A Local’s Guide to Brown County

How to Plan the Perfect Weekend Getaway to Brown County

The Get Indiana team spent a lively and adventurous weekend in Nashville, Indiana, hailed as the state's best small town after it won the inaugural Small Town Showdown Bracket Challenge. Here’s a detailed guide on where to stay, eat, and enjoy various attractions and activities. From cozy cottages and delicious dining options to shopping experiences and outdoor adventures, Brown County offers something for everyone. 

Where to Stay in Brown County and Nashville

We’ll start with the family-owned Iris Garden Downtown Cottages and Suites, located in the heart of Nashville. Iris Garden has eight cottages to choose from, including five capable of housing two guests and three other arrangements that can sleep up to four, five, or seven guests. We stayed in three of the two-person cottages, each cleverly named Chipmunk Junction, Cloud Nine, and Sunshine Cottage.

Iris Garden was founded by Matt and Amy Gray in 2003, and their daughter Josie took over the operation within the last few years. She’s done an amazing job at upholding what her parents established. Iris Garden is a stone’s throw away from downtown shopping, eateries, Moontown Brewing, and Copperhead Creek Gem Mine.

Another great option for your Brown County stay is booking through Moondance Vacation Rentals. Owner Brian Tadlock recommended the Bear Creek Cottage to us, which was a cozy retreat. It was located less than five minutes from downtown Nashville and was close to Hard Truth, too.

Things to Do in Brown County and Nashville

Step inside the Salt Creek Winery Tasting Room and grab a wine slushie if you’re of age, or if you like jerky, visit the House of Jerky and shop its many jerky varieties. We went with its classic teriyaki beef, plus alligator and kangaroo. Python and shark jerky were also considered, but we weren’t feeling that bold. There are so many shops to explore, too, ranging from clothing and home decor to fudge and toys. Most of the shops close by 5 p.m., so plan accordingly.

The aforementioned Copperhead Creek Gem Mine – run by Josie’s brother Tanner – provides a lot of fun for families, with bags of dirt as its most popular item sold. The bags contain gems, minerals, fossils and arrowheads, each discovered as the soil is sifted away. It’s a great educational activity for the kiddos.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Brown County State Park is the largest state park in Indiana spanning over 16,000 acres. Our crew ran some trails there on Saturday morning, and it’s a popular spot for mountain biking, hiking, fishing, camping and guided horseback rides. Known as the “Little Smokies,” the park’s views live up the comparison with the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s just $7 to get into the park for Indiana residents and $9 for out-of-state visitors.

Attractions in Brown County and Nashville

Hard Truth Distillery hosts events, mixology classes and tours on its 325-acre property throughout the year, with most weekends from May through October featuring fun for the adults. The Get Indiana crew enjoyed its Bourbon and Barbecue Festival that included bourbon tastings, barbecue competitions and live music. Check the calendar so you don’t miss out on the next Hard Truth event.

Another attraction worth checking out is the Brown County Music Center, a 2,000-seat venue that hosts concerts across genres like pop, rock, blues, and country. Located along the banks of Salt Creek, it’s within easy reach of Nashville's main attractions. Festivals coordinated by Amplify Nashville and pre-concert parties in the music center parking lot add to the vibrant cultural scene. Attending a concert here is highly recommended.

Places to Eat in Brown County and Nashville

For breakfast, everything starts at Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Rolls. If you’re looking for a good cinnamon roll that literally melts inside your mouth, this is the spot. The maple bacon version is one of its most popular rolls, but the Get Indiana crew wasn’t shy in trying nearly half (lemon blueberry, s’mores, orange, to name a few) of the 20-ish flavors. How good was Ooey Gooey? We went there for rolls both Saturday and Sunday. Shoutout to owners Mason and Mandy Grotewold, who have added their Midwestern touch to this beloved spot.

For lunch or dinner, the Nashville House is a good spot serving up comfort food and fried biscuits. Out of the Ordinary Sports Bar and Restaurant, Big Woods and Brozinni Pizzeria were all considered as well.

After dinner, you’ve got to check out Moontown Brewing, with one of its three locations in the heart of Nashville. We had a great time there running up a bar tab, chatting with Bobby and his team, and meeting so many fans of Get Indiana.

Moontown and most other downtown watering holes close at 9 p.m., so if you’re looking for some late-night entertainment, the 19th Hole Sports Bar at the local golf course is the place to be and stays open later than most of its competitors. Live music, drink specials, endless popcorn and bar food that was so good, we went there both Friday and Saturday night. The pepper jack cheese bites with ranch were the consensus favorite in our group. If the 19th Hole doesn’t sound like your vibes, the Brown County Inn was also recommended.

Tips for Your Visit to Brown County and Nashville

Parking can be tricky, so once you find a spot, leave your car for the weekend and explore on foot. Many lots offer free parking, or you can pay around $5. The town’s trolley service connects to key locations like the music center, providing convenient transportation.

Nashville tends to shut down around 9 p.m., with the 19th Hole and the Brown County Inn being exceptions for late-night outings. There aren’t ride-share services, so plan accordingly if you’re going to be up late having a few.

Overall, Brown County and Nashville offer a rich blend of dining, shopping, outdoor adventures, and cultural experiences within a compact and walkable area. Whether you're a foodie, nature lover, or just looking to explore a charming small town, Brown County and Nashville have it all.