Main streets, local history, town traditions, and places worth the drive

Indiana's Most Charming Small Towns

Main streets, local history, festivals, restaurants, downtown walks, and the Indiana towns that deserve more than a quick pass through.

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The short answerUpdated Aug 14, 2026

Indiana's small towns are courthouse squares, one good bakery, and a story somebody will tell you if you ask. Get Indiana has broken down more than 80 of them so far, in every corner of the state: Angola, Auburn, and Churubusco in the northeast, Jasper, Ferdinand, and Huntingburg in the southwest, Milan and Lawrenceburg in the southeast, and Attica, Rockville, and Brazil out west.

Coverage
83 small town guides

Indiana Small Town Day Trips

Towns with enough food, shops, history, parks, or nearby stops to carry a real day trip.

Colorful mural in Newton County, Indiana of writer George Ade and baseball player Edgar "Sam" Rice, painted alongside a South Newton High School logo and a canoe scene at Willow Slough

What’s it like in Kentland, Indiana?

Kentland, Indiana is the Newton County seat at the crossroads of US 41 and Route 24, home to the Pun’kin Vine Fair, the Old Colonial Inn and a 1906 courthouse.

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The Tipton County Courthouse in Tipton, Indiana, a sandstone building with steep slate roofs and a tall clock tower, seen from the street on a fall evening

What's it like in Tipton, Indiana?

Tipton, Indiana is the Tipton County seat 55 minutes north of Indianapolis, home to the Tipton County Pork Festival, the century-old Diana Theatre and Jim Dandy.

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Blue-and-gold Indiana historical marker titled Odon, Formerly Clarksburg beside a pond, noting the town was platted in 1846 and renamed Odon in 1881.

What's it like in Odon, Indiana?

Odon, Indiana is a historic Daviess County town in southern Indiana's Amish country, home to the Old Settlers Festival, a Lincoln statue, and small-town eats.

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Nighttime crowd gathered on the lawn at 950 Speakeasy Bistro in Lagro, Indiana, watching a live band play under string lights beside the two-story timber patio

What's it like in Lagro, Indiana?

Lagro, Indiana is Wabash County's smallest town, packed with Irish history, the Wabash River Trail, Canal Creamery, and the 950 Speakeasy Bistro. Here's what to know.

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Visitor-Friendly Small Towns

Places where first-time visitors can find a walk, a meal, a photo, and a reason to stay a little longer.

Speedway, Indiana: The Racing Capital of the World

What’s it like in Speedway, Indiana?

Known as the "Racing Capital of the World," Speedway has nearly 120 years of motorsports heritage and a revitalized Main Street that helps it maintain its small-town feel.

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What’s it like in Oldenburg, Indiana?

What’s it like in Oldenburg, Indiana?

From Freudenfest to a James Beard-winning restaurant, Oldenburg in Franklin County punches way above its 647-person weight. Get the full breakdown.

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What’s it like in Veedersburg, Indiana?

What’s it like in Veedersburg, Indiana?

Veedersburg supplied the 3.2 million bricks that paved the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1909. Get the full breakdown of this Fountain County small town.

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What’s it like in Hagerstown, Indiana?

What’s it like in Hagerstown, Indiana?

Hagerstown gave the world cruise control. Today this Wayne County town has Indiana's oldest candy shop, the Wilbur Wright Birthplace, and serious LLWS history.

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Outdoor Small Town Stops

Small towns where parks, trails, lakes, gardens, or scenic routes are part of the reason to go.

What’s it like in Mooresville, Indiana?

What’s it like in Mooresville, Indiana?

Mooresville, Indiana is a historic Morgan County town known as the birthplace of the state flag. Explore its parks, food, and charm.

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What’s it like in Zionsville, Indiana?

What’s it like in Zionsville, Indiana?

Discover Zionsville, Indiana, where brick streets, local boutiques, and 80 acres of nature trails meet small-town charm just north of Indianapolis.

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What’s it like in New Palestine, Indiana?

What’s it like in New Palestine, Indiana?

New Palestine is 30 minutes east of Indy with 12 IHSAA state titles, great local eats, and outdoor fun. Here's your guide to this Hancock County gem.

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What’s it like in Cicero, Indiana?

What’s it like in Cicero, Indiana?

Cicero, Indiana is a lakeside town on Morse Reservoir with boating, parks, festivals, shopping, dining, and small-town charm north of Indy.

