Top 9 Indiana Towns To Visit In 2026
If you’re craving a fun 2026 getaway, Indiana’s small towns offer a surprising variety, from Amish-rooted downtowns to Christmas attractions, historic resort hotels, and striking scenery. Madison sets the tone with its beautiful architecture and scenic setting along the Ohio River. If you’re after something more playful, Santa Claus adds a festive twist with year-round holiday spirit and family-friendly attractions. These towns offer just a glimpse of the variety on this list, and whether you’re planning a quick road trip or a full weekend away, these nine Indiana towns are filled with history, character, and plenty of reasons to visit in 2026!
Madison
Madison is renowned for having one of the largest historical districts in the United States, with 133 blocks of beautiful architecture from the 1800s and beyond. Many of these structures are also open for tours, which makes it an ideal place for history buffs to spend a day or weekend. These include the Historic Eleutherian College, founded by an anti-slavery society in the 1850s, or the serene Lainer Mansion, a Greek Revival mansion surrounded by a rich garden. Nature lovers will also have a lot to enjoy in Madison.
Clifty Falls State Park is a beautiful place to visit, with four stunning waterfalls cascading over limestone cliffs and a variety of hiking trails to enjoy. Just nearby, at Hanover College, visitors can take in the breathtaking view of the Point of the three bends in the Ohio River. If you're interested in local produce, be sure to check out Madison, home to one of the state's oldest farmers markets—it’s a delightful spot to browse and taste fresh, delicious goods.
Angola
Located in Steuben County, Angola is very proud of its history of military service. During the American Civil War, Steuben County sent more men per capita to serve in the Union Army than any other county in Indiana. Today, Angola has a variety of attractions that will fit any traveler's preferences. Historic building buffs will appreciate the Old Steuben County Jail, built in 1877 with a unique mixture of architectural styles and looks more like a mansion than a jail.
Winter sports fans will really enjoy Pokagon State Park, especially the refrigerated toboggan run that's open from Thanksgiving through February. The park also offers a charming nature center, fun horse rides, scenic hiking trails, and beautiful beaches along Lake James. For racing enthusiasts, the 3/8 mile Angola Motorsport Speedway is a must-visit, and art lovers will appreciate the impressive collection of works by over 20 regional and local artists at The Gallery in downtown Angola.
Shipshewana
Shipshewana is a charming little town with just over 850 residents, but it's bursting with character. One of its main highlights is having one of the largest Amish communities in the United States, making it a wonderful place for anyone seeking a peaceful rural getaway. Visitors can enjoy a variety of Amish experiences, from fun buggy rides and delicious home-cooked meals at the Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery to exploring Amish life at the Menno-Hof interpretative center.
Beyond these attractions, Shipshewana has the biggest flea market in Indiana at the Shipshewana Trading Place Flea Market. Hikers can explore this rural landscape on foot with the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, which connects the community with the nearby towns of Goshen and Middlebury.
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is a delightful town in Indiana that visitors shouldn't miss. It boasts the fantastic Holiday World & Splashin Safari, the top amusement park in the state, where thrill-seekers can enjoy exciting wooden roller coasters, along with free soft drinks and sunscreen—making a day here even more fun. The town radiates a joyful holiday spirit with charming Christmas stores and attractions, like the Santa Claus Christmas Store, which offers holiday goodies all year round, and the Santa Claus Museum & Village, rich with history. Plus, its close proximity to the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial gives visitors a special chance to explore where Abraham Lincoln grew up, along with a Pioneer Village & Museum featuring live reenactments that bring early 1800s life in the Hoosier wilderness to life.
New Albany
New Albany is one of the oldest cities in the state, and it grew to become Indiana's most populated area by the mid-1800s. Since then, it has kept its charming river town vibe, with attractions like a stunning mansion row, lively festivals, scenic river walks, and more. The highlight is the Culbertson Mansion, a beautiful late 1800s Second French Imperial-style home that offers tours and even a spooky haunted house during Halloween. Visitors can also explore more about New Albany's fascinating history, including its important role in the Underground Railroad, at the Floyd County Carnegie Library Cultural Arts Center.
New Albany has one of the best river walks in the state, the Greenway Trail, which runs for seven miles from New Albany to Jeffersonville and across the river to Louisville. Lastly, visitors will definitely want to come back in October for New Albany's annual Harvest Homecoming festival.
Vincennes
Vincennes is the oldest founded town in Indiana by a long shot, as it served as a fort for French explorers in 1732. It would later pass under British control and become the capital of the Northwest Territory.
Vincennes is a wonderful place to discover some of Indiana's most fascinating historical attractions. You can visit the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, which proudly features the largest national monument west of Washington D.C. Don't miss exploring Grouseland, the charming 1803 home of Indiana Territorial Governor and the 9th U.S. President William Henry Harrison, who sadly passed away early during his presidency after falling ill. The town also offers two fantastic museums: the Indiana Military Museum, where you can see artifacts spanning from the Civil War to today, and the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy, which highlights the joyful career and humor of Red Skelton.
Porter
Porter often ranks as one of the top places to visit in Indiana—mainly because it’s home to the beautiful Indiana Dunes National Park. These dunes are actually the ancient shoreline of Lake Michigan, which receded thousands of years ago. Hikers love exploring this fascinating area along trails like the Calumet Dunes Trail, Glenwood Dunes Trail, or the Cowles Bog Trail, which winds through marshes, swamps, and savannas. When exploring the park, you’ll also come across some intriguing architecture, including houses from the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago that were moved here, like the Cypress House, the Florida Tropical, and others. And of course, don’t forget to relax at the West Beach, where you can enjoy the stunning, crystal-clear waters of Lake Michigan.
French Lick
Vacations are often about relaxing at a hotel after a busy day, but in French Lick, the hotels are so special, they become part of the adventure themselves. The West Baden Springs Hotel, built in 1901, was once celebrated as a wonder of the world, thanks to its magnificent 200-foot dome — the largest in the world until 1913 and the biggest in the U.S. until 1955. This historic museum and the French Lick Springs Hotel once attracted visitors eager to enjoy natural spring waters or indulge in some mischievous fun with the Mafia. Today, you can explore this fascinating history at the French Lick West Baden Museum, which showcases everything from Pluto Water and the world's largest circus diorama to many other exciting exhibits. French Lick offers a delightful mix of family-friendly activities, like indoor karting, scenic railway rides through Hoosier National Forest, and visits to charming spots like the French Lick Winery. There truly is something for everyone in this welcoming and lively resort town.
Nashville
Don't let the name fool you. This small town isn't the big city in Tennessee; it's a Hoosier classic. Nashville, Indiana, is a cutesy art town located in the backdrop of picturesque rolling hills. The town's crown jewel is the Brown County State Park, which has been nicknamed the Little Smokies due to its resemblance to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in Tennessee. There are more than 18 miles of hiking trails and 30 miles of mountain biking trails to explore, along with Ogle Lake and Strahl Lake for water activities. In the downtown area, Nashville has an entire artists colony where several local artists display and sell their wares, such as at Spears Gallery and Eli's Gallery and Framery.
Indiana offers a wonderful array of opportunities for travel and discovery. Its rich history means you can visit acclaimed mansions and the simple homes of Presidents. Midwestern travelers will love exploring the stunning waterfalls of Madison, the rolling hills of Nashville, or the charming Amish countryside of Shipshewana. Artists and art enthusiasts will find endless inspiration in the natural beauty and quaint art shops of these small towns. Visiting these nine charming towns truly shows why Hoosiers are so proud of their state.
