8 Best Downtowns In Indiana
Indiana is known for cars, both due to its Indy 500 race and the fact that so many roads cross through it. However, there are also many small towns in Indiana that are perfect for getting out and exploring downtown on foot. These downtown areas aren't your typical fare either. In these main streets, visitors can get lost in a beautiful labyrinth, see the original capital of Indiana, gaze at the largest monument west of Washington D.C., and see the heart of Amish country. Here are 8 best downtowns in Indiana.
Vincennes
As the oldest founded town in Indiana, Vincennes has one of the best downtown areas for history buffs. This town was founded by the French in 1732 as a fort within the larger territory of New France. It is nestled right on the Wabash River, and it provides all the charm of a great Indiana river town with a great deal of historical monuments and riverside walks. Close to the river, there is Grouseland, the mansion home of U.S. President William Henry Harrison, along with the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, the site of the largest monument west of Washington D.C. Visitors can enjoy a riverwalk along the banks of the Wabash or shop at one of several vendor malls such as 6Th Street Vendor Mall or Vincennes Vendor Emporium, which offer a wide variety of antiques.
Corydon
Corydon was the original state capitol of Indiana when it became a state in 1816, giving this town a rich history. It would remain the administrative center for Hoosiers until the capitol was moved to Indianapolis in 1825. Due to this status, Corydon has a rich downtown area with several historical places to explore. These include the First State Capitol, built between 1814 to 1816, along with the federal-style brick house that served as Governor Hendrick's Headquarters. Downtown Corydon was also the site of the only Civil War battle fought in Indiana. Most of these locations are within the town square, which also has a few cute shops like the Red Barn Antique Mall, Vintage Treasures, and Picker's Nest, all of which have vintage and antique items for sale.
Franklin
Franklin was first platted in 1823 and was named after one of the most famous Americans during the Revolution: Benjamin Franklin. It is located just 20 miles outside of Indianapolis, which makes it a great place to stop for travelers. First off, there is the Johnson County Museum of History, which has historical reenactors that offer insights into pioneer and Civil War living conditions. For shopping, Franklin prides itself on its unique shops, such as A Trophy Business, which sells trophies, and multiple salvage shops at antique stores, such as Salvage Sisters Antique Market. Downtown Franklin is a great place to hike, as the 3.4-mile Franklin Greenway Trail connects downtown through Blue Heron Park and Wetland and Franklin Greenlaw Cemetery.
Shipshewana
This adorable small town in Indiana is a major center for the Amish. In fact, it has one of the largest Amish populations in the United States. With that culture comes a lot of homemade goods, homecooked meals, and much more. Within its small downtown area, visitors can enjoy a mixture of activities such as Menno-Hof, an interpretive center that provides information on Amish and Mennonite lifestyles, and the Shipshewana Flea Market, one of the largest in the entire Midwest. Visitors can enjoy Amish-style meals at the Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery right off the main N Van Buren St. Shipshewana also offers plenty of opportunity for great walks at the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, a 17-mile trail running from Shipshewana to Goshen.
Angola
Founded in 1838 in Northeastern Indiana, Angola gained its name from the city in New York. Today, it is the headquarters of Trine University and is filled with local charm through cute parks, antique shops, and a nearby lake. One of the oldest buildings in town is the Steuben County Courthouse, built in 1868 in a mixture of Greek Revival, Italianate, and Romanesque Revival style with an octagonal domed cupola and features a statue of famed abolitionist and freed slave Sojourner Truth. Angola is proud of its bird population and, as such, has a cute park called the Bird Song Park, which has multiple birdhouses, Indiana prairie plants, and mural sidewalks to entertain birds and guests alike. For those wanting to drive a bit out of the downtown area, the Trine State Recreation Area has multiple hiking trails alongside the Gentian Lake.
New Harmony
New Harmony's history is fascinating as it was one of two different utopian communities that aimed to create their own form of heaven on earth in Indiana. The first group was the Harmonists, who aimed to set up a perfect Christian community in 1814. They later sold the town off to Robert Owen in 1825, who also had a vision of an ideal early socialist utopia. Today, New Harmony keeps alive their founder's positive spirit with several relaxing and serene attractions that are accessible downtown. The Atheneum, for example, provides a great deal of information on the town's history and acts as a hub for tours of historic buildings in New Harmony like the Rapp-Owen Granary, Community House #2, and the Thrall's Opera House. In addition, visitors can explore the Harmonist Labyrinth right off Main Street, which features a stone building in the center of a maze of private hedges.
New Albany
Located on the Ohio River, New Albany was founded in 1812, making it one of the earliest towns in the Hoosier State. The town experienced a massive boom from 1850 to around 1880, becoming the largest city in the entire state. Due to this boom, New Albany has a downtown that is a mixture of some of the fanciest buildings in Indiana alongside walking trails and great places to eat. For example, in the Mansion Row area of downtown New Albany, one can see the Culbertson Mansion, a three-story 19th-century mansion built in the Second French Imperial Style. Not far away from Mansion Row is the Ohio River Greenway, a 7.5-mile walking and biking trail that runs from New Albany to Jeffersonville. To get the full New Albany experience, try out some great tater tot creations at the RecBar, an arcade bar that has drinks and arcade games from the 1980s to the present.
Nashville
Nashville is one of the best-kept secrets in the entire state of Indiana. This gem sits in the middle of a beautiful state park called Brown County State Park, renowned for its miles of trails through rolling hills, lakes, and more. The downtown area itself is a treasure trove of locally owned businesses that serve the needs of a diverse set of customers. The Nashville Spice Company sells a variety of spices to diversify guests' palettes, while the Brown County Craft Gallery sells locally made art and crafts. There's also a dog-friendly bookstore called Naughty Dog Books, which is located in a historic bank building. Speaking of historic buildings, there a number of charming ones to see in Nashville such as F.P. Taggart Store, a balloon frame general store built in the 1870s.
If you want to get a good walk in, the small Indiana towns have some of the best trails around without driving out to the middle of nowhere. With multiple greenways and riverwalks, it's easy to get around these small towns, all while taking in the sights at museums, historic houses, and more. And for those who don't like the usual shops, these towns have lots of unique places too, such as the Trophy Business in Franklin or locally made crafts in Nashville. These downtown areas in Indiana are ideal for those who are looking for a fun day trip without the stress of dealing with big-city traffic.
