Ah, it’s that time of year again: time to start planning for the year ahead, including fun stuff like hiking trips, vacations, road trips, and more. We just thought we’d help you out if you happen to be looking ahead by putting together a handy-dandy list of the best small towns in Indiana (one to visit per month all year). Of course, nothing is stopping you from taking these and creating a whole small towns road trip out of ’em, and we’re not here to judge. Either way, these are some of the all-time most charming towns in Indiana worthy of addition to the new year’s itinerary:
- January - Madison
Visit Madison Indiana/Facebook The first town we’d like to highlight is one that makes for the perfect winter getaway in Indiana: the delightful little town of Madison, which truly is at its best in the winter. January is the coldest month of the year, so what better time to visit a place that simply shines when covered in snow? We think yes. Madison, IN, USA
- February - Angola
Just Will/Flickr Angola is a wonderful little town with plenty of fun things to do in the winter. While you’re here, be sure to check out Pokagon State Park. Why? Oh, nothing - it’s only the home of the epic quarter-mile-long toboggan run, which is the most awesome thing in the world. Angola, IN 46703, USA
- March - Winamac
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr The small town of Winamac, Indiana is home to just under 2,000 people, which makes it a small town by just about everyone’s standards. Don’t count it out, though: it’s situated right up along the Tippecanoe River, and it’s scenic as all get-out. There’s also a motorcycle museum, delicious local eateries, and all sorts of wonderful things to do while you’re here. Winamac, IN 46996, USA
- April - Metamora
Karen Starkey/Flickr With under 200 residents calling this beautiful little place home, Metamora is beyond perfect when it comes to those who love small towns in IN. Here, you’ll find idyllic scenery like the famed historic covered bridge, the old grist mill, and more. This is one for the history geeks: we see you. Metamora, IN 47030, USA
- May - Carmel
Scott Morris/Flickr Carmel is easily one of the most beautiful towns in Indiana, complete with luxurious inns, gourmet eateries, and some of the best shopping in the entire Midwest. Carmel feels more like Beverly Hills than Indiana, and we love it. It’s excellent for a getaway without straying too far from home. Carmel, IN, USA
- June - Beverly Shores
Tom Gill/Flickr We cannot say enough good things about Beverly Shores. This town is gorgeous and not terribly far from Carmel, and it has one very special distinction: it’s one of the only dark sky cities (okay, towns) in Indiana, and it’s as majestic at night as it is during the day. Oh, and you can’t forget the incredible views of Lake Michigan that ensure Beverly Shores feels more like a beach town than anything else. Perfect for summer! Beverly Shores, IN, USA
- July - New Harmony
christina rutz/Flickr Spend your midsummer days checking out New Harmony, a very interesting experimental town that was originally supposed to be a state-of-the-art utopia in Indiana. Human nature doesn’t exactly allow us to coexist peacefully, but it’s a nice thought, right? Check out New Harmony and get a little slice of… well, harmony… that you won’t find elsewhere. New Harmony, IN 47631, USA
- August - Versailles
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr History fans, this one’s for you. The town of Versailles is easily one of the most historic towns in Indiana, and it’s chock-full of history and historic places to check out while you’re here. It’s always intriguing to look into the past and learn where our state came from, don’t you think? We love it. Versailles, IN 47042, USA
- September - Corydon
StevenW/Flickr September calls for a visit to Corydon, which was founded in 1808, making it one of the older towns on this list. At this time of year, the trees around town are all beginning to change, and the entire town takes on a special magic that we adore. We can’t get enough of Corydon’s old buildings and historic landmarks surrounded by fall color. Corydon, IN 47112, USA
- October - Santa Claus
Santa Claus, Indiana/Facebook We figure this one might throw you for a loop, so here’s the explanation: sure, Santa Claus is quite literally famous for being the best, most magical Christmas town in Indiana, if not the entire United States. But going to Santa Claus in December is just so predictable, and besides, Santa Claus has other tricks (and treats) up its sleeve. Visit Santa Claus in October and experience it as one of the best Halloween towns in Indiana instead of during the holidays, when it’ll be crowded anyway. You will NOT regret it. Santa Claus, IN, USA
- November - Nashville
Photographer/Flickr Nashville is known for being one of the most beautiful towns in Indiana, surrounded by lush foliage and ablaze with brilliant color in the fall. Come to Nashville and experience Brown County State Park, which is often called the “most beautiful place in Indiana.” There’s nothing like camping surrounded by fall colors before everything freezes in the winter, and Nashville is the perfect place for it. Relax and enjoy. Nashville, IN 47448, USA
- December - Shipshewana
Blue Gate Restaurant & Theatre/Facebook December calls for one of the most amazing Christmas towns in Indiana, and Shipshewana does it RIGHT. It’s a cute Amish town to explore any time, but in the winter it’s simply ridiculous. It is SO outrageously beautiful covered in snow that we don’t even know where to begin. Eat at Das Dutchman Essenhaus and then explore the countryside in a horse-drawn buggy. It’s only one of the best ways to spend the holidays in Indiana. Shipshewana, IN 46565, USA
There you have it: one dozen amazing small towns in Indiana, one for every month of the coming year. Which towns are your favorites? Which towns would you have added to the list? Let us know!
