Blake Walsh

20 Best Things to Do in Nashville, IN

  • Published 2022/12/19

Located in Indiana’s idyllic Brown County is a small town known as Nashville.

This quaint little town is located between Brown County State Park and Yellowwood State Forest.

If you want to visit a charming town away from the hustle and bustle of big cities, Nashville in Indiana would be a good choice.

The beauty of the town reaches its pinnacle in fall when the leaves change their colors.

This town, though small, is quite a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty and renowned art scene.

Interested to know more about this place?

Here are the 20 best things to do in Nashville, Indiana:

Soak in the Charm of Brown County State Park

Brown County State Park

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The Brown County State Park is the largest in Indiana.

It gained the nickname the “Little Smokies” due to its resemblance to the hugely popular attraction, the Great Smoky Mountains.

Are you someone who likes to hike in rugged areas?

The 16,000 acres of narrow ridges, deep gullies, rugged hills, and fog-shrouded valleys will satiate your adventurous soul.

Stunning view of autumn trees covering both the sides of the trail at Brown County State Park

Dustin Lee Thibideau / Shutterstock.com

Brown County State Park becomes a popular tourist destination during the fall.

People throng in large numbers to enjoy the fascinating hues of fall colors.

Explore the 20 miles of tree-laden road and many panoramic scenic sights that overlook seemingly endless forestland.

Do not forget to have a lot of time while visiting the place, as there are just too many things to explore.

View of the milky way from Brown County State Park

Kenneth Keifer / Shutterstock.com

Get a breathtaking view of the hills of Brown by climbing the 90’ Fire Tower.

If you take Trail 5, you can witness the rare and state-endangered Yellowwood Tree.

You can also enjoy outdoor recreational activities, like mountain biking, camping, and horseback riding.

Scenic view of Brown County State Park

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Explore Hard Truth Distilling Co.

You shouldn’t miss a trip to Hard Truth Distilling Co, the state’s largest destination craft distillery.

The distillery is nestled amid 325 acres of wooded natural beauties.

You can simply tour the distillery or enjoy an ATV ride with a guide and explore the wooded property while learning about the history of distilling.

Hard Truth also offers its visitors tastings, mixology classes, health and wellness adventures, and more.

For a calm and relaxing evening, head to their forest-laced outdoor amphitheater, Hard Truth Terrace Hollow.

Sip on locally crafted beverages, munch on your favorite snack, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy a memorable evening.

Sip on Handcrafted Indiana Spirits at Bear Wallow Distillery

Looking for handcrafted Indiana spirits made of locally grown grains?

The Bear Wallow Distillery offers the spirits you are looking for.

Located in Gnaw Bone, the distillery creates unique Indiana spirits using locally grown grains in a traditional copper pot still.

You can take their “Farm-to-Fifth” tour and learn about creating handcrafted Indiana Whiskey while enjoying a sample flight.

You will be spoiled with choices from “Moonshine Shake-ups” to “Hoosier Hooch”.

The charm and flavor you can experience at Bear Wallow Distillery will make it the highlight of your trip to Nashville.

Discover Unique Wines at Brown County Winery

Visit the Brown County Winery to enjoy unique wines at an affordable price.

Established in 1986, the motto of this winery is to make wine accessible to all.

Their award-winning wines are made of grapes and other fruits like stone fruit, berries, apples, and more.

The winery is popular more for its sweet and semi-sweet wines.

However, the award-winning dry wines also attract a lot of customers.

A tour of the place will be educational and enjoyable for you.

The large glass window at the winery tasting room allows you to get a glimpse of the wine-making process.

You can be a wine connoisseur or a novice – Brown County Winery has the perfect handcrafted wine to match your taste.

This small but wonderful winery is worth a visit when in Nashville.

Enjoy Outdoor Activities at Yellowwood State Forest

Yellowwood lake in Yellowwood State Forest

Scott J. Kingery / Shutterstock.com

The Yellowwood State Forest is named after the Yellowwood tree, a common tree in mid-south but rare in Indiana.

It is a deciduous tree with smooth dark brown bark, bright yellow heartwood, and fragrant white flowers.

The Yellowwood State Park is located 7 miles outside of Nashville and is a great place for outdoor activities, for people of all ages and skill levels.

Tall trees at Yellowwood State Forest

Laura Ivins / Shutterstock.com

A wide variety of pine and other trees were planted over 2,000 acres of the forest.

However, the red and white pines are the only ones that survived the climate of the region and are still healthy.

The Yellowwood State Forest consists of more than 25,000 acres of forestland.

Picnic area at Yellowwood State Forest

Scott J. Kingery / Shutterstock.com

It provides options for hiking, primitive overnight camping, picnicking, hunting, gold panning, horseback riding along horse trails, and fishing at the three lakes.

Rowboats are available for rent on a seasonal basis.

While hiking, you can see the transition of the forest from a traditional Indiana forest to a pine forest, emanating a sweet fragrance.

