Kid Approved

Due to COVID-19, Historical Walking Tours are discontinued for the remainder of 2020. Learn the fascinating history of Brown County during this guided, walking tour through the Village! This tour begins and ends at the Visitors Center and includes the local natural history of the land, peoples, industry, and founding of the art colony. The […]

Enjoy a delicious meal in an early colonial setting, cultivated by warm colors, soft lighting, and terrific service. Enjoy a wide variety of delightful entrees, homemade soups, desserts, and the restaurant’s famous sweet potato fries. During warm weather months, front and side porches are open for dining, providing a scenic view of the bustling Village […]

Enjoy the Brown County hills, meadows, and forests at BC3! Bring your friends and/or family to play disc golf! Brown County Country Club features an all-new, championship disc golf course and club. Designed for all player levels, there are 24 holes dedicated for the most advanced pros, 24 holes designed for more casual players, and […]

Kick back and relax at Big Woods Pizza! This fun and family-friendly hotspot offers artisan pizza, mouthwatering salads, and Big Woods’ famous handcrafted micro-brews. Using fresh ingredients, cutting edge recipes, and a respect for traditions of the world’s great pizzerias, there’s no better place to be than Big Woods Pizza. And there’s no other pizzeria […]

Check out the Bird’s Nest Café! Located in the heart of downtown, the Bird’s Nest Café is Brown County brunch done the right way. Dig in to creative, unique menu items—artfully prepared and artistically presented! Savor the flavor of fresh ingredients, perfectly combined for a new spin on all those brunch classics. From sweet potato […]

Have some fun at Deer Run Park! Owned and operated by Brown County Parks & Recreation, Deer Run Park has tons of facilities and activities available including: Baseball and Softball Fields Basketball Court Victory Skate Park Community Garden Fishing in Salt Creek (license required) Grills Open Fields for All Sports Picnic Tables Playground Soccer Fields […]

Looking for some live entertainment? Check out the one and only Brown County Playhouse, a hit venue since 1949! Offering a diverse program of live theater, concerts, movies, and special events year-round, the over 400-seat Playhouse is a Brown County gem you shouldn’t miss! Tickets can be purchased at the box office on Thursday, Friday, […]

Stop by the region’s best rock and fossil shop, with specimens from around the world…and a few from outer space! The Brown County Rock Shop also has a fun and unique gem mine attraction, Copperhead Creek, that sits just outside of the shop. Pan (or swing in the shop) for gems, minerals, fossils, and arrowheads!

Trail ride in the beautiful Brown County State Park! Head to the Brown County Saddle Barn for a horseback riding experience in the hills. Choose from 35-minute or hour-long rides. Kiddos under 7 can also enjoy parent-assisted pony rides. Every Friday and Saturday evening late May through June, there are even hayrides through the park!

Experience Indiana’s largest state park! Nicknamed the “Little Smokies” because of the area’s resemblance to the Great Smoky Mountains, Brown County State Park encompasses nearly 16,000-acres of rugged hills, ridges, and fog-shrouded ravines. The Brown County State Park is a traditional fall color hot spot, with nearly 20-miles of tree-lined roads and many scenic vistas […]

Stop by the Brown County State Park Nature Center! Housing many interactive exhibits, a bird watching room, gardening exhibits, and other informative displays, the Nature Center is the place to go to get the inside scoop on the outdoors. The Nature Center also offers interpretive naturalist services and programs year-round, such as guided hikes, history […]

Stop by the Brown County Weavery, studio and retail space for Sally Baldwin’s weavings and fair-trade items! At the Weavery, you’ll find woven scarves, shawls, capes, wraps, ponchos, and jackets using cotton, wool, llama, alpaca, rayon chenille, and (very little) acrylic yarns. That’s not all…the Weavery also offers an assortment of rugs, placemats, and runners, […]

A Nashville tradition since 1977, the Candy Dish is still making fudge and candies the old-fashioned way, using only the finest ingredients! Stop by for homemade fudge, handmade chocolates, award-winning caramels, 50 flavors of taffy, and more. Many candies are still made from old family recipes and fudge samples are always available.

