Brown County, Indiana offers 16,000 acres of spectacular state park land and a thriving artist community just an hour south of Indianapolis. The county is home to one of the first artist colonies in the country, and residents continue to inspire visitors with handcrafted glass, leather, jewelry, and other artisan products being displayed at the Arts Village in downtown Nashville. Studios and galleries line the streets here, alongside the Brown County Music Center to the historic Brown County Playhouse, which host live performances throughout the year.

This is also the home of Brown County State Park, where you can spend afternoons hiking or biking by lakes and waterfalls, gazing out from the tops of steep ravines, and in the fall, experiencing the vibrant changes in foliage. The park also offers a number of trail riding centers where you can catch a glimpse of the beautiful scenery on horseback.

Brown County is renowned for its spectacular fall landscapes when the orange hues of the leaves attract visitors from both near and far. If you want to be guaranteed some top-quality photos, then it’s worth getting your Brown County cabin booked for October or early November at the very latest. This area also makes for a fantastic summer destination, with the local state park offering a host of fun activities, and swimming pools also open to the public to keep you cool on those hotter-than-average days.

Arts Village Brown County

This arts hub has taken center state in Brown County for more than 100 years. Visit the Village to pick up a handcrafted piece of art from a local maker — or craft your own souvenir at one of the artist-run classes or workshops. If live music is your thing, head to the Brown County Music Center, or simply keep an ear out at the various coffee shops, wineries, breweries, and restaurants in the area, where local groups will often perform. You can also catch a theater performance at the volunteer-run Brown County Playhouse.

Bean Blossom Covered Bridge

Every place has its most photographed spot, and for Brown County the Bean Blossom Covered Bridge is just that. Constructed in 1880, the bridge once served as the main passage into nearby Nashville. Located at the end of a winding lane, the local monument is now closed to car traffic for safety reasons, but it’s certainly worth a stroll to catch a glimpse of the blossoms in bloom during spring months.

Zipline through the treetops

Can’t fit all of the sites into your stay? Treat yourself to a high-speed tour on one of the dozen ziplines located at various points across the state park. These ziplines will take you quickly from treetop to treetop, with some spectacular views of ravines, sky-bridges, and hills below.