Beautiful view of Yellowwood State Forest

Scott J. Kingery / Shutterstock.com

Watch a Live Theatre Program at Brown County Playhouse

Brown County Playhouse

Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Want to explore the live theater scene in Nashville?

Visit the Brown County Playhouse, which has been part of the community since 1949.

The place provides a diverse array of live entertainment programs, including live music, live theater, dance, movies, and special events throughout the year.

The talented local musicians and artists perform at the playhouse regularly.

It is a small theater consisting of little more than 400 seats.

To add to your entertainment, you can bring beer, wine, and snacks to enjoy during the show.

Discover T.C.Steele’s Artwork at T.C.Steele State Historic Site

The T.C.Steele State Historic Site is one of the 12 locations forming the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites.

It is the home and studio of noted Indiana artist T.C.Steele.

He was enamored by the beauty of Brown County, and the influence is evident in his artworks.

His appreciation of hills, scenic vistas, and majestic trees, combined with his inherent intelligence and talent, took his works to an extraordinary level.

You can visit his house and the gardens that inspired him and influenced his works.

The home decor, an eclectic mix of his impressionist paintings, crafts, and furnishings, will mesmerize you.

A modern replica of his mobile studio, the “Little Studio,” the “Large Studio,” a 92-acre Selma N.

Pay a Visit to Steele Nature Preserve

Steele Nature Preserve is an art lover’s dream place to visit.

Buy great artwork from Brown County Art Guild.

The Brown County Art Guild was founded in art colony culture.

It is located in the middle of Nashville downtown.

Several popular artists came together and founded the Guild to exhibit the best art from the region.

They left many of their notable works to the Guild leading to the formation of the Marie Goth Estate Collection.

The rotating gallery showcases paintings by J. Marie Goth, Varaldo J. Cariani, Genevieve Goth Graf, and Carl Christopher Graf.

Presently, the Guild’s main aim is to preserve the rich art tradition while building a bright future.

It curates the priceless permanent collection of the past and supports and showcases exemplary art of the current Guild artists.

Visiting the guild will witness an eclectic melange of rich historical collections and vibrant contemporary artworks.

Along with exhibitions, the guild also sells the impressive artworks of more than 40 regional member artists of the Guild.

It also hosts several special events and workshops throughout the year.

The pottery collection and the exquisite jewelry collection also deserve mention.

Exhibits of exceptional artworks of accomplished Indiana artists along with a lovely vibe – the Brown County Art Guild is a joy to visit.

Explore Award-Winning Art Pieces at Brown County Art Gallery

Another place where you can explore amazing artworks from both past and contemporary artists is the Brown County Art Gallery.

You can surely spend a day going through the exhibits of the works of local and regional artists.

The gallery was founded in 1926 and is considered one of the oldest art galleries in the United States.

The Brown County Art Gallery played a significant role in putting Nashville and the picturesque Brown County at the forefront as one of the country’s most important art colonies.

The permanent gallery collection boasts a fantastic collection of 400 paintings and artifacts.

You can find Gustave Baumann’s The Indiana collection, which showcases his experiment with the woodblock art form.

At the gallery, you can also explore the intricate works of renowned bird artist William Zimmerman.

There are original artworks for sale and a small gift shop with prints and souvenirs.

The gallery also hosts many special art exhibitions, events, competitions, and workshops throughout the year.

Revisit History at Brown County Pioneer Museum and Old Log Jail

Dive into history and learn how buildings looked in Nashville, Brown County.

Original pioneer buildings and restructured ones make for an interesting collection representative of old-world Nashville.

The buildings include a pioneer cabin, an old log jail, a doctor’s office, and a blacksmith’s shop.

During the summer, the buildings become more appealing as they are given life through demonstrations by reenactors.

The buildings also showcase artifacts, photographs, and information panels.

You can also buy books on local history from the gift shop on the first floor.

Enjoy Wine Tasting at Country Heritage Winery

Visit Country Heritage Winery if you want to experience wine tasting.

The wines available at the winery are considered some of the finest ones.

They maintain more than 70 acres of vineyards and several acres of blueberries.

If you want a break from activities and shopping, visit the winery and relax while sipping on some incredible wines.

There is also a fine selection of wines for tasting.

Some famous wines are the flavors of cranberry, blueberry, blackberry, the Unoaked Chardonnay, Heritage Rose, and Strawberry Blush.

Stroll across the vineyard and enjoy the beautiful views to make your visit more memorable.

Experience the Nashville Express Train Tour

Nashville Express Train

Serge Melki from Indianapolis, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Are you traveling to Nashville with your kids? Or are you exhausted after an entire day of shopping?

Simply hop on the Nashville Express train and enjoy a relaxing town tour.

It has been a staple for locals and visitors for nearly four decades.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy a ride of 25 minutes across 2.5 miles of scenic Nashville beauties.

