Take A Weekend To Wine, Dine, And Explore The Little Switzerland Of Indiana
By Tori Jane|Published May 17, 2023
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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 a state with plenty of awesome small towns and places to visit. There are some towns in the Hoosier State that date as far back as the 18th-century, although Indiana did not officially achieve statehood until 1816; personally, I recommend that everyone visit the beautiful small towns of Indiana at least once and then some. One such small town very much worthy of a visit is the town of Vevay, which is actually known as the “Little Switzerland” of Indiana. It’s the perfect town for a day trip (or a weekend trip… or longer), and I can’t recommend checking it out enough! Take a look:
I'm sure you want to pronounce it "Vee-vay", but that's where you're wrong, bucko.
It's actually pronounced Vee-VEE, and it's named after the beautiful town of Vevey in Switzerland; as a matter of fact, the town is known as Little Switzerland, and it's a point of pride for us Hoosiers.
It's got all the small-town charm you'd expect from Indiana and/or the Midwest, plus a delightful Swiss twist.
It's the county seat of - you guessed it - Switzerland County, and the population was 1,696 as of the 2020 census. The first settlers arrived here from Switzerland in 1802. It officially became a town in 1836; residents hoped to cultivate grapes and make the finest wines, and to this day, Vevay is a hotspot for wineries, dining, and shops.
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There are numerous historic buildings all over town, and main street is very walkable.
The old Hoosier Theatre, pictured above, was built in 1837 and seats 225. You can still catch a show here if you want to; there's almost always something going on - like in much of the town.
Be sure to visit some of the local wineries, like The Ridge Winery, which has been a local staple for over three decades. With more than 30 outlets all over Indiana plus a hearty online store, the Ridge is a force to be reckoned with. It's worth a stop to get a few cases! Vevay's wine-based history is a rich one, and it's famous for being home to the first commercial winery in the United States (although that title officially belongs to a winery in Kentucky).
Should you decide you'd like to make it more than just a day trip, I definitely recommend that you stay at the Old Swiss Inn.
It's right on Main Street; it originally opened in 1832 and offers up some of the best accommodations in the Hoosier State. It's the perfect place to rest your head for the night - or take your pick from some of the other beds and breakfasts in town!
As for what's next the following day, that's up to you.
There are so many wonderful little shops and eateries throughout town, and you can visit famed spots like the Edward & George Cary Eggleston House, the Benjamin Schenck Mansion, and the Switzerland County Courthouse, all of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
So there you have it: the perfect idea for something fun to do this weekend. What are your favorite small towns in Indiana? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear all about your good times.
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