Visit Madison Indiana/Facebook
The first town we’d like to highlight is one that makes for the perfect winter getaway in Indiana: the delightful little town of Madison, which truly is at its best in the winter. January is the coldest month of the year, so what better time to visit a place that simply shines when covered in snow? We think yes.
Madison, IN, USA
Just Will/Flickr
Angola is a wonderful little town with plenty of fun things to do in the winter. While you’re here, be sure to check out Pokagon State Park. Why? Oh, nothing - it’s only the home of the epic quarter-mile-long toboggan run, which is the most awesome thing in the world.
Angola, IN 46703, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
The small town of Winamac, Indiana is home to just under 2,000 people, which makes it a small town by just about everyone’s standards. Don’t count it out, though: it’s situated right up along the Tippecanoe River, and it’s scenic as all get-out. There’s also a motorcycle museum, delicious local eateries, and all sorts of wonderful things to do while you’re here.
Winamac, IN 46996, USA
Karen Starkey/Flickr
With under 200 residents calling this beautiful little place home, Metamora is beyond perfect when it comes to those who love small towns in IN. Here, you’ll find idyllic scenery like the famed historic covered bridge, the old grist mill, and more. This is one for the history geeks: we see you.
Metamora, IN 47030, USA
Scott Morris/Flickr
Carmel is easily one of the most beautiful towns in Indiana, complete with luxurious inns, gourmet eateries, and some of the best shopping in the entire Midwest. Carmel feels more like Beverly Hills than Indiana, and we love it. It’s excellent for a getaway without straying too far from home.
Carmel, IN, USA
Tom Gill/Flickr
We cannot say enough good things about Beverly Shores. This town is gorgeous and not terribly far from Carmel, and it has one very special distinction: it’s one of the only dark sky cities (okay, towns) in Indiana, and it’s as majestic at night as it is during the day. Oh, and you can’t forget the incredible views of Lake Michigan that ensure Beverly Shores feels more like a beach town than anything else. Perfect for summer!
Beverly Shores, IN, USA
christina rutz/Flickr
Spend your midsummer days checking out New Harmony, a very interesting experimental town that was originally supposed to be a state-of-the-art utopia in Indiana. Human nature doesn’t exactly allow us to coexist peacefully, but it’s a nice thought, right? Check out New Harmony and get a little slice of… well, harmony… that you won’t find elsewhere.
New Harmony, IN 47631, USA
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
History fans, this one’s for you. The town of Versailles is easily one of the most historic towns in Indiana, and it’s chock-full of history and historic places to check out while you’re here. It’s always intriguing to look into the past and learn where our state came from, don’t you think? We love it.
Versailles, IN 47042, USA
StevenW/Flickr
September calls for a visit to Corydon, which was founded in 1808, making it one of the older towns on this list. At this time of year, the trees around town are all beginning to change, and the entire town takes on a special magic that we adore. We can’t get enough of Corydon’s old buildings and historic landmarks surrounded by fall color.
Corydon, IN 47112, USA
Santa Claus, Indiana/Facebook
We figure this one might throw you for a loop, so here’s the explanation: sure, Santa Claus is quite literally famous for being the best, most magical Christmas town in Indiana, if not the entire United States. But going to Santa Claus in December is just so predictable, and besides, Santa Claus has other tricks (and treats) up its sleeve. Visit Santa Claus in October and experience it as one of the best Halloween towns in Indiana instead of during the holidays, when it’ll be crowded anyway. You will NOT regret it.
Santa Claus, IN, USA
Photographer/Flickr
Nashville is known for being one of the most beautiful towns in Indiana, surrounded by lush foliage and ablaze with brilliant color in the fall. Come to Nashville and experience Brown County State Park, which is often called the “most beautiful place in Indiana.” There’s nothing like camping surrounded by fall colors before everything freezes in the winter, and Nashville is the perfect place for it. Relax and enjoy.
Nashville, IN 47448, USA
Blue Gate Restaurant & Theatre/Facebook
December calls for one of the most amazing Christmas towns in Indiana, and Shipshewana does it RIGHT. It’s a cute Amish town to explore any time, but in the winter it’s simply ridiculous. It is SO outrageously beautiful covered in snow that we don’t even know where to begin. Eat at Das Dutchman Essenhaus and then explore the countryside in a horse-drawn buggy. It’s only one of the best ways to spend the holidays in Indiana.
Shipshewana, IN 46565, USA
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