The Heart And Soul Of Indiana Is The Small Towns And These 7 Have The Best Downtown Areas
By Tori Jane|Published November 18, 2021
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Indiana is home to more than 400 small towns; obviously, as with many places, the small towns drastically outnumber the big cities, and we couldn’t be happier with that. There’s just something special about little towns that ensure each has a certain magic about it; small towns in the Hoosier State are a part of our very heritage. Let’s take a look at some of these small towns that might just have the best downtowns in Indiana. Of course, this list is nowhere near exhaustive, and it was ridiculously tough to choose just a few to mention here. Here are the ones that came to mind first and foremost, in no particular order:
Madison is one of those adorable little towns that you might expect to see on a postcard someday. Nestled right on the river near the Kentucky/Indiana state line, this one is a must-do for all lovers of small town charm. Click here to read more about this cute little town.
Okay, okay, maybe Hammond isn't quite a "small" town anymore, but it's not a big city, either. It is, however, the only city in Indiana to share a border with Chicago. It may not be in the top three biggest cities or in the top ten smallest towns, but its downtown area is so adorable that it's very much worth a mention. Visit the official website to learn more about Hammond.
Random fun fact: Hobart is known not for its arts, entertainment, or shops (though there are plenty!), but instead for its legacy as a town that knows its... brick making? Yep. That's right. But, you know, for a town famous for its bricks, it sure does have a pleasant little downtown. Read more about Hobart on the official website.
Angola is the county seat of Steuben County, and it's growing rapidly. However, today, it's still pretty small - and hugely cute! The downtown area in Angola is vibrant and alive, with plenty to see and do and enjoy. Check out this previous article about Angola to learn more.
Another town in close proximity to Indianapolis, Franklin was platted in 1823. Fun fact: in the 1920s, Franklin found fame when its local high school's basketball team won championships for three years in a row. Click here to learn more about Franklin and its attractions.