These 11 Towns In Indiana Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2026

The top-ranked Indiana towns stand out for how many surprises lie just beneath the surface (or in plain sight in some cases). In these communities, visitors can find a series of futuristic 1930s buildings on the shores of Lake Michigan, a 19th-century inn hidden in the forest, and a Christmas-themed village next to a Presidential home. These Indiana towns ranked among the US favorites in 2026 for these and many other surprising sites.

Madison

Madison regularly stands out as a town for history buffs, as it has the longest continuous historic district in the state at 133 blocks. These structures reflect all aspects of 19th-century Hoosier life, from successful business ventures during the Industrial Revolution to anti-slavery efforts in the state. A few of the notable sites are St. Michael the Archangel, the oldest Gothic Revival structure in Indiana, constructed in 1839; Historic Eleutherian College, founded in 1848 by the Neil’s Creek Anti-Slavery Society, with its three-story stone building constructed between 1853 and 1856; and the Schroeder Saddletree Factory Museum, which produced parts for horse saddles. After touring these houses, visitors can go for a hike through Clifty Falls State Park, best known for its 4 waterfalls, visible via the 4 Falls Challenge.

Santa Claus

Santa Claus is a place where every day is a holiday. According to a local legend, town officials chose the name after children claimed they heard Santa Claus' bells outside of the town church. Holiday World & Splashin' Safari taps into this festive energy with wooden roller coasters, water rides, and free soft drinks for all guests. Visitors can discover plenty of hidden gems in Santa Claus as well, like the Historic Santa Claus Museum & Village, with many of the original town buildings still in place, including the 1856 post office, where children can send letters to St. Nick. Santa Claus is also a short drive away from the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, the site of Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home in Indiana.

Auburn

Indiana is known as the Crossroads of America due to the many roads that go through it. Auburn celebrates this open-road experience through its multitude of classic-car museums, which point back to its role as an early automotive manufacturing hub in the early 1900s. The Auburn Automobile Company was the first manufacturer in town, and today it is the home of the National Auto & Truck Museum, which tells the history of automobiles in the US, including the first Four Wheel Drive car in the country: the L-29 Cord. Visitors can also see vintage cars up close at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, with vehicles from the 1890s to the 1990s. For those with a special interest in early Ford, the Early Ford V-8 Museum focuses exclusively on Ford cars made between 1932 and 1953.

Nashville

Nashville is popular not just because it shares the name of the city in Tennessee, but also because of its beautiful hills. The region was missed by melting glaciers during the last ice age, so it still has many rolling hills and ravines, which are accessible from the Brown County State Park. In this park, hikers can explore cliffs, fish at Strahl Lake, or take photos of the state-threatened Yellowwood Tree. One of the most unusual sites in the park is the Story Inn, a 19th-century hotel that has been called the World's Most Inconvenient Inn. All of this nature has inspired many local artists, which is why downtown Nashville has so many art galleries, including the Brown County Art Gallery, which displays paintings from T.C. Steele and other local painters.

Winona Lake

Winona Lake stands out for how much one can do on the shores of its lake. Children can enjoy a splash pad while couples relax at the beach at the Winona Lake Limitless Park. Boating is one of the most popular activities here, both on the lake and in the creeks feeding into it. One way to get a boat is to purchase one from The Lakehouse store at the Village at Winona. This outdoor outlet sits in a historic neighborhood on the boardwalk by the lake, which makes it a popular walking spot. The Heritage Trail is the primary hiking and biking trail in Winona Lake, following the lake's shore through the woods and past sculptures that represent the town's history and Christian themes, such as the Biblical Beatitudes. The community served as the base for famed travelling preacher Billy Sunday, and his home today is the Billy Sunday Home Museum.

Vincennes

Vincennes's biggest claim to fame is its status as the oldest town founded in Indiana, established by French fur traders in 1732. The Americans would officially conquer the town during the Siege of Vincennes in 1779 during the American Revolutionary War, and they would make it the capital of the Northwest Territory. Today, this town contains many historic landmarks, ranging from the largest monument west of Washington, DC, at theGeorgee Rogers Clark National Historical Park and Grouseland, the mansion home of territorial Governor and future President William Henry Harrison. Vincennes also preserves the history of the Indiana military at the Indiana Military Museum and the skits and comedy of American comic Red Skelton at the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy.

