What to Do in the Fall in Brown County, Indiana
We happen to think Brown County is beautiful year round, but fall is definitely the season it’s best known for. Fall is also when the biggest crowds flock here to enjoy the colorful foliage, quaint shops, and breathtaking views.
There are a few things you can do to ensure you have the best trip possible this fall but, if you’re planning a trip, you might also be wondering what the heck there is to do while you’re here? How can you make the most of your time here and what activities are specific to the fall season?
Well consider this your guide to all things fall in Brown County, and hopefully you’ll leave with the start of a great plan for your visit!
Things to Do in the Fall in Brown County & Nashville, IN
Get Outside!
Let’s face it, it’s hard to truly enjoy the fall colors and feel the crispness in the air if you’re not outside. And even if you don't consider yourself an 'outdoorsy' person, there is a way to take in the beauty of fall and soothe your soul in Brown County. Some of my favorite options include:
Hike, bike, ride, or paddle one of the many trails in Brown County
Brown County is known for its natural beauty and rugged terrain, so pick a trail based on your level of ability and preferred type of exercise and get going! The Brown County State Park is obviously a well-known option for many types of trails, but it can get crowded in the fall months (especially on weekends).
If you want to avoid the worst of the crowds, consider checking out another location for trails like local nature preserves, the Hoosier National Forest, and Yellowwood State Forest. I’ve got all these options and more linked on my “Things to Do in Brown County” page under the “Hike,” “Ride & Play,” and “Swim & Paddle” sections. If you need a paved trail, the Salt Creek Trail in town or the Friends Trail, near the Park Office at the Brown County State Park, are your best options.
Explore the Backroads
Did you know that the fall foliage colors start to show the earliest and the most intensely on the lower branches and understory of trees? That means that while the expansive views at overlooks like Hesitation Point and the Bean Blossom Overlook are impressive, you might actually get the most “wow” out of the colors by going for a drive.
You could spend a weekend checking out the artists and studios featured on this year’s Brown County Back Roads Studio Tour, take one of the scenic drive routes shared by the Brown County Visitor’s Center, or get a dose of history using the self-guided tour developed by the Peaceful Valley Heritage group.
Take in the Views
What’s one way to make the fall foliage colors even more special? Combine it with a sunset view! Whether you choose one of the more popular overlook locations at the Brown County State Park, or the Bean Blossom Overlook, or find somewhere a little more secluded (like watching the sun set over the water at Lake Yellowwood), pack a blanket or chairs, some snacks and drinks, and get ready to have your breath taken away.
Shop and Stroll in Nashville
the shops in town go all out with amazing fall décor, so I say that you could easily count shopping in Nashville towards your daily dose of the outdoors.
Taste the Flavors of Fall
I’m here to tell you that there’s more to the world of fall flavors than pumpkin spice, and Brown County has everything you could be looking for. Open your mind (and prepare your taste buds) and enjoy the flavors of fall at the many restaurants, cafes, and shops in and around Nashville:
Eat
Ice Cream - Miller’s Ice Cream has several great ice cream flavors that capture the essence of fall in Brown County, including Persimmon, Apple Butter, Black Walnut, and Brown County Campfire. Or make a stop at Fearrin’s Ice Cream & Yogurt Depot to try their Hot Carmel Pumpkin Sundae.
Fudge & Candy - If candy or fudge are more your “sweet spot” for fall flavors, then head to the Nashville Fudge Kitchen, Schwab’s Fudge, or the Candy Emporium to satisfy your sweet tooth with one of their many handmade treats.
Comfort Food - You can find comfort food in Brown County year round, but it really shines as the temperatures start to drop in the fall. Get cozy and enjoy some hearty food to warm your soul at the Heavenly Biscuit, the Nashville House Restaurant, Rafters Food & Spirits, or one of the many other restaurants in Brown County serving classic comfort foods.
Produce, Baked Goods, & Farm Products - Fall is the time to celebrate a bountiful harvest, and what better way to do that than visiting the local farmers market or a pumpkin patch or farm stand? The Nashville Indiana Farmers Market is held every Sunday until the end of October from 11a-2p at the Brown County Inn and features plenty of locally grown produce, baked goods, and arts and crafts created by local artisans.
Kelp’s Pumpkin Patch is located 7 miles east of Nashville, on State Road 46, and has piles of pumpkins and other fall goodies to check out all fall long. Or head to Nature’s Sweet Farm near Bean Blossom for their U-Pick flowers, produce, honey, and maple syrup products.