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Small Town Events and Festivals

Festivals, markets, fairs, parades, and town weekends worth putting on the calendar.

What’s it like in Alexandria, Indiana?

What’s it like in Alexandria, Indiana?

Alexandria, Indiana is home to the World's Largest Ball of Paint, the Madison County 4-H Fair, and a baseball program with multiple state titles.

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What’s it like in Elwood, Indiana?

What’s it like in Elwood, Indiana?

Elwood, Indiana serves up award-winning tenderloins, glass festival fun, and a presidential history you won't find anywhere else.

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What’s it like in Santa Claus, Indiana?

What’s it like in Santa Claus, Indiana?

Santa Claus, Indiana is a real town, home to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, year-round Christmas shops, and a post office that answers letters to Santa.

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Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum | Discover Indiana

What’s it like in Huntingburg, Indiana?

Whether you're exploring its iconic Fourth Street or catching a game at League Stadium or Memorial Gym, the small town of Huntingburg offers a unique blend of history, culture, and Midwest hospitality that is tough to beat.

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Small Towns in West Central Indiana

More in West Central Indiana
Frankfort, Indiana Water Park

What’s it like in Frankfort, Indiana?

From the Hot Dog Festival to Case Arena to Glover's Ice Cream, Frankfort packs serious character into Clinton County. Here's the full breakdown.

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Downtown Brazil, Indiana mural showcasing the community's creative side

What’s it like in Brazil, Indiana?

Brazil, Indiana sits in Clay County between Terre Haute and Indianapolis. Here's what to see, where to eat, and why it is called The Clay Metropolis.

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What's it like in Winamac, Indiana?

What's it like in Winamac, Indiana?

Winamac, Indiana is the Pulaski County seat on the Tippecanoe River, with a state park, canoe and tube rentals, a 1923 swinging bridge, and famous pork tenderloins.

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What's it like in Linton, Indiana?

What's it like in Linton, Indiana?

Linton, Indiana is a Greene County coal town known for off-road trails, the Goose Pond sandhill cranes, Miners sports, and Indiana's largest Fourth of July parade.

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Small Towns in South Central Indiana

More in South Central Indiana
What’s it like in Edinburgh, Indiana?

What’s it like in Edinburgh, Indiana?

Edinburgh, Indiana has the state's biggest tenderloin, premium outlet shopping, and a Fuzzy Zoeller-designed golf course — all in just three square miles.

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What’s it like in Corydon, Indiana?

What’s it like in Corydon, Indiana?

Corydon was Indiana's first state capital and is now home to caves, antique shops, and great local eats in Harrison County.

Destany Long

What’s it like in Paoli, Indiana?

What’s it like in Paoli, Indiana?

Paoli, Indiana offers Paoli Peaks, Wilstem Wildlife Park, historic shops, BBQ, and Orange County charm. Here's what to see and do.

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What's it like in Bedford, Indiana?

What's it like in Bedford, Indiana?

Bedford – the “Limestone Capital of the World” – is home to deep history, impressive natural landscapes, and a welcoming downtown, and it produced one of the greatest high school basketball players Indiana has ever seen.

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Small Towns in Indianapolis Metro

More in Indianapolis Metro
What’s it like in Whiteland, Indiana?

What’s it like in Whiteland, Indiana?

Whiteland, Indiana is a fast-growing Johnson County town home to America's oldest go-kart track, the first Indiana Mr. Basketball, and a 2026 state wrestling title.

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What’s it like in Pendleton, Indiana?

What’s it like in Pendleton, Indiana?

Pendleton, Indiana is growing fast in Madison County. Explore Falls Park, local restaurants, festivals, and high school sports history.

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What’s it like in Monrovia, Indiana?

What’s it like in Monrovia, Indiana?

From Farm House Brew to basketball legend Branch McCracken, Monrovia has small-town charm and big-time history just southwest of Indianapolis.

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What’s it like in Franklin, Indiana?

What’s it like in Franklin, Indiana?

Franklin, Indiana has a walkable historic downtown and courthouse square, the 1922 Artcraft Theatre, Franklin College, and the legendary Wonder Five.

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Small-town questions people actually ask

Written to answer the thing you actually searched for, not to pad the page.

A visit-worthy town usually has a mix of story, walkable character, local food, shops, history, festivals, outdoor access, or nearby attractions.

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