While candy is of course the Candy Emporium’s main offering, there’s so much more to be discovered. Since 1996, the Candy Emporium has been serving up fine chocolates, chocolate covered fruits and nuts, cordials, delicious truffles, loads of gummies, Jelly Belly items, licorice, Plyley’s Hard Candies, old-fashioned candies, and imported candy bars and cookies. There’s […]

Check out the Carmel Corn Cottage…the charming little red and white shop at the north end of Nashville! The delicious aroma of caramel cooking and the lively music playing is sure to draw you inside. One of the friendliest shops in the Village, there’s a large selection of snacks. From popcorn and caramel apples to […]

Fun for all ages, check out Copperhead Creek Gem Mine! You don’t have to go out in the middle of nowhere or stand in a creek to mine for treasures…you can do it in the heart of the Village of Nashville. Take a seat at the flowing water sluice, pour a little dirt into your […]

A true adventure center, head to eXplore Brown County for some thrilling outdoor fun! Located in historic, scenic southern Brown County, eXplore BC offers over 1,000-acres of year-round adventure. Home of the tallest, longest, and fastest zip lines in Brown County, these 15 world class lines are sure to leave you feeling exhilarated! eXplore Brown […]

A wonderful mix of old, new, used, and rare books, Fallen Leaf Books is not your usual bookstore! You’ll find many books signed by the author, making a wonderful gift for any book lover. Fallen Leaf Books also has nice reading copies of some of the latest books in paperback, a children’s section, a large […]

Established in 1990, Fearrin’s Ice Cream has been serving up delicious ice cream for nearly 30 years! Dig in to unique flavors of both ice cream and frozen yogurt. Be sure to try a signature ice cream cookie sandwich or sundae too! Pretty soon you’ll know why everyone loves Fearrin’s!

Gatesville Country Store is a little old-school and a whole lot of authentic Americana! Go on an adventure as you pan for gold in Salt Creek right behind the store. Who knows…maybe you’ll strike it rich! Closed Mondays.

A great place to enjoy a delicious meal, Brown County Inn’s Harvest Dining Room is the place to be! From hot and hearty breakfast items to high-quality, signature brunch and dinner entrees, the Harvest Dining Room boasts a menu of wide variety. Using fresh ingredients from its own garden and top-notch local products, your taste […]

A Brown County tradition since 1973, check out the Heritage Candy Store! From milk chocolate to peanut butter and everything in between, the Heritage Candy Store carries the best old-fashioned fudge around, along with all the candies you loved as a child!

Only in Brown County will you find something as original as the Hillbilly Footwash! Take a break from shopping in the Village or soak your feet after a hike in the State Park…regardless of what brings you to the Hillbilly Footwash, you’re guaranteed to love it! From its plunger cup holders and barrel-style foot tubs […]

The Hobnob Corner Restaurant has served as a meeting place for tourists and locals alike for decades. Its prime location in the heart of Nashville, interesting menu, and good service has made the Hobnob a success…and a Brown County mainstay! Housed in the oldest commercial building in town, step back in time and enjoy a […]

Everything you need—food, drink, and dessert—all in one building! Serving up delectable ice cream, as well as a variety of food items since 1998, the Ice Cream Cottage has some of the best prices in town and the friendliest staff! Go ahead…treat yourself to a sweet at the Ice Cream Cottage! Find Ice Cream Cottage […]

Jim and John Lawrence have a long family tradition of artistry in glass and glass-blowing, and are known for their originality, detail, quality and artistic flair! Stop by the Lawrence Family Glass Blowers to admire their work and watch them in action! No molds necessary…each item is unique and made by hand. You can also […]

With its rustic charm and quaint elegance, the Little Gem Restaurant is the perfect place to sit back, relax, and enjoy a delicious meal! Choose a good ol’ Hoosier classic or treat yourself to a buffet. The outdoor patio seating offers spectacular views of the park and there are delicious specialty buffets every weekend. The […]

In the mood for some novelty shopping? Head to the Mercantile, your source for all kinds of knick-knacks!

Since 1977, Miller’s Ice Cream House has been serving up real homemade ice cream in the heart of Nashville! Miller’s 23 famous flavors, plus one special seasonal flavor, are always in stock and are all made the old-fashioned way. You can even watch as it’s being created! Enjoy your ice cream in dishes, cake cones, […]

Experience Brown County from a whole new perspective with Most High Adventure Outfitters! Most High offers guided and self guided wilderness canoe and kayak tours with top quality gear. See local wildlife as you paddle along wilderness refuges and the backwaters of Brown County! Most High also offers guided and self guided mountain bike trips […]

All aboard! A Brown County staple for nearly four decades, the Nashville Express is the perfect way to take in all the sights. Simply sit back and relax on the 2.5 mile, 25 minute long scenic tour of Nashville, complete with a brief history lesson from the conductor. Offered May through October, board the train […]

This is one shop that’s bursting with flavors! An old-fashioned candy store loaded with all your favorite treats, the Nashville Fudge Kitchen has the largest selection of fudge, popcorn, candies, ice cream, and gelato in Brown County! Watch as creamy fudge is made in front of you, cooked and hand-paddled on a thick marble table. […]

A family-friendly restaurant open year-round, Out of the Ordinary definitely lives up to its name! Serving homemade specialties, the portions are as big as its employees’ spirits. Begin with a selection of starters, enjoy a monster-sized salad, soup of the day, mouthwatering sandwich, or indulge in a house dinner specialty after 5 p.m. From beloved […]

Trek around the Pioneer Village and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to another century! Located on Old School Lane, just east of the Courthouse, is a neat little pocket of fun waiting to be discovered. Great for families and anyone who likes old-timey things, the Pioneer Village is home to a two-story 1879 log […]

A local bike shop specializing in mountain bike rentals, guided tours, sales, and repairs, check out Q’s Bikes for all your mountain biking needs! You can find Q’s Bikes at eXplore Brown County. You can also rent bikes to take to the Brown County State Park and other locations in the area!

