Brown County Bound
As you leave the Cincinnati behind, the urban landscape fades in your rearview mirror. The highway's hum is gradually replaced by the rolling hills and wooded stretches of Indiana. In just two hours, you arrive in Brown County, a place where the world slows down, and the scenery outside your window turns into lush forests, quiet towns, and hidden gems. Here, nature and art blend effortlessly, inviting you to pause and explore at your own pace.
Your first stop is The Nashville House, a historic restaurant in downtown Nashville, Indiana. Established in 1927, the wooden beams of the building seem to hold stories from decades past, while the smell of fried biscuits and apple butter fills the air. It’s a step back in time, where breakfast becomes a cherished ritual.
As you sit down, the fried biscuits arrive, golden and crisp on the outside, soft and warm inside, paired with their famous apple butter—sweet, rich, and comforting. Sipping your coffee, you glance around at fellow diners. Some are locals, others are travelers like yourself, but all share a quiet appreciation for this place and its simple pleasures. The breakfast connects you not just to the food, but to the tradition of slowing down and enjoying the moment.
After breakfast, you head into Brown County State Park, often called the "Little Smokies" for its mist-covered hills. The Ogle Lake Trail, a short, easy loop around a serene lake, beckons you. The stillness of the water reflects the towering trees, and each step feels peaceful, allowing your mind to wander. The quiet is only broken by the occasional bird or the rustle of leaves, and you realize how much you needed this time in nature—a pause from the usual rush.
By midday, you return to Nashville, ready for a hearty lunch at Big Woods Restaurant. Here, wood-fired pizzas and their signature burgers are favorites, and you decide to try one, along with a locally brewed craft beer from Hard Truth Distilling Co.. The restaurant is alive with activity, a mix of locals and visitors savoring the food and the easy-going atmosphere that defines this part of Indiana.
With your hunger satisfied, you set out to explore the local arts scene, beginning with the Hoosier Artist Gallery, an artist-run cooperative. The gallery is filled with artwork that reflects the spirit of the region—paintings, pottery, and jewelry, each piece telling a story. The diversity of mediums and styles speaks to the creativity nurtured here. You take your time, letting each piece reveal a bit more about the artists who live and work in Brown County, many of whom are inspired by the very landscapes you walked through earlier in the day.
Next, you head to the Brown County Art Gallery, home to the works of the famous Brown County Art Colony. The paintings of T.C. Steele, one of Indiana’s most esteemed artists, hang on the walls, capturing the hills and valleys with stunning clarity. Steele’s art is a celebration of nature, and as you move through the gallery, you reflect on how this landscape has inspired generations of artists. There’s something grounding in the knowledge that while places may change over time, their beauty endures.
As the day winds down, you find yourself at Hard Truth Hills Distillery, a 325-acre property where craft spirits are made with care. The wooded surroundings and rustic setting are a perfect end to your day of exploration. You join a distillery tour, where you learn about the art of making whiskey, bourbon, and rum, seeing the aging barrels stacked neatly in the distillery’s heart.
After the tour, you settle by a fire pit, a cocktail in hand made with Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey. The cool evening air wraps around you, and you take a sip, letting the warmth of the whiskey spread through you. As you gaze at the flickering flames, you reflect on the day—the nature, the art, the people. The stillness of the moment offers a sense of calm, a perfect balance to the experiences of the day.
As the stars begin to appear, you realize it’s time to head back to Cincinnati. The drive home feels different now, quieter, as if the day has given you a sense of clarity. Each stop—whether it was hiking in the park, admiring local art, or tasting spirits—has left its mark, shaping your understanding of Brown County. You carry those memories with you, knowing they’ll linger long after you’ve returned to the city.
This day trip has been more than a visit to a place—it has been a chance to reflect, to connect with nature and creativity in a deeper way. The moments of quiet, the people you meet, and the landscapes you experience all come together to remind you that travel is as much about personal discovery as it is about seeing new places.