These 9 Towns Are Indiana's Best-Kept Secret

Indiana’s small towns often fly under the state’s tourist radar, which favors bigger attractions like Indianapolis, South Bend, and Lake Michigan beaches. These communities are usually easy to reach yet largely overlooked because they are small, quiet, and unassuming on the surface. They require a willingness to slow your pace, to park and walk, to linger for coffee, to talk with a shop owner, and to notice detail. Their relative obscurity means fewer crowds, more genuine encounters, and discoveries that feel unexpected instead of manufactured. Read on for profiles of nine small Indiana towns that fit the bill as best-kept secrets.

Nashville

Nashville is an artists’ town set among rolling, oak-covered hills that draw painters, woodworkers, and gallery owners. The town is known locally as the center of the Brown County Art Colony, but larger Midwestern arts destinations attract far more tourist attention. Stroll the compact downtown and you will find many independently owned galleries and cafes. The Brown County Art Gallery hosts rotating shows and a shop full of local works. The T.C. Steele State Historic Site preserves the studio and landscape of Indiana's most famous landscape painter. For nature, the Brown County State Park North Lookout Tower offers sweeping views of the surrounding hillsides. Last but not least, the Nashville House Restaurant is a historic eatery known for fried biscuits with apple butter and Hoosier comfort food.

Shipshewana

Shipshewana is a northeastern Indiana enclave whose name is locally synonymous with Amish country markets and quiet farmland. The Shipshewana Flea Market and Auction is a sprawling event every May through October where antiques, quilts, and Amish wares draw bargain hunters. To learn more about the area’s agricultural settlers, the Menno-Hof Museum offers thoughtful context on Anabaptist history and community life in the region. For food and local flavor, the Blue Gate Restaurant is the place for hearty Amish-style meals and fresh pies. Finally, the Davis Mercantile is a four-story shopping destination featuring quilt shops, toy stores, and a hand-carved carousel that appeals to families.

New Harmony

New Harmony was founded as a utopian experiment in communal living during the early 1800s, on the bones of a German Christian settlement, and its carefully preserved streets and structures give it the look and feel of a living history museum. Start your visit at the strikingly modern Atheneum Visitor Center, an architectural gem with exhibits and planning resources for walking the town. The New Harmony Historic District contains preserved houses and gardens from both the Harmonist Society and the subsequent Owenite utopian experiment. For quiet reflection, the Roofless Church is a striking open-air sanctuary with stone walls and sky above. Make sure to set aside time to visit Paul Tillich Park, a contemplative green space dotted with quotations from the theologian who once lived here.

French Lick

French Lick surprises many visitors with its grand hotels, soothing mineral springs, and longstanding resort history, all tucked into the southern Indiana hills rather than a beachfront or a big city. The French Lick Springs Hotel is a restored Beaux Arts resort with a storied past and opulent public rooms. Nearby, the West Baden Springs Hotel, with its extraordinary domed atrium, is an awe-inspiring example of early 20th-century resort architecture. Outdoor lovers should explore the French Lick Scenic Railway, which runs themed excursions through 25 miles of wooded hills that explode with color in autumn. For a taste of local vintages grown on the rolling hills, stop at the French Lick Winery, which pairs tastings with a café menu and gift shop.

Rising Sun

Rising Sun sits on the Ohio River and features a compact, historic downtown and lovely water views that rival any river town in Indiana. Yet Rising Sun is overshadowed by river towns like Madison, so its waterside charm often slips under the radar. The Rising Star Casino and Resort brings unexpected nightlife and dining to a small riverside town. For those interested in Rising Sun’s past, the Ohio County Historical Museum houses riverboat artifacts, horse-drawn vehicles, and regional history exhibits. While plenty of spots around town have fantastic views, the Riverfront Park and Amphitheater is ideal for sunsets, birding, and river watching. And do not miss the Rising Sun Marketplace, a downtown home for more than 50 vendors, including a well-loved bakery.

Vevay

Vevay is a Swiss-flavored river town that is a quiet discovery off the major highways and interstates, loved by knowledgeable travelers yet still underrated compared to some of the larger Ohio River towns. Visit the Switzerland County Historical Museum to learn about the town's founding and trade on the river. The Paul Ogle Riverfront Park provides calm river views and picnic spots along the water. The Swiss Wine Festival, held annually in late summer, celebrates the region’s historic vineyards and includes parades, tastings, and cultural events. The Ridge Winery near Vevay continues the region’s long wine tradition with local vintages and relaxed hospitality.

Culver

Culver is a waterfront community next to Lake Maxinkuckee that attracts plenty of families and boaters in summertime, yet its year-round charms remain hidden to many travelers, even some of those who have been there during summer. Culver Park and Beach is the classic summertime spot, with swimming and boating on the lake and lots of family-friendly amenities. But consider taking a pontoon boat out on the lake in the fall to soak in the beautiful fall foliage. Or, enjoy a springtime stroll among the blooming trees and shrubs on the historic Culver Academies campus, which is highly walkable and full of architectural charm. Even the middle of winter is a great time to visit, with February’s Culver Winterfest offering sledding, ice carving, and tons of community spirit.

Ligonier

While its small size and somewhat remote location about halfway between Fort Wayne and South Bend tend to keep it out of regional travel guides, Ligonier has a strong community identity exemplified by its attractive downtown and its long tradition of local manufacturing. The photogenic Ligonier Antique Clock is the classic meeting spot for a stroll through the compact and quaint downtown, home to local shops and eateries. For some exercise and education at the same time, the Strawberry Valley Cultural Trail offers a walking and biking path lined with interpretive panels and public art. Kenney Park is another great outdoor space, home to trails, picnic spots, and more. Do not miss the final year of Fashion Farm's Fantasy Pumpkinland in October, a seasonal attraction that has entertained families for decades with mazes and hay rides.

Tell City

Vevay is not the only underrated, Swiss-influenced gem in Indiana! Tell City is a riverside community with a scenic bluffside setting that tends to get lost in the shuffle among the many beautiful Ohio River towns and cities located in the area. The Tell City Riverwalk provides panoramic views and a pleasant place for an afternoon stroll. To catch up on the town’s distinctive past, the Tell City Historical Society Museum showcases local industry, shipbuilding, and immigrant stories. Any architectural tour of Tell City should start at the red brick Perry County Courthouse, built in 1896 with Gothic and Romanesque influences. Each August, the town celebrates its Swiss connections with the Tell City Schweizer Fest, featuring food, music, and folk traditions that honor the community’s founding.

Indiana’s Hidden Corners

For the traveler who prefers conversation over crowds, craftwork over mass production, and local festivals over packaged tourism, these nine Indiana towns offer discovery after discovery. Whether you come for art and fall color in Nashville, markets and Amish craft in Shipshewana, utopian history in New Harmony, or mineral spring grandeur in French Lick, each town delivers an authentic travel experience. Despite the added notoriety of being on a list like this one, these nine communities are likely to remain well-kept secrets for years to come, best appreciated by those who prefer an afternoon of wandering to a checklist of attractions.