While on the trip, the conductor will briefly inform you about the history of Nashville, about some sites, buildings, and restaurants you cross while on the train.

The Nashville Express Train Tour is available from May till October.

See the town and hear about its history while enjoying a fun, open-air tour.

Enjoy Live Entertainment at Brown County Music Center

The Brown County Music Center is a fabulous new venue to enjoy exceptional entertainment in Nashville.

This 2,000-seat entertainment venue hosts blues, rock, jazz, pop, country music, and more.

They also host concerts by throwback artists.

Hike at the Salt Creek Trail

The Salt Creek Trail is a popular, family-friendly, and dog-friendly trail.

This paved trail is ideal for a leisurely walk in the evening while enjoying the surrounding flora and fauna.

It also gives you access to the downtown area without taking the highway route.

Shop Antiques at Brown County Antique Mall

Are you an antique lover and collector?

Pay a visit to Brown County Antique Mall and browse their enormous collection.

They have geodes, glassware, pottery, small furniture, and jewelry.

The front porch full of geodes will attract your attention.

They also sell beautiful paintings by local artists.

Dig through the hidden treasures of the various booths and discover something interesting.

Take Time and Browse the Various Items at Wild Olive

In Brown County, Wild Olive introduced several of the best flavors from across the globe.

You may go through and sample their old balsamic, flavorful infused olive oils, and other products or approach one of the helpful experts for advice on food pairings, recipes, and other things.

Continue looking around to peruse the assortment of extras, specialized gourmet pantry products, and spiced mixes.

Your choices are bottled inside, so you receive what you taste.

Pick up some gourmet pantry staples, a loaf of freshly baked bread, and some spice blends for a quick date or family outing.

Rejuvenate on Your Balcony at Brown County Inn

Since its debut in 1974, the Brown County Inn has been a fixture in picturesque Brown, Indiana.

The hotel, eatery, and bar’s 65,000 square feet quickly became a popular hangout for tourists and regional families.

They would love swimming in the sizable indoor/outdoor swimming facilities or engaging in sports and mini golf in the expansive yard.

Each guest room features a porch or balcony where you can unwind while making use of the conveniences like the coffee maker, flat-screen Television, blow dryer, and personal temperature control.

Brown County Inn has hosted country music stars and Indy 500 sponsors throughout the past.

A banquet hall called “Town Hall” was erected in 1975 and is currently used for weddings, family gatherings, corporate events, and an annual New Year’s Eve celebration.

Taste Delightful Treats from Jack and Jill Nut Shop

Leslie Rudd started Jack and Jill Nut Shop in 1967, intending to provide a delightful treat for visitors and residents in Brown County, Indiana.

When he took over the business, his son Marc Rudd added new flavors such as gummy bears, citrus drops, turtles, and toffee in addition to the old favorites.

Marc has now given the reins to his daughter Kamady Lewis and her spouse Ronnie Lewis since he is getting set to retire.

Among the oldest companies in Nashville, Indiana, Jack and Jill Nut Shop is now entering its 3rd generation.

Fresh nuts and delectable confections are available at Jack and Jill Nut Shop.

They wish to provide their clients with exquisite homemade chocolates and freshly roasted almonds.

Grab a Bite at Big Woods Pizza Co.

Big Woods Pizza Co. was founded in 2011.

The sole pizza restaurant with both indoor and outdoor family dining at the moment is this particular one.

Big Woods Pizza Co. offers a bar and tasting room on the ground floor and a bar and event area on the second story.

Additionally, it shares a location on Van Buren Street with its sister company, Hard Truth Distilling Co., which came in shortly after the brewery relocated farther away.

Contemporary menu items at Big Woods Pizza Co. include premium and build-your-own pizzas, calzones, flatbread, sandwiches, appetizers, and a children’s menu.

Invite Your Golf Buddies to Play at the Brown County Country Club

Schedule a visit to play at the greatest disc golf course in Indiana.

The Brown County Country Club Disc Golf offers a 24-hole premier disc golf course and clubhouse in the picturesque green hills of Brown County, Indiana.

They look after the ancient golf course’s fairways, ponds, and nearby woodlands and species.

The pay-to-play course is accessible to everyone and regularly plays host to disc golf competitions, such as the Indiana State Disc Golf Championships, which take place in September every year.

On the grounds of the former Golf Club, they also accommodate weddings, anniversaries, and vacations in a peaceful, rustic atmosphere.

Guests use the expansive site and newly remodeled clubhouse to plan their special occasions.

Final Thoughts

Despite its tiny size, Nashville, Indiana, is a trendy tourist destination because of its outstanding natural splendor and vibrant art scene.

Many travelers come here for a holiday and to have a good time with their loved ones.

There are numerous fascinating places to visit, including breweries, historical buildings, galleries, and museums.

Inspire yourself and begin making plans for your trip to Nashville, Indiana, so that you may leave with a lifetime’s worth of beautiful memories.

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