Sometimes, when you want to get away from it all, you don’t want to go on some island getaway, or to an expensive resort. Oftentimes, just a change of scenery by way of visiting a small town you’ve never been to before can go a long way. When it comes to charming small towns in Indiana, we’ve got more than plenty, and it’s tough to narrow down our picks for the best of the best. Every tiny town in the Hoosier State has something to offer; you’ve just got to know where to look. Here are some of our picks for the best charming small towns in Indiana which are absolutely perfect for a quick weekend getaway:

1. Madison
Sajith T S/Fickr
Madison, IN, USA
Ken Ratcliff/Flickr
Madison, Indiana, was established in 1809 along the beautiful Ohio River. It was also the home of Indiana's very first railroad, and the whole town is brimming with history. This would make a great trip for a history lover who'd like to know more about the Hoosier State and its many historic places.
2. Angola
Just Will/Flickr
Angola, IN 46703, USA
*Hajee/Flickr
Angola is home to a famous Civil War monument, and people come from all over to see and photograph it. Although it's another great pick for a history buff, keep in mind that it's a college town quite close to Trine University - however, it's a lot quieter than you'd expect.
3. Aurora
John Jackson/Flickr
Aurora, IN, USA
nycscout/Flickr
Aurora is just 35 miles from Cincinnati and is a great hub for folks looking to go out and about on their weekend trips. It's a beautiful, historic river town that was established in the early 1800s. It's always the oldest towns that are the best for getting away.
4. Nashville
Elizabeth Nicodemus/Flickr
Nashville, IN 47448, USA
Serge Melki/Flickr
Fun fact: Nashville is beautiful Brown County's only incorporated town; it's also the center of the Brown City Art Colony, which was established back in 1907. There are lots of cute shops and intriguing art galleries here, and it's excellent for a nice, relaxed day out.
5. Greenfield
Indiana Public Media/Flickr

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Greenfield, IN 46140, USA
Indiana Landmarks/Flickr
Greenfield has been around since March 1828; it's most famous for being the birthplace and hometown of esteemed author James Whitcomb Riley. Like many others on this list, it's perfect for its quiet - it's a low-key, chilled-out place to relax.
6. Goshen
David Cornwell/Flickr
Goshen, IN, USA
Terence Faircloth/Flickr
Originally platted in 1831, Goshen is home to Goshen College. The town is also famous for being a major RV and RV accessories manufacturer.
7. Merom
Ken Ratcliff/Flickr
Ken Ratcliff/Flickr
Merom is a tiny town with tons of beauty and a big personality. Established in 1817, it's a gorgeous little place where being laid-back is easy. Peruse the old-school shops and soak in the small-town charm.
8. Whiting
Eric Allix Rogers/Flickr
Whiting, IN, USA
Eric Allix Rogers/Flickr
The town of Whiting was established in 1889 and is just 15 miles from Chicago, so it's a great place for folks looking for a more active weekend trip to visit. You have plenty of options when it comes to things to do; the hard part is going to be choosing!
9. Beverly Shores
David Wilson/Flickr
Beverly Shores, IN, USA
Jim Maurer/Flickr
Last on this list, but certainly not least, is the gorgeous dark-sky town of Beverly Shores, Indiana. When it comes to quaint small towns in Indiana, Beverly Shores is easily among the best. As a dark-sky city, some of the best times in Beverly Shores are had after dark. They keep it dim and low-key out there so you can enjoy the billions of stars overhead.

So, what do you think? Where would you go first? What are some of your favorite Indiana towns to get away from it all? Tell us all about them in the comments!

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More to Explore

Indiana Towns

Tori Jane | September 13, 2022

What are some of the cutest Indiana towns?  

Indiana is a delightful state, and there are so many cute towns in Indiana that it’s almost impossible to list them all. It seems like everywhere you go, you’ll find beauty and wonder, and the small towns really showcase this magic for all to see. Some of our favorite cute small towns in Indiana include hidden gems like Carmel, Beverly Shores, and Michigan City, all of which are Lake Michigan towns so beautiful you’ll forget you’re in the Midwest. We also love tiny towns like Patriot, New Harmony, Shipshewana, and Goshen. As for what it is that draws us to places like these, we don’t know – but we’re certainly not complaining, either.  

What is the best small town in Indiana?  

Well, obviously, “best” is a subjective qualifier, but the list of adorable small towns in Indiana does continue long after the above-mentioned places are counted. Other adorable small towns in Indiana that could be called the “best” include crown jewels like French Lick, which is a stunning resort paradise you’ll never forget, Vincennes, which is excellent for fans of local history, and Nashville, which is in very close proximity to Brown County State Park and is known for being outrageously beautiful. No matter what you look for in a small town, you’re sure to find the perfect place somewhere in the Hoosier State.  

Where are all the best quiet small towns in Indiana? 

Well, considering there are simply so many amazing small towns in Indiana to visit, it’s impossible to quantify which ones are “the best”. You’ll find delightful, peaceful, sleepy little places no matter where you look; northern Indiana, southern Indiana, and central Indiana are all excellent starting points. Indiana is beautiful, and so are its small towns – especially the ones so tiny they don’t even have a post office!  

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