Indiana has a range of beautiful state parks to visit, but perhaps the most popular destination for Hoosiers and visitors alike is Brown County State Park in southern Nashville, Indiana. Not only is the park big and breathtaking, but Nashville makes for an excellent city to explore after your outdoor adventure. For impressive art galleries, cozy bakeries, and bluegrass music parks, here are some great things to do in and around Brown County State Park.
This state park is THE hiking destination in Indiana, with over 70 miles of bridled trails for the equestrian enthusiasts, and over 18 miles of hiking trails for hikers of all levels of experience. The park also offer year-round camping, where visitors can enjoy the park’s two lakes, one used for swimming and the other for fishing during the summer, and ice fishing during the winter. For the little ones, try the park’s nature center, where they can learn about the park’s various wildlife such as white-tailed deer, raccoons, gray squirrels, and even wild turkeys! And though Brown County State Park is, without a doubt, the most popular attraction in Nashville, there are other things to do and see as well!
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The first stop on your journey through Nashville should be the Brown County Art Gallery. The gallery was founded in 1926, and features over 400 paintings and artifacts in its Permanent Collection. Many of the original artists donated paintings and other items to create an ongoing exhibit, which is what visitors see today. Ninety years later, the gallery is still going strong and features the work of early Indiana artists, such as Gustave Baumann and William Zimmerman.
For all the bluegrass fans out there, this is the place to be! The Bill Monroe Music Park and Campground is home of the Bill Monroe Memorial Bluegrass Festival, which is the oldest, and continuous, running bluegrass festival in the world. It’s also the home of the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum. Throughout the year, the park and campground hosts eight musical events, from bluegrass to blues, gospel and rock-n-roll. Bring the whole family, some lawn chairs, and pack a picnic as you enjoy the sounds of live music in the campground’s wooden amphitheater. All shows are held rain or shine!
For something more relaxing and enjoyable, head to the Brown County Winery, located deep in the rolling hills of Nashville. The winery is committed to providing their customers with outstanding, high quality and most importantly, local wine, as well as an educational and enjoyable experience. The winery offers complimentary, daily tastings of their different wines and of course, before you leave, be sure to purchase a bottle or case of your favorite wine! The Vista White Wine or the Traminette, one of Indiana’s signature wines, are highly recommended.
Another must-see destination in Nashville is the Brown County Playhouse, a 425-seat venue for a variety of entertainment, including concerts, live theatre, the latest movies, community events, festivals, and so much more. Popular shows include the Shimmy and Shake featuring a mixture of traditional belly dancing and modern music, Twist the Night Away in which visitors old and young can relive the music of the 1950s, and of course, Brown County’s very own Rich Hill’s World of Magic.
If you should ever be in Nashville and find yourself hungry and craving something good to eat, look no further than the Hobnob Corner Restaurant, an artisan inspired restaurant located in heart of Nashville. Step inside and be surrounded by rustic, historic charm, history, and some of the most delicious handmade, house-made food. Try a delicious cheeseburger or one of Indiana’s famous breaded tenderloin sandwiches, or one of the Hobnob specialties. Spinach lasagna or pot roast, anyone? And for dessert, try one of their delicious Chocolate Temptations!
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Craving a snack? Then you must visit the Carmel Corn Cottage, specializing in one of a kind, unique carmel corns. This charming little shop sits at the north end of Nashville on Van Buren street, and visitors can smell the caramel cooking over a mile away. The staff is extremely friendly and provide exceptional customer service. The shop offers 10 different types of caramel to choose from, as well as other flavors such as dill, maple and bacon. They also have some pooch corn for your furry four-legged friend! It’s truly one of a kind!
Bring Fido to this one of a kind doggie bakery in Nashville on your next trip, or at least be sure to bring back a few treats! The Bone Appetit offers over 20 flavors of premium, all natural dog treats made right here in the USA. The treats come in a variety of shapes, textures, and sizes. They also have treats for dogs who have dietary restrictions. When you choose a treat for your own dog, be sure to choose one to have sent to the Brown County Humane Society as well and save up to 90 percent.
For all the craft lovers out there, come to Nashville’s one of kind, premier stamping and scrapbooking store! Wishful Thinking offers high-quality scrapbooking and stamping supplies you might not find in other stores. Wishful Thinking began in 2001 but it wasn’t until the following year that the store really took off thanks to owner Marlene Miller. Now, it’s the best place to find those unique, one of a kind craft supplies! The store also offers classes and other special events such as Artist Trading Swap, monthly card classes, and more.
For something a bit more unique, come visit the Emerald Pencil, a gallery of original art, gift cards, and curious things such as drawings, jewelry, vintage clothing and more. The Emerald Pencil is a tale of times past, furnished by creator Pamela Keech, who helps tell the stories of immigrant families by recreating their homes. It’s truly a unique sight to behold, and one everyone must see passing through Nashville!
