Top Things to Do in Brown County, Indiana

Just a mile from Brown County State Park, the 2,000-seat center offers a lineup of local, regional and national performers. browncountymusiccenter.com

Check the website schedule for events (plays, musicals, concerts) and movies in this 426-seat theater founded in 1949. browncountyplayhouse.org

Climb a lookout tower for a bird's-eye view of the 16,000 acres of forests, lakes and wooded campgrounds. The park's 27 miles of mountain biking trails rank among the state's best. stateparks.in.gov

A winding road leads to one of two covered Brown County bridges. The 1880 bridge across Bean Blossom Creek once served as a major passage into Nashville. It's closed to vehicles but a popular spot for photographers. browncounty.com

Fifteen ziplines among the treetops include the state's fastest, longest and tallest twin-racing zips. Also available at the site: paintball, arrow tag, ATV tours and camping. explorebrowncounty.com

Take a distillery tour, mixology class or ATV adventure on a 325-acre Nashville property that is also home to a Big Woods restaurant. visithardtruth.com

Picnic at one of the tables overlooking the 203,000 acres and explore some of the 266 miles of trails. fs.usda.gov

You'll find antiques stores and crafts studios throughout Brown County, but if you'd rather walk, spend an afternoon in Nashville. Find sweet treats at stores like Miller's Ice Cream House or Carmel Corn Cottage, and swing by the Brown County Art Guild to see works by more than 40 local and regional artists.

Tours of T.C. Steele's home and studio teach about the Hoosier Group impressionist who helped turn Brown County into a thriving artists' colony. tcsteele.org

You'll have to hunt for the specimen yellowwoods, but plenty of pines, walnuts, locusts and oaks shade horseback and hiking trails. in.gov

Indiana-grown grains distill into whiskey, moonshine and other craft liquors in Gnaw Bone. Taste the fifths in a room meant to look like a backwoods shack. bearwallowdistillery.com

Artisan pizzas, such as The Smokehouse (pulled pork, smoked chicken, mozzarella, barbecue sauce), pair with beers like Busted Knuckle from the local microbrewery, Quaff ON! bigwoodsrestaurants.com

Fresh herbs and produce star in salads, sandwiches and dinner fare in an 1800s brick farmhouse at The Flower and Herb barn nursery near Bean Blossom. farmhousecafeandtearoom.com

Original oak fixtures from 1873 set a casual tone, but the menu reflects foods both homey (liver and onions) and upscale (duck breast with red wine reduction on a butternut squash fritter). hobnobcornerrestaurant.com

In a bright yellow wood building, snack on cinnamon- and sugar-dusted fried biscuits and other homemade breakfast and lunch fare. Nashville General Store and Bakery Facebook

Yes, you can order sandwiches, but the real draw is the cream-and-crimson interior crammed with memorabilia honoring Indiana University basketball and legendary coach Bob Knight. Our Sandwich Place on Facebook

In the heart of Brown County State Park, rooms in the stone-and-timber 1932 main lodge have patchwork quilts and furniture trim resembling branches. Families might want to opt for a two-story cabin. indianainns.com

Shaker-style furnishings, plank floors and four-posters decorate rooms at Nashville's downtown inn. Munch on sweet potato Sun Fries with brown sugar sauce in the Colonial-style restaurant. artistscolonyinn.com

Friendly barnyard animals and a farm-fresh breakfast set a pleasantly rustic tone at this lodging a few minutes outside Nashville. A well-supplied art room encourages creativity. robinwoodinn.com

Ten miles of country roads lead to this escape outside Nashville. Stay in one of 18 rooms in the renovated buildings—mill, general store, cottages—that made up the village of Story in the 1800s. storyinn.com

For more information browncounty.com