French Lick

French Lick regularly ranks among the top 3-day weekend destinations in Indiana, thanks to its hotels alone. Ever since mineral water was discovered here in the late 19th century, it has been a major resort town. To accommodate these guests, French Lick is close to one of the most stunning hotels in the US: The West Baden Springs Hotel. With its four towers and 200-foot freestanding dome over an atrium, it was once called one of the wonders of the modern world. Other than this stunning hotel, visitors can learn about French Lick's famous residents, including Mafia mobsters and NBA legend Larry Bird, at the French Lick West Baden Museum, or go out for a lakeside day of relaxation at the nearby Patoka Lake State Park. For those who prefer great outdoor scenery without working up a sweat, the French Lick Scenic Railway provides rides through the Hoosier National Forest.

Franklin

Franklin stands out both for its location and its upbeat culture that can turn any occasion into a big celebration. It's a half-hour drive south of Indianapolis, and is known as Festival Country for the number and variety of events that bring in all manner of people to its downtown. In June, for example, local artists compete in 20-minute rounds to paint the best masterpiece for the Canvas Clash, while in September, the town brings together beer and wine connoisseurs for the Hops & Vines Festival. Franklin invests heavily in its local artisans, especially during the Fall Vintage & Handmade Fest in October, when vendors sell antiques and crafts to visitors and residents alike. For year-round activities, go hiking by cute waterfalls at Province Park or learn about the historic and prehistoric tales of the region at the Johnson County Museum of History.

Angola

Much like Winona Lake, Angola is a popular lakeside destination in Indiana, as Steuben County, which includes it, has more than 100 lakes. Of these, Lake James is the most popular, located at the Pokagon State Park. Unlike other lakeside parks, Pokagon remains just as busy in winter as in summer, as park authorities open a refrigerated toboggan course that can reach top speeds of 40 miles per hour. It operates even when it isn't snowing. Around the region are several cute nature reserves, such as the McClue Nature Preserve with trails through forests and marshlands. Angolais also ranked highly for its town square, with the 1917 Steuben County Soldiers' Monument towering above in the center. This monument was raised to honor the 1,278 men of Steuben County who served the Union Army in the American Civil War. Around the monument are several shops and restaurants, such as the Monument Pizza Pub.

Beverly Shores

Beverly Shores sits on Lake Michigan's shore, the second-largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the only one completely contained within the United States. What makes this shoreline stand out is the number of dunes found all around Beverly Shores in Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park. The largest dune is Mount Baldy, a 120-foot-tall natural feature that has been slowly moving across the surface due to wind conditions. Hikers can go up all three of the highest dunes in the area via the 3 Dune Challenge. Beverly Shores is also an ideal place to get out onto the freshwater beach at Kemil Beach or to check out the unusual 1933 Chicago World's Fair's Century of Progress Homes. These homes were built with what was then a futuristic design, but today showcase a quirky vintage futurism.

Corydon

Corydon is similar to Madison and Vincennes in its deep historical roots. What makes Corydon unique is its role in Indiana's early years as a state: it served as the state capital from 1816 to 1825, when the capital was moved north to Indianapolis. Because of this heritage, Corydon feels like stepping into a bygone era, especially at the Corydon Capitol State Historic Site. Here, one can tour the Federal-style limestone Capitol Building itself, along with Governor Hendricks’ Headquarters, the 1817 brick home and office of Indiana’s third governor, William Hendricks. Corydon was also the site of Indiana's only American Civil War battle when Confederate General John Hunt Morgan raided the area. That history is told at the Battle of Corydon Park. Lastly, visitors can go deep beneath the town at Indiana Caverns, with cave tours, ziplining, and an underground boat ride.

These Indiana Towns are Ranked Among Its Favorites

Visitors to these towns will easily find enough activities to fill a day-trip itinerary or an entire 3-day weekend, which is one of the key reasons they are so highly ranked. In Madison, one can choose between touring all of the historic homes and factories or hiking through the waterfalls, while in Auburn, car lovers can take their time appreciating all aspects of Hoosier automobile history. Other towns are ideal for fall or winter retreats, such as Angola's thrilling toboggan rides in the winter or Franklin's thriving fall festivals. Just remember to set aside some time to capture all that these top Indiana towns have to offer.