Drink
Coffee & Tea - I know I probably seemed biased against pumpkin spice earlier, but there are several spots in town to grab the perfect coffee or tea drink (PSL-flavored or otherwise) to start your day or get you through the afternoon slump. Definitely check out the Daily Grind, Sweetea’s Tea Shop, or the Chocolate Moose for the perfect pick-me-up.
Cocktails - Several restaurants in town serve up great seasonal cocktails, so be sure to check out the fall offerings at the Birds Nest Cafe, Brown County Inn, Ferguson House Bistro, or Hard Truth Hills.
Craft Beer - Brewed locally, Quaff On! Beer is served at Big Woods Pizza and Hard Truth Hills in town. They come out with seasonal flavors annually, including their “Put a Fork In It” Pumpkin Ale and “Quafftoberfest.”
Get in the Spooky Spirit
I know Halloween isn’t a big deal for everyone, but if you’re someone who loves “spooky season,” there’s plenty to Nashville and Brown County, IN that will help you get into the spirit!
Get tickets at the Brown County Playhouse to see “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” or “The Slightly Haunted Puppet Show”
Eat at the Bird’s Nest Cafe and enjoy their amazingly over-the-top spooktacular decor
Trick-or-Treat the Brown County Way - since there aren’t many traditional “neighborhoods” in Brown County, the whole community comes together for a few big Trick-or-Treating events. Head to the Brown County YMCA for Trick-or-Treat on the Salt Creek Trail on Halloween night; walk into town to trick-or-treat at the shops or on Artist Dr; or visit the annual ‘Friendly Forest’ event at the Jackson Township Fire Department in Helmsburg
Get in character and participate in a “Murder at the Masquerade” at Naughty Dog Books
Try your luck at ghost hunting with a stay at the Story Inn for a chance to see the ghost of the ‘Blue Lady’
Enjoy Some Live Music
The still warm days and cooler nights as we head into fall are the perfect time to enjoy live music all over Brown County. Depending on the kind of music you love and when you’ll be visiting, there are plenty of options to choose from:
Lots of restaurants continue to host live music, including the Brown County Inn, the Ferguson House, Hard Truth Hills, the Sycamore Saloon, and the Story Inn, just to name a few. Check out each businesses website Event Calendars or Facebook pages for all the details.
Bigger musical names and stellar shows are hosted weekly at the Brown County Playhouse and the Brown County Music Center. Head to their websites for more information and to get tickets.
Music Festivals - there are several great outdoor venues and music festivals going on this fall in Brown County, including the Uncle Pen Fest Bluegrass Festival at Bill Monroe’s Music Park and Campground, the Brown County Country Music Fest at the Sycamore Saloon, or the Hills & Hollers Art and Music Festival at Explore Brown County.
Grab an instrument to play your own tunes - and gather around a campfire, if you can. I can't play any instruments myself, but there's something so enjoyable (and SO Brown County) about people playing and singing around a fire. Looking to upgrade your instrument or hone your musical skills? Check out the Weed Patch Music Company for instruments suited for beginners to experts and consider signing up for lessons or one of their workshops to improve those strumming skills!
Step Back in Time
History is alive in Brown County year round, but fall is a special time to learn about the past and how those lessons still apply today.
Brown County History Center & Pioneer Village - The Brown County History Center is open varying days and hours year round (check their website or call ahead for specifics) and the Pioneer Village is open and staffed with volunteers on the weekends through November. Visit the old log jail, a doctor’s office, a one room schoolhouse, and several other buildings and pieces of Brown County’s past.
Historical Cemeteries - Brown County is home to numerous old cemeteries and, if you decide to explore the back roads like I mentioned earlier, you’ll likely come across several of them. The Peaceful Valley Heritage Group includes a few cemetery stops in their self-guided driving tour and that group also leads cemetery preservation efforts throughout the county. If you decide to visit any cemeteries, just be respectful of the setting and history of these places, but otherwise it’s a special way to connect with a piece of our past.
Visit the Ghost Town of Elkinsville - If you continue past the town of Story on IN-135, you’ll come to a historical marker for Elkinsville, “The Town That Was.” The land where Elkinsville is located was acquired by the US Army Corps of Engineers in the 1960s through eminent domain, as part of the construction of Monroe Lake. The town was evacuated at that time, but it was never submerged by water, so the abandoned buildings remain in place today.
There are So Many Things to Do in Brown County - Year Round!
Fall isn’t the only time of year to visit Brown County and I’ve got plenty of recommendations compiled to help with your planning year round, including:
So definitely check out those pages, whenever you’re planning to visit (fall included!). But if you’re looking for recommendations and ideas that are specific to fall in Brown County, then this was the right post for you!
