Things to do
Birds Nest Cafe
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 waffles and homemade muffins to breakfast tarts and scrumptious sweets, dining at the Bird’s Nest Café is definitely a good start to the day. And a pretty healthy one too! You can even try out a tantalizing adult Apothecary Cocktail, beer, wine, or specialty coffee drinks!
Harvest Dinning Room at Brown County Inn
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 buds are sure to be delighted. Crepes, fried chicken, fish and chips, gumbo, grilled pork chops, burgers, a salad bar, unique cocktails, and more…have your next meal at the Harvest Dining Room!
Caramel Corn Cottage
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 three bite delights and buckeyes, you’ve got to stop by the Carmel Corn Cottage!
Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Life is short…eat more cinnamon rolls! Visit Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Rolls, located directly behind the Visitors Center, and enjoy fresh baked cinnamon rolls, made from scratch and full of “ooey gooey” goodness! Dig in to unique and oh-so-tasty flavors, like a Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll or a German Chocolate Cinnamon Roll. More than just cinnamon rolls, Ooey Gooey also serves fresh baked artisan breads, muffins, brownies, pretzels, breakfast sandwiches, burritos, biscuits and gravy, an amazing breakfast volcano, delicious sandwiches, homemade soups, made from scratch lunch specials, a large variety of coffee, tea, and refreshing fruit infused water. Stop by the quaint cafe for breakfast, lunch, or pick up an order for on the go! Get ready to experience “the best cinnamon roll you will ever eat!”
Beer Wallow Distillery
Bear Wallow Distillery, located in Gnaw Bone, is one of the first craft distilleries in Indiana! Using only locally-grown grains, Bear Wallow creates unique Indiana spirits in an old-fashioned copper pot still. Take a Farm-to-Fifth Tour and see how Bear Wallow’s handcrafted Indiana corn whiskey is made. Distillery Hours: Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sippin' Trip
Get ready for a unique excursion to the diverse artisan wineries, breweries, and distilleries around Brown County! The Sippin’ Trip will treat your taste buds to some of Brown County’s best beverages. From mouthwatering moonshine and delicious craft beer to smooth spirits and fine wine, these locally-produced libations are sure to hit the spot. Our participants have gone out of their way to create a fun-filled, Brown County afternoon that you’ve got to experience for yourself! During the tour you will stop at Bear Wallow Distillery, Hard Truth Hills, Brown County Winery, and Country Heritage Winery. The best part? Transportation and lunch are included! Tours can be booked online at www.browncounty.com/tours.
Country Heritage Winery Tasting Room
Country Heritage Winery has more than 100 years of family legacy under its belt. Constructed on the Lutter family farm, Blueberry Acres, in 2011, Jeremy & Jessica Lutter have grown Country Heritage to be one of Indiana’s largest wineries and vineyards. CHW features dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, and sweet wines from a variety of fruits and grapes grown on the property and/or from other great fruit farms or vineyards in Michigan, Wisconsin, New York, Washington, and California. Country Heritage has something for all tastes, including hard ciders! Country Heritage Winery recently acquired Chateau Thomas Winery, meshing together two top-notch Indiana brands. You’ll still find Chateau’s famed Abe Martin Jug Series wine, Slender wines, and a few others, along with a great selection of new Country Heritage favorites! Stop by for a tasting, a relaxing afternoon on the patio, or a fun evening of live music! Be sure to ask about the wine club too!
Brown County Playhouse
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, Saturday, and Sunday or online. Brown County beer and wine, as well as snacks, also are sold in the auditorium.
Brown County Rock Shop
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!
Yesteryear Old Time Photo
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!
Nashville Express Tour Train
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 at Fearrin’s Ice Cream (Franklin and Van Buren Streets). $6 per person; children 5 and under ride free.
Zoo'Opolis Exotic Petting World
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. Hold a lemur, pet a kinkajou, feed a Muntjac deer, cuddle a prairie dog, get your picture taken with a timber wolf, racoon, fox, wallaby, and more! Choose from various ticket options—for curious beginners all the way to animal ambassadors wanting full immersion! Reservations are required. Zoo’Opolis is open Wednesdays through Sundays year-round; closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Brown County State 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 overlooking miles of uninterrupted forestland. Interested in fishing, kayaking, or canoeing? The Brown County State Park has two lakes – Strahl and Ogle. Rowboats and electric trolling motors permitted on Ogle lake. Boats/kayaks/canoes/paddleboats need DNR Lake Permit which is $5 a year. Strahl Lake is not accessible to boats. Fishing is okay in both lakes but a State Fishing License is required. Licenses & DNR permits available at the Park Office. There is no boat rental available in the park.
Explore Brown County at Valley Branch Retreat
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 County also offers 80-acres of paintball, arrow tag, 4-wheel drive buggy tours, ATV tours, 30-miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, rowboats and canoes to use on a four-acre fishing lake, night flight zip lines, and more! They even have new hummer tours and team building activities.