Come see beautiful, handmade glass blown collectibles at Quintessence Gallery! You might even be able to see the Lawrence brothers demonstrating their blowing glass skills if you’re there at the right time! Come in and say hello.

Stop by Nashville’s only magic shop! Get everything from jokes, pranks, and juggling supplies to magic equipment and tricks of all kinds for beginners, intermediate and advance magicians. Learn about the art of magic and illusion and even see some tricks demonstrated in the store! Group classes and one-on-one instruction available.

The Salt Creek Trail is a paved .75 mile trail beginning at the Brown County YMCA and ending near the CVS parking lot. It is open daily from dawn until dusk. The path takes you over the creek and under a bridge so you can experience the outdoorsy side of Brown County while being close […]

There’s no way better to get out and explore Brown County than on the back of a horse! Take in the natural beauty of the forest and have a little fun…no cowboy boots necessary! Whether you are a greenhorn or an experienced rider, Schooner Valley Stables has a horse that will suit your needs. Schooner […]

Home of Whiskey Nut Fudge, Schwab’s Fudge has been creating delicious handmade fudge since 1977. Schwab’s handcrafted fudge is created onsite, so you can see the magic being made. Stop by for traditional favorites, such as peanut butter and chocolate pecan…or try a seasonal specialty, such as pumpkin spice.

As the name suggests, this is the place to go for shirts! Offering a wide variety of t-shirts, sweatshirts, and more, you’re sure to find just what you’re looking for. The Tee Shirt Shop also does screen printing.

Discover this hidden gem of Brown County! Attracted by its natural beauty, famed Hoosier Group impressionist artist Theodore C. Steele (1847-1926) was the first major artist to settle in Brown County, now the “Art Colony of the Midwest”. The TC Steele State Historic Site offers regularly scheduled tours year round of Steele’s painting-filled studio and […]

Overlooking the hills of Brown County, The Seasons Lodge Dining Room offers exceptional dining and scenic views. Featuring Hoosier specialties prepared with old-fashioned care, the menu includes beef, chicken, pork, seafood, and vegetarian selections, as well as sandwiches, salad bar, and of course, fried biscuits and apple butter! There is something sure to please every […]

Stop by Through the Looking Glass in Antique Alley to admire some of Brown County’s best handcrafted work! You’ll find hand-carved stone signs, stone carvings, glass art creations, routed and sandblasted wood signs, and more.

While other shops might sell toys, the Toy Chest is the only official toy store in town! You’re sure to find the perfect item for the little kiddo (or big kid) in your life. You’re never too old for the Toy Chest. Believe in the power of play and head to the Toy Chest for […]

Take a break from the shops and check out the Village Green Playscape (corner of Main and Jefferson Streets)! Sit down for a quick game of checkers, climb on the wood logs, tinker with the sensory gate…all things there are interactive and Brown County-made!

Weed Patch Music Company offers affordable instruments to inspire the beginner and one-of-a-kind locally made instruments to awe the professional. Be sure to stop by this unique Brown County music store!

Wooden Wonders products are handcrafted by self-taught chainsaw artist, Chris Trotter. Specializing in totem poles and customized products, not only can Chris create exactly what you are looking for, you can also see him at work behind the shop. It’s definitely worth seeing for yourself!

Yellowwood State Forest is located 7 miles west of Nashville and 10 miles east of Bloomington, just north of State Road 46. The forest’s 23,326 acres offer many recreation opportunities for people of all ages and skill levels. With three pristine lakes, hiking, horse trails, abundant wildlife, and primitive overnight campsites, Yellowwood has everything to […]

For a fun time, be sure to swing by Yesteryear Old Time Photo! From the wild wild west and the roaring 20s to elegance and prairie costumes, Yesteryear has costumes for all ages and sizes. Great for bachelor, bachelorette, wedding, birthday parties, families and more!

Looking for a special animal encounter? Zoo’Opolis Exotic Petting World offers a unique experience for every age. With over 100 animals and over 40 species, Zoo’Opolis has tons of critters to play with, learn about, feed, and snap a pic with! Both indoors and outdoors, you’ll be able to step straight into these animals’ habitats. […]