The 10 Friendliest Little Towns In Indiana
The Midwestern state of Indiana has an understated reputation for friendliness. The residents of its many cute towns are happy to greet visitors with warm accommodations and fun activities. Even though these towns are tiny, visitors can discover big attractions such as family-owned amusement parks, old state capital buildings, magnificent hotels, and even utopian communities. These towns also love to see their neighbors and meet new folks at festivals and local events all year long. Here are 10 of the friendliest little Indiana towns you will definitely want to check out.
Nashville
Nashville is a stunning small town surrounded by natural beauty. Its cute downtown area draws visitors year round due to its artists colony and friendly locally owned shops. The biggest attraction in Nashville is the Brown County State Park, which has often been compared to the Great Smoky Mountains due to its magnificent hills. There's horse riding trails, biking trails, a saddle barn, hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor activities here. In downtown Nashville, there are many cute boutiques like the Sora Binti Boutique or Foxfire Boutique for clothes and accessories. Nashville regularly hosts fun events like Jammin' in the Woods: A Women's Jam Weekend in May and Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Festival in June in nearby Morgantown. Lastly, before you leave Nashville, make sure to explore Story Inn located in the Brown County State Park. This inn has a reputation for being the world's most inconvenient inn due to being located next to a ghost town!
Corydon
Corydon's residents are proud of their town's history and heritage. After all, not everyone can claim that their town used to be the state capital. In Indiana's early days, Corydon was the state capital from 1816 to 1825. Today, just shy of 3,200 people live here, but there's plenty of historic places to explore here. For example, there's the Corydon State Capital Historic Site itself, which includes the capital building, Governor Hendrick's Headquarters from 1816, and the site of the only Civil War battle fought in Indiana. Visitors can also explore the underground history of Corydon at the Indiana Caverns, which offers a phenomenal boat ride through an underground river. Speaking of the outdoors, paddleboaters will want to attend the Paddle Fest event held in June, where you can drift down the Blue River and enjoy music and food trucks at a campsite.
Shipshewana
Shipshewana has one of the largest Amish communities in America. Even though Amish are known for a more reclusive lifestyle, Shipshewana is still a deeply friendly little community that invites visitors to learn and try out new experiences. For example, try out a home-cooked Amish meal at the Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery, learn about the Amish lifestyle at the Menno-Hof Interpretive Center, or see American bison at Cook's Bison Ranch. Hikers can also explore nearby communities on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, which runs for 17 miles across a gentle rural landscape. For a fun event to attend, listen to a local storyteller at The Kingsbury Storytellers Club, which runs the last Thursday of every month.
Ferdinand
Located closeby to Jasper, Ferdinand is a beautiful community that was established in the mid 1800s by central-European immigrants. Catholic communities in particular laid deep roots in Ferdinand, which is reflected in the beautiful Monastery of the Immaculate Conception run by the Sisters of St. Benedict. Visitors will love touring the interior, the gardens, and trying out beer at the St. Benedicts Brew Works, the only brewery in the U.S. located in a monastery. There's a great deal of outdoor beauty in Ferdinand including Ferdinand State Park and 18th Street Park. Ferdinand is also a lovely arts community, which you can see at Traditional Arts Today. For a fun event to attend, visit the Heimatfest, which has food booths, BBQ, live music, and more.
French Lick
French Lick is one of Indiana's most charming hidden gems. During the 1800s, its natural mineral waters were highly sought after for their curative value. As a result, several hotels sprung up around the area, of which the most fantastic is the West Baden Springs Hotel. At one time, this hotel's atrium was the largest in the world, although it is still breathtaking to see in person. French Lick has a few other intriguing attractions such as the French Lick West Baden Museum, which has artifacts on basketball legend Larry Bird who grew up in French Lick, and the French Lick Scenic Railway which goes through the Hoosier National Forest. There are a number of special events to attend, but one that's great for meeting new people is Wine & Canvas, which is held at West Baden Springs Hotel. Here you can enjoy wine, conversation, and learn how to paint!
New Harmony
Out of all the friendly towns on this list, New Harmony has the most interesting history. A religious sect called the Harmonists moved here in 1814 as part an effort to establish the perfect society free of sin. They later sold the town off to Robert Owen, leader of the Owenites, who aimed to create a utopia governed by science, tolerance, and other progressive values. Today, this town welcomes visitors with attractions that pay homage to these utopian communities such as the relaxing privet hedge Harmonist Labrinth, the serene Roofless Church, and the Atheneum Visitor's Center, which hosts tours of historic buildings and sites. If you come visit during September, you can enjoy their three day long Kunstfest, featuring German food, arts, crafts, and more.
Winona Lake
Indiana has its fair share of lake towns, and one of the very best is Winona Lake. This small town of just under 5,100 residents has a gorgeous village vibe centered around the lake itself. At Winona Lake Park, swimmers can dive into the waters, while paddleboards and kayakers can go to the Lake House. The lake has plenty of fishing spots as well, where Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and others are available to catch. Within the village itself, there are a variety of fun marketplaces and boutiques such as the Canal Street Market and Winona Mercantile. If jazz is your cup of tea, make sure to visit on July 26th for the Jazz Festival at the Winona Heritage Room.
Aurora
This Ohio River town was first incorporated in 1845, and has a distinct historical flair amid locally owned diners and amenities. Just off of the Main Street of Aurora, one can explore the majestic Hillforest Victorian House Museum. This 1855 Italian Renaissance style mansion has regular tours starting in April of beautifully decorated Victorian rooms, clothing, and photographs. Visitors can enjoy a riverside stroll at Lesko Park or grab a meal from the local Aurora Diner. If you are willing to go for a quick drive up the river, you can visit the Veraestau Historic Site, an 1810 house constructed by early settler Jesse Holman, who would later serve on the Indiana Supreme Court. No visit to Aurora would be complete without attending a local festival. One of the best ones is the Aurora Farmers Fair, a delightful fall festival held from October 2 to 5.
Angola
Some of the friendliest places are also the prettiest. This is certainly the case in Angola. Located in Steuben County, the entire area is famous for its more than 101 lakes. One of the most beautiful lakes is Lake James, which you can visit at Pokagon State Park. The park has gentle beaches, hiking trails, and even a refrigerated toboggan ride, which runs from Black Friday to the end of February. Within the town limits, you an explore a corn maze at Ridenour Acres or enjoy a thrilling race at the Angola Motorsport Speedway, a 3/8 mile asphalt track. If you're looking for a fun event to meet locals while enjoying great food, attend Food Truck Fridays held from June to September.
Santa Claus
This is a fun and festive town that always knows how to have a good time. Santa Claus celebrates Christmas all year long with attractions like the Santa Claus Museum & Village, where you can send a letter to Santa in a historic post office, and the Santa Claus Christmas Store, which sells cookies, fudge, decorations, and other Holiday treats. You can celebrate Christmas early with the Christmas in July Craft Fair held on July 12 at the museum. The biggest attraction in Santa Claus is the Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, a locally owned amusement park with world-renowned wooden roller coasters like The Raven and The Legend. Before you leave, don't forget to visit Abraham Lincoln's Boyhood Home, where he spent his formative years in the nearby community of Lincoln City.
Friendly people love going out for a fun excursion, and there are plenty of those to be had in these little towns. Despite their small populations(all under 10,000 people), there's so much to experience in these towns. From musical festivals in Nashville to watching a race in Angola, visitors will never get bored. Those who want a quieter experience can get lost in the labyrinths of New Harmony or explore Ferdinand's beautiful monasteries. The next time you're in Indiana, give these towns a visit. You may even make a friend while you're there!
