The 7 Can't-Miss Towns In Indiana
Spanning more than 36,000 square miles, Indiana is over twice the size of Denmark, providing travelers with plenty of ground to cover. In the state’s north, you will find lakeside communities along Lake Michigan, while other regions offer Amish culture and historic landmarks that rival those in Washington DC. No matter what kind of adventure you are looking for, these seven towns deserve a top spot on your itinerary as you plan your next trip.
Michigan City
Located along the southern shores of Lake Michigan, Michigan City is the perfect destination to beat the summer heat. Travelers can enjoy an afternoon swimming at Washington Park Beach, which covers 140 acres and features two miles of pristine beach. The park is also home to the state’s only operational lighthouse! From July 18th to 20th, the town will also host the 4th annual Singing Sands Sand Sculpting Festival in Washington Park, where talented artists will compete to create the most impressive sand sculptures. Slightly east of the beach, visitors should make sure to visit the Friendship Botanic Gardens, a massive, biodiverse green space that offers over three miles of hiking trails, a creek for trout and salmon fishing, a children’s garden, and lots of spots to birdwatch.
Shipshewana
Shipshewana is located in LaGrange County, which has the third-largest Amish population in the United States. Travelers can kick their Amish experience off with a buggy ride from Buggy Lane Tours. This tour agency offers a variety of buggy experiences, from a brief seven-minute ride around town to a more extensive two-hour tour that includes a visit to a local horse and dairy farm. Travelers interested in exploring more of this farm life can spend an afternoon at the Stutzman Dairy Farm, a sixth-generation, family-owned working dairy farm, where guests can meet and feed the animals, tour a garden, and maybe even kiss a pig! To conclude the day, grab a bite at the Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery, a beloved restaurant that serves Amish homestyle meals.
Ferdinand
Located near the Ferdinand State Forest and Patoka Lake, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation in Ferdinand. Travelers can easily spend a day exploring the Ferdinand State Forest, a 900-acre preserve that is popular for camping, fishing, and picnicking. Patoka Lake is also just a little over a half-hour drive from town, an 8,800-acre lake that is home to bald eagle nests and freshwater jellyfish. In addition to swimming and boating, lake visitors can enjoy a variety of hiking trails in the area. Heading back into town, make sure to stop by Traditional Arts Today, a local art gallery that hosts occasional art classes throughout the year.
Vincennes
Vincennes is filled with historic landmarks, making it the perfect travel destination for history fanatics. Travelers can begin their visit at the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, home to the largest national monument outside Washington, DC, a giant granite memorial honoring the conquest of the Old Northwest Territory. Afterward, head over to William Henry Harrison's Grouseland, the former home of the ninth US president, Harrison, which dates back to the early 19th century. Meanwhile, the Indiana Military Museum features a wide range of exhibits showcasing artifacts from the Civil War, both World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and other significant conflicts. Aircraft, tanks, artillery, uniforms, and battlefield relics are a few of the pieces you will be able to view.
Goshen
Home to just under 35,000 residents, Goshen hosts an exciting calendar of events throughout the year. On the first Friday of each month, the town hosts its “First Friday” series, a free event series open to the entire community. Upcoming festivities include the Goshen Games in August, featuring pickleball and cornhole tournaments, and the Bexbach Bash in September, Goshen’s take on Oktoberfest. The Riverbend Film Festival, hosted downtown, is at the end of August as well and features three days of movie screenings, filmmaker panels, mixers, and special guests. If you are looking for a place to stay during one of Goshen’s events, the Inn on South Fifth is a great option, a local inn in the downtown district that is set in an 1887 brick house.
Porter
About 20 minutes west of Michigan City, travelers will reach Porter, best known for the famous Indiana Dunes National Park. Here, travelers will find more than 50 miles of trails that wind through rolling sand dunes, prairies, wetlands, and woodlands. The park's 15,000+ acres are also incredibly biodiverse, home to over 350 species of birds and 1,100 flowering plant species. After exploring all that the dunes have to offer, travelers can head back into town, where they can grab a bite to eat at the Village Tavern, which serves mouthwatering, half-pound burgers, tender tibs, and homemade soups. For a friendly game of disc golf, travelers can check out the Hawthorne Park Disc Golf Course, a short, nine-hole course in the town’s northeast.
Madison
Situated along the banks of the Ohio River, the river town of Madison offers travelers the chance to slow down and connect with nature. Clifty Falls State Park sits in the northwestern part of town and features waterfalls that change in appearance with the seasons. After heavy rain, they often roar with power, while in winter, you may be greeted by frozen cascades. Throughout the year, travelers can catch an event at Bicentennial Park, which frequently hosts live music, movies, and food fests by the water. To relax on a weekend afternoon, grab a glass of wine at the Lanthier Winery, one of the state’s oldest wineries and distilleries that offers tastings in its cellar tasting room.
Final Thoughts
Indiana is home to an impressively diverse range of small towns, but these seven are a great place to start. Indiana Dunes National Park, Clifty Falls State Park, independent film festivals, and local Amish buggy tours and farms are a few of the attractions that await. All you have to do is pick the town that stands out to you the most and get ready to have a great time this summer!
