There’s something about a town square that brings back nostalgia. There’s a beautiful historic courthouse surrounded by shopping, restaurants and outdoor seating. Did you know Ball State University did a study on the 92 counties in Indiana and 83 of them still had their historic courthouse?
Not all of them are surrounded by a square but many are and they’re all worth a visit to check out the best a county seat has to offer. Check out this list of best town squares within an hour of Hendricks County. As you might have guessed, we’ll start right here in Danville, Indiana.
Whether it’s girls day out or a day with family, we can easily spend it on the historic Hendricks County Courthouse Square. Don’t miss a delicious meal at the Mayberry Cafe, Court House Grounds, Frank's Place or just off the square, Bread Basket Cafe & Bakery, or grab a treat at Danville Dips or Creation Cookies Cafe.
Looking for entertainment? Enjoy shopping at Seize the Night Designs and Forget-Me-Nots, browse the local art at Gallery on the Square or stop in for a show at The Royal Theater.
Don’t miss 1830 Chophouse serving steaks, seafood and sandwiches with a fantastic outdoor patio in the Boone County seat of Lebanon. Klooz Brewz Brewery and Public House and the new Four Finger Distillery are also popular stops on an evening at this square.
Be sure to experience unique shops like Samson Historical featuring 18th century items for reenactors and museums and Just Us, a coffee shop, boutique store and salon all in one. Lebanon is just 22 miles from Danville.
Just 45 miles from Danville, the Johnson County Courthouse Square in Franklin features plenty of restaurants and shops to check out. The kids could spend all day at Toodleydoo Toys alone but be sure to grab a great meal at The Grill Bar or 1823 Bakehouse.
The historic Artcraft Theatre shouldn’t be missed and if you happen to visit on the first Friday of the month, the square comes alive with shops open late, live music and unique entertainment.
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The 1859 red brick Morgan County Courthouse features a distinctive clock tower and the entire square is the perfect mix of historical and modern. Stop by the Martinsville Candy Kitchen, a mainstay on the square since 1919 or if you’re in the mood a sit-down meal, try Come n' Git It, featuring everything from tenderloin to catfish to the homemade meatloaf.
Fables & Fairytales is the go-to locally owned bookshop and Sterling Butterfly offers handcrafted art and goods for that unique gift. Martinsville is just 28 miles from Danville.
There’s a little bit of everything at the Hamilton County Courthouse Square just 45 miles from Danville. Don’t miss Rosie’s Place, a breakfast and lunch cafe with coffee and baked goods. Be sure to try Rosie’s butter cookies!
Matteo’s Ristorante Italiano is a white-tableclothed, upscale family Italian restaurant and the shopping includes great stops like Two Chicks District Co. (owned by Mina Starsiak of HGTV’s Good Bones) and The Wild Bohemian.
Northwest of Danville 32 miles, visitors can visit the historic courthouse in Montgomery County. In 2018, they restored the clock tower after an 80-year absence. Within just two blocks of the courthouse there are four museums, three arboretums, Wabash College and plenty of dining and shopping options.
Francis and Mount is a famous local eatery housed in a building where people used to buy their seeds, dry goods and other materials, and you can’t miss Pike Place, the half-acre urban park at the center of the downtown area.
