals to visit and explore Indiana.

From the slow-paced communities to the midwestern landscape, Indiana refuses to settle on a specific category. And the rural defiance of the many small towns makes for experiences that are unlike anything you'd expect. Here are some of the most eccentric towns in Indiana.

French Lick

You already get a sense of eccentricity from a name like French Lick, but there is more to it than that. Resting in the southern part of Indiana, this town has pulled out all the stops that will leave you more amazed than anything else.

The most obvious attraction in this township is the French Lick Resort. Sitting in the rolling hills, this is the crown jewel of the town. It's the peak of luxury resorts with two nationally award-winning historic hotels, a casino, two healing mineral spas, four golf courses, and so much more, all year round. Dialing up the eccentric vibes, there's also the Wilstem Wildlife Encounters, a 1,100-acre ranch a short drive away, which has some exotic animals you would not expect, like elephants, giraffes, otters, sloths, and kangaroos. And for some deep cavern adventuring, the Marengo Cave is calling with a bit of spelunking, exploration, and camping. The Marengo Cave is by far one of the most visited natural attractions in all of Indiana, too.

Santa Claus

Continuing with the eccentric naming convention, Santa Claus takes it one step further by having holiday-themed streets, such as Melody, Jingle Bells, and December 25th lanes. There's even a nearby lake that is named Christmas Lake with shops that have displays tied to every calendar celebration. The Lincoln State Park is another prime spot with two scenic lakes, log cabins, and group cottages for camping, and 10 miles of hiking trails you can explore any time of the year. And then there is the Santa Claus Museum & Village, which keeps photos, handwritten letters, and vintage décor for you to browse through and get into the festive spirit.

Jasper

Keeping its 19th-century charm, Jasper has several buildings that have been preserved from those times. What's even more impressive is that these buildings are still in use, such as the historic Louis H. Sturm Hardware Store, which has been operating for over 130 years. There's also Newton Street's St. Joseph's Catholic Church, which predates even the hardware store, with sandstone blocks forming a bell tower and a steeple that stretches over 235 feet.

The biggest spot for recreation in Jasper is at the Patoka Lake & Recreation Area. It offers 8,800 acres of lake for you to swim, water-ski, fish, and canoe through. In addition, there is a 26,000-acre property for camping, hiking, and biking.

Corydon

Before Indianapolis became the capital, there was the town of Corydon. The original hometown of Indiana, the residents have never forgotten that and mark it as part of this small town's deep history. Regardless, Corydon has a lot to experience with antiques, crafts, collectibles, and unique experiences.

For starters, the Indiana Caverns or Squire Boone Caverns are perfect to explore, especially since these caves weirdly stay at a decent 54 degrees. Corydon's downtown area is also historically significant with its self-guided walking tour. With the historic walking tour map, it'll take you to Corydon's Square, various shops, and other public spaces that have information about the buildings. One place of particular note that you will spot during that tour is Zimmerman's Art Glass. A must-see attraction, you'll be able to see free glassblowing demonstrations and browse through unique works of art while soaking up the family business history since they first opened up in 1942.

Crawfordsville

Crawfordsville stands in defiance and pride for its weirdness in several different ways. For starters, there are over a dozen National Register of Historic Places properties that are scattered throughout the town, including the Sheriff's Residence and the Montgomery County Jail. Within those walls and through surrounding landmarks, it is filled with a gloomy prison history. For more history, there is the Lane Place, a Greek revival home of Senator Henry S. and Joanna Lane. And if you want to stretch your legs, the Sugar Creek Trail offers up to 5 miles of trail to explore. The trail also serves as a preservation for the railroads for future transportation.

Paoli

Quaint and quirky, Paoli is a place with a tight-knit community that is brimming with potential. Forming Possibilities in Paoli in 2022, the group has been revitalizing the town with bustling businesses in its downtown area. Those efforts have been paying off with quirky stores like Anything & Everything Dress Shop offering an assortment of women's fashion. Beyond the downtown area, Paoli is excellent for enjoying the outdoors, with Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest not being far. It's the last old-growth forest of its size in Indiana, with only 88 acres left of it. It has been preserved all this time, and a 1.3-mile trail is available for you to explore the area. In addition, the Paoli Peaks is an Indiana favorite, especially for skiers. With 65 acres, it's enough to offer 13 different trails to ski through. Snow also isn't much of an issue either, with the resort's snowmaking system allowing it to make 12 inches of snow overnight that can cover the entire area.

Shipshewana

A truly one-of-a-kind destination for visitors, you'll be able to see it clearly by the fact that Shipshewana is in Amish country. Filled with Amish culture, delicious foods, quality products, and friendliness await in this quaint spot. Swing by the Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park and experience an up-close, first-hand experience with the animals through a safari-style wagon ride. To learn more about the town's history, a trip to the Shipshewana Historical Society Museum is another option, with various artifacts on display and information on the town's early days and surrounding communities. And for a taste of that Amish hospitality, sitting down at Eden Meadow Banquets is a must. Family-style, home-cooked meals—they're perfect for any occasion.

New Albany

Resting alongside the Ohio River and not far from Louisville, New Albany is an eccentric town with a lot to offer. Between the creative and top-notch culinary scene, you'll find quirky shops, which the locals refer to as the "Stranger Things" of New Albany. You can already see some of that being blended in places like Leaven Bakery, a bakery that started out in two chefs' apartment after they lost their jobs during COVID. Their Rosemary Focaccia is one of their best-selling treats and a must if you decide to have breakfast or lunch there. Mickey's is a great place to unwind and enjoy traditional coffee, tea, baked goods, and plenty of books to read through. And for great souvenirs, you'll probably want to go to Regalo with its unique tongue-in-cheek gifts alongside beautiful jewelry, housewares, and kitchenware.

Uniquely Indiana

Indiana as a whole occupies a strategically significant spot in the American Midwest. It connects to where the Great Lakes commerce is, it has Eastern industry, and it's blended together with Southern landscapes. Between the history that places like Corydon carry and the natural beauty that French Lick has, it makes sense that Indiana and the small communities that are tucked in there are a little weird and eccentric. But that clearly only leads to how charming and unique these towns feel. So throw away the script, venture forth, and discover the unmistakably eccentric but uniquely electric towns of Indiana.