9 Of The Friendliest Towns In Indiana

In 2025, World Population Review ranked Indiana as the sixth friendliest state in the country. At its heart, some of its smallest towns are its friendliest, built on the foundation of tight-knit communities and welcoming neighbors. If you want to be greeted with open arms and explore some of the state’s most cheerful corners, you’ll find it in these nine towns, with holiday festivals, cozy coffee shops, and family-owned farms that celebrate the spirit of community.

Nashville

Home to the Brown County Art Colony, Nashville is a tight-knit, art-centric community filled with galleries and live music venues. The Nashville Daily Grind, for example, a local coffee shop in town, is hosting live music each Friday night throughout the fall. To experience the local art scene, stop by the Brown County Art Gallery. Established in 1926, it showcases the work of 60 community artists. There are plenty of events happening in the area throughout the year as well. Make sure to add the Brown County Christkindl Market on your calendar for December 6th and 7th, featuring festive booths, live music, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus!

Shipshewana

If you have ever wanted to learn more about Amish culture, there is no better place to do so than in Shipshewana, a friendly Amish community in northern Indiana. Travelers can begin their adventure by signing up for a buggy tour with Buggy Lane Tours, which offers several tour options, including one that features a home-cooked Amish dinner with an Amish family. Several farms in the area offer tours as well, such as Stutzman Dairy Farm, a 6th-generation Family-Owned Farm that allows you to watch cow milking and visit with some of the adorable baby animals. Don’t miss the Lighting of Shipshewana on November 8th this year, which kicks off the holiday season with a parade and other festivities.

Goshen

Goshen has developed a particularly hospitable reputation in the state for its First Friday event series. On the first Friday of every month, the town hosts a monthly downtown block party, each with a unique theme. On Friday, November 7th, the theme will be the Holiday Light Parade, showcasing a variety of lighted floats parading down Main Street. The next month, on December 5th, will be Goshen’s Hometown Holiday, which will feature a tree lighting ceremony, seasonal goodies, downtown shopping, and activities for the kids. Can’t attend one of the Friday block parties? You can still have a good time with your loved ones at Ox Bow Park, a massive county park with an archery range, disc golf, hiking trails, and more.

Santa Claus

In a town called Santa Claus, residents keep the holiday spirit alive all year long. Now is the perfect time to visit the Santa Claus Christmas Store, a warm and cheery shop selling fudge, Christmas gifts, hundreds of collectibles, nearly 8,000 ornaments, and more. As the weather gets chilly, you can pop into one of the area’s local cafes or coffee shops, such as Annie’s Ice Cream & Coffee, which serves hot and iced beverages, sundaes, shakes, and ice cream. You’ll also find plenty of kind folk at Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph, a charming RV park with spacious tent and RV sites that hosts occasional special events throughout the year.

Michigan City

Sitting along the shores of Lake Michigan, Michigan City is a relaxed lakeside community that has plenty of spots for residents and visitors to gather. Travelers can check out some of the local breweries while in town, such as Burn Em’ Brewing, which has been operating in town since 2013. When the weather is nice, you will likely spot locals at Washington Park & Beach as well, a 140-acre park featuring two miles of shoreline. The town also has its fair share of festivals! On December 6th, visitors can attend the Michigan City Festival of Lights Celebration, which includes holiday classics like a parade and a chili cook-off.

Ferdinand

Ferdinand’s calendar is filled with community-centered events and festivals, making it easy to get involved in the town’s happenings. The Ferdinand Christkindlmarkt is coming up on November 15th and 16th, offering more than 200 decorated booths with handcrafted gifts, antiques, food and wine, art, and more. Although the date has already passed this year, you can keep the Ferdinand Heimafest on your radar for next year, a summer festival with music, food, and games that aims to bring the community together. Antique lovers will appreciate a stop at the Ferdinand Antique & Emporium, an 18,000 square foot antique mall with more than 80 vendors to browse.

Madison

Madison is known for its beautiful architecture, spanning more than 133 blocks, and one of the best ways to experience it is by attending one of the town’s welcoming events. In late November and early December, the town hosts the Nights Before Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes, inviting guests to step inside historic residences graciously opened to the public. Although not architecture-related, the MadHop Music Festival is coming up on November 7th and 8th, offering music at seven indoor stages over the course of the two days. If the house touring or festival attending has made you hungry, grab a bite at Mad Love Eat & Drink, a friendly restaurant that serves sandwiches, steaks, mac n cheese, and other mouthwatering dishes.

Vincennes

As the state’s oldest continually inhabited European settlement, Vincennes is often discussed for its history. However, it also has an impressively lively art and culinary scene to check out. Between March and December, the town holds a monthly First Friday Art Walk, giving local artists and galleries a chance to showcase their paintings, pottery, sculptures, and jewelry to the public. Art Space Vincennes is a great spot to check out art regardless of the time of your visit, exhibiting contemporary fine art from both national and international artists. The restaurants in town are equally as extensive, with one highlight including The Café Moonlight, which serves elegant dishes like duck breast, stuffed pork, and chicken parmesan.

New Harmony

Founded in 1814, New Harmony is a small, walkable village that was once home to two early Utopian societies. Today, it continues to reflect that spirit of cooperation through its many local businesses and festivals. Each September, the town throws Kunstfest, an annual celebration of German heritage and art, bringing in over 300 vendors and plenty of German culinary favorites. This season is perfect for cozying up with a coffee at Black Lodge Coffee Roasters, a local spot that opened in 2016 inside a historic building dating back to 1825. If you are looking for a warm place to spend the night, you won’t find much better hospitality than that at the New Harmony Inn Resort, which has an onsite restaurant, complimentary bicycles to use, walking trails, and more.

The Perfect Time For A Friendly Getaway

As the weather gets colder and the days get darker, you might be feeling those late fall or early winter blues set in. So what better time to take a little weekend trip out to one of these friendly towns for a warm respite? Community art walks, Christmas-themed shops, and local breweries are just a few of the attractions that await. Your spirits will almost certainly be lifted by